2016 TdF, Stage 13: Bg-St-Andéol → Caverne Pont-d'Arc (38km)

[Ataraxus]

Re:

I believe that healthy Alberto would be a lot closer than that.

But he is freakin unlucky Alberto Contador Velasco
****

People, to some extent, are responsible for their own luck.
Was it luck when Katusha was caught unprepared in Fuente De?
Was it luck when other contenders spared him and didn'tfinish him off in the Giau?
The latter was luck fur sure

 

[DFA123]

Re:

I don't get this "we dont have a show" stuff. The way Froome performed in Stages 8,11 and 12 not to mention today were examples of some of the most entertaining cycling I've seen in a tour for some years. I've enjoyed the spectacle very much and I don't think it's over just yet. Plenty can happen in the 3rd week.

Why do people still pine for Bertie? He's long gone

It's entertaining like a circus is entertaining. It's not entertaining as a bike race.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

I don't get this "we dont have a show" stuff. The way Froome performed in Stages 8,11 and 12 not to mention today were examples of some of the most entertaining cycling I've seen in a tour for some years. I've enjoyed the spectacle very much and I don't think it's over just yet. Plenty can happen in the 3rd week.

Why do people still pine for Bertie? He's long gone

The pining for Contador thing has been constant background noise in the forum for years every July and is best simply tuned out.

But as far as spectacle is concerned, Froome gave us a few minutes of unexpected attacking. The crowd gave us hilarious carnage yesterday. There were some exciting seconds of sprinting. As Grand Tours go, this has been a very quiet one so far. People were at least able to hope that there were explosions to come in the heavily backloaded final week up until Ventoux when it started to look like Quintana just doesn't have it. It's been unusually lacking in spectacle to this point and is now also lacking in suspense, hence the grumbling.

Personally I'm hoping that Mollema can actually make a contest of things, or that Quintana gets his act together, but I can't say that I think either is really that likely.

 

[SeriousSam]

Re: Re:

I don't get this "we dont have a show" stuff. The way Froome performed in Stages 8,11 and 12 not to mention today were examples of some of the most entertaining cycling I've seen in a tour for some years. I've enjoyed the spectacle very much and I don't think it's over just yet. Plenty can happen in the 3rd week.

Why do people still pine for Bertie? He's long gone

It's entertaining like a circus is entertaining. It's not entertaining as a bike race.

+1

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

I don't get this "we dont have a show" stuff. The way Froome performed in Stages 8,11 and 12 not to mention today were examples of some of the most entertaining cycling I've seen in a tour for some years. I've enjoyed the spectacle very much and I don't think it's over just yet. Plenty can happen in the 3rd week.

Why do people still pine for Bertie? He's long gone

Because having Contador in good shape in a GT where he has to attack is very strongly associated with exciting racing

 

[SKSemtex]

Re:

I don't get this "we dont have a show" stuff. The way Froome performed in Stages 8,11 and 12 not to mention today were examples of some of the most entertaining cycling I've seen in a tour for some years. I've enjoyed the spectacle very much and I don't think it's over just yet. Plenty can happen in the 3rd week.

Why do people still pine for Bertie? He's long gone

I am not complaining about the Tour. I love it actually. Sagans has 2 spectacular wins and his green jersey was sealed by Froome. I am just trying to imagine what kind of fireworks we could have if there would be 3 teams with two men within 2 min and all of them willing to sacrifice everything to dis-rail the Sky train. And the stage 15 just looks like one made of it. And Sagan from break could be very helpful in some descents. Just imagination no complains.

 

[cycladianpirate]

Re: Re:

I don't get this "we dont have a show" stuff. The way Froome performed in Stages 8,11 and 12 not to mention today were examples of some of the most entertaining cycling I've seen in a tour for some years. I've enjoyed the spectacle very much and I don't think it's over just yet. Plenty can happen in the 3rd week.

