2014 Tour de France, Stage 10: Mulhouse > La Planche des Belles Filles 161.5 Km

[del1962]

One thing that 2012 & 2013 didn't really have was bad weather in comparison to this one

 

[Ramira]

Its still way more interesting than the 2012 Skytrain borathon.

The simple fact is this tour will still be more exciting (with regards to the winner) than:
2013 - Easy Froome
2012 - Easy Wiggins
2009 - Easy Contador
1999-2005 - Easy Armstrong
1992-1996 - Easy Indurain

So that leaves 1997, 1998, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010. Six exciting races in the last 22.

This tour will be fine, it's just the fact that a lot of people watch the tour in part to see what Contador will do. And obviously these people are disillusioned now, which is understandable. But from a pure racing standard point of view, ignoring the names and expectations, this tour will not be more boring that most I've watched since starting back in 1997 (having watched Indurain later on in replays).

 

[kurtinsc]

Yeah let's trust Van Garderen, Mollema, Costa and Van den Broeck to make the race exciting

I'm not sure at seeing Van Garderen in all these "don't attack" lists. I seem to remember him going off the front several times before.

Is he viewed as a Leipheimer type?

 

[Afrank]

Ok, missed what happened been busy, can some one fill me in on what happened to Contador, such a shame for the race he has withdrawn

Contador crashed, rumor is his bike broke in half. Was on the ground for a long while. Had to get a shoe fixed. Finally remounted and started chase back with team. Astana waited for a long while, eventually had to move to maintaining gap to break (Kwiatkowski), then they had to start chasing a little harder. But by that time Contador seemed to not be making any gains and soon after abandoned.

 

[webbie146]

He does have luck though Max alot, look at his Giro win he crashed on wet descend quite hard and nothing happend. Most could have broken bones.

Bit of luck and partialy due to bone density. I have crashed a lot these last 15 years but never broken anything.

 

[gregrowlerson]

If Nibali goes at some point then Valverde would win the Tour.That would be funny,all those second places transformed into the luckiest Tour winner ever.

So sad for AC,same as Froome,all that training for nothing.

This.

Except that Valverde might not still win.

 

[trevim]

I'm not sure at seeing Van Garderen in all these "don't attack" lists. I seem to remember him going off the front several times before.

Is he viewed as a Leipheimer type?

Yeah after writing I thought the same. Maybe he shouldn't be included here. But the point stands for the other three

 

[maxmartin]

Nibali has a lot of pressure on him now french threat is one that should scare him while Movistar need to be ruthless and not pitch in.

give me a break, even AC couldn't do that. lol

 

[Der Effe]

This.

Except that Valverde might not still win.

Post of the day.

 

[maxmartin]

Bit of luck and partialy due to bone density. I have crashed a lot these last 15 years but never broken anything.

drink lots of milk everyday?

 

[cineteq]

The simple fact is this tour will still be more exciting (with regards to the winner) than:
2013 - Easy Froome
2012 - Easy Wiggins
2009 - Easy Contador
1999-2005 - Easy Armstrong
1992-1996 - Easy Indurain

So that leaves 1997, 1998, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010. Six exciting races in the last 22.

This tour will be fine, it's just the fact that a lot of people watch the tour in part to see what Contador will do. And obviously these people are disillusioned now, which is understandable. But from a pure racing standard point of view, ignoring the names and expectations, this tour will not be more boring that most I've watched since starting back in 1997 (having watched Indurain later on in replays).

Excelent post. Opportunity for others to shine. We'll keep watching.

 

[TANK91]

I know, I am not complaining. Also maybe AC's luck runs out, the last time he abandoned GT is 2006. You always need a little luck to win the GT, so much things can happen in three weeks.

Yes i agree, it just sucks both favs are out.Nibali is clearly in form if you look through posts i no you were confident and i was aswell. Nibali did not try in 2012 CdD, so i knew he would beat Talansky. It was a disgrace people thinking Talansky had more shot than Nibali to podium. Talansky is not even better than Sky's number 2.

