Tour De France 2012

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davek said:
Fair comment. Evans doesn't have that explosive climbing ability that can unsettle Wiggins. However, others in the peleton will be attacking constantly. It's ok having a great team around you but Wiggins had a good team around him in the Vuelta last year and still cracked on Angliru. Maybe Evans will withstand the onslaught better. Someone like Schleck could cause havoc for SKY and Wiggins.
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I can bet you any money it means it's he's took less drugs than Wiggins, that's why.
 
Bruce Wayne said:
That's the nature of the Angliru though. It's so steep, and you subsequently go so slow, that having team-mates around you doesn't many any difference. There's no drafting benefits to be had, it's just man on man. I don't think the Tour has anything really to compare to the steep beasts they like in the Giro or Vuelta.

It's worth remembering too how Basso and Nibali gave Evans a working over on the Mortirolo in the 2010 Giro, so I'm not sure he's really any better on the steep stuff than Wiggins. Has to be remembered, that for all of his gutsy riding last year, for the most part Tommy Voekler was staying with Evans on the climbs, and I'm sure if TV can then Wiggins can.
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I thought Evans took off from Wiggins a little bit toward the end of the stage on Saturday and got a gap (admittedly the gradient kicked up to about 20%). I reckon it was only covered by Wiggins because Evans was going for the stage win and Froome wrapped it up.

I believe Evans will be stronger than Wiggins when they're in the Pyrenees, although I dont think he's going to make the difference up on time that Wiggins will get from the two long TTs. It really is set up for BW and it's now or never.
 
Just caught up on the TT as I had to leave for work just as Wiggo was setting off. Outrage! Anyway wow what a ride, absolutely stunning. And as you guys have already said with another long TT on the last Saturday Cadel will need some serious rides in the mountains to have half a chance. What an achievement it will be if Brad can pull this off... He's a big Weller fan too (y) Go on Wiggo lad!
 
davek said:
I thought Evans took off from Wiggins a little bit toward the end of the stage on Saturday and got a gap (admittedly the gradient kicked up to about 20%). I reckon it was only covered by Wiggins because Evans was going for the stage win and Froome wrapped it up.

I believe Evans will be stronger than Wiggins when they're in the Pyrenees, although I dont think he's going to make the difference up on time that Wiggins will get from the two long TTs. It really is set up for BW and it's now or never.
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It wouldn't surprise me if Sky didn't send Froome off up the road in a mountain stage. Wiggins could still use Porte and Rogers if he wanted to, but it'd force Evans and Nibali to chase him down if they want to keep their podium position.
 
Bruce Wayne said:
It wouldn't surprise me if Sky didn't send Froome off up the road in a mountain stage. Wiggins could still use Porte and Rogers if he wanted to, but it'd force Evans and Nibali to chase him down if they want to keep their podium position.
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I tend to think SKY (banking on a stronger Wiggins than last year) will go with the same tactic as they did in the Vuelta and hand Froome nurse maiding duties on Wiggins...who's the only one of the SKY riders you can see being there when attacks are made in the steepest of gradients to come. I have the feeling Wiggins is still a bit nervy about Froome's ambitions - which is understandable given what happened in the Vuelta. On the other hand, other teams will be hatching plans against SKY's intentions to control the pace and tempo. Anything that shakes it up a bit is in Evans/Nibali's favour. It isn't over yet and a lot of mistakes can be made coming down the mountains to the finish (only one more mountain top finish left).
 
Bruce Wayne said:
It wouldn't surprise me if Sky didn't send Froome off up the road in a mountain stage. Wiggins could still use Porte and Rogers if he wanted to, but it'd force Evans and Nibali to chase him down if they want to keep their podium position.
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I think SKY will wait for Cadel to attack as they know he has to and keep responding and snuff him out by bringing him back to the peloton. I can't see Wiggins making a single attack unless something catastrophic happens.

Froome being in such a position at this point is an ace in the hole that they probably never dreamed of having. They could use him to attack on almost a daily basis and Evans, Menchov and anybody else who wants to do something will have no choice but to go with him.

This is the reason I love the tour, as much as I have admiration for the riders, who have some of the worlds best chemists at thier disposal, the politics fascinate me.
 
steken1 said:
I think SKY will wait for Cadel to attack as they know he has to and keep responding and snuff him out by bringing him back to the peloton. I can't see Wiggins making a single attack unless something catastrophic happens.

Froome being in such a position at this point is an ace in the hole that they probably never dreamed of having. They could use him to attack on almost a daily basis and Evans, Menchov and anybody else who wants to do something will have no choice but to go with him.

This is the reason I love the tour, as much as I have admiration for the riders, who have some of the worlds best chemists at thier disposal, the politics fascinate me.
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:lol:

Harsh but fair.
 
Got to watch the time trials yesterday (tape delayed after I got home from work) and wow !!! Wiggins AND Froome?

The TV guys here were saying that if Froome keeps this up, SKY will still probably back Wiggins in the GC but Froome could make some noise.

Will be interesting to see how it unfolds on that SKY team.
 
Some big climbs today on the tour. Evans was talking about how strong sky are but that he will need to go for it.

Nibali had a go yesterday but couldn't get away.
 
The sabotage with nails was pure hilarity! Most interesting thing to happen!
 
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