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

[The Joker]

That was well timed attack by Cadel, he really made Sky work that last 30 meters.

If I was Cadel, I would be approaching every stage like a game of poker. I'd be trying to convincce Sky that I didnt have much left, and that I was reduced to trying to attack in the last km for a few seconds to try and chip away at my time deficit.

I expect he might even try this "tactic" again tomorrow.

But at some stage, if he is playing poker, Cadel will attack from a very long way out (a bit like Andy Schleck did last year), with the aim of making minutes, not seconds.

The sprinting for a few seconds at the end of stages only makes sense if this is his strategy, fool Sky into thinking he is at his limit and has nothing left, and then hope they dont chase too hard at first when he launches his kamikaze attack...

 

[dlwssonic]

So true...and tomorrow will be more of the same.

Tomorrow is the queen stage though. With two massive HC climbs and one cat 1 climb.
But yeah it always turns out like this in the tour. Don't expect much to happen tomorrow
Break will take it or a sprint from some GC contenders.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Sky got away with minimal effort.
Seems only VDB cottoned on.
As a result, they climbed the Colombier no faster than the break.
(mostly slower)
Plus, Rogers got a surprise hour off.

The TDF sure does specialize in conservative riding.

You are correct but it was going to be very hard to get away.

 

[cineteq]

The fact that Porte is bringing back Nibali says Sky are going to be unstoppable.

domestiques don't last forever.

 

[its like that]

That was mostly a disappointment, but I suppose it was to be expected.

This

People in this thread thinking something was going to happen in this stage have no idea.

You can bash Evans all you want if he doesn't try anything tomorrow because he has no excuse then

 

[booboo]

Sky got away with minimal effort.
Seems only VDB cottoned on.
As a result, they climbed the Colombier no faster than the break.
(mostly slower)
Plus, Rogers got a surprise hour off.

The TDF sure does specialize in conservative riding.

This. Most of the riders are too busy protecting 8th instead of risking it for, say, a podium. So frustrating.

 

[kareeem]

So true...and tomorrow will be more of the same.

I wonder what will happen when they run out of tomorrows. But that won't happen because there will be Olympics, Vuelta, etc. There is always tomorrow!

 

[patrick767]

I say it is somewhat halfway between both of what we are saying....I am not even sure anyone can break Wiggins but calculating your attacks still seems a better option than needlessly attacking on every bump in the road lwhich is what some of the forum members seem to want Evans, Nibs, menchov etc to do

I think it's fair to say that while a contender gaining major time was a long shot, they should have at least made Wiggins work harder. The hopes of Evans and Menchov rely largely on being in better shape against a weary Wiggins in week three. They won't accomplish that this way.

 

[roundabout]

VDB sure picks some strange times to attack, but I am happy that it worked out for him in the end.

Sky did pretty well after they lost Rogers. Still, there is a slight vulnerability (unwillingness to risk it?) downhill.

 

[cineteq]

Sky got away with minimal effort.

LOL!!! You must have watched the video replay of the Dauphiné.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The only thing I hope happens tomorrow is the collective abondon of Gesink, Mollema and Kruijswijk.

 

[dlwssonic]

This

People in this thread thinking something was going to happen in this stage have no idea.

You can bash Evans all you want if he doesn't try anything tomorrow because he has no excuse then

True, evans was probably saving energy for tomorrow.
Well if he doesn't try anything tomorrow, he just doesn't have the legs and will only get a podium at best

 

[auscyclefan94]

domestiques don't last forever.

I am just a little surprised and dissapointed. POrte was riding tempo on the Grand Colombier, then the descent and then chases Nibali back from a 1min gap on a climb. I am just amazed at that.

 

[Montanus]

Sky didn't need Rogers today, he will be fresh for tomorrow.

 

[dlwssonic]

I am just a little surprised and dissapointed. POrte was riding tempo on the Grand Colombier, then the descent and then chases Nibali back from a 1min gap on a climb. I am just amazed at that.

Yup truly amazing if you compare porte to his days in saxo. He will last forever.

 

[Dr.Sahl]

This

People in this thread thinking something was going to happen in this stage have no idea.

You can bash Evans all you want if he doesn't try anything tomorrow because he has no excuse then

I expected Nibali and VDB to attack and they did (not like crazy, but still attack) what I didnt expect was Porte wheeling in Nibali while sleeping

 

[booboo]

At one stage of the downhill once Nibbles was away Wigans dropped well back into the middle and even left a few gaps. Definitely isn't the happiest descender.

If Evans waits to attack tomorrow until 1km to go after watching sky ride an easy tempo up two HC climbs I think I will cry.

If Sky don't try to ride an easy tempo with EBH on front for as long as possible again I will be shocked.

 

[dlwssonic]

At one stage of the downhill once Nibbles was away Wigans dropped well back into the middle and even left a few gaps. Definitely isn't the happiest descender.

If Evans waits to attack tomorrow until 1km to go after watching sky ride an easy tempo up two HC climbs I think I will cry.

If Sky don't try to ride an easy tempo with EBH on front for as long as possible again I will be shocked.

Get prepared to cry.

 

[cineteq]

I am just a little surprised and dissapointed. POrte was riding tempo on the Grand Colombier, then the descent and then chases Nibali back from a 1min gap on a climb. I am just amazed at that.

Nibali probably situp when the gap was 20-30 sec. to cut his losses and started thinking about the next stage.

 

[Caruut]

Imlach: "Sometimes it can be frustrating with a French rider in the break, you don't really get to see the favourites sometimes, I mean; we heard that Cadel had put a little dig in"

Chris Boardman: "It's not enough putting a little d*ck in.. sorry, a little dig in at this stage."

 

[Frosty]

The only thing I hope happens tomorrow is the collective abondon of Gesink, Mollema and Kruijswijk.

You dont think they were taking it easy today so they could go for the stage tomorrow?

 

[trevim]

I am just a little surprised and dissapointed. POrte was riding tempo on the Grand Colombier, then the descent and then chases Nibali back from a 1min gap on a climb. I am just amazed at that.

I was very surprised with that too. He looked much stronger than I would expect. I mean if you remember last year. Hell, even if you remember 2 years ago! I was expecting Froome to be forced to put his neck out on the Richmond (?) but Porte lasted all the way. Good for Sky.

As for the stage, pretty entertaining, attacks from GC riders and one of them gained something. Decent.

 

[Gloin22]

LOL!!! You must have watched the video replay of the Dauphiné.

How so ?

Wiggins and Froome NOT Once hit the front.

Same as Dauhpine were EBH, Rogers and Porte did all the work.

And adding to that - Rogers got 1h free with his puncture *lol*

 

[thehog]

I am just a little surprised and dissapointed. POrte was riding tempo on the Grand Colombier, then the descent and then chases Nibali back from a 1min gap on a climb. I am just amazed at that.

Have to agree. That was just strange.

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Well what can I say. Dissappointing stage.
No real fireworks, few attacks, and that little turd won.