- Mar 21, 2015
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Great to see him going so well after the stage 3 disaster. But wait, what? He won another sprint with Froome? I thought the only person he could beat in a sprint was Landa!!! 
rick james
BANNED
- Sep 2, 2014
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its a shame he was so Tour obsessed and stage 9 this year really got to him, because this form and this Bertie is totally different, great viewing
Re: Re:
When, in Dauphine 2017 and TdF 2017? Not a fair reference point.
The only reference point over the last couple of years would be the Vuelta 2016 where he simply did not have the form like he has now.
Every time he failed on a punchy finish in the spring (PN, Catalunya, TdF Stage 5) we say its because it doesn't suit him. That he has became a diesel climber... A diesel climber doesn't attack repeatedly like he did on stage 6 or is more suited to the short, steep stuff. Now he rules the punchy stuff (with Froome) and we expect him to fade over multi-mountain stages?
LaFlorecita said:
When, in Dauphine 2017 and TdF 2017? Not a fair reference point.
The only reference point over the last couple of years would be the Vuelta 2016 where he simply did not have the form like he has now.
Every time he failed on a punchy finish in the spring (PN, Catalunya, TdF Stage 5) we say its because it doesn't suit him. That he has became a diesel climber... A diesel climber doesn't attack repeatedly like he did on stage 6 or is more suited to the short, steep stuff. Now he rules the punchy stuff (with Froome) and we expect him to fade over multi-mountain stages?
Re: Re:
Exactly, that makes no sense at all. I genuinely believe long mountain stages suit him best. But we'll see. I'm only concerned that he won't be able to drop Froome, who's definitely on point. But I'm not complaining, this is GC cycling like it always should be. Also credits to Froome for that.
Climber123 said:
Exactly, that makes no sense at all. I genuinely believe long mountain stages suit him best. But we'll see. I'm only concerned that he won't be able to drop Froome, who's definitely on point. But I'm not complaining, this is GC cycling like it always should be. Also credits to Froome for that.
Re: Re:
It does make all sense of the world. In last year Vuelta he was right there with the bests in short Murito-type climbs. And dropped in longer mountains. All we know is that exactly that has happened this year in GT's as well, including this Vuelta.
He hasn't become diesel climber, far from that. Diesel climber has high stamina and no kick. Look at Nibali, there's your diesel climber.
The fact you don't see him kicking in longer stages is because he can't sustain it and he knows it. It might look like diesel though.
The stage in Tour where he attacked in first climb was classical example. The kick in attack is really fierce and he closed to the attack group in 4-5km's. Was he able to sustain it? No.
Pennino said:
It does make all sense of the world. In last year Vuelta he was right there with the bests in short Murito-type climbs. And dropped in longer mountains. All we know is that exactly that has happened this year in GT's as well, including this Vuelta.
He hasn't become diesel climber, far from that. Diesel climber has high stamina and no kick. Look at Nibali, there's your diesel climber.
The fact you don't see him kicking in longer stages is because he can't sustain it and he knows it. It might look like diesel though.
The stage in Tour where he attacked in first climb was classical example. The kick in attack is really fierce and he closed to the attack group in 4-5km's. Was he able to sustain it? No.
- Apr 15, 2016
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Re: Re:
He was dropped by several riders on Ezaro, dropped by Quintana on La Camperona and was dropped easily by Froome and Quintana (dropped by 1-2 more riders as well) on Pena Cabarga.
bambino said:
He was dropped by several riders on Ezaro, dropped by Quintana on La Camperona and was dropped easily by Froome and Quintana (dropped by 1-2 more riders as well) on Pena Cabarga.
- May 15, 2011
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Surely we've seen a pattern emerging with him being amazing on the first climb of a stage, in shorter/easier stages and MTTs and not being able to replicate those performances on tougher stages. But, I am surprised by his performance on these muritos, so maybe he'll surprise me on later stages as well.
- Mar 13, 2015
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Froome wants to work with Contador ...I presume to drop others but that woudl not be great for fans....whatever the result we want the 2 best battling it out...and anyway Contador can beat the others Its froome he needs to beat even its on a stage by stage basis
- Mar 13, 2015
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Re:
Not half as good as the current train...i remember Nieve and Deignan were the final men
bambino said:
Not half as good as the current train...i remember Nieve and Deignan were the final men
Cookster15
Moderator
- May 14, 2011
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Very happy to see Contador riding so well now. Too bad about the stomach bug he deserves to be in the frame for a podium in his last GT. Who knows how far back up the GC he can get by Madrid. If he fails to get on the podium it won't be because he didn't try.
- Apr 17, 2013
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Re: Re:
True, although I remember Nieve reducing the favourites group to around 7 or 8 riders on Farrapona (I think?), which to me seems like more than what you can expect of Poels at the moment.HelloDolly said:
Re:
Frankly, I think even the biggest of his detractors would not claim he isn't willing to try even when he's bad and behind!
Lovely to see him like this. Hope he wins tomorrow and then shows us some of the same old sparkle in the high mountains. I don't know what to think in that regard, tbh.
His brother tweeted 'Don't retire' the other day. But I agree with Flo. he sounded pretty calm and collected about his decision. He always said he wanted to go out on top, and if he wins, he will be doing, and if he fights like this to the end and doesn't...he'll also be going out on top - in the way he wants to be remembered, which is as someone who always rode with heart and made a spectacle. Once you've made that kind of decision, it is seldom really the best idea to go back on it, IMO. Even if I want him to !
Cookster15 said:
Frankly, I think even the biggest of his detractors would not claim he isn't willing to try even when he's bad and behind!
Lovely to see him like this. Hope he wins tomorrow and then shows us some of the same old sparkle in the high mountains. I don't know what to think in that regard, tbh.
His brother tweeted 'Don't retire' the other day. But I agree with Flo. he sounded pretty calm and collected about his decision. He always said he wanted to go out on top, and if he wins, he will be doing, and if he fights like this to the end and doesn't...he'll also be going out on top - in the way he wants to be remembered, which is as someone who always rode with heart and made a spectacle. Once you've made that kind of decision, it is seldom really the best idea to go back on it, IMO. Even if I want him to !
Re: Re:
Mmmm that's a pretty annoying statement right there !. Your expecting exactly what I'm saying !. I don't expect him to do much worse at all !.
LaFlorecita said:
Mmmm that's a pretty annoying statement right there !. Your expecting exactly what I'm saying !. I don't expect him to do much worse at all !.
Re: Re:
By the way I do respect your opinion and the fact that you have not put me on ignore because that is pathetic !. Most of my comments are fairly reasonable.
LaFlorecita said:
By the way I do respect your opinion and the fact that you have not put me on ignore because that is pathetic !. Most of my comments are fairly reasonable.
- May 15, 2011
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Re:
looking at today, Froome would be more likely to win. But if they don't bring back the break Alberto doesn't have a chance at all.Valv.Piti said:
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