 

[del1962]

Contador crashed, rumor is his bike broke in half. Was on the ground for a long while. Had to get a shoe fixed. Finally remounted and started chase back with team. Astana waited for a long while, eventually had to move to maintaining gap to break (Kwiatkowski), then they had to start chasing a little harder. But by that time Contador seemed to not be making any gains and soon after abandoned.

Thanks for the update, saved a lot of back reading

Very sad, hope he recovers quickly, never good to see someone lose this way.

 

[Arredondo]

I think it was already mentioned, but pretty ****ed off that Purito has lost so much time already.

I presume it was deliberate so that he could attack the mountains for KOM jersey without being chased.

But has this been a huge faux pas which now has given him zero chance of a podium ?

Or is my head in the clouds here ?

Your head is in the clouds

 

[luckyboy]

The race is pretty much at the slowest schedule. Finally peloton starts working

 

[kurtinsc]

Looks like Martin may finally be starting to fade. Interesting to see what Kwiatkowski and the others in the break do on this next climb.

 

[Ramira]

I don't like Valverde's chances with a long TT to come. That brings Porte back into it and TJVG and Talansky. I picked Valverde for third originally and will stick with that.

That was not really my point. I was trying to show that everyone was unfairly ignoring VDB, which you did again, by putting TJVG and Talansky above him.

Porte I can sort of understand, as he flashed something special last year. But to put Talansky and TJVG so far above him you mention them and not VBD, based on what? And remember, the Dauphine etc are not good measures, VDB is probably the least talented of the GC contenders, so he has to build his entire year around the Tour to compete, and when he doesn't crash, he's top 5 (finishing above TJVG in 2012).

 

[Afrank]

I think it was already mentioned, but pretty ****ed off that Purito has lost so much time already.

I presume it was deliberate so that he could attack the mountains for KOM jersey without being chased.

But has this been a huge faux pas which now has given him zero chance of a podium ?

Or is my head in the clouds here ?

I'd say your right. This Tour was all about preparing for the Vuelta for him, losing time early, going into breaks, and targeting stages/KOM is a good way to prepare. Sadly no one could have foreseen Contador and Froome crashing out.

And the saddest part is he was preparing for the Vuelta to try and get his first GT win but now will likely be going up against Froome and Contador. Gonna make things much harder.

 

[maxmartin]

Yes i agree, it just sucks both favs are out.Nibali is clearly in form if you look through posts i no you were confident and i was aswell. Nibali did not try in 2012 CdD, so i knew he would beat Talansky. It was a disgrace people thinking Talansky had more shot than Nibali to podium. Talansky is not even better than Sky's number 2.

Did you read the Wiggins interview this morning? he is also bullish about NIbali.

 

[Poursuivant]

Peloton to catch or JRod attack to win stage?

 

[luckyboy]

Did everyone saying the race is more open now miss the part where everyone is several minutes down on Nibali

 

[DonMI6]

Every team is going to have to reconsider their plans for the rest of the tour. Nibali has a lead, but there is no guarantee he'll make it to Paris. This could turn out to be an epic TDF.

 

[Fight.The.Power]

I'd say your right. This Tour was all about preparing for the Vuelta for him, losing time early, going into breaks, and targeting stages/KOM is a good way to prepare. Sadly no one could have foreseen Contador and Froome crashing out.

And the saddest part is he was preparing for the Vuelta to try and get his first GT win but now will likely be going up against Froome and Contador. Gonna make things much harder.

Great point - I had not even considered the Vuelta implications but as you say, Froome and Contador will both probably be there now.

I can understand Purito losing 20+ minutes to get into breaks but almost a full hour ?

 

[maxmartin]

Did everyone saying the race is more open now miss the part where everyone is several minutes down on Nibali

Porte is close enough, you never know

 

[jaylew]

Vuelta could be THE GT of this season :O ?

It often is.

so AV can finally step on the podium after so many years, I will be happy for that.

I would be quite happy with that.

I think it was already mentioned, but pretty ****ed off that Purito has lost so much time already.

I presume it was deliberate so that he could attack the mountains for KOM jersey without being chased.

But has this been a huge faux pas which now has given him zero chance of a podium ?

Or is my head in the clouds here ?

JRod just didn't have the form to contend, particular in that first week. Sure, he lost some time on purpose but other days he just struggled.