2018, 72nd Tour de Romandie, April 24th - April 29th, WT

[The Barb]

Re:

We have an explosive start today. What I think Team Sky should do is make it a very tough start with the usual choo-choo train. Chances are Kruijswijk (although Clement and de Tier could also survive) will be the only one left to protect and help Roglic. Then proceed to put Rosa and/or Castroviejo in the break. Easier said than done, but I don't think they should put all their eggs in Egan's basket just yet. That would be way too easy to counter.

Agree that Sky need to make it super tough to have any chance of overcoming Roglic. The final climb is crested with more than 20km to go so even if Bernal drops him and gets more than has 30 seconds over Roglic over the top (unlikely) then Roglic could still peg him back.

Despite this, I maintain Bernal should be a clear favourite for the stage because he has such a fast finish for a climber (Roglic is no slug himself, though).

Can't wait for this stage. Has potential for a scattered peloton early.

 

[Laplaz]

Yeah, will be a fun day i think! Bernal ftw!

 

[Zoophonic]

I love the area of Sion. Stayed in Sierre last year cycling over to Milan via the Nufenen Pass. This will be a great stage to follow. I fancy Rui Costa today.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

We have an explosive start today. What I think Team Sky should do is make it a very tough start with the usual choo-choo train. Chances are Kruijswijk (although Clement and de Tier could also survive) will be the only one left to protect and help Roglic. Then proceed to put Rosa and/or Castroviejo in the break. Easier said than done, but I don't think they should put all their eggs in Egan's basket just yet. That would be way too easy to counter.

I think this could work, but Rosa and Castro in a break could easily draw other riders who are higher up in the GC, which is probably less desirable than going h2h vs Roglic on the final climb.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Regardless Bernal has decent opportunities to take the bonus at the finish. Who wins if Bernal finished 2nd and Roglic outside of the bonus or Bernal wins and Roglic ends 3rd?

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Regardless Bernal has decent opportunities to take the bonus at the finish. Who wins if Bernal finished 2nd and Roglic outside of the bonus or Bernal wins and Roglic ends 3rd?

It's about the milliseconds I guess. I don't know who wins then

Sky might actually try to set up Bernal for the intermediary sprints as well today.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Poster search figured out the exact gap is 6.22s, so if Bernal takes 6s Roglic still leads.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Should be a great stage today. Hoping for a strong group of at least half a dozen riders getting clear by the top of the first climb, including some minor GC threatening riders. It will be an interesting situation for a rider like Fuglsang, as he needs to establish a big gap over the heads of state, but not drop too many breakaway companions early. They'll be needed to keep the pace up and the powder dry for the flat section after the first climb.

I think that TJVG will go in the breakaway. It seems that his form is okay, but obviously not great. I don't think that Porte will go all out to win the overall. There is too much at risk for him on that decent finish, and given where his health was at a month ago, I think he'll just be relieved right now to be back in reasonable form. His shape is good enough now that he is back on track to at least be a chance to contend in July. Richie has done well in many one week races in the past. This year I think his eyes will be more on the bigger fish.

Will Lotto attack with Crushweak to put additional pressure on Sky? They could race this a little like how QS race one day events.

Thinking back to the past, I reckon that our wonderful winner of a decade ago would have blown his load upon looking at the overall parcours.

Speaking of which, why is the final stage so boring? Couldn't they have at least included a Cat 3 climb in the last 40 kms for the slight chance of something interesting happening?

 

[Red Rick]

I think the problem with putting Kruijswijk in the break is that BMC will just sacrifice Dennis and TJVG to neutralize that move.

 

[toolittle]

Re:

I think the problem with putting Kruijswijk in the break is that BMC will just sacrifice Dennis and TJVG to neutralize that move.

Hope teams 2nd men attacks and give pressure to SKY.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Is it a late start today, since there is no live coverage yet?

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

Is it a late start today, since there is no live coverage yet?

As far as I can tell, there's no live coverage until 16.00 CET.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Re: Re:

Is it a late start today, since there is no live coverage yet?

As far as I can tell, there's no live coverage until 16.00 CET.

I don't mean TV coverage dude - I can use a TV guide - with all due respect

I mean the live ticker, which is usually on from stage start - and which would be especially appropriate, since we start on a cat. 1

Edit: And there it is - finally - now waiting for the first update

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Wow, just noticed both Viviani and Gaviria OTL yesterday...... guess Moerkoev gets to sprint tomorrow

 

[DNP-Old]

Only 30 riders left?

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Hugh Carthy first over the top of Ovronnaz riding solo. Only ~30 riders left in the peloton apparently. First riders in the peloton over the top are De Gendt, Nieve, Kruijswijk and Roglic.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re:

Only 30 riders left?

Looks like a fast start, no break going clear on the first climb but Carthy gets the mountain points with a late attack.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

De Gendt off again - if this guy does not get a personal Energizer sponsorship, the world makes no sense

Kangert out in front certainly means Fuglsang is planning something big - gonna be an exiting stage

 

[Netserk]

Knew it would be a great start, surely Rogla is left with only Kruijswijk now? The next climb is the second hardest, expect assaults on Rogla to start in earnest there.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

If Sky is smart, they put max pressure on, on the flat between the first 2 mountains, so none of the LottoJumbo boys get back on.

 

[DNP-Old]

Nieve, Amador, Pernsteiner, De Gendt and Carthy the break of the day. Would be nice if the organisation provided us with some names in the peloton.

 

[DNP-Old]

Re:

If Sky is smart, they put max pressure on, on the flat between the first 2 mountains, so none of the LottoJumbo boys get back on.

A lot of riders coming back apparently.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Re: Re:

If Sky is smart, they put max pressure on, on the flat between the first 2 mountains, so none of the LottoJumbo boys get back on.

A lot of riders coming back apparently.

Well ok, fireworks on the 2nd mountain then

 

[Pricey_sky]

With no live footage for another 90 minutes they will probably be in the valley before the final climb when we get pictures.

 

[Netserk]

Re: Re:

If Sky is smart, they put max pressure on, on the flat between the first 2 mountains, so none of the LottoJumbo boys get back on.

A lot of riders coming back apparently.

The same riders will probably quickly drop on the next climb. When the attacks come, Rogla 'only' has Kruijswijk.