2016 TdF, Stage 9: Vielha → Andorra Arcalis (185km)

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Re:

so it seems Contador quits the race too easily

Yeah, it's disappointing.

I think we will now hear that his injuries are much worse than we've been told so far.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Why didn't he ride in the grupetto and see how he feels after the rest day? Even a sick Contador could have kept up with Cavendish.

Agree, strange to quit today with the rest day tomorrow. Seems like there is some politics behind the scenes here - Contador going against orders from his DS.

I'ts a statement. He's done with Tinkoff.

Fair enough if that's his decision. But is it wise to be burning bridges before the Vuelta? Or has he just written off this season?

 

[Bushman]

Re: Re:

Is anyone good even going to do the Vuelta this year? Will be a very lackluster edition, unless Froome or Quintana do it.

Froome, Kruijswijk, Lopez, Purito, Chaves.....

It will be brutal

I like how you managed to sneak in Purito's name

Also I dont think the Vuelta suits Kruijswijk very well. If he is in shape he will be up there in the top 5, maybe podium, sure, but I cant see him ever winning the race.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Re:

Why didn't he ride in the grupetto and see how he feels after the rest day? Even a sick Contador could have kept up with Cavendish.

Agree, strange to quit today with the rest day tomorrow. Seems like there is some politics behind the scenes here - Contador going against orders from his DS.

I think Contador already decided this morning that he was gonna quit today.

 

[Samamba]

Are Groenewegen & Cavendish behind the peloton?

 

[liamito]

Re:

Brutal sprint between De Gendt and Pinot for the mountain points.

Pinot is doing all he can to run out of steam in Andorra

 

[saganftw]

if he isnt really sick then its not a surprise the DS would be pissed...despite what people want to think,they are not some monsters who would force a sick cyclist to continue at all costs

 

[Kokoso]

Re:

Everyone is saying something

This. Fact is he's gone. We might never know true reasons. Anf fact is that's shame for Tour and shame for him.

 

[Cookster15]

Re: Re:

Why didn't he ride in the grupetto and see how he feels after the rest day? Even a sick Contador could have kept up with Cavendish.

Agree, strange to quit today with the rest day tomorrow. Seems like there is some politics behind the scenes here - Contador going against orders from his DS.

Could it be a response to Majka's attack yesterday? I thought it was poor Majka went up the road for himself abandoning his team leader prematurely. Or perhaps both incidents are symptomatic of team disharmony. Sad either way.

 

[webvan]

BMC happy to do nothing as usual...

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

Contador second-guessing aside for now, Quintana's got to go on Beixalis. With Anacona and Herrada up the road, it's time to show that Movistar has some imagination and that not the whole peloton is terrified of Sky.

Quintana attacking on Beixalis? Don't think that's ever gonna happen.

 

[One Eyed Aussie]

Re: Re:

Why didn't he ride in the grupetto and see how he feels after the rest day? Even a sick Contador could have kept up with Cavendish.

Olympics?

Maybe, an extra day would not have made much of a difference either way.
But, as others have said, it's probably a statement by Contador about his team.

 

[webvan]

Re:

if he isnt really sick then its not a surprise the DS would be pissed...despite what people want to think,they are not some monsters who would force a sick cyclist to continue at all costs

He clearly wasn't sick when he went on the attack this morning and couldn't keep Sagan's wheel, very poor show, once a quitter...

 

[SeriousSam]

Not sure a scorched earth policy is advisable if he wants to win the Vuelta

 

[mr. tibbs]

Re:

BMC happy to do nothing as usual...

They're riding with all the aggression of an over-cooked lasagna noodle. I still can't believe they couldn't be bothered yesterday.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

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I thought it was poor Majka went up the road for himself abandoning his team leader prematurely.

Kreuziger and Majka move a millimetre away from Contador, and everyone goes insane.

Contador quits the race when he could stay to help Sagan (green) or Majka (polka-dot), and no-one bats an eyelid.

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

Why didn't he ride in the grupetto and see how he feels after the rest day? Even a sick Contador could have kept up with Cavendish.

Agree, strange to quit today with the rest day tomorrow. Seems like there is some politics behind the scenes here - Contador going against orders from his DS.

I'ts a statement. He's done with Tinkoff.

Fair enough if that's his decision. But is it wise to be burning bridges before the Vuelta? Or has he just written off this season?

I don't know. Only Alberto knows ofc. But he's got some strong 'evidence' with the case Kreuziger and Majka.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

Re: Re:

if he isnt really sick then its not a surprise the DS would be pissed...despite what people want to think,they are not some monsters who would force a sick cyclist to continue at all costs

He clearly wasn't sick when he went on the attack this morning and couldn't keep Sagan's wheel, very poor show, once a quitter...

You just contradicted yourself

 

[Cookster15]

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BMC happy to do nothing as usual...

Why would BMC want to try anything? Both LRP and TJVG are nervous about not having an off day so early in the Tour. Both them and BMC will be saving their bikkies for the Tourmalet and Alpes. Might as well sit on Sky or Movistar's wheels.

 

[sir fly]

And what about a short chat with Schleck at the goodbye?

 

[mr. tibbs]

Re: Re:

Contador second-guessing aside for now, Quintana's got to go on Beixalis. With Anacona and Herrada up the road, it's time to show that Movistar has some imagination and that not the whole peloton is terrified of Sky.

Quintana attacking on Beixalis? Don't think that's ever gonna happen.

Are the low grades at the top an issue? If he can get a gap on the lower slopes and bridge to his boys by the top, then surely that's a good setup going in to Arcalis.

Or are you just referring to the general Movistar wait-and-see tactics?

 

[Miburo]

Re:

Not sure a scorched earth policy is advisable if he wants to win the Vuelta

For what reason? He won the vuelta of 2014 completely on his own unless you think tinkoff won't let him ride the vuelta

 

[TMP402]

Re: Re:

Is anyone good even going to do the Vuelta this year? Will be a very lackluster edition, unless Froome or Quintana do it.

Froome, Kruijswijk, Lopez, Purito, Chaves.....

It will be brutal

I don't think Froome will show up if he wins The Tour. The Vuelta was always the plan-B for him as well. Landa and/or Henao are going to be co-leaders if Froome wins the Tour.

Last year he did.

And he said in a recent statement he will go to the Vuelta, not matter what.

You have to factor in the Olympics this year though. If he wins the Tour he'll skip the Vuelta.

He's said since the beginning of the year he is peaking for the third week of the Tour to give him the best chance in the Olympics and Vuelta.

 

[wirral]

Re:

BMC happy to do nothing as usual...

Froome has several whistled commands. He has yet to issue them on this stage.

 

[Kokoso]

Re: Re:

Contador repaying Kreuziger with gratitude all the years of loyality when he has finally chance?

You're a moron.

This argument is too logical. Nothing can be done about that :razz: