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

[meat puppet]

Froome obviously holding back to sustain the sky narrative about winning on tactical nous rather than horsepower. It is not about this tour anymore, but legacy.

Hope someone attacks and forces his hand.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Aru is enjoying an astounding hype.

But remember he hasn't showed anything great so far. In both Giro and Vuelta 2015, he showed something good before the last week.

 

[Miburo]

Re:

Aru is enjoying an astounding hype.

But remember he hasn't showed anything great so far. In both Giro and Vuelta 2015, he showed something good before the last week.

And a lot of bad too, and this is the tour. Level is higher although not as high as normal.

But Astana is famous for the 3rd week, it's not a meme, it's just true and Aru is a proven rider so i don't see what's wrong with it.

 

[phanatic]

Re:

Aru is enjoying an astounding hype.

But remember he hasn't showed anything great so far. In both Giro and Vuelta 2015, he showed something good before the last week.

Aru looked pretty good on the lancets, but Sky's train is stronger than he has had to face before. I had been counting on them letting him go for a stage win, while Froome keeps an eye of Quintana. If they don't let him go, he's stuck holding on and hoping for the best. Sky may want to blow the race wide open on this stage, as well. My fear is (that Froome will use as few attacks as possible, and wants to go after Bertie in the Vuelta), TdF being the worst GT.

 

[Walkman]

I think people are overhyping Aru.

I mean, if Froome puts the hammer down, no way Aru will be there and claim the victory. Porte and Mollema to be the second and third best climbers today I think. Hopefully someone does tries something, even if it's Froome. Don't think I can stomach another Sky train...

 

[Praying Mantis]

Re:

I think we'll see Froome alien mode - he averages 500 watts on his last climb and dusts everyone!

 

[l.Harm]

I hope the favourites go for the stage win and don't let a breakaway go.

 

[Vroome.exe]

Re: Re:

I think we'll see Froome alien mode - he averages 500 watts on his last climb and dusts everyone!

I thought I was the only one...

 

[DBotero]

I don't care who wins this stage as long it's one of the GC guys.Sky letting the break gaining +10 min won't help though.

 

[ontheroad]

Aru to 'ride himself into form' and turn on the gas today.

 

[dacooley]

I truly love that kind of assurance. When Porte screws up 2 gt chances, he'll no way in hell ever never ever reach top 10 in any grand tour. But when Aru outclimbs Contador who had a 4 or 5 minute lead in the Giro in week 3, it guarantees he'll be flying against froome and quintana on key stages of the Tour, take it for granted.

 

[MikeTichondrius]

I think people are overhyping Aru.

I mean, if Froome puts the hammer down, no way Aru will be there and claim the victory. Porte and Mollema to be the second and third best climbers today I think. Hopefully someone does tries something, even if it's Froome. Don't think I can stomach another Sky train...

I don't think Aru can get even close to a top form Froome. He might gain time if Froome works the final week like he did last year. I do think an in-form Aru can pull back time on everybody else and be on par with Quintana. As young as he is, he's made a decent impression on me with his past wins. But I do think he's been pretty anonymous this TDF. Makes me agree with Nibali as a free role.

 

[binz]

I think people are overhyping Aru.

I mean, if Froome puts the hammer down, no way Aru will be there and claim the victory. Porte and Mollema to be the second and third best climbers today I think. Hopefully someone does tries something, even if it's Froome. Don't think I can stomach another Sky train...

I don't think Aru can get even close to a top form Froome. He might gain time if Froome works the final week like he did last year. I do think an in-form Aru can pull back time on everybody else and be on par with Quintana. As young as he is, he's made a decent impression on me with his past wins. But I do think he's been pretty anonymous this TDF. Makes me agree with Nibali as a free role.

Nib had his chances.. and plenty of them actually. Not even close to winning really. He should help Aru from this point.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

I truly love that kind of assurance. When Porte screws up 2 gt chances, he'll no way in hell ever never ever reach top 10 in any grand tour. But when Aru outclimbs Contador who had a 4 or 5 minute lead in the Giro in week 3, it guarantees he'll be flying against froome and quintana on key stages of the Tour, take it for granted.

I don't think anyone has claimed that Aru will be outclimbing Froome and Quintana - just that history suggests he'll be outclimbing the likes of Mollema, Yates, Porte and Bardet in this last week.

 

[capuldemetal]

crash! gorka izagirre dnf..

 

[RattaKuningas]

Re:

crash! gorka izagirre dnf..

Must have been a bad crash when he abandoned so quickly.

 

[Cookster15]

Re: Re:

I truly love that kind of assurance. When Porte screws up 2 gt chances, he'll no way in hell ever never ever reach top 10 in any grand tour. But when Aru outclimbs Contador who had a 4 or 5 minute lead in the Giro in week 3, it guarantees he'll be flying against froome and quintana on key stages of the Tour, take it for granted.

I don't think anyone has claimed that Aru will be outclimbing Froome and Quintana - just that history suggests he'll be outclimbing the likes of Mollema, Yates, Porte and Bardet in this last week.

Aru might outclimb two of those. But not all 4.

 

[Stilletto]

So what happened to Gorka ?
Is this the 2nd movi out now ?

 

[RattaKuningas]

Re:

So what happened to Gorka ?
Is this the 2nd movi out now ?

Racecenter says broken collarbone.

 

[capuldemetal]

Re:

So what happened to Gorka ?
Is this the 2nd movi out now ?

broken collarbone.crashed alongside barguil and bozic.

 

[RattaKuningas]

I'd like to see Astana, Movistar and BMC team up today and destroy Sky train. But we know this isn't going to happen but it would be fun to see it.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

I'd like to see Astana, Movistar and BMC team up today and destroy Sky train. But we know this isn't going to happen but it would be fun to see it.

How are they gonna destroy the Sky train? The Sky train would probably just welcome a break from doing all the pulling.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

I'd like to see Astana, Movistar and BMC team up today and destroy Sky train. But we know this isn't going to happen but it would be fun to see it.

How are they gonna destroy the Sky train? The Sky train would probably just welcome a break from doing all the pulling.

Exactly. Also I doubt Astana and BMC are even thinking about destroying Sky at this point - they're thinking how to destroy Movistar and Mollema.

 

[Stilletto]

Is there live pictures yet?

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Re:

I'd like to see Astana, Movistar and BMC team up today and destroy Sky train. But we know this isn't going to happen but it would be fun to see it.

How are they gonna destroy the Sky train? The Sky train would probably just welcome a break from doing all the pulling.

Exactly. Also I doubt Astana and BMC are even thinking about destroying Sky at this point - they're thinking how to destroy Movistar and Mollema.

Yeah I agree. There's only one rider in the peloton who aims at the Tour now. Everyone else is targeting a podium, top 5 or whatever. But as long as we accept that and realize that first place is long gone, we can still let us entertain by the fight for minor placings.