Dale
Posts:1767
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| 07/15/2016 12:48 PM |
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Agree... the wheel grab was just part of the chaos of the day. I don't agree with Tilford that he ought to get booted from the tour. What Nib's did was boot worthy.
The Tour need to get their crap together... this has become a clown show with the motor, cars, fans and horrible finishing sections. |
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Red Tornado
Posts:159
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| 07/17/2016 04:34 PM |
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A few thoughts going into the final week of the Tour...
1. As far as the GC is concerned, this year has been a snooze-fest for the me, aside from just a couple ill-fated attacks. Froome's tactics seem to have gotten a little better, so that's good for him. Basically the same thing we saw from Lance/Postal/Disco. In Sky's defense however, it's the best way to win and that's what they're being paid to do, so I guess it depends on which side of the fence you're on. Nothing personal against them, I would say the same regarding any team riding/dominating like this. In any sport IMHO too much of one person/team isn't good.
2. I'm not sure if the other GC contenders are afraid to attack, or maybe realize they're just not strong enough to overpower the Sky juggernaut (i.e. Quintana). After the first ten days or so, they seem content to just join in with the procession/victory lap to Paris, and the burden is on them to take the race from Sky but they seemingly cannot deliver on that one. Seems like literally the rest of the road racing world is powerless against this team - in the Tour.
3. I have also wondered how a rider who for the first part of his career was a good domestique, but not a GC guy or even a "super" domestique, all of a sudden can out climb everyone and can out TT almost everyone. I understand he hasn't tested positive, so it's all guessing from me at this point, and I'm not really accusing him - just doesn't add up to me. The old saying comes to mind about turning a workhorse into a thoroughbred. But until something turns up.....
4. Between the green/white/polka dot jersey's and watching to see if the break of the day will stay away, it hasn't been a bad Tour to watch. From an entertainment point of view it would be even nicer to see a "real" GC battle like the last several Giro's and Vuelta's. Understand we may never again see the epic stuff of the doped up generations, but anything more than what we get from the Wiggins/Froome/Sky bunch would be an improvement.
Feel free to disagree if you want. Just my $0.02 |
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smokey52
Posts:493
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| 07/17/2016 05:46 PM |
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Red Tornado,
wrt #3: It might be that with fewer dopers, somebody with natural talent and a strong work ethic can rise to the occasion. or not. It's so easy to be jaded. |
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Red Tornado
Posts:159
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| 07/18/2016 10:16 AM |
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| Valid point, and could be what's actually happening. We'll probably never know though.
Unfortunately, I will most likely continue to be a little skeptical. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/18/2016 02:26 PM |
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Between Sky's team dominance and Froome's magical transformation I continue to have my doubts.
In an interview in L’Equipe, three-time winner Greg LeMond said there is “nothing worse than doubt.” After raising doubts about motors in the peloton, he also had a go at Sky, saying this: “Froome turns the legs so fast that it’s contrary to the laws of physiology. What annoys me is to hear certain trainers say it’s all science fiction, which is disinformation. Others make us believe that they are ahead in science. These famous marginal gains of Team Sky? What a load of bollocks. There are no new training methods; it’s false. In this area, miracles don’t exist.”
Read more at http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/07/tour-de-france/tour-notebook-reading-olegs-mind-lemonds-sky-doubts_415091#Su1iH14QJWdgkVXe.99 |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 07/19/2016 12:46 AM |
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What Quintana must be thinking - "That wind!" This was supposed to be an excellent Tour for Quintana, fitting his body type and racing style. But trying to shoehorn a 5'5" 128 pound body into a race that is cursed (for him anyway) with cross-winds that have the flags out straight is a tough one. Then to have the last 1500' of Mt Ventoux taken away ... Of course, it is entirely likely that he would have simply been blown away had they gone to the top.
He has done an impressive job of keeping himself where he needs to be. Practically every camera shot shows him right behind Froome, out of the wind, very close to the front and spared the yo-yoing. And this whether or not his teammated are there supporting him.
I do think he should have stayed in Europe, racing and keeping good race speed. I think the month off competition cost him the abilty to make any time on Froome the first week. Maybe he could not have anyway, but with hindsight we now know in the second week it wasn't going to happen.
I hope he can pull something out of the bag these coming days. He is so much fun to watch when he does!
Ben |
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stronz
Posts:447
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| 07/19/2016 07:22 AM |
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| eye-opener for me this tour - Tony Martin riding at the front of the "break" all day at 30+mph into the wind on stage 16. On his regular road bike. Seriously - has anyone here tried to ride at 30mph for an extended period of time? Talk about non-physiologic. The whole thing is a show guys... |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/19/2016 12:07 PM |
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Not his regular road bike....Venge Vias aero road bike, arguably the most aero frame out there.
/sarcasm |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 07/19/2016 03:33 PM |
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Cav's out.
Who do you like for Paris? |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/19/2016 07:40 PM |
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The boulevard in Paris is wide enough that even Ettix should be able to get a sprint train going: Kittel.
Or maybe it is wide enough for Greipel not to fear crashing.
I would really like to see Groenewegen, that French mini rocket or Sagan though. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 07/20/2016 09:16 AM |
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See ya TJ, right on schedule, alas.
If Porte had someone with him when he had the mechanical in the first week, his bike change would have taken seconds instead of minutes. the podium might come out different.
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/20/2016 10:06 AM |
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| 40kph average on a mountain stage. Sky till left w 6 riders at base of final climb. We're back to THOSE days. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 07/20/2016 10:08 AM |
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| yes. Beyond belief. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/20/2016 11:07 AM |
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Posted By Frederick Jones on 07/20/2016 09:16 AM
See ya TJ, right on schedule, alas.
If Porte had someone with him when he had the mechanical in the first week, his bike change would have taken seconds instead of minutes. the podium might come out different.
He would have lost well over a minute, no matter what. race was in full-flight when he flatted (due to BMC, ironically). No way he was ever catching back on at that point, no matter how fast he got a bike / wheel.
This Tour has sucked....boring as hell. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 07/20/2016 11:47 AM |
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| Agree. He was off the back. How long did Porte wait for a wheel? Painfully slow change. That's the time gap I mean. |
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