gee lot's of defintive judgements here... To me there are things we shouldn't forget :
- Contador gained 3 seconds in the last 80 meters, but he never got any separation during the climb. It tells me that yes Nibali had reached the limit but also that when they had almost reached the line he let go psychologically "ouf I followed him, nothing significant happened. Contador still has 2'30 to make up, so the road ahead is very very long ! And remember, beyond all that talk of "this climb didn't suit x or y"m this type of series of short steep climb is where separation is the easiest to achieve. on 6,5 or 7% Chamrouse or Risoul, draft plays a bigger role... Contador will have to keep gnawing, but today tells me that it is still very open either way (which as a fan i love !)
- Weather, weather, weather. can't stress this enough guys. this weather is hideous and will last 2 more days. We simply cannot predict what days of cold and rain will do to rest and recuperation in the 2 very long weeks ahead. We could see riders looking good today falling like flies with a flu or cold as soon as monday/ the alps, of just have an empty tank suddenly in the pyrenees. The other way round too : I can for example a guy like valverde suffering but being the best of the bunch in the pyrenes and nabbing that podium spot.
- Time gaps ! by monday evening the 10th should be almost 5 minutes back and probably a wee bit more than 20 riders within 10 minutes... that's before the 5 high mountain stages (the first 3 being easyish, but still!).
few other observations :
- As many have noted, porte looks like one of the 3 best riders, but the question with him remains whether he can sustain that 3 weeks.
- Falls, falls, falls. It continues and with **** weather tomorrow as well, they will keep taking their tall in minutes, but also in energy sapped. It has happened to many riders, top guys could still suffer from it...
- battle for white jersey : as a frenchman I am happy to see Pinot and Bardet doing well. I don't believe in Kwiat so I look forward to the french boys battling it out.
- Contador gained 3 seconds in the last 80 meters, but he never got any separation during the climb. It tells me that yes Nibali had reached the limit but also that when they had almost reached the line he let go psychologically "ouf I followed him, nothing significant happened. Contador still has 2'30 to make up, so the road ahead is very very long ! And remember, beyond all that talk of "this climb didn't suit x or y"m this type of series of short steep climb is where separation is the easiest to achieve. on 6,5 or 7% Chamrouse or Risoul, draft plays a bigger role... Contador will have to keep gnawing, but today tells me that it is still very open either way (which as a fan i love !)
- Weather, weather, weather. can't stress this enough guys. this weather is hideous and will last 2 more days. We simply cannot predict what days of cold and rain will do to rest and recuperation in the 2 very long weeks ahead. We could see riders looking good today falling like flies with a flu or cold as soon as monday/ the alps, of just have an empty tank suddenly in the pyrenees. The other way round too : I can for example a guy like valverde suffering but being the best of the bunch in the pyrenes and nabbing that podium spot.
- Time gaps ! by monday evening the 10th should be almost 5 minutes back and probably a wee bit more than 20 riders within 10 minutes... that's before the 5 high mountain stages (the first 3 being easyish, but still!).
few other observations :
- As many have noted, porte looks like one of the 3 best riders, but the question with him remains whether he can sustain that 3 weeks.
- Falls, falls, falls. It continues and with **** weather tomorrow as well, they will keep taking their tall in minutes, but also in energy sapped. It has happened to many riders, top guys could still suffer from it...
- battle for white jersey : as a frenchman I am happy to see Pinot and Bardet doing well. I don't believe in Kwiat so I look forward to the french boys battling it out.
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