- Feb 10, 2015
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- Nov 7, 2010
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Froome doesn't really divide opinion that much I think. The dislike for him is pretty universal.
Not sure about popularity; it shows who is more polemic and divides opinoin the most. Take a look at the post count on Armstrong's threads in the Clinic; and he's only been an active rider for about 15% of this forum's existance.bajbar said:
Froome doesn't really divide opinion that much I think. The dislike for him is pretty universal.
- Feb 20, 2012
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As for today, I strongly suspect team Sky tanked it, not planning to go all out and trying to feign some weakness and spare the team for later on.
Pretty much. At times it seems part of hyping Froome happens in the Contador thread more often than in here.DFA123 said:Not sure about popularity; it shows who is more polemic and divides opinoin the most. Take a look at the post count on Armstrong's threads in the Clinic; and he's only been an active rider for about 15% of this forum's existance.bajbar said:
Froome doesn't really divide opinion that much I think. The dislike for him is pretty universal.
As for today, I strongly suspect team Sky tanked it, not planning to go all out and trying to feign some weakness and spare the team for later on.
- Jan 23, 2016
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They really have just 3 opportunities to really shine.
In the flat and hilly pucheur stages, they'll be atleast 5 teams ready to hit the front.
Why would they pretend to be weak?Red Rick said:Pretty much. At times it seems part of hyping Froome happens in the Contador thread more often than in here.DFA123 said:Not sure about popularity; it shows who is more polemic and divides opinoin the most. Take a look at the post count on Armstrong's threads in the Clinic; and he's only been an active rider for about 15% of this forum's existance.bajbar said:
Froome doesn't really divide opinion that much I think. The dislike for him is pretty universal.
As for today, I strongly suspect team Sky tanked it, not planning to go all out and trying to feign some weakness and spare the team for later on.
They really have just 3 opportunities to really shine.
In the flat and hilly pucheur stages, they'll be atleast 5 teams ready to hit the front.
- Nov 7, 2010
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Interesting theory. Certainly Landa and Henao didn't seem to be digging very deep. Also, not quite short what role Thomas is playing yet. I guess later in the Tour, when he has dropped down the GC, he won't be the last man in the train.Red Rick said:
- Mar 13, 2015
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My theory was that Froome didn't expect to have to work so early. Whatever the true state of Henao and Landa, Thomas being last man because of his temporary ownership of the yellow jersey meant Froome had what felt like only about 100m of setting up before he had to go himself. I feel sure he would have wanted less work to do, and for it to be a more explosive, violent, ride-everyone-off-the-wheels effort.
DFA123 said:
My theory was that Froome didn't expect to have to work so early. Whatever the true state of Henao and Landa, Thomas being last man because of his temporary ownership of the yellow jersey meant Froome had what felt like only about 100m of setting up before he had to go himself. I feel sure he would have wanted less work to do, and for it to be a more explosive, violent, ride-everyone-off-the-wheels effort.
- Aug 31, 2012
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Now that Froome has claimed the yellow jersey again, where is he in the all time list of yellow jerseys?
Probably good for the race that Froome didn't just waltz away but the dawg is probably still the most well rounded GC contender out there and doesn't need to win solely on his climbing unlike pretty much everyone else in the top10 right now.
Having said that he could still turn out to be the strongest climber in the race ...
Having said that he could still turn out to be the strongest climber in the race ...
- Jan 23, 2016
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45th day today I think..
Next up is the great Jacques Anquetil at 50.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_jersey_statisticsSeriousSam said:
45th day today I think..
Next up is the great Jacques Anquetil at 50.
He will overtake Indurain's 60 if he holds yellow all the way to Paris and move into 3rd spot behind Merckx and Hinault. If we include Armstrong then he'd be 4th spot at the end of the Tour (assuming he stays in yellow).
- Mar 10, 2009
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I think that they had decided beforehand what riders they would focus on (likely Quintana, Porte and Contador) and the others they would allow their domestiques to chase down if they attack (or attempt to). Aru they likely didn't anticipate being able to hold his advantage to the line based on his less than ideal build up to the Tour. As indicated, they have now altered that focus.
