71st Tour de Romandie - April 25th-30th

[Red Rick]

Froome was just fine in Catalunya. The base is undoubtedly there.

 

[bigcog]

Re: Re:

Saving a bit for the Tour-Vuelta double perhaps. Froome, that is.

While this is true I feel like a normal off-form Froome should've been able to stay with that big group. It is a little concerning.

Yep I was thinking that but I dunno he looked far weaker than you would expect even if that was the case.

 

[HelloDolly]

If porte had sat on the group when he caught them and then attacked he may have shaken Yates there and won the stage

I knew Froome was not in top shape by looking at him at PC

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Froome is weaker than last year at this moment

That still doesn't really mean anything. Last year he was weaker than in 2015, and in 2015 he was weaker than in 2014. If the Tour de Romandie was an indicator for his general shape, he would be decling since 2014 but after a one month long pause he shows up in the Dauphine with the same shape every year.

 

[Robert5091]

Big show from LRP & Yates. Can LRP hold the form for TdF?

 

[The Barb]

Re:

Froome is weaker than last year at this moment

He'll be fine come July I suspect (although that was uncommonly poor by him today, even by his inconsistent standards).

 

[deValtos]

Re:

Froome was just fine in Catalunya. The base is undoubtedly there.

That's a good point too. Could just be the weather has taken a toll on him or something like that.

 

[DFA123]

Very impressive strength from Porte. But I guess we know he is well capable of that in one day races. Yates looked really good as well; would be interesting to know if he could have stayed with Porte had they started the final climb together.

 

[Poursuivant]

Re: Re:

Saving a bit for the Tour-Vuelta double perhaps. Froome, that is.

While this is true I feel like a normal off-form Froome should've been able to stay with that big group. It is a little concerning.

Very, very similar thing happened at last years TDR, he had a mechanical but couldn't make it back, latched onto peloton, then was dropped at upping of pace. If he doesn't crash or get injured or sick, come July he will be firing.

Porte was excellent there though.

 

[johnymax]

What a show from Porte. Uphill sprint up the whole climb.

 

[Velolover2]

I'm glad Yates won to be honest. I prefer his style of riding.

 

[70kmph]

Sky better have a backup plan B for the tour, or go for stage wins...

 

[Matteo.]

So impressed by Porte, maybe the best climbing performance of this season.
He deserves a bet looking TdF

 

[johnymax]

Re:

Very impressive strength from Porte. But I guess we know he is well capable of that in one day races. Yates looked really good as well; would be interesting to know if he could have stayed with Porte had they started the final climb together.

I don't think so.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re:

Very impressive strength from Porte. But I guess we know he is well capable of that in one day races. Yates looked really good as well; would be interesting to know if he could have stayed with Porte had they started the final climb together.

Don't you mean week-long-races?

Doubt Yates could have stayed with Porte if he'd not anticipated the attack by getting away before the last climb. Smart racing, as is always the case with Yates, when he takes his victories.

The GC-battle is looking very exciting for the time trial. Felline and Roglic are still very much in good positions to take the win, since neither Porte nor Yates have been particularly impressive in the time trials.

 

[The Barb]

Re:

Sky better have a backup plan B for the tour, or go for stage wins...

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic but if not then this is a big overreaction. He will be fine.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Lol at Froome. What the fck was that.

Valverde to win TdF

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Lol at Froome. What the fck was that.

Valverde to win TdF

LRP tho

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Very impressive strength from Porte. But I guess we know he is well capable of that in one day races. Yates looked really good as well; would be interesting to know if he could have stayed with Porte had they started the final climb together.

Don't you mean week-long-races?

Doubt Yates could have stayed with Porte if he'd not anticipated the attack by getting away before the last climb. Smart racing, as is always the case with Yates, when he takes his victories.

The GC-battle is looking very exciting for the time trial. Felline and Roglic are still very much in good positions to take the win, since neither Porte nor Yates have been particularly impressive in the time trials.

Yes, definitely one-week races, not one-day races!

Yeah, I think Yates would have had difficulty as well, but he's probably the third best climber on the startlist. So, with Froome on such poor form, he'd probably be the one most able to stay with Porte. I guess it's difficult to know exactly how good Porte's attack was, given that TJVG was the closest to him from the peloton. He certainly put a weakish field to the sword, but it's kind of a shame there isn't someone very consistent like Quintana or Valverde to properly measure him against.

I think Porte will take the GC as well. It's hilly enough to make 30 seconds a big gap to Roglic and Izagirre.

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

Froome is looking scary. Get ready for a brutal acceleration.

I think Porte will be the only one who can stay with him. Maybe Yates but he used a bit of energy.

Erm ...

Froome is like the weather. You never know. :razz:

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Lol at Froome. What the fck was that.

Valverde to win TdF

LRP tho

1. Valverde
2. LRP
3. Conta/Quintana/Froome

Livin in a strange world....

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Froome and Sky have been talking themselves up all week and working today as if a big performance was inevitable. Maybe the tough weather has left him with the sniffles

 

[sir fly]

Guess what... I've just caught riders crossing the line.
Nothing of the preceding action.

Congrats to Yates, Porte... BMC showing at "home".

Froome might've caught a cold previous days.
Or just the weather change was enough to underperform.
I'm sure he'll be honest.

 

[klintE]

Gratz for Yates but Porte stole the show. Absolutely nailed it.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Re:

So impressed by Porte, maybe the best climbing performance of this season.
He deserves a bet looking TdF

I'd say LRP has 2 of the 3 most impressive climbing performances this year, with Valverde the holder of the most impressive (IMO).