2012 Tour de France: Stage 10: Mácon → Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (195 km)

[Dedelou]

Voeckler working hard at not having to work hard......

I love your definition of "hard working rider"

 

[WindLessBreeze]

To: Latin*Poets/L´Ks

Panda Talk: She´s messing with the wrong folks; Perhaps you´ll do her a favor: Wake her up with a Big Fatso ***** up her mouth. Thanks

 

[Mellow Velo]

it is possible nobody dare to try, they know it will be pulled back by awesome sky train, why bother wasting energy?

That would be the awesome Sky train that after chasing Nibali, RSNT had to get on the front of, because it couldn't catch VDB and Rolland.

 

[Magnus]

it is possible nobody dare to try, they know it will be pulled back by awesome sky train, why bother wasting energy?

It's certainly possible. But they won't know if they will be pulled back until they try. And it's the wrong way to think about it imo. Even if they fail Sky will have used energy and that will make it harder for Sky to pull in the attack next time. As Sastre(?) said: Even if there is only 10 % chance I take the chance because otherwise I got 0 %.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

That would be the awesome Sky train that after chasing Nibali, RSNT had to get on the front of, because it couldn't catch VDB and Rolland.

To be honest, i think Jurgen was "let" go, because he is already too far back, also with the second ITT in mind. They didn't really want to get him back like they did Nibali. And why bother if a bunch of morons will do your dirty work for you.

I think the biggest threat of Jurgen being in the front, was if someone should bridge and ride off with combined forces. Not Jurgen being in front per se, but the potentially bad situation should Evans/Nibali bridge.

 

[SafeBet]

To be honest, i think Jurgen was "let" go, because he is already too far back, also with the second ITT in mind. They didn't really want to get him back like they did Nibali. And why bother if a bunch of morons will do your dirty work for you.

Correct.
No way they would have let Nibbles go on top of Richemond.

 

[cineteq]

To be honest, i think Jurgen was "let" go, because he is already too far back, also with the second ITT in mind. They didn't really want to get him back like they did Nibali. And why bother if a bunch of morons will do your dirty work for you.

You got it right.
Did VDB try to stay with Nibali on the descent? Did he say anything?

 

[maxmartin]

That would be the awesome Sky train that after chasing Nibali, RSNT had to get on the front of, because it couldn't catch VDB and Rolland.

they let VDB go because they don't think him as threat, while RSNT want to protect their GC positions VDB is close to them, and RSNT unlike SKY could not shut down gap completely

 

[maxmartin]

It's certainly possible. But they won't know if they will be pulled back until they try. And it's the wrong way to think about it imo. Even if they fail Sky will have used energy and that will make it harder for Sky to pull in the attack next time. As Sastre(?) said: Even if there is only 10 % chance I take the chance because otherwise I got 0 %.

yep that was Nibali mentality, and sadly not many people joined him

 

[Aguirre]

Porte didn't do anything exceptional today. Unlike Nibali he wasn't riding to get to the finish in the best position possible so he was able to ride much harder than him to bridge the gap. This is surely basic common sense?

not agree, he arrived few seconds behind the fauvorits because it was 1km uphill, he was alone from the GC to the finish, he continued smoking Rolland and VdB. What he did is... very extrange. Almost supernatural. I don't buy it

 

[maxmartin]

not agree, he arrived few seconds behind the fauvorits because it was 1km uphill, he was alone from the GC to the finish, he continued smoking Rolland and VdB. What he did is... very extrange. Almost supernatural. I don't buy it

Agree, and SKY ask him not to take any interviews after the stage.
too many questions might be asked?

http://www.steephill.tv/players/720...&dashboard=tour-de-france&id=52513007&yr=2012

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

not agree, he arrived few seconds behind the fauvorits because it was 1km uphill, he was alone from the GC to the finish, he continued smoking Rolland and VdB. What he did is... very extrange. Almost supernatural. I don't buy it

Eventhough JVdB only attacked once full gas, the other times Porte always was the one to respond to the tempo changes on both Colombier and Richemond while leading the grupetto. He then chased Nibali down on his own, while Nibali had done nothing till then, and had the help of Sagan for the most part. Yet he was no match for Porte...

You got it right.
Did VDB try to stay with Nibali on the descent? Did he say anything?

He was disappointed in the other GC riders who wouldn't take initiative. He also didn't understand why Nibali wouldn't help before the top of the Colombier, but only attacked in the descent.

Apparently, Nibali is angry with Wiggins, because Wiggins made a "no-no-no" gesture when Porte reeled Nibali back in, and gave him a nasty look at the finish.

 

[maxmartin]

Eventhough JVdB only attacked once full gas, the other times Porte always was the one to respond to the tempo changes on both Colombier and Richemond while leading the grupetto. He then chased Nibali down on his own, while Nibali had done nothing till then, and had the help of Sagan for the most part. Yet he was no match for Porte...



