Everything but the final podium is set in stone by now (baring someone crashing out):
Green: Sagan
Polka dots: Alaphilippe
White: Latour
Teams: Movistar
Green: Sagan
Polka dots: Alaphilippe
White: Latour
Teams: Movistar
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I agree with this. Dumoulin has ridden a great Tour. A podium placing is a tremendous result after how hard he had to go in the Giro. Today, he was doing his best to hang onto second.movingtarget said:Dekker_Tifosi said:I understand people being harsch on Dumoulin. But his tactics were logical.
The only chances of beating Thomas would be if Thomas badly cracked. He tested with 2 big attacks, Thomas looked like following easily. Right there it was clear 2nd place in GC was highest possible. So from then on Froome and Roglic were his opponents. Not Thomas.
Thus everytime Roglic attacked, Dumoulin responded / closed the gap. He wasn't racing Thomas anymore, he was riding for the best possible result left (stage win / 2nd place GC).
I fully understand the hatrid/comments for that. But they were not going to do any damage to Thomas GC. That fight was over as soon as Thomas responded to the first attacks.
I don't think Dumoulin could have done much more than he did. He had no team mates unlike Thomas and Roglic and Thomas was always going to grab the bonus because of his sprint.
Broccolidwarf said:Leinster said:I can’t see G going all out for the TT stage win. He already has 2 stage wins, he has a 2 minute cushion ahead of a 30km test, and he crashed on a shorter length TT in the Dauphine. He will have time checks, and can ride within himself and lose <1 min to Roglic or Dumoulin. No need to overcook any corners or risk shaving any curbs or barriers.Broccolidwarf said:32 seconds between 2nd and 4th
All we need now, is for Thomas to crash or have a flat on the TT, and the yellow jersey becomes a toss up between 4 guys.
Pressure can do a lot to you..... I remember several instances of riders being in a great position before the final TT, and then bombing out completely.
I hope Thomas wins it, I'm rooting for him..... I'm just saying, all it takes is a technical, and a little loss of concentration, and everything can happen.
Surely it's anybodys guess who ends up 2nd, if Thomas pulls it off.
pastronef said:@petercossins
Voeckler praises Sky's tactics, specifically their cool in allowing Landa/Bardet to gain 3min, at which point Lotto-Jumbo cracked and took up the pace-making. Portal called it perfectly once again #TDF2018
bambino said:It still looks like it is going to rain for the whole day tomorrow until around 5pm. Could still be interesting.
Isn't that the exact same thing? Sky/Portal identified correctly the different tactical considerations teams had and used them to their advantage.Lequack said:pastronef said:@petercossins
Voeckler praises Sky's tactics, specifically their cool in allowing Landa/Bardet to gain 3min, at which point Lotto-Jumbo cracked and took up the pace-making. Portal called it perfectly once ag
ain #TDF2018
And letting Dumoulin do all the chasing for Thomas.
Sky's tactics were very good, but tactics are easier when you have the strongest riders, and 6 that can make a selection of 25, 4 that can make the selection of 10.pastronef said:@petercossins
Voeckler praises Sky's tactics, specifically their cool in allowing Landa/Bardet to gain 3min, at which point Lotto-Jumbo cracked and took up the pace-making. Portal called it perfectly once again #TDF2018
Exactly. Imagine Dumoulin being in Thomas' position. Sunweb would have almost zero tactical choices except for begging and hoping other teams would help them out (like they did in the Giro 2017).Brullnux said:Sky's tactics were very good, but tactics are easier when you have the strongest riders, and 6 that can make a selection of 25, 4 that can make the selection of 10.pastronef said:@petercossins
Voeckler praises Sky's tactics, specifically their cool in allowing Landa/Bardet to gain 3min, at which point Lotto-Jumbo cracked and took up the pace-making. Portal called it perfectly once again #TDF2018
What multiple riders?jaylew said:Multiple riders saying Roglic got away on the descent because of a motorbike. I didn't see it. Is that accurate?
SafeBet said:What multiple riders?jaylew said:Multiple riders saying Roglic got away on the descent because of a motorbike. I didn't see it. Is that accurate?
And why should the motos help Roglic of all the contenders?