TDF

[Lord Tyrion]

He is only 6 seconds behind, that is not a crisis. The key is whether it was just a bad day, or session, or whether it took a lot out of his legs. (I'm following it now on the BBC website so bear with me). When is the next big hill? Is that tomorrow or do they give them an easier ride to let them have some recovery?

 

[Hacker Khan]

He is only 6 seconds behind, that is not a crisis. The key is whether it was just a bad day, or session, or whether it took a lot out of his legs. (I'm following it now on the BBC website so bear with me). When is the next big hill? Is that tomorrow or do they give them an easier ride to let them have some recovery?

Tomorrow has 3 category 1 climbs (relatively nasty ones) but it is not a mountain finish and it is the shortest stage in the tour, excluding the time trials. Doubt much will change in the GC.

 

[fundy]

Tomorrow has 3 category 1 climbs (relatively nasty ones) but it is not a mountain finish and it is the shortest stage in the tour, excluding the time trials. Doubt much will change in the GC.

hmm im not so sure, i think tomorrow could be the critical day, i think they will attack from the first hill with it being a much shorter stage especially after today, strike while the iron is hot and all that. Feels very much like the stage late in the Vuelta

 

[Hacker Khan]

hmm im not so sure, i think tomorrow could be the critical day, i think they will attack from the first hill with it being a much shorter stage especially after today, strike while the iron is hot and all that. Feels very much like the stage late in the Vuelta

Perhaps, not sure if Sky will have enough left though as they did put in a hell of a lot of work yesterday up the final climb for no reward. But at least it has made the tour exciting again and it is not another stage where there is a doomed breakaway and Kittel wins.

 

[fundy]

Perhaps, not sure if Sky will have enough left though as they did put in a hell of a lot of work yesterday up the final climb for no reward. But at least it has made the tour exciting again and it is not another stage where there is a doomed breakaway and Kittel wins.

thats my point, wont be sky attacking, it will be all the other main GC contenders and teams, esp Aru Bardet and Martin

 

[Duckster]

hmm im not so sure, i think tomorrow could be the critical day, i think they will attack from the first hill with it being a much shorter stage especially after today, strike while the iron is hot and all that. Feels very much like the stage late in the Vuelta

I was thinking exactly the same. They've seen he's vulnerable now and will want to attack him as much as possible. Should only really be 3 more stages to attack him after today (Sun, Wed, could be the most important stage of this years tour & Thurs) as most of the other GC riders know he's got the ability to attack them back on the Saturday time trial.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

nope, 2 main big hill stages he hasnt had the legs and despite having his team with him hasnt been able to go with Aru at the finish

I can see Aru attacking him again today and trying to take more time from him, Aru is looking very strong and no one else is even close to the pair of them, Quintana is very disappointing this year.

 

[fundy]

I can see Aru attacking him again today and trying to take more time from him, Aru is looking very strong and no one else is even close to the pair of them, Quintana is very disappointing this year.

Bardet was very impressive yesterday, Martin has been very consistent apart from losing time when he brought down in the "Porte" crash and even Uran looked good at times, but agree Aru looks the strongest overall. Be interesting to see how Froome reacts today

 

[pokerjoke]

Bardet was very impressive yesterday, Martin has been very consistent apart from losing time when he brought down in the "Porte" crash and even Uran looked good at times, but agree Aru looks the strongest overall. Be interesting to see how Froome reacts today

You could argue Bardet is stronger than both of them after yesterdays stage.

Bardet could easily put time into both again today as his descending is at a different level.

 

[fundy]

the funs started on the first climb, Froomes teammate Landa up the road attacking with Contador and almost all the main GC riders are going to be doing it on their own rather than relying too much on teammates today

be great to see Contador roll back the clock, short stage with some sharp climbs may suit him best these days

 

[fundy]

strange attack from Froome near the top of the climb with Landa so far ahead, Aru and Bardet both gone with him, not sure why Sky are the ones attacking really, let Aru do the work

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I'm pleased you guys are posting, it is helping me understand what is happening. I am following the race on the BBC website, quiet day at work, and CF seems to be holding up. Hopefully he can be strong until the end.

 

[fundy]

I'm pleased you guys are posting, it is helping me understand what is happening. I am following the race on the BBC website, quiet day at work, and CF seems to be holding up. Hopefully he can be strong until the end.

he certainly looks strong (as do Bardet and Aru) im just struggling to understand his tactics unless it s a case of attack to stop them attacking as his legs arent that great again

 

[fundy]

so bar Landas gains nothing much changed, still struggle to understand why Sky shouldered most of the burden and didnt force Aru to be the one defending the yellow jersey more

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Was that a good day from Froome though? It showed his legs are okay still and perhaps he needed to show that to himself and the others.

 

[fundy]

Was that a good day from Froome though? It showed his legs are okay still and perhaps he needed to show that to himself and the others.

yeah good day result wise, 2 big mountain stages left next week and then the time trial, the rest of the stages almost certain to be neutral. Boils down to if he can not lose much time on those 2 days he should be good enough on the TT to get back into yellow and win the tour. be interesting to see if Landa were to attack again on the next day in the mountains

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Well Quintana surprised me today as he had a good day on the bike.

i actually think Landa is stronger than Froome but no way will Sky let him take over half way through a Grand Tour.

Would like to see Dan Martin attack the field as he is looking like the only one who can have a go at Aru and Froome.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Well Quintana surprised me today as he had a good day on the bike.

i actually think Landa is stronger than Froome but no way will Sky let him take over half way through a Grand Tour.

Would like to see Dan Martin attack the field as he is looking like the only one who can have a go at Aru and Froome.

Trouble is he was nearly a minute behind Froome in the short TT at the start. Also Aru had about 15 seconds on him in the TT. So will probably be more behind on the final one as it is a bit longer (all things being equal) so that is a lot of time he needs to be ahead of Froome and possibly Aru to be confident of winning it. So Sky probably see Froome as the sensible one to back unless its clear he is shot. I suppose at least they are giving themselves the options now.

 

[Hacker Khan]

so bar Landas gains nothing much changed, still struggle to understand why Sky shouldered most of the burden and didnt force Aru to be the one defending the yellow jersey more

As you said earlier, possibly were scared that Froome may not be able to respond if Aru went, but keeping the pace reltively high may lessen the chances of Aru going on one, especially after the stage the day before?

 

[dewsweeper]

Froome back in yellow jersey
Poor finish for Aru.