2016 TdF, Stage 19: Albertville → Mont Blanc (146km)

[carton]

Re: Re:

surely no reason for QUintana not to attack right at the start

Say that to Quintana and he'll react: "Attack right at the start? What do you mean? At the start of the last mountain? You must be crazy!"

It's only 3 years ago that he attacked 34km out on Tour stage 8, 4 years since he rode away from Sky Train v1.0 10km from the finish over the top of the Joux-Plane in the Dauphiné. What happened to that guy? Will we ever see him again?

No need to go that far back, just last year he attacked over the Croix de Fer almost 60km from the finish. If he had the form and the riders in front (which was the problem last year, unless he could suddenly drop Froome in the flat out of sheer "mentality") he'd surely do it again.

 

[The Barb]

If Astana don't chase then that's pathetic. It might be different if their man in the break were someone with a chance but Lutsenko has no hope against guys like Rolland, Majka, Buchmann etc.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Only 2 minutes separate the GC riders. Of course no one is gonna risk anything with a long range attack when the gaps are this small. There's a stage tomorrow as well.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

De Gendt on fire.

 

[Samamba]

Re:

What a disappointment. Every single mountain stage is gifted to the breakaway and there isn't even any fight to get into it.

This Tour must have been a dream come true for any half-decent climber with no GC-ambitions. Free stage wins everywhere.

Not done yet. The gap is stagnating.

 

[Cannibal72]

It's good to see Eduardo Sepulveda in the break. He seems a genuinely talented rider, and it's a shame that everything got drowned out by a momentary and exaggerated moment of panic.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

What a disappointment. Every single mountain stage is gifted to the breakaway and there isn't even any fight to get into it.

This Tour must have been a dream come true for any half-decent climber with no GC-ambitions. Free stage wins everywhere.

Yes, if Valverde didn't care for a boring meaningless top ten he could have won over 4 stages here. Can you imagine that?

 

[loge1884]

the once much revered polka dot jersey seems to have dropped to a competition between 2nd tier riders ... Majka (who will no doubt win it this year) only challenged by De Gendt .... in 'the old days' the KOM was regarded higher than say 5th place in the GC ....

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

the once much revered polka dot jersey seems to have dropped to a competition between 2nd tier riders ... Majka (who will no doubt win it this year) only challenged by De Gendt .... in 'the old days' the KOM was regarded higher than say 5th place in the GC ....

Yeah, the KoM is easily the least prestigious jersey in cycling.

 

[HelloDolly]

Re:

What a disappointment. Every single mountain stage is gifted to the breakaway and there isn't even any fight to get into it.

This Tour must have been a dream come true for any half-decent climber with no GC-ambitions. Free stage wins everywhere.

This ^^

There must be some climbers at home watching this thinking I could have Tour stage

Its just Majka, DeGendt, Pantano everyday ...with Zakarin & Navarro also in and abouts

3 have stage, one has KOM ....Navarro needs to do it today

But no one else will get a look in

 

[Andro]

Big Alpine mountain stage and the green jersey is casually riding at the front of the peloton on a climb in a sunday ride pace.

 

[Rollthedice]

Astana had enough.

 

[Taxus4a]

Astana working, this is going to be different

 

[Samamba]

Astana trying something!

 

[Andro]

So De Gendt vs. Majka vs. Pantano for the stage. Again...

 

[The Barb]

Yes Astana yes!

 

[Rollthedice]

Purito joined Tira, Nibali and Rosa who slowly pedal away from the peloton.

 

[maltiv]

Re:

Astana trying something!

If this is an attack it must be the weakest attack I've ever seen working, it looks like they are pushing like 150 watts and they still get a gap even with J-rod on their wheel.

 

[Taxus4a]

Aru WTF is doing, come on!

 

[Billie]

Aru is caught behind the road blockade by the other teams I think

 

[Pricey_sky]

Let's see if Movi, BMC, Trek or AG2R respond to this.

 

[One Eyed Aussie]

Astana TTT please.

 

[Red Rick]

What do you mean, Astana third week offensive?

 

[Andro]

Somebody tell Astana that team attacks are not allowed!

But seriously, I don't see what they can even gain from this. Maybe Rosa can take the stage.

 

[HelloDolly]

EQS,Tinkoff & Lampre need to respond if Purito is off