Why do people still pine for Bertie? He's long gone

It's entertaining like a circus is entertaining. It's not entertaining as a bike race.

That's so "sophisticated". Well done. I can't understand why you don't just admit that you hate Froome. If Contador had done EXACTLY what Froome has done in this tour you would herald it as the BEST EVER.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Re: Re:

Nice rides by Yates and Mollema. Disappointing for Porte and TJVG and Quintana. Looks done and dusted for another year. The next TT should be very interesting for the podium battle.

well, tjvg is a mere 34" off the podium after simply following wheels for two weeks.

i don't expect him to make it as he will bleed time in the mountains, but...

Yates may not hold on in the third week. Mollema probably has more chance of doing a strong third week but Yates is looking very good for the future.

well said.

however, i have a feeling yates will continue to surprise.

he has ridden unbelievably tactically, never jumping after froome immediately, always putting in an acceleration only at the end of the stage. he could do very well in the MTT.

Of course it's possible, Yates has ridden very well so far.

The reassuring thing for me, although this is his first time riding GC in a GT, is the sheer consistency of both Adam & Simon in the multiple WT stage races they've top 10'd. I'm sure someone will come up with an example, but I can't think of a race either has targeted or started well in, and then faded.

And he came out of last year's TDF and then won in San Sebastian.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re: Re:

I don't get this "we dont have a show" stuff. The way Froome performed in Stages 8,11 and 12 not to mention today were examples of some of the most entertaining cycling I've seen in a tour for some years. I've enjoyed the spectacle very much and I don't think it's over just yet. Plenty can happen in the 3rd week.

Why do people still pine for Bertie? He's long gone

It's entertaining like a circus is entertaining. It's not entertaining as a bike race.

That's so "sophisticated". Well done. I can't understand why you don't just admit that you hate Froome. If Contador had done EXACTLY what Froome has done in this tour you would herald it as the BEST EVER.

There are quite a few Contador fans here who are indeed completely hypocritical about Froome. But that doesn't mean that only hypocritical Contador fans can think that this has been a pretty boring Tour, other than the circus elements. I'd guess that's the point of view of most of us who are more or less neutral when it comes to picking between the "big 4" GC riders.

Froome has been central to almost everything exciting that has happened in this Tour, both voluntarily and involuntarily. I would never dream of accusing him of being a boring rider. But it has been a boring Tour overall to this point.

 

[Laplaz]

The problem is that Yates and Mollema are happy with their position and so they won't try something against Froome I think...

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

The problem is that Yates and Mollema are happy with their position and so they won't try something against Froome I think...

Mollema has attacked Froome more in this race already than he has previously done in his whole career. I'm sure he's ecstatic about how he's doing and he won't be risking a likely podium with suicide attacks, but I suspect that this version of Mollema will try a dig whenever he has the legs.

Yates, well Yates is a kid and he has been holding on to the lead group or second group of climbers so far rather than being clearly one of the three strongest. I wouldn't expect him to be able to attack Froome this year.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

The problem is that Yates and Mollema are happy with their position and so they won't try something against Froome I think...

I think Mollema could try something. He's obviously in the best form of his life and might feel it's his one shot at winning - especially with Contador arriving soon. IIRC he put in a dig on Arcalis, but perhaps I just imagined it.

I think the problem isn't intent, it's more that, even in this form, he doesn't have the power to trouble Froome in any way.

 

[SKSemtex]

Re: 2016 TdF, Stage 13: Bg-St-Andéol → Caverne Pont-d'Arc (3

I just hope we will not see the worst possible scenario that Orica and Trek will ride against the BMC and Movistar rather then agaist Sky.

 

[RattaKuningas]

I think Mollema will keep attacking. He feels good now and even if he can't distance Froome I think he can and wants to take more time out of others as long as it is possible.

