Froome is certainly in the box seat after just three stages. Sky just have to be sensible from here on in.
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Ataraxus said:Re watched the last climb. Froome's performance there indeed is scary. When he rose on the pedals Contador was right at his wheel and was able to follow him for 22 seconds whereas Froome continued on the pedals for nearly 20 seconds more (the footage got focused on JRod and I couldn't see when he exactly sat on the saddle). Even more scary is the part in the last 200 meters when he follows JRod sitting up by being able to maintain a constant distance on him. If he will be able to sustain 40 second attacks in longer climbs as well, it'll be really tough for his opponents not to get dropped.
Everything is shaping up perfectly for Froome.
The form is excellent. Lead car in the cobbles. 36 seconds to the (apparently) weakest of the top 4. 1:56 to the (apparently) biggest threat in the mountains. If he doesn't crash, he can afford to lose 2:30 minutes on Nibali and still be within one minute distance from the Sardinian.
So agree.SeriousSam said:If he gets through tomorrow unscathed I expect his odds to increase further. He already has a gap on Quintana and Nibali that's worth more than 1 MTF of completely crushing everyone else, and Contador looks rather unimpressive. And on current evidence, if there is going to be a climbing crushing later on, it will be Froome swinging the hammer.
SeriousSam said:Not sure what your point is. If they weren't reactionary (ie if the implied probability weren't conditional on the available information), I'd be a millionaire now and odds wouldn't help predict.
Actually one of the few not throwing his bike all over the road. A little less trolling and a little more objectivity would do us well.BigMac said:Carols said:Froome looks Very Strong!
Still can't ride a bike though. I was worried he would knock everyone off their bikes up the mur at one point.
Objectively speaking, Froome is a menace on the bike, in terms of handling skills, even when he's not looking down half the time. Do you think otherwise?cantpedal said:Actually one of the few not throwing his bike all over the road. A little less trolling and a little more objectivity would do us well.BigMac said:Carols said:Froome looks Very Strong!
Still can't ride a bike though. I was worried he would knock everyone off their bikes up the mur at one point.
Velolover2 said:Who do you guys think will be able to hold on to Froome in MTF the longest? Who has the best chance right now?
Jspear said:Velolover2 said:Who do you guys think will be able to hold on to Froome in MTF the longest? Who has the best chance right now?
Head pick: Quintana then Nibali
Many would say that Quintana will climb better than Froome. I think he'll at least climb as well. Nibali will be right there or there about imo.
Heart pick: AC (though I honestly think he'll be better in the 3rd week.)
Velolover2 said:Who do you guys think will be able to hold on to Froome in MTF the longest? Who has the best chance right now?
Velolover2 said:Jspear said:Velolover2 said:Who do you guys think will be able to hold on to Froome in MTF the longest? Who has the best chance right now?
Head pick: Quintana then Nibali
Many would say that Quintana will climb better than Froome. I think he'll at least climb as well. Nibali will be right there or there about imo.
Heart pick: AC (though I honestly think he'll be better in the 3rd week.)
I'd say:
Quintana
then Tejay/Purito
and then Nibali (still not impressed by his climbing)
I'm really starting to fear for Contador. I want him to win or at least be able to hang on, but it's like he is missing something this year.
Big Doopie said:Velolover2 said:Who do you guys think will be able to hold on to Froome in MTF the longest? Who has the best chance right now?
Um... It would appear that it would bet tjvg.
He was the last to hold his wheel at dauphine and says he has bumped up since then. Today huy is not his type of climb AT ALL and yet there he was dropping CoNtador and leading in the other favorites. RAI showed his group arriving in slow-mo several times. Fwiw, tj looked fresh at the top. Nibali looked dead.
And I am NOT a tj fan, but... He may have a lot of forumites who constantly said he was overrated eating their words. And this in a TDF that is definitely NOT made for him.
He gets through tomorrow okay, the TTT may even seem him in yellow.
Pantani Attacks said:Chris is riding well but I wonder if he can sustain it.