Re: Re:
Lopez seems on a totally different level to the rest though, I very much doubt Nibali could have gone with him today, and it was into a headwind apparently reading what the riders said after the race!
DFA123 said:Inquitus said:dacooley said:most likely he'll be a distant second (after lopez) rider, pushing himself up and climbing by powermeter. still referring to the peyragudes collapse, if similar situation replicates itself say 7-8 kilometers from the top of Angliru, he'll fail miserably and lose the race.DFA123 said:He's obviously getting weaker. Equally, he clearly still has the GC under control. But there are weaknesses to be exploited that wasn't possible in the first week or so - when he looked the strongest climber in the race.Matteo. said:He's getting weaker weaker weaker...dead dead dead....
but unfortunately this is not so
It's all under control good peace of detractors
The one remaining challenge for him is how he handles the 20%+ gradients of the last week, when he won't be able to lean on his team for any help. We've already seen him spectacularly blow up in the Pyrenees on similar slopes this year.
He's gonna have a 5 plus minute lead over Lopez come Weds morning, I don't think he could lose 5 mins on Angliru even if he struggles, he only lost a minute to Quintana on Alpe D'Huez despite being dropped at the very bottom.
There are two climbs averaging around 8-9% before Angliru, and with some long double figure sections, with no flat in between. If he's having a bad day I think he'll lose the race there. The danger is not only Lopez attacking (who, as you say, will probably be too far back), but that an early Lopez attack could drag Nibali or Zakarin along with him - lighting the race up from far out.
Lopez seems on a totally different level to the rest though, I very much doubt Nibali could have gone with him today, and it was into a headwind apparently reading what the riders said after the race!