He was disappointed in the other GC riders who wouldn't take initiative. He also didn't understand why Nibali wouldn't help before the top of the Colombier, but only attacked in the descent.

on Nibali defense, he probably thought it was too hard to get away from sky train on the uphill. So he was saving energy to do a big one on descending

 

[cineteq]

He was disappointed in the other GC riders who wouldn't take initiative. He also didn't understand why Nibali wouldn't help before the top of the Colombier, but only attacked in the descent.

Fine, but he could have tried to stay with him on the descent as he was ahead of Nibali at the top of the Grand Colombier. Thus my previous question.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Fine, but he could have tried to stay with him on the descent as he was ahead of Nibali at the top of the Grand Colombier. Thus my previous question.

I don't know, but he was caught before Nibali attacked. So somewhat a different situation then should he still have been in the front when Nibali attacked. In that case i think he would have tried to stay with Nibali.

 

[Mellow Velo]

not agree, he arrived few seconds behind the fauvorits because it was 1km uphill, he was alone from the GC to the finish, he continued smoking Rolland and VdB. What he did is... very extrange. Almost supernatural. I don't buy it

He arrived in the only other small group on the road inside 5 minutes: with Horner and co.
Even the anti-Porte posters have been at pains to point out that Sky might have chosen to give VDB some leeway, so RadioSNT had to take up the chase.
Porte was able to ride into the finish the group behind Horner and co.
Far easier than riding solo.

Again, a few folks trying to post barely disguise clinic opinion in the race thread.

Take it where it's appreciated.

 

[MonteZoncolan]

Eventhough JVdB only attacked once full gas, the other times Porte always was the one to respond to the tempo changes on both Colombier and Richemond while leading the grupetto. He then chased Nibali down on his own, while Nibali had done nothing till then, and had the help of Sagan for the most part. Yet he was no match for Porte...



He was disappointed in the other GC riders who wouldn't take initiative. He also didn't understand why Nibali wouldn't help before the top of the Colombier, but only attacked in the descent.

Apparently, Nibali is angry with Wiggins, because Wiggins made a "no-no-no" gesture when Porte reeled Nibali back in, and gave him a nasty look at the finish.

I felt sorry for JVDB in this respect. He's going to have to do it the hard way to gain some good time if he's the only one that tries on the ascent.

What I couldn't understand why was Evans didn't try to move with Nibali on descent. A great opportunity no? The two of them working on the final slope would have stood a chance. Evans afterward in interview mentioned he thought he heard a crash so didn't attack. There wasn't a crash though and I've seen the race reports. If there was then it's good sportsman from him -like he says, no prizes there.

I would love to see Evans go early tomorrow but it won't happen. Froome looked tired, Porte must be tired as would Boasson Hagen. It's a good chance tomorrow for Evans! Please(!)

 

[cineteq]

Even the anti-Porte posters have been at pains to point out that Sky might have chosen to give VDB some leeway, so RadioSNT had to take up the chase.

Wiggins actually said they let VDB go.
http://www.steephill.tv/players/720...d=tour-de-france&id=48150116,33399756&yr=2012

I guess you're one of those pro-Porte posters

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Wiggins actually said they let VDB go.
http://www.steephill.tv/players/720...d=tour-de-france&id=48150116,33399756&yr=2012

I guess you're one of those pro-Porte posters

Well, he's not going to say "Jurgen was too strong, we were on the verge of breaking down and run home to mommie". I agree Jurgen got some room, but Wiggins saying so isn't really an argument. If he wasn't dangerous in any form, they could also have let him go on the Colombier, which they didn't. They made a tactical choice not to race after JVdB. If they did, they would have had to sacrifice Porte and maybe they (W+F) would have been isolated 10k before the finish, bringing them in a worse situation. So they decided not to squeeze Porte and give JVdB half a minute. But it wasn't "free" time if you look at it like that. They have to be careful not to spill with resources (domestiques) as well.

 

[greenedge]

A bit late by me- sorry but Voeckler is a legend. I loved that ride and what a day for him, taking the Polka Dots and winning the stage. It was a strong break group and interesting to see them ride as well.

Overall i liked the stage for the breakaway efforts of Voeckler and the moves by JVDB and Nibali- hopefully Sky can be cracked sometime soon.

 

[Dedelou]

A bit late by me- sorry but Voeckler is a legend. I loved that ride and what a day for him, taking the Polka Dots and winning the stage. It was a strong break group and interesting to see them ride as well.

Overall i liked the stage for the breakaway efforts of Voeckler and the moves by JVDB and Nibali- hopefully Sky can be cracked sometime soon.

Voeckler "retro riding style" is like hot honey: sweet to watch and painful to imitate. That dude, puts his earpiece in his pocket and ride like they used to in the days of Jean Robic. Makes you love him and hope he makes it to the end. Today , for the delight of fans, he did.

 

[blaxland]

Chapeau Tommy.This is why i love watching cycling.This guy bleeds oil"..Good to also see JVB trying things on the ascent,and Vincenzo going crazy downhill"