2016 TdF, Stage 8: Pau → Bagnères-de-Luchon (184km)

[laurensde+]

Ned Boulting: "Frank Schleck, haven't seem much of him... for years." lol

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Who is the third BMC still in the group?

 

[sir fly]

Is it Contador zipped down?

 

[ILovecycling]

Pace really high now, everyone seems to suffering,even Quintana

 

[SeriousSam]

Hard to tell whether Quintana is breathing

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Why are Movistar using all their men up? Shouldn't they let Sky use their riders?

Perhaps they want to keep a higher pace than Sky are setting - make it a more difficult day.

They probably reckon that Quintana has better recovery than Froome in high mountains, and that a high pace today will take less out of Quintana than Froome for tomorrow.

 

[WheelofGear]

Re:

Sky getting Valverde in yellow would be their greatest tactic ever. Even better than their train.

I wonder what is going to happen on stage 9 if Valverde is in yellow. Would he ride to get on the podium or support Quintana?

 

[Kazistuta]

Re:

Cavendish now thinking:

1. Won 3 stages
2. Got Peta Todd at home
3. Don't have to ride Alps.

"Sounds like a win-win-win I don't make the time cut."

Not exactly fair to Eisel,though.

 

[del1962]

Sad to hear Morkov abandons, hope the grupetto is ok today

 

[AlexNYC]

If Froome does attack today, I'm not sure Quintana can follow

 

[ILovecycling]

Re:

Is it Contador zipped down?

Yes,very strange, I probably never seen him like that

But maybe its just too hot there

Ps: 3 astanas, nice

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Is it Contador zipped down?

Have we ever seen him do anything good zipped down ?

 

[KGB]

Kreuziger is dancing.

 

[infeXio]

Re:

If Froome does attack today, I'm not sure Quintana can follow

Why is that exactly?

 

[WheelofGear]

Re: Re:

Why are Movistar using all their men up? Shouldn't they let Sky use their riders?

Perhaps they want to keep a higher pace than Sky are setting - make it a more difficult day.

They probably reckon that Quintana has better recovery than Froome in high mountains, and that a high pace today will take less out of Quintana than Froome for tomorrow.

Alright. Are Sky happy with having a non-aggressive day today?

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Cavendish now thinking:

1. Won 3 stages
2. Got Peta Todd at home
3. Don't have to ride Alps.

"Sounds like a win-win-win I don't make the time cut."

It diminishes his stage wins quite a lot imo, if he pulls out after the first mountain stage. Basically a track rider turning up for the first few days - of course he's going to have a big advantage on flat stages than guys who have also prepared themselves to get over the climbs.

 

[rick james]

Passing the water about

 

[lenric]

Re: Re:

Is it Contador zipped down?

Yes,very strange, I probably never seen him like that

But maybe its just too hot there

Ps: 3 astanas, nice

I believe that one was Majka, not Contador.

 

[TomLPC]

Re:

Ned Boulting: "Frank Schleck, haven't seem much of him... for years." lol

Won the queen stage of the vuelta did brother frank, had descents and everything!

Nairo should take every opportunity he can get to wear froome out in the mountains

 

[Hugo Koblet]

It's really hot today. Froome will unleash hell. I don't see anyone but Rolland being able to follow.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

Re: Re:

Is it Contador zipped down?

Have we ever seen him do anything good zipped down ?

Fresh cold air is great for wounds and sores. Heat is the worst thing ever for them.

 

[Publicus]

Re:

Is it Contador zipped down?

Yes

 

[burning]

It is great that how these riders can turn a multi mountain stage into a club ride

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Why are Movistar using all their men up? Shouldn't they let Sky use their riders?

Perhaps they want to keep a higher pace than Sky are setting - make it a more difficult day.

They probably reckon that Quintana has better recovery than Froome in high mountains, and that a high pace today will take less out of Quintana than Froome for tomorrow.

Alright. Are Sky happy with having a non-aggressive day today?

No idea tbh, just an idea why Movistar might be working at this stage. I would suspect that Froome would rather put in his big attack tomorrow, rather than today when any gains he makes could be reduced on the descent.

 

[Poursuivant]

MoviSky sharing the water even now