TDF spoiler
Last Post 06/17/2014 02:17 PM by Orange Crush. 40 Replies.
Author Messages
Ride On

Posts:537

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06/08/2014 10:25 PM
Froome .... He kicked some ass today. If he does that again tomorrow, July will be a bore.
stronz

Posts:447

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06/09/2014 11:44 AM
well this should be the Dauphine spoiler, no? Anyways -- I think AC is sizing him up. I didnt see the stage so not sure if AC was on the limit. I think AC is trying to measure his outputs -- he's riding the Dauphine, tour and vuelta. So he either couldnt attack or didnt want to. In any case he seems closer to Froomey this year than last. Froome may still be the best, but the tour is a beast. I could easily see Valverde and Contador trying to work over Froome at the tour. Sky's tour team will probably not be as strong as saxo or movistar.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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06/09/2014 01:20 PM
If Contador is on his usual schedule, Froome should be worrying. Contador hasn't raced in two months. Typically he aims to peak for the third week in July. Froome attacked Contador 5 times if I read the written live account correctly and managed to get 4 bonus seconds. This on a climb that doesn't really play into Contador's hand

I say, let Froome kick all the a** he wants this week. He probably needs to win this to show the world who is boss, especially inside Sky. Contador needs this week for quality speed work but he doesn't need to win. (I'm betting that if he finishes each stage within 5 seconds of Froome, he will be sleeping very soundly and Froome will be worried.)

Ben
Keith Richards

Posts:781

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06/09/2014 01:37 PM
If I am Contador, I am not panicking. He will have some time to touch up the form before July. Alberto is losing, but he is not being spanked.
----- It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong.
CERV

Posts:151

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06/09/2014 01:56 PM
SPOILER POST

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRXcCOip7Dk

T wouldn't call this morning a spanking. Those were some crazy accelerations, reminiscent of contador and the chicken in 2007. Contador never came around, but also never looked in real difficulty matching him.
At the finish it didn't look like Contador quite had it in him to come around, but like others have said, if Contador is back on his old pre-tour build schedule, Froome should be concerned about the 3rd week of the tour. Nibali, on the other hand didn't look so hot.

Tough to draw too much from it. Fresh legs for both with no recent race days, first day jitters, psychological games, all that. Nice to see some other unexpected younger guys up there holding their own too.


Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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06/09/2014 01:59 PM
Didn't we establish Froome won't make it past the cobbles :-)

I like how Kelderman rides coming off a solid Giro. I think the Orange have finally got one for the future.
Keith Richards

Posts:781

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06/09/2014 03:09 PM
Posted By CERV __ on 06/09/2014 01:56 PM
SPOILER POST

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRXcCOip7Dk

Those were some crazy accelerations, reminiscent of contador and the chicken in 2007.




Ugh...those were the most violent attacks and counterattacks I have ever seen in a Grand tour. Dudes were throwing haymakers.
----- It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong.
Ride On

Posts:537

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06/09/2014 05:38 PM
The original post was after the TT, not today's climbing stage. Froome just needs to hold his own in the mountains, he can gain time in the TT.
79pmooney

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06/09/2014 07:22 PM
Ride On, even in the TT Frome should have a little concern. He got what, 5 seconds in 10k? So 20 seconds in 40k. And he got a lot of that on the corners late. That's not going to happen in July!

Ben
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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06/09/2014 09:25 PM
Remind me how often the dauphine winner wins the Tour vs rides the Tour but does not win.
Ride On

Posts:537

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06/09/2014 10:12 PM
You guys,

Froome has got his 2nd win in the bag. I'll tag this thread and post it up at the end of the tour. I do hope I'm wrong, but this thread is the most fun we will have. Once it starts it will be over before we know it.
Pin0Q0

Posts:229

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06/10/2014 06:55 AM
Ride on - We all hope you are wrong. R Port didn't look that good and if that continues throughout this week then BW maybe going to the Tour after all. So once all the planets are in line then Froome will suffer on the cobbles or test positive and BW will take over. Now that would be an epic tour otherwise it's going to suck.
stronz

Posts:447

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06/10/2014 09:28 AM
Pin0 -- that scenario is soooo delicious and crunclhy - sweet and savory all at once! And it could happen. I watched yesterdays climb on steephill and would make the following observation. Both AC an Froome were in the big ring the whole way up. Not really an indicator if what they'll be doing in July. The climb later this week is much steeper and it remains to be seen which rider it will favor.

