Le Tour '19 stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Tignes 126km

[The Barb]

Re:

I'm much, much, much prefer Bernal or Pinot or even Steven K winning the Tour to Alpahilippe.

This.

It's kinda farcical if Alaphilippe wins. Pinot and Steven K have paid their dues in Grand Tours previously and Bernal is young but obviously a generational Grand Tour talent.

 

[hfer07]

Re:

Seriously Movistar has to go on the Iseran tomorrow.

That or it's Valverde's turn to hop in a breakaway and sneak minutes

without a doubt - I'd send some hardcore mountain goat pacers ahead in the breakaway, then have either Landa or Valverde attacking early, so a selection can be made before the Col d'Iseran - then Launch Nairito or Landa himself to go all out and have the early pacers wait for either one to drive all the way to the Tignes.

 

[Blanco]

Re:

Seriously Movistar has to go on the Iseran tomorrow.

That or it's Valverde's turn to hop in a breakaway and sneak minutes

Yep, I think so too, Valverde will try to go in the break, and one of those two will probably try on Iseran.

 

[Fergoose]

What I want to see is either Bennet or Pouls with enough strength fo crack Julian on the penultimate climb. If neither Jumbo or Ineos can force tempo there will be serious issues for everyone but the yellow jersey as none of the GC contenders will jeopardise their own chances by attacking so far out.

Thomas should definitely get first option on any one-two attack on the final climb if we are still in that predicament. He has been a faultless and selfless team player in this TdF, to the extent he has almost handed it over on a silver plate to his teammate with repeated gifts.

I also need to see evidence that Jumbo, FDJ & Bora have the slightest clue how to respond to the Sky one-two punch as today they looked a bit clueless.

 

[Rollthedice]

For all the absurdness of Alaphilippe in yellow for 14 stages, I really hope he can hang on. Too late to stop now.

 

[jaylew]

Re:

I haven't been at all impressed by Thomas, and I don't think I will be tomorrow. Bernal rode well at the end, but why did he wait? Did he think he could easily crack Alaphilippe? I don't think he will be an easy nut to crack, everyone else's contrary opinions notwithstanding. Quintana's epic performance today is a mystery to me. Either he strongly believes he can win the Tour, and he will, or else he figured everyone had counted him out and snuck in a ride that no one else was ready for. I don't think Alaphilippe will crack on this stage or any other. Time is on his side. There are no miracles. Bernal could win this stage, but not by enough.

He's really deferring to Geraint and only attacked because he told him to. I get that he's young and doesn't want to ruffle any feathers but who's to say he ever has another chance this good to win the Tour? Sure, we can assume he'll only improve and pick up a few Tours but you never know. Look at Schleck, Cunego...I'm sure there are others that don't immediately come to mind.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

I'm much, much, much prefer Bernal or Pinot or even Steven K winning the Tour to Alpahilippe.

I like Alaphilippe.

But damn I can't stand Lefevre and the farcical hype an Alaphilippe win would get

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

I'm much, much, much prefer Bernal or Pinot or even Steven K winning the Tour to Alpahilippe.

I like Alaphilippe.

But damn I can't stand Lefevre and the farcical hype an Alaphilippe win would get

This whole thing has made me not like him that well.

 

[topcat]

Even if Ala were to crack completely, he's still the best cyclist in the world right now. And I think he'll hang on for the win in the next 2 days.

 

[hfer07]

Re:

What I want to see is either Bennet or Pouls with enough strength fo crack Julian on the penultimate climb. If neither Jumbo or Ineos can force tempo there will be serious issues for everyone but the yellow jersey as none of the GC contenders will jeopardise their own chances by attacking so far out.

Thomas should definitely get first option on any one-two attack on the final climb if we are still in that predicament. He has been a faultless and selfless team player in this TdF, to the extent he has almost handed it over on a silver plate to his teammate with repeated gifts.

I also need to see evidence that Jumbo, FDJ & Bora have the slightest clue how to respond to the Sky one-two punch as today they looked a bit clueless.

Pardon me, but what race are you watching? Have you read on the news that G himself has actually encouraged Egan to attack, when he lacked the legs? Did you notice who went first on the Galibier? have you noticed who's climbing better? See- Based on the current race, given what the two of them have displayed on the road & the the terrain of the last 2 stages, Egan should be the rightful Leader - BUT- INEOS - being a British team, will give G the priority - even if that decision ultimately cost them The Tour Title ....

 

[JosephK]

Re: Le Tour '19 stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Tignes 1

Wow, there is really polarized sentiment about Alaphilippe. In the subjective world of fandom, the basic questions arise: What's just? What's earned? What's to be admired? What's to be hoped for? Among keen followers of cycling, the answers may yet vary.

 

[Keram]

Re: Le Tour '19 stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Tignes 1

They need to set brutal pace on penultimate climb or somebody has to attack from the bottom of last climb. But who will do it? I think they all will be hesitate and they will find out in Paris that Ala is still yellow.

 

[Leinster]

Re: Re:

I'm much, much, much prefer Bernal or Pinot or even Steven K winning the Tour to Alpahilippe.

This.

It's kinda farcical if Alaphilippe wins. Pinot and Steven K have paid their dues in Grand Tours previously and Bernal is young but obviously a generational Grand Tour talent.

I take the opposite view for the same reasons. It’s ridiculous if these guys who prepare themselves all year round, sacrificing their chances in other races, not giving classics and short stage races the respect they deserve, but using them as training rides purely to peak in one 3-week event, can arrive in France in peak condition in July, and have their thunder stolen by a guy whos been riding hard and winning races consistently since March.

If it pushes more riders to ease back on the specialization, and ride a spread out season with more targets, I’m all for it.