I was wondering what the point of having 6 in the train is if they weren't going to drill it. Makes sense that they called a few back to rest when they got so close to the top.
Though for the entertainment spectacle it would be better if a few sky riders were undercooked. His improvement so far from dauphine make a me think he will be monster for last week, and prohibitive favourite for the double.
If he does where does he rank on the gc list? Only 4 seem to be clearly above him in my eyes - EM, BH, AC, MI. JA probably goes in the discussion. Coppi clearly a better rider but what were 5 giros really worth when he actually won them?
Though for the entertainment spectacle it would be better if a few sky riders were undercooked. His improvement so far from dauphine make a me think he will be monster for last week, and prohibitive favourite for the double.
If he does where does he rank on the gc list? Only 4 seem to be clearly above him in my eyes - EM, BH, AC, MI. JA probably goes in the discussion. Coppi clearly a better rider but what were 5 giros really worth when he actually won them?
Re:
Maybe he wasn't tightly marked because of the time gap from the ITT, but allowing another GC rider to get within striking distance is not ideal.
Aru had a really good Dauphine and then convincingly smashed the competition at the Italian National Championships. How is this a case of "less than ideal build up to the Tour"?Angliru said:
Maybe he wasn't tightly marked because of the time gap from the ITT, but allowing another GC rider to get within striking distance is not ideal.
- Aug 31, 2012
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With Quintana having done the Giro, Valverde's crash and everyone else of note targeting the Tour and being inferior to him, Froome's ambition to do the Double is looking astoundingly doable.
Especially if his current weakness really reflects that he's just pushing back his peak form this year
Especially if his current weakness really reflects that he's just pushing back his peak form this year
- Mar 10, 2009
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If you check out the article on Richie Porte after the stage it indicates that the BMC director believes Sky was focused on Porte, allowing Martin and Aru to "ride away". Also Porte was surprised at how well Aru rode. It appears to me that both Sky and BMC underestimated Aru. I can only guess, as I did, as to why they might allow him to escape as they did.
Katabatic said:
If you check out the article on Richie Porte after the stage it indicates that the BMC director believes Sky was focused on Porte, allowing Martin and Aru to "ride away". Also Porte was surprised at how well Aru rode. It appears to me that both Sky and BMC underestimated Aru. I can only guess, as I did, as to why they might allow him to escape as they did.
- Jul 12, 2012
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I agree, Froome almost admitted as much after the stage. Next time Aru attacks he won't be afforded as much freedom and I don't think they will be looking around at each other either when Aru does go up the road.
Angliru said:
I agree, Froome almost admitted as much after the stage. Next time Aru attacks he won't be afforded as much freedom and I don't think they will be looking around at each other either when Aru does go up the road.
- Mar 10, 2009
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His build up was less than ideal in my opinion, because of his season goal being altered as a result of his injuries that prevented him from starting the Giro. Yes he was impressive in Dauphine and the Italian National championship but I guess you can only choose to cover so many riders that you see as threats in the overall and apparently Aru wasn't one. Or maybe Froome and Porte were too busy watching each other.
- Jul 12, 2012
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After the Dauphine it was always going to be Porte that was the main marked man, plus guys like Bardet, Quintana and Contador have to be respected and wouldn't be allowed any freedom either. As you say, there are only so many men you can mark. Today Aru has shown himself to be a real contender and will have to be respected too.
Angliru said:
After the Dauphine it was always going to be Porte that was the main marked man, plus guys like Bardet, Quintana and Contador have to be respected and wouldn't be allowed any freedom either. As you say, there are only so many men you can mark. Today Aru has shown himself to be a real contender and will have to be respected too.
Re:
Intimidation? Making their point early that the Sky train is still very strong for this year's Tour. Kwiat did most of the tempo setting on the front and the others didn't really need to work on the front before Aru took off. They were probably happy that they had their chance to ease off the pace and recover for another day.
Singer01 said:
Intimidation? Making their point early that the Sky train is still very strong for this year's Tour. Kwiat did most of the tempo setting on the front and the others didn't really need to work on the front before Aru took off. They were probably happy that they had their chance to ease off the pace and recover for another day.
Froome's 2012 record time on Planche des belles Filles was beaten yesterday by Aru, by a few seconds.
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