Teams & Riders Everybody needs a little bit of Roglstomp in their lives

[CyclistAbi]

It's you interpret it as a bad thing Rogla makes it to Paris.

No i mean you quoted me and said Rogla plans to make it to Paris. I just wanted to point out it would be hard to win without doing that, it's not mutually exclusive.

He will finish the Tour this time, and do top 5.

That's the spirit, predictions used to be much worse.

 

[AmRacer]

No i mean you quoted me and said Rogla plans to make it to Paris. I just wanted to point out it would be hard to win without doing that, it's not mutually exclusive.



That's the spirit, predictions used to be much worse.

Most riders who make it to Paris don't win

 

[CyclistAbi]

Most riders who make it to Paris don't win

I see, you don't see Rogla winning, that was the point of your remark. I get it now.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Well, at least now we are down to most people agreeing Rogla to finish this Tour edition, top 5 frequently mentioned. Was much worse just a couple of days back. So lets build on that going forward.

 

[Rackham]

Rog was attentive and well positioned through the last 40k there today, so now the 'real' TdF starts tomorrow.

 

[Valv.Piti]

First time I have seen Roglic at the front of the race during these 9 days. He looked really good last year on a similar stage last year to that of tomorrow, might be a good chance to advance

 

[benzwire]

First time I have seen Roglic at the front of the race during these 9 days. He looked really good last year on a similar stage last year to that of tomorrow, might be a good chance to advance

I don't want to jinx him, but he's ridden this first week fairly well. He should not have lost as much time, but who knows, maybe he would have crashed out if he was more concerned about positioning like previous Tours. IDK, but he's through the first week in one piece and the true challenge now begins. Lets hope he is up for it. If his form is improving, I could easliy see him top 5, maybe top 3 if Remco has a jour sans or something like that.
As far as his attitude at this Tour, do agree with an earlier post that Roglic may be riding his last Tour here, at least a Tour with an attempt at the GC. I think a number of factors go into his "don't care" attitude this year and those are the following:
Crashing out of the Giro was another hit to his ego. It happens again and again. Confidence lost.
The pundits did not consider him a realistic threat to win the Tour, another blow to his ego/confidence.
Constant discussion that he cannot finish a Tour because he always crashes out.
Bora did not have the dream support team that he switched teams for. He went backwards team-wise.
Talk of Remco replacing him at Bora. Not great for morale. Another hit to his ego.

All this has led to him saying F*ck it. I realistically can't win this with Jonas and Tadej here. I don't have a great team to support me. I've won damn near everything in the sport (one weeks, grand tours) yet that's still not enough for everyone, so screw it. I'm happy with my palmares and career, I'm rich, have a wife and kids and I've only got a short time left as a pro. I'm just going to ride this race to get to Paris. Screw the haters. That's it.

Ok, that's what I'm thinking. Maybe I'm completely wrong. All that said, I think if he stays safe, rides intelligently, he will be top 4, possible top 3. I think that will be great to see and he'd be happy to put the Tour curse to rest. Or he just rides like crap and finishes 27th at hour back. It will be interesting to see. I just like the guy and feels he doesn't get the respect he deserves in general. If he had started racing as a junior he would have several Tours de France under his belt. But such is life.
Sorry for the long post. Go Primoz!

 

[Oldman]

First time I have seen Roglic at the front of the race during these 9 days. He looked really good last year on a similar stage last year to that of tomorrow, might be a good chance to advance

He's been there on most stages along with Lipowitz. They were in risk management mode and that has been a poor strategy. Tomorrow will tell if either or both of them were limping through at their best and have nothing more to contribute. My gut feel is they will respond in collaboration with other riders that doesn't draw immediate response from JV. That would rely on UAE being happy with what goes up the road until there is a gap that Tadej is confident is bridgeable and attempt to punt Jonas in the process. If all they do is trade work to minimize the gap; that is still a win for UAE going into the rest day.

 

[Red Rick]

I would 99% convinced Lipowitz is on aggressive duty in joining attacks and other shenanigans while Rogla is on Zubeldia duty

 

[Gratemans]

He will finish the Tour this time, and do top 5.

I definitely wouldn't put it past him. I mean, we haven't even hit any mountains yet.
Then again, (and please correct me if I'm wrong) Roglic making top 5 wouldn't be enough to keep you on this forum if I recall correctly?

 

[Froome]

I definitely wouldn't put it past him. I mean, we haven't even hit any mountains yet.
Then again, (and please correct me if I'm wrong) Roglic making top 5 wouldn't be enough to keep you on this forum if I recall correctly?

Not enough. I will leave if Vingegaard doesn't win the tour and the vuelta.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

I would 99% convinced Lipowitz is on aggressive duty in joining attacks and other shenanigans while Rogla is on Zubeldia duty

I think there‘s a decent chance Lipowitz just tries to follow Rogla around, but yes, most likely that Lipowitz gets himself into some weird attacks again as he did in Itzulia or the Dauphiné.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Lipovitz seems to think that aggressive duty is floating about 15 seconds ahead of the UAE-pulled favourites group with 90km still to race. Not sure I want him doing that

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Not enough. I will leave if Vingegaard doesn't win the tour and the vuelta.

That’s really unnecessary