2013 Tour de France, Stage 13: Tours - Saint-Amand-Montrond (173 km)

[murali]

if you mean someone is going to pay, it wont be saxo riders. I think the OPQS squad is going to struggle, esp Kwaitowksi. so white will easily go to quintana now.

In fact, i don't think anyone who atacked today is going to struggle. The only people who were truly spent are the sky domestiques. Even now, i can't believe that sky were unable to bring back the gap.

Another thing was the way saxo riders were prodding other break-mates to contribute. OPQS, Cannondale, fugslang, and the belkin guys were happy to cooperate with the mild-spoken AC.

Froome was not asking for any help from anyone. He was not taking any leadership role in organizing the chase. I spotted a Garmin rider giving a push to Froome, encouraging him to chase (probably).

 

[beowulf]

Or even more so the day after.

Agreed. Froome pretty much sat in the middle of the chase pack twiddling his thumbs. He is going to be relatively well rested compared to some of the other riders tomorrow.

I am really happy that Saxo attacked and picked up time, but I am wondering how much it will hurt them in the long run and that includes Contador.

 

[Cramps]

Dont't think it was a clinic hint. Probably referredto the 2011 Tour de Suisse, when Movistar started riding when Mllema got a flat tire. Just deserts for Movistar...

That was't Movistar, it was Leopard-Trek

Mollema pledges revenge for Leopard Trek tactics after puncture

SCHHHHLLLLLLEEKKKKKK!!!

 

[Frosty]

A lumpy day tomorrow, not one for tired legs if someone wants to push it on. Then the day after sees 150 miles finishing up Ventoux, That stage is up and down a lot too. Could really be a lot of suffering coming up.

 

[classicomano]

Lol after Saxo/Belkin rode off, Froome went up to Tankink and asked him why Belkin isnt pulling anymore.

 

[murali]

***deleted repeat post**

 

[Opalius]

Stage 9 was one of the greatest pyranees/mountain stages in decades.

This was the best flat stage in absolute years. Leaving fanboi and fanhate nonsense aside for a moment, this is shaping up as on of THE great tours.

Yup. Now we just need some intense GC action...

 

[Opalius]

IMHO, Sky managed the loss well. It doesn't seem like this kind of ride is Sky's strongest area.

You mean anything else than powermeter borgs riding up the mountains in formation...?

 

[whittashau]

Rogers is one of the best team captains out there; as much as froome, the reason for wiggins serene progress last year - interesting that Froome is clearly significantly better than wiggins was last year, and yet FAR more vulnerable.

Also, the last skybot left with froome appears to be Thomas, in which case, the man's a beast.

What a stage. frankly, what a tour.

What a Tour? What are you smoking? Up until today this has been one of the worst, if not the worst 2nd week of a GT in recent memory. This day only somewhat rescues it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Lol after Saxo/Belkin rode off, Froome went up to Tankink and asked him why Belkin isnt pulling anymore.

hahaha

 

[Cimber]

can someone explain why froome didn't follow the saxo break.

he was right behind cav, when cav was struggling to bridge the gap to the front group

I know it sounds weird when talking about Froome, but maybe, just maybe, he simply couldn't...

 

[Pricey_sky]

It's been mentioned already but Sky really are missing EBH and Kiri. There engines on days like today are exactly why they are selected.

I can see Froome being isolated in the mountains however he still has nearly 2 mins 30 and I still think he is the strongest.

 

[Cimber]

Michael Rogers: It was harder than a mountain stage and I think the hardest stage I’ve ever done.

----

“@daniellloyd1: What a job Geraint and Stannard are doing for Froome today. He's in very safe hands on windy stages.”

----

"We spotted that Froome wasn't well-placed, I spoke to Michael (Rogers), he looked to Alberto, who said OK." 1/2 Nico Roche, SaxoBank. "We shouted on Bennati who jumped. And from that point all we had to do was fasten our seatbelts." Nico Roche on the Saxo attack.

