2015 tour de france stage 3, Antwerpen-Hoei 159.5km

[Christian]

Wonder if Arredondo will be allowed to give it a go or not?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I guess its time for the softer uphill sprinters..

Now surprise me please.

 

[Punkan]

Sagan seems to be in execellent shape. Can he challenge tomorrow or is Huy just a bit too tough for him? His best performance in FW is 12th place, but that was after a tough programme with MSR, semi-classics, Flanders and AGR. Maybe his body is in better shape now to tackle Huy. Will be interesting to see.

 

[MartinGT]

What are people's thoughts on Bling for a top 3 maybe? Nibbles trying to claw some time back?

 

[sir fly]

What are people's thoughts on Bling for a top 3 maybe? Nibbles trying to claw some time back?

My guess is that Astana will step up after the intermediate sprint.
If nothing else, a safety selection could be made.

 

[classicomano]

What are people's thoughts on Bling for a top 3 maybe? Nibbles trying to claw some time back?

Orica are grouping behind Albasini for tomorrow.

 

[Baldinger]

I think Froome will do very well on Huy. A fast spinning alien attack should do the trick and put him in the top 5.

Valverde and Albasini to fight for the victory.

 

[Squirbos_19]

I wonder if Sky are going to try and sky-train it for Froome.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Where on earth is Hoei?

 

[Matteo.]

Valverde/ Purito FTW

Contador top 5

Nibali Froome top 10

Quintana top 15

 

[PunchingRouleur]

Sagan with enough margin for wheele.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Quintana is not one for short and steep. Medium-length and steep, sure, but then that suits Froome as well (think Peña Cabarga, Planche des Belles Filles). Nibali is the one of the big four with the best historic record on this kind of climb, but then Contador had a pretty impressive Flèche debut back in 2010.

 

[Miburo]

Re:

Quintana is not one for short and steep. Medium-length and steep, sure, but then that suits Froome as well (think Peña Cabarga, Planche des Belles Filles). Nibali is the one of the big four with the best historic record on this kind of climb, but then Contador had a pretty impressive Flèche debut back in 2010.

Also the mur de bretagne in 2011. And the giro this year.

 

[Escarabajo]

I guess nobody is checking on Uran. He is motivated ATM.

 

[The Barb]

What are people's thoughts on Bling for a top 3 maybe? Nibbles trying to claw some time back?

Too steep for Matthews. He did well in Amstel but this is something else again.

Valverde is obvious if he is anything close to his top form. I would've said Purito but a little worried about him crashing twice yesterday and being sore.

 

[BrentonOfTheNorth]

I haven't been this excited for a Tour stage in a long time. I love the profile... the last 20kms will be crazy! Riders might have to make a lot of quick important decisions, especially on the 2nd last climb. How much effort do you put in there? Who do you leave or follow?

 

[Matteo.]

Re:

Quintana is not one for short and steep. Medium-length and steep, sure, but then that suits Froome as well (think Peña Cabarga, Planche des Belles Filles). Nibali is the one of the big four with the best historic record on this kind of climb, but then Contador had a pretty impressive Flèche debut back in 2010.

Nibali on Huy? He never made good performances here , maybe he was never in top 10

 

[The Barb]

Re: Re:

Quintana is not one for short and steep. Medium-length and steep, sure, but then that suits Froome as well (think Peña Cabarga, Planche des Belles Filles). Nibali is the one of the big four with the best historic record on this kind of climb, but then Contador had a pretty impressive Flèche debut back in 2010.

Nibali on Huy? He never made good performances here , maybe he was never in top 10

Disagree. Nibali in Fleche Wallonne has been pretty good considering it's never been a race he's targeted.

2011: 12th at 11 seconds
2012: 8th at 9 seconds
2014: 14th at 24 seconds
2015: 20th at 19 seconds

He could well grab a few seconds off Froome and Quintana in particular.

 

[StinkFist]

Valverde and Purito to battle it out......nothing like a good solid rivalry to bring out the best in these two!

Hoping Contador and Nibali have a real good dig here and grab some precious time over Froome.

As above, I'm quite excited about this stage and hoping it doesn't disappoint.....ie a break getting away and staying away!!

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Quintana is not one for short and steep. Medium-length and steep, sure, but then that suits Froome as well (think Peña Cabarga, Planche des Belles Filles). Nibali is the one of the big four with the best historic record on this kind of climb, but then Contador had a pretty impressive Flèche debut back in 2010.

contador was great in this years giro hill top finish

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Quintana is not one for short and steep. Medium-length and steep, sure, but then that suits Froome as well (think Peña Cabarga, Planche des Belles Filles). Nibali is the one of the big four with the best historic record on this kind of climb, but then Contador had a pretty impressive Flèche debut back in 2010.

contador was great in this years giro hill top finish

Indeed, he is good on this sort of finishes, however he might be lacking some racing rhythm. If he doesn't, he can be top 5. I expect him top 10 or just outside.

 

[Anderis]

I predict furious pace in the last 30 kms with everybody wanting to be well positioned. Crashes left, right and centre. Split on penultimate climb. No more than 50-60 men in the first group to hit Mur de Huy. Some GC top10 contenders to be out of contention after tomorrow.

 

[Ataraxus]

Re:

Valverde/ Purito FTW

Contador top 5

Nibali Froome top 10

Quintana top 15

I don't see Contador finishing ahead of Nibs and Froome on this one (Assuming they tackle Huy together ofc.). Froome is far more explosive and Nibs seems to have the form that Contador doesn't have yet.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Quintana is not one for short and steep. Medium-length and steep, sure, but then that suits Froome as well (think Peña Cabarga, Planche des Belles Filles). Nibali is the one of the big four with the best historic record on this kind of climb, but then Contador had a pretty impressive Flèche debut back in 2010.

contador was great in this years giro hill top finish

Indeed, he is good on this sort of finishes, however he might be lacking some racing rhythm. If he doesn't, he can be top 5. I expect him top 10 or just outside.

I also think contadors problem will be either that he might not be in best shape yet than that he is weak on such climbs. Otherwise he could be the best of the big 4

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Valverde/ Purito FTW

Contador top 5

Nibali Froome top 10

Quintana top 15

I don't see Contador finishing ahead of Nibs and Froome on this one (Assuming they tackle Huy together ofc.). Froome is far more explosive and Nibs seems to have the form that Contador doesn't have yet.

Hmm? Froome far more explosive? Not at all, Contador is super explosive. If Contador doesn't beat Froome, it's because he is lacking racing rhythm.