2016 TdF, Stage 17: Bern → Finhaut-Emosson (185km)

[hrotha]

Re: Re:

Pity that Majka is in the break.

Yeah, the guy who got criticised for riding passively is niw in every break in mountains in TDF. Horrible

He was never criticized for riding passively as a stage hunter. He was criticized for riding passively as a GC rider. And that ain't changed, right?

 

[doperhopper]

Rui dropped already from the chase group... or saving himself?

 

[damian13ster]

No, it hasnt. He is not strong enough for that. But as a stage hunter he is extremely entertaining so not sure where the hate is coming from

 

[sir fly]

This is going to be a good stage.
A nice breakaway for the stage and teams in the peloton lined for GC.

 

[Enrico Gimondi]

Re:

This is going to be a good stage.
A nice breakaway for the stage and teams in the peloton lined for GC.

a rested Sky will not set up for a good stage.

 

[BigMac]

Re:

Rui dropped already from the chase group... or saving himself?

Maybe fatigued + the prospect of not making it to the front. They're losing more and more time.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Tries to get in the break on every mountain stage, collects bottles on the flat stages, full gas in the TT...

Can somebody give Stef Clement a contract before he kills himself?

 

[damian13ster]

Re:

This is going to be a good stage.
A nice breakaway for the stage and teams in the peloton lined for GC.

Agreed. I like having two plots (stage and GC) going on at the same time. Still think that the break doesnt have a stage guaranteed, although Clement, Sagan and Lutsenko should be enough firepower for the flat section

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

This is going to be a good stage.
A nice breakaway for the stage and teams in the peloton lined for GC.

a rested Sky will not set up for a good stage.

Everybody's rested. Even if ends up with Froome putting time into everyone - it's going to be entertaining watching podium battle.

 

[saganftw]

poor alaphilippe,he is always in bad position

 

[ontheroad]

Breakaway has this in the bag today, Maijka or Zakarin to win. GC battle has been a yawn fest, other teams realise they have no chance with sky and are simply playing for places on the podium. Sky meanwhile have no incentive to chase the breakaway now.

 

[Red Rick]

Dutchs commentators being July-tards, comparing it to the Angliru. Switchint to sporza now.


Btw, anyone know if the final climb can be used as a pass back to France?

 

[doperhopper]

So the big question for today is... will Astana try something? Two guys upfront, Nibs with Aru, let's pray they will go nuts in the first kms of Forclaz and join the doms.

 

[Netserk]

Re:

majka is in 4th break this tour,stop bitching about him constantly

Actually his 5th. I love Majka in July _O_

Stage 5
Stage 8
Stage 9
Stage 15
Stage 17

 

[SeriousSam]

Seems like Maijka is in the top 1 percent of clever tacticians in cycling. Rights conservatively in GC, likely the dominant strategy, and aggressively to win stages. No ineffective crowd pleasing, just a singular and measured focus on meeting the objectives: High place in GC, stage victories/polka dot jersey.

Admirable rider, sadly not physically talented enough to realistically aim higher.

 

[del1962]

Re:

Dutchs commentators being July-tards, comparing it to the Angliru. Switchint to sporza now.


Btw, anyone know if the final climb can be used as a pass back to France?

Pretty sure it is a dead end

 

[sir fly]

Re:

Seems like Maijka is in the top 1 percent of clever tacticians in cycling. Rights conservatively in GC, likely the dominant strategy, and aggressively to win stages. No ineffective crowd pleasing, just a singular and measured focus on meeting the objectives: High place in GC, stage victories/polka dot jersey.

Admirable rider, sadly not physically talented enough to realistically aim higher.

Well, he had that fail in Andorra(?).
Apart from it, good stages he's been picking.

Edit:
And in the Pyrenees he's been denied.

 

[Netserk]

Re: Re:

Seems like Maijka is in the top 1 percent of clever tacticians in cycling. Rights conservatively in GC, likely the dominant strategy, and aggressively to win stages. No ineffective crowd pleasing, just a singular and measured focus on meeting the objectives: High place in GC, stage victories/polka dot jersey.

Admirable rider, sadly not physically talented enough to realistically aim higher.

Well, he had that fail in Andorra(?).
Apart from it, good stages he's been picking.

He also failed not making the mid-stage split in stage 5.

 

[MikeTichondrius]

Another carbon copy of previous mountain stages as I predicted. Banked on Majka, Pauwels and Costa in the breaks too lol. Sky is comfortable with this outcome. Others won't be going for the stage wins so they won't have to respond to the likes of Bardet, Rolland or Rodriguez on the final climbs. No motivation.

Well still see some GC action, but the train is still intact. Trust me, it's going to be four Sky at the top of the Forclaz...

 

[sir fly]

Majka could take a shot at Morzine, as well.

 

[TomLPC]

Half these riders won't even be there a couple of km into the climb, may aswell send a few to chase

 

[HelloDolly]

Re:

Seems like Maijka is in the top 1 percent of clever tacticians in cycling. Rights conservatively in GC, likely the dominant strategy, and aggressively to win stages. No ineffective crowd pleasing, just a singular and measured focus on meeting the objectives: High place in GC, stage victories/polka dot jersey.

Admirable rider, sadly not physically talented enough to realistically aim higher.

Don't a 100% agree ....it seems to me when he cannot ride GC he is at his best...not a tactical choice ...

He si more entertaining, prominant and effective riding for KOM and stages...if he were in the top 1% he would realise this all the time

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Re:

Dutchs commentators being July-tards, comparing it to the Angliru. Switchint to sporza now.


Btw, anyone know if the final climb can be used as a pass back to France?

Nope, the final climb ends at a dam. Definitely a dead end.

The penultimate climb can be used as a pass into France though.

And whenever they make a stage, either here or in the TdS which would be perfect for Col du Lein and they refuse to use it, I get annoyed. But that's irrelevant to your question.

 

[dacooley]

I don't believe that Movistar believes Quintana enough to try something really risky.

 

[DanielSong39]

Astana will try something today.

Aru to gain time on other podium contenders (except for Froome)?