My feeling from actually watching it is that Contador has the upper hand. I think he really was sizing up Froome and holding some powder back. Yeah he couldnt go around him in the end but I think had he wanted to win he would have tried earlier. Froome was clearly on the limit I did not sense that AC was. In terms of racing savvy and strength of team I still give the edge to Contador and Saxo. Lets not forget AC has been been stripped of more GTs than Froome has won and even so AC still has more GT wins after that. You dont do that without being a sneaky assassin.
Keith Richards

Posts:781

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06/10/2014 10:40 AM
Q: What will be a good result for you in Dauphiné?
AC: To analyze my performance, have a good physical recovery, and especially in the 10 days following the end of the race. I can use the feedback I get from Dauphiné to alter and add the final details to my shape.


Like I said upthread, and apparently Contador is thinking the same, this race is a perfect chance to test the form and follow up with some last minute training changes to prepare for the TdF. One slip up by Sky and Alberto is going for the throat.

Read more at http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/06/news/two-dauphine-stages-clear-alberto-contador-back-form_331213#UpKpr3Y2RCvgOIOI.99
----- It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/10/2014 10:56 AM
I agree that AC doesn't really care about the DL......that said, I kinda doubt he can beat Froome come July.

Honestly, this all kinda sounds like everyone talking up the Spurs against the Heat. Sorry, it just ain't gonna happen (unfortunately).

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Keith Richards

Posts:781

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06/10/2014 10:59 AM
CK, I am hoping the cobbles cause something exciting to happen.

But yeah...Froome is a tough nut to crack. If he just didn't look so damn UGLY riding a bike, I could maybe get behind him.

Maybe.
----- It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong.
Pin0Q0

Posts:229

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06/10/2014 12:08 PM
I read somewhere on the last climb Froome was pedaling close to 120 rpm on the attacks @6% or > (that’s insane). No one attacks more violently than AC and he is usually out of saddle power attacking, can’t think of anyone attacking at that high of a cadence for so long so many times! What I did notice though was a face of a constipated duck every time he looked up.
CERV

Posts:151

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06/11/2014 02:39 AM
I get the sense Froome would crack mentally pretty quickly if he were to get outgunned on a climb.

I think he has an insane ability to put himself into pain, but I think it's predicated on believing he's the strongest one there. I wonder what it'd do to his head space if he had to ride with any other strategy other than 'be the strongest' to win?

Reminds me of cancellara a bit actually, until he finally figured out how to win a classic when he couldn't just ride away at will.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/11/2014 08:55 AM
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 06/10/2014 10:56 AM
Honestly, this all kinda sounds like everyone talking up the Spurs against the Heat. Sorry, it just ain't gonna happen (unfortunately).



Uhhhh......as I was saying...
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
stronz

Posts:447

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06/11/2014 09:09 AM
thats why they play da games....and ride the races I guess too
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/12/2014 11:55 PM
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 06/11/2014 08:55 AM
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 06/10/2014 10:56 AM
Honestly, this all kinda sounds like everyone talking up the Spurs against the Heat. Sorry, it just ain't gonna happen (unfortunately).



Uhhhh......as I was saying...


