Roglic to put 2 minutes into Thomas
The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
Legendary rider. Go watch Courchevel 2005!I just watched the 2003 Alpe d‘Huez climb and I learned that Francisco Mancebo is absolutely hideous when riding a bicycle.
Paco is still riding the Tour of Japan right now.Legendary rider. Go watch Courchevel 2005!
Because of Mancebo or because Valverde won?Legendary rider. Go watch Courchevel 2005!
<3So the queen stage is upon us! I'm hoping for drama, maybe even a GC action from Giau on (one can always hope). Primoz needs to take time on Thomas, the gap is not big but it's still there. It won't be easy as Thomas looks very hard to drop. Almeida is still in the game as well. Not sure if a breakaway can succeed, the big boys and big teams will want this stage.
BTW this is one of most beautiful stage (scenery wise) one can imagine. The road passes close to most spectacular massifs of the Dolomites. First, near Agordo they will pass majestic towers of Monte Agner, 2 km tall. Nearby Valle di San Lucano (relatively unknown and without people) is one of most dramatic valleys I've ever seen (and that includes most dramatic Himalayan views). Vertical towers from both sides are outstanding. Then (near Alleghe) they will be near a climbing icon, Civetta. Over a kilometer of vertical rock. They won't be far from Marmolada as well. Then (near Varparola) they will be close to Tofane di Rozes. Pink, glowing mountain. Near Cortina and Tre Croci they will be close to majestic Sorapiss and Cristallo massifs. And obviously Tre Cime at the end. Reliving my trekking there, I just couldn't help myself
Agner and San Lucano towers (Valle di San Lucano):
Civetta:
Tofane di Rozes:
Sunset over monstrous Sorapiss from Lago di Mosigio, one of most spectacular views in the Dolomites (and not crowded)
Resting in the shadow of Tre Cime, on very loose stones and rocks:
But then he went on to finish second there twice in later Tours as well as taking Euskaltel's last/latest WT victory on the Dauphiné stage that used it as a pass.Also, speaking of legendary riders, fun fact: Samu Sanchez OTL‘d on the Alpe stage.
Mancebo makes Froome look like Jacques Anquetil!!I just watched the 2003 Alpe d‘Huez climb and I learned that Francisco Mancebo is absolutely hideous when riding a bicycle.
Jumbo is the only squad that could properly gather up the deployment if they send Bouwman + Oomen up the road and let them hammer up Tre Croci if Roglic attacks on Giau and gaps Thomas & Almeida.Does anyone think thar Jumbo will light it up on the Giau? I think Roglic smells blood and he and Kuss might try something
I'm expecting it won't be until the last 2-3k of Tre Cime before we get Roglic Vs Thomas. Giau is possibly too far out when Thomas has De Plus and Arensman.Does anyone think thar Jumbo will light it up on the Giau? I think Roglic smells blood and he and Kuss might try something
I just watched the 2015 Alpe d'Huez and I learned that Thibaut Pinot will win this bike race tomorrow .I just watched the 2003 Alpe d‘Huez climb and I learned that Francisco Mancebo is absolutely hideous when riding a bicycle.
Funny, I have the complete opposite take. With 30 sec between them, I imagine they're gonna be riding quite conservatively tomorrow precisely because of that MTT coming up. A MTT is still a TT. Which means you get to decide exactly when and where you're gonna exert yourself. It's almost a safe haven of sorts, amongst tough mountain stages where you're not in control of the rythm: you are forced to react to other teams upping the pace or attacking. In a TT you get to decide how to pace your ride the whole way. Yes, this is a MTT, but the top-3 are all great climbers as well as TT specialists so I think that's the stage they're gonna focus on.So the fun thing about the GC being 30 seconds between three riders and an uncertain MTT coming up next is that outside of a tragic circumstance or race modification, this will almost surely be at least an exciting stage. I can't quite see Ineos sending up Arensman or De Plus, Roglic joining Caruso on a long move, or Dunbar/Zanna doing a Chaves/Bewley on Aitana. And I don't see UAE trying anything bar maybe shredding the field on Tre Croci if Almeida feels like a billion dollars. But while I hope the sparks start flying on Giau, even Tre Cime will be enough to sort the GC.
I guess my point is that this a rare instance where provided we get a full stage, even if the podium somehow arrives together, I will be more intrigued about how that happened than disappointed. But I really doubt that's in the cards.
Something did happen. Illnesses all around.I just hope something happens, finally.