 

[HelloDolly]

For me the Colombians are in the ascendancy...its their terrain
I expect Quintana to sit on tomorrow and go from very far out on Saturday for stage and who knows?

Bernal looks the strongest of the GC guys. But Ineos seem to be riding against each other and the team are not strong. Kwaito and Poels are very poor compared to last year..Dylan van Baarle is their best climbing Dom ??

I think Pinot is not as strong as we have seen and Steve K (its not cowardice when he doesnt attack ..its legs ) will work for podium
Buchmann is riding very well but cant see challenging for podium

Only Ineos & Movistar can make the race imo

 

[Leinster]

Van Baarle was not Ineos’ best climbing dom. He was in the break and fell back to help the rest after Poels etc faded. Having him in position for the Lauteret was probably the best way to make use of his abilities.

 

[movingtarget]

Movistar with an early attack is the obvious one which will thin out Ineos and the other teams similar to yesterday. Might be the end for Alaphillippe. Don't see Quintana attacking again, it's been a while since he performed on consecutive GT stages in the mountains. Hard to predict who will be left on the final climb but Valverde and the yellow jersey will be under pressure, maybe Porte and Uran hang on. Pinot has to do something and so does SK, whether they can is another matter.

 

[HelloDolly]

Re:

Van Baarle was not Ineos’ best climbing dom. He was in the break and fell back to help the rest after Poels etc faded. Having him in position for the Lauteret was probably the best way to make use of his abilities.

I dont say he was ...It was a sarcastic comment ...hence the question marks ...sigh

 

[Cookster15]

Ineos, Movistar and Jumbo have to absolutely bury Alaphilippe on the Iseran.

Iseran is 2,770 meters (almost 9,100ft), if they do this even if he chases back on the descent it is highly likely based upon what we are now seeing that JA will crack towards top of Tignes then there is no descent to catch back on like today. Then there is stage 20 if this does not work. Hopefully Pinot can get back to #1 Frenchman.

 

[Koronin]

Re:

Ineos, Movistar and Jumbo have to absolutely bury Alaphilippe on the Iseran.

Iseran is 2,770 meters (almost 9,100ft), if they do this even if he chases back on the descent it is highly likely based upon what we are now seeing that JA will crack towards top of Tignes then there is no descent to catch back on like today. Then there is stage 20 if this does not work. Hopefully Pinot can get back to #1 Frenchman.

I hope they do. They need to do something. However, I'm heading to a Sci-Fi convention for the weekend so won't be watching the stages until later. Will check on my phone while there. I just really hope we get fireworks over the next two days to make the stages worth watching on "tape delay" after I get home.

 

[Moviefan1203]

Hard not to root for Alaphilippe at this point, but Bernal is so fun!

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

Thomas does not have the legs this year it seems. He should be working for Bernal at this point

At no point in the history of the tour would the defending champ who is 3rd in GC, only 5 seconds behind his 22 year old team mate be expected to work for him. Except when he is British.

Lies...if Bernal has the legs he will be free to attack..the mountain stages have proven that

 

[This Charming Man]

Re: Re:

Thomas does not have the legs this year it seems. He should be working for Bernal at this point

At no point in the history of the tour would the defending champ who is 3rd in GC, only 5 seconds behind his 22 year old team mate be expected to work for him. Except when he is British.

However, Bernal has easily dropped Thomas on 3 straight mountain stages. Bernal has been the stronger rider this year, and the terrain favors him over Thomas with the high altitude the next 2 days.

Naw....all in for G....ABrit, no way Inneos promotes a Colombian.

 

[Oliver]

Re: Le Tour '19 stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Tignes 1

Let me guess... nothing will happen on the Iseran. In Tignes we get a sprint with a small group of favorites because of the flat end.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Re: Re:

What I want to see is either Bennet or Pouls with enough strength fo crack Julian on the penultimate climb. If neither Jumbo or Ineos can force tempo there will be serious issues for everyone but the yellow jersey as none of the GC contenders will jeopardise their own chances by attacking so far out.

Thomas should definitely get first option on any one-two attack on the final climb if we are still in that predicament. He has been a faultless and selfless team player in this TdF, to the extent he has almost handed it over on a silver plate to his teammate with repeated gifts.

I also need to see evidence that Jumbo, FDJ & Bora have the slightest clue how to respond to the Sky one-two punch as today they looked a bit clueless.

Pardon me, but what race are you watching? Have you read on the news that G himself has actually encouraged Egan to attack, when he lacked the legs? Did you notice who went first on the Galibier? have you noticed who's climbing better? See- Based on the current race, given what the two of them have displayed on the road & the the terrain of the last 2 stages, Egan should be the rightful Leader - BUT- INEOS - being a British team, will give G the priority - even if that decision ultimately cost them The Tour Title ....

Have to agree with this. They will keep Bernal back with Thomas to try and get him to the win and once Thomas realises he doesn't have the legs to gain enough/any time back, it will be too late for Bernal to do anything of significant. Yesterday Bernal should have gone much ealier. When Thomas attacked it was for a short time and Pinot easily brought him back. It looked like Thomas really struggled to try and stay away, he doesn't seem to have the legs this Tour I'm afraid and with INEOS wanting Thomas as leader is gonna scupper the chances of Bernal winning overall. Hope I'm wrong.

Landa didn't have the legs yesterday and if he doesn't do anything today then i think his Tour is over. Would love to see NQ get on the podium but would be interesting to see if he can back up yesterdays effort. As much as Ala has deserved to be in yellow, today i feel there will be tears on the DQS team bus.

 

[fauniera]

Re:

Ineos, Movistar and Jumbo have to absolutely bury Alaphilippe on the Iseran.

Jumbo will do absolutely nothing as usual.