DAMN!!!! Hopefully this bodes well for July!!
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
zootracer

Posts:833

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06/13/2014 12:55 PM
Froome crashed yesterday with 10K to go, guess I must have fallen asleep, I did not catch it...or maybe I'm just bored with pro racing..
CERV

Posts:151

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06/14/2014 11:26 AM
Spurs looked good today
Ride On

Posts:537

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06/14/2014 09:51 PM
Sky tour team looked pretty strong

Sky's tour team will probably not be as strong as saxo or movistar.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/14/2014 10:40 PM
Posted By CERV __ on 06/14/2014 11:26 AM
Spurs looked good today


LOL....well played, cerv!!
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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06/15/2014 10:21 AM
Absolute chaos today, now that is hopefully a TdF preview
Ride On

Posts:537

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06/15/2014 01:18 PM
LeBron and AC need some team support to pull of the W.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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06/15/2014 02:32 PM
We don't need to worry. CK has it all wrapped up:

I agree that AC doesn't really care about the DL......that said, I kinda doubt he can beat Froome come July.

Honestly, this all kinda sounds like everyone talking up the Spurs against the Heat. Sorry, it just ain't gonna happen (unfortunately)


But seriously - give Contador a good supporting cast and watch out! I'm betting AC gets a warm handshake from Mr Tinkoff and the rest of the team some warmer words. For Sky, the exact opposite.

July should be fun.

Ben
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/16/2014 01:20 AM
Yeah, July just got more exciting by two accounts today! Lol!!!

I sure blew that call.....
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Keith Richards

Posts:781

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06/16/2014 10:38 AM
lol.....how about that?
----- It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong.
Keith Richards

Posts:781

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06/16/2014 10:39 AM
And mad props to AC for riding a superb race tactically with no teammates. With more support he could have won that thing.
----- It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/16/2014 10:47 AM
Yeah, better support probably = victory for AC. That said, I really don't think he cared that much about winning, hence the reason he didn't react sooner to Talansky's attack (that and the fact that he probably didn't think he could make it stick).

My guess is that AC wanted to test his form, see where he stacked up against Froome, make a few moves to test things and anything else was a bonus. Dude rode his ASS off though once he went after Talansky....but nobody is really talking about the fact that he did blow-up in the last KM. Whether that is something to be concerned about is TBD.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Oldfart

Posts:511

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06/16/2014 11:42 AM
Not that anyone thinks the Schleck boys would do anything ever again but poor Frank pulled out of the TdS with what was described as a severe concussion. Depending I suppose on what exactly that means I doubt that we'll see him in July.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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06/16/2014 12:21 PM
Contador's support cast for TdF is largely at TdS. So fact that he didn't have much support at Dauphine isn't indicative.

Yeah I read that about Frank. The Schleck story is just going from bad to worse to just downright sad.
Oldfart

Posts:511

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06/16/2014 07:26 PM
My theory on the Schlecks is that since Frank got busted, they gone clean and now are only less then average riders. Plus Andy is mentally soft and can't ride down hills.
Orange Crush

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06/16/2014 07:34 PM
this just in...Andy to focus on stage win rather than overall, if he makes the cut for the team.

IF.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/schleck-has-to-earn-tour-de-france-place-in-switzerland

50 Andy Schleck (Lux) Trek Factory Racing 0:02:19  
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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06/16/2014 08:22 PM
I like Andy for the cobbles stage and the dream-a-lot fantasy unicorn jersey.
Ride On

Posts:537

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06/17/2014 06:03 AM
Ok so we've decided who is going take GC.

Cav or Kittel? They haven't really gone head to head in a while. Should be interesting for sure. You have to pick Kittel don't you ?
Pin0Q0

Posts:229

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06/17/2014 08:19 AM
Picking Cav. He'll take it to the line four out of five. He looked really good in Tour of Turkey.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/17/2014 11:17 AM
Well, that was clean pair of wheels that Cav just showed everyone in Switzerland......
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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06/17/2014 02:17 PM
Cav seems to be on form; still picking Kittel who's also shown good stuff this year, plus he managed to get in Cav's head, making him change his bike setup :-)


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