 

[StuyvenFan]

Re: 2016 TdF, Stage 13: Bg-St-Andéol → Caverne Pont-d'Arc (3

I wouldn't be surprised if Mollema does continue to attack. With Contador coming to Trek next season I'm sure he'll want to prove that he's worth more to the team than a super domestique.

 

[Big Doopie]

Re:

The problem is that Yates and Mollema are happy with their position and so they won't try something against Froome I think...

bingo.

the tdf is so important, that the chance of a podium, even a top ten is worth defending.

that is why - unless of a major collapse (illness or hunger bonk) - froome is already the winner.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re: 2016 TdF, Stage 13: Bg-St-Andéol → Caverne Pont-d'Arc (3

I wouldn't be surprised if Mollema does continue to attack. With Contador coming to Trek next season I'm sure he'll want to prove that he's worth more to the team than a super domestique.

That particular situation is going to get messy if Mollema's form over the last two weeks is more than a freak blip. Why would he accept being a super domestique for anyone if this is his new level?

 

[Ataraxus]

Re: Re:

The problem is that Yates and Mollema are happy with their position and so they won't try something against Froome I think...

bingo.

the tdf is so important, that the chance of a podium, even a top ten is worth defending.

that is why - unless of a major collapse (illness or hunger bonk) - froome is already the winner.

Moreover, if Nairo launches an attack in Bisanne, Grand Colombier or Ramaz(If Ramaz will be raced), Trek, Orica. Sky and possibly BMC are going to gang up on him for podium protection.
GC action from far away looks less promising than ever.

 

[doperhopper]

Re: 2016 TdF, Stage 13: Bg-St-Andéol → Caverne Pont-d'Arc (3

So, at least now Nairito has good motivation to try crazy stuff, long-range attacks as the only way to unseat Vroom... unless, obviously he'll target 3rd place (or he'll be given instructions to).

 

[Kokoso]

Re: Re:

Wuyts is curious to see how Kreuziger will do.

Why? Why so many people think he's a good time trialist? He's the most overrated TT'er ever!

It's based on an MTT Kreuziger won in his early years in Suisse.
He never did more than average ITT's. But somehow he is still rated as a specialist

Nah, he is not, that's pure nonsense some fans are saying over and over with addition that he's most overrated TTer. If what you are saying is true Wuyts only said he's curious how Kreuziger will do. That doesn't translate to "he's great TTer" premise. That's what fans BS translates to. In fact here you can read over over that he's most overrated TTer again and again.

Actually he did more than average TTs. But that is not for you haters. See ya next time

 

[Miburo]

Re: 2016 TdF, Stage 13: Bg-St-Andéol → Caverne Pont-d'Arc (3

It is still not over. With two teams with two riders within 2 minutes it might get very tough for Sky borgs. Stage 15 should be fun finally.

Jokes on you for thinking movistar has a tactical brain and the guts to try anything besides piti will crack in the 3rd week, he's not threat

 

[Walkman]

Re: Re:

The problem is that Yates and Mollema are happy with their position and so they won't try something against Froome I think...

I think Mollema could try something. He's obviously in the best form of his life and might feel it's his one shot at winning - especially with Contador arriving soon. IIRC he put in a dig on Arcalis, but perhaps I just imagined it.

I think the problem isn't intent, it's more that, even in this form, he doesn't have the power to trouble Froome in any way.

LOL

If Mollema continues to progress and don't go the Pinot route he will be dropping Conti next year. Book it. Dude is old.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Well, at least we know the right man is leading the race. Man against boys.

 

[Kokoso]

Re:

Meanwhile we Belgians are crying and praying for someone to contest in a GC later. (Let's hope Vervaeke and De Plus have what it takes)

Both look really promising.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Re: Re:

Did someone has a parallel GC classification without neutralization of the Ventoux?

Froome
Mollema +7'
Yates +1'05
Quintana +1'19
Rest is irrelevant

Quintana would have been at 1'26. He was given 7 seconds to equate with time of Yates' group.