Itzulia Basque Country 2022 April 4-9

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Didn't he do the same yesterday? Not ridiculing, Ala seems to have lost a bit of his sprinting speed, he would have walked these stages in the past.

Alaphilippe started sprinting too early yesterday.

 

[tobydawq]

Didn't he do the same yesterday? Not ridiculing, Ala seems to have lost a bit of his sprinting speed, he would have walked these stages in the past.

Would he now? But still, you really can't fault Remco for trying to maximise Alaphilippe's chances. If the criticism was that he began his leadout too early, it would be more fair, but if it's only because Alaphilippe didn't win, it's just an unnecessary cheap shot at Remco. Which he gets enough of as it is...

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Tomorrow the final 600m are 10% which requires an even greater effort to get his ass boxed in.

Tomorrow's finale is also really narrow if the roadbook is to be believed, so even starting the final little wall in 10th or so may well be a problem.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Would he now? But still, you really can't fault Remco for trying to maximise Alaphilippe's chances. If the criticism was that he began his leadout too early, it would be more fair, but if it's only because Alaphilippe didn't win, it's just an unnecessary cheap shot at Remco. Which he gets enough of as it is...

What I seem to see is that Remco doesn't seem to know his own strength when it comes to leading out. Ala probably struggled to keep up with him, just like the rest and when it comes to the sprint, he doesn't have much left. Probably too good of a leadout.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Alaphilippe won't win Liege

 

[Samamba]

Also bad weather tomorrow and Saturday. We're going to get some interesting stages.

 

[AlfaLum]

DFM really is great at Ineos. Last year we couldnt see it a lot because of his crashes in UAE and Burgos, but he really is great.

 

[AlfaLum]

Also bad weather tomorrow and Saturday. We're going to get some interesting stages.

Really? I think there are quite a couple of high placed guys here that suffer in bad conditions...

 

[Sciatic]

If Evenepoel doesnt completely loses it and start leading out with 1,5 k to go Alaf easily wins.

Yesterday he started leading out from. beyond 1k as well, but it seemed as though that’s what he and Alaphillipe planned.

 

[Extinction]

I wonder if Remco had won the opening tt would he be doing leadouts for Ala today? I doubt it, but they are great comrades, so it is nice to see him sacrificing himself for the Frenchman.

Still, one must wonder about the Deceunenik team tactic, because if they are here for GC Remco should not be leading out for 3 days straight.

 

[pablohidalgo7]

Roglic is so lame in positioning, yesterday he couldn't fight Peio forJulián's Wheel and today he managed to get boxed in the narrow road to the finish line, I think he had some chances to win in both sprints...

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

Also bad weather tomorrow and Saturday. We're going to get some interesting stages.

That‘s what Tour of the Basque Country is all about. Rain, cold, narrow and steep roads, peloton full of the best GC guys and climbers in the world, all getting close to top shape.

That‘s fantastic!

Second-best stage race of the calendar, IMHO. And, even better than Catalunya…

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Roglic is so lame in positioning, yesterday he couldn't fight Peio because of Julián's Wheel and today he managed to get boxed in the narrow path to the finish line, I think he had some chances to win in both sprints

Maybe it won't matter in the race finale: Primoz is primed to attack there.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I wonder if Remco had won the opening tt would he be doing leadouts for Ala today? I doubt it, but they are great comrades, so it is nice to see him sacrificing himself for the Frenchman.

Still, one must wonder about the Deceunenik team tactic, because if they are here for GC Remco should not be leading out for 3 days straight.

Quick Step prioritizes stage wins higher than most teams. Remco is definitely trying to get the best GC place as possible, but it doesnt (and shouldnt) deter him from leading one of the best riders in the world out.

 

[Extinction]

Quick Step prioritizes stage wins higher than most teams. Remco is definitely trying to get the best GC place as possible, but it doesnt (and shouldnt) deter him from leading one of the best riders in the world out.

I understand that and they are also friends, but he is expending a lot of energy that could serve him on tomorrow and Saturday.

 

[Newcomer]

Still, one must wonder about the Deceunenik team tactic, because if they are here for GC Remco should not be leading out for 3 days straight.

As far as I am concerned, Alpecin is not here racing in Basque country ? As for Quick-Step though, I think maybe they are practising this Remco leading JA tactic for Liege?

 

[Extinction]

As far as I am concerned, Alpecin is not here racing in Basque country ? As for Quick-Step though, I think maybe they are practising this Remco leading JA tactic for Liege?

Ok, forgot they switched sponsors again, but, no, I don't think this is for Remco leading Ala at Liege. It's about this race and stage wins and considering Remco's GC position it is a questionable tactic.

 

[noob]

Alaphilippe, Remco and Vansevenant are such entertainers!

 

[ice&fire]

DFM really is great at Ineos. Last year we couldnt see it a lot because of his crashes in UAE and Burgos, but he really is great.

He was seen giving a master class to a GT winner

 

[Extinction]

He was seen giving a master class to a GT winner

That was cool.

 

[search]

Tomorrow's finale is also really narrow if the roadbook is to be believed, so even starting the final little wall in 10th or so may well be a problem.

it doesn't looks super narrow on street view. Like two cars wide or so. And for the final ~150m they switch to the real road

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

 

[tobydawq]

Where was Burgaudeau in that sprint??

I know he doesn't ride the race but imagine him joining Martínez and Alaphilippe on the podium.

Goatee galore (it already was).

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Quick Step prioritizes stage wins higher than most teams. Remco is definitely trying to get the best GC place as possible, but it doesnt (and shouldnt) deter him from leading one of the best riders in the world out.

If they want to give Evenepoel a shot at GC then they're doing a shitty job. Every time he has to pull for Alaphilippe, all he's doing is bringing his own rivals closer in GC when they snatch the bonis. So trying to get the best GC place as possible clearly comes second.

 

[Jumbot]

So does this mean that Dani is now the favorite for the Tour?

 

[red_flanders]

I understand that and they are also friends, but he is expending a lot of energy that could serve him on tomorrow and Saturday.

It's true but being QuickStep they have multiple goals. It's nice to support Remco for the overall, but a frank assessment is that his chances for the win are somewhat dubious. On the other hand you have the World Champion trying for wins, and it would be something of a crime not to support that. Evenepoel is here for training, the overall, and doing what he can to bond with and help JA. Focusing 100% on Remco for the GC would be putting all the eggs in one basket, and that's not how QS views the world. If he were more dominant, I'm sure they'd adjust.

They're no dummies, they know all this energy expended hurts Remco's GC aspirations. Clearly they are willing to sacrifice chances at the overall for other goals in this race.