---

Oleg Tinkov ‏@olegtinkov 25s
Bravo,@TeamSaxoTinkoff boys! That is the way! I am proud of you. Who told here that SKY is unbeatable, we tore them apart ALREADY,more comes

 

[Cimber]

It's been mentioned already but Sky really are missing EBH and Kiri. There engines on days like today are exactly why they are selected.

I can see Froome being isolated in the mountains however he still has nearly 2 mins 30 and I still think he is the strongest.

Ye he will likely still win, but doesn't matter today.

 

[GreasyMonkey]

can someone explain why froome didn't follow the saxo break.

he was right behind cav, when cav was struggling to bridge the gap to the front group

Cav said he had to sprint to get across, doubt Dawg has the same kick as Cav to hold on........

 

[Ataraxus]

It's been mentioned already but Sky really are missing EBH and Kiri. There engines on days like today are exactly why they are selected.

I can see Froome being isolated in the mountains however he still has nearly 2 mins 30 and I still think he is the strongest.

I can see Froome teaming up with Quintana in Ventoux MTF. Among the climbers they are possibly the strongest ATM and their common interest is to put the max time possible into any other GT contender.

 

[Cimber]

Alberto Contador ‏@albertocontador 2m
I only can say thanks, thanks and thanks to my whole team.Proud of all of you. @teamsaxotinkoff


Oleg Tinkov ‏@olegtinkov 58s
@albertocontador stay cool. the team is much stronger than Sky we will **** them BIG time! Applauds to Bjarne. #TdF13 will be OURS.#tdf


Sean Morron ‏@BeerCycles 5m
.@olegtinkov The boys must have taken your pep talk to heart. They beat Froome like a dog today!!! #tdf
Retweeted by Oleg Tinkov

 

[go crazy]

What a Tour? What are you smoking? Up until today this has been one of the worst, if not the worst 2nd week of a GT in recent memory. This day only somewhat rescues it.

Race was over after stage 8. It was clear, not just by the win, but by the power demonstrated. Dawg may have only had a minute or so, but his level is so much higher than anyone else's, it was clear where this race was, and still is, going. Mostly Sky/Dawg/borg fans find this tour fascinating. Plus, the stages so far have been utterly uninspiring, so I can find no reason for a neutral observer to find this race thrilling.

EDIT: Though this stage was thoroughly entertaining, and what it could mean for an angry Dawg come Ventoux leaves me hoping for a spectacle.

 

[JimPanzen]

In some way I think Oleg is funny, but then again...it's quite embarassing

 

[argyllflyer]

Race was over after stage 8. It was clear, not just by the win, but by the power demonstrated. Dawg may have only had a minute or so, but his level is so much higher than anyone else's, it was clear where this race was, and still is, going. Mostly Sky/Dawg/borg fans find this tour fascinating. Plus, the stages so far have been utterly uninspiring, so I can find no reason for a neutral observer to find this race thrilling.

EDIT: Though this stage was thoroughly entertaining, and what it could mean for an angry Dawg come Ventoux leaves me hoping for a spectacle.

There has been some great sprints, drama in most stages - even in the TT where it looked like Froome might catch Martin.

It's not all about the GC.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Somebody needs to post a stage 14 thread.

Saxo and Belkin were big winners today and the profile looks like they could do it again on such a bumpy stage tomorrow.

I can't decide if there's a team with the right riders to pressure Froome tomorrow and then keep in striking range on Ventoux the next day.

 

[argyllflyer]

In some way I think Oleg is funny, but then again...it's quite embarassing

If @olegtinkov is him, he seriously needs to STFU. Some of those tweets are utterly embarrassing.

 

[Cimber]

If @olegtinkov is him, he seriously needs to STFU. Some of those tweets are utterly embarrassing.

Its him alright. He often tweets like that.

 

[The Hitch]

After all the *****ing and whinging in 2011 Mollema can go **** himself.

Do tell.

10 c

 

[UpTheRoad]

Froome says he was feeling comfortable.

I believe it. He wasn't pulling to chase Saxo. Neither were the rest of Sky, for that matter. Froome wasn't even in loss limit mode, he was just letting the break go, but once again Sky is bailed out by others who did the chasing.