Richie Porte Discussion Thread.

[The Barb]

Re: Re:

Blame game is here ... poor little thing was sore after his crash lol

To be honest he has a perfectly good excuse for being sore. He face planted after hitting a moto then had 2 other riders land on top of him. That just 24 hours before a tough, power TT.

Legit excuse or not, winners always find a way to win, losers always find a way to lose :

Denying the existence of luck and pretending everyone has control over their destiny is a very immature view. Porte has had undeniable bad luck. To attribute that to some underlying character trait is asinine.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Blame game is here ... poor little thing was sore after his crash lol

I'm sure the crash had no effect whatsoever...

Most crashes have no effects. That is why riders perform at their best after crashes. Everyone knows the benefits of a crash to the body and mind. Even if it is only bruising or cuts doctors are adamant that crashes can only help elite athletes riding in a three week bike race.

 

[Jancouver]

Re: Re:

Blame game is here ... poor little thing was sore after his crash lol

To be honest he has a perfectly good excuse for being sore. He face planted after hitting a moto then had 2 other riders land on top of him. That just 24 hours before a tough, power TT.

Legit excuse or not, winners always find a way to win, losers always find a way to lose :

Denying the existence of luck and pretending everyone has control over their destiny is a very immature view. Porte has had undeniable bad luck. To attribute that to some underlying character trait is asinine.

Yes, bad luck is bad luck but again, riding smart and avoiding bad situations is part of the rider's winning skills. Also, how you handle those situations separates the winners from losers.

If you are a "leader" and you don't have teammates around to help you when in need, means that you are not a leader because a true leader would make sure to always have someone near.

Same for bad positioning and crashes related to that is a sign of poor leadership or even poor bike handling skills.

Either you have it or you don't. Seems like he is capable of managing shorter races but he does not have the mental and physical strength to keep it together for 3 weeks.

 

[movingtarget]

Contador has two crashes in the first week, one entirely his own fault but he gets plenty of sympathy. Porte has a mechanical and a crash that was no fault of his own and it becomes a personality defect for some people. Anyway apart from the usual BS he has a week to climb further up the GC and I hope he does. The top five is far from being finalized even the podium. The hardest week of the race has not been raced yet. The mountains have been interesting so far as no one has looked dominant but Froome and Quintana will have to be more active in the third week, of course Froome only has to defend but I think he will attack if he senses any weakness and has good legs. Hopefully Porte's solid climbing so far can continue.

 

[Galic Ho]

Re: Re:

Yes, bad luck is bad luck but again, riding smart and avoiding bad situations is part of the rider's winning skills. Also, how you handle those situations separates the winners from losers.

If you are a "leader" and you don't have teammates around to help you when in need, means that you are not a leader because a true leader would make sure to always have someone near.

Same for bad positioning and crashes related to that is a sign of poor leadership or even poor bike handling skills.

Either you have it or you don't. Seems like he is capable of managing shorter races but he does not have the mental and physical strength to keep it together for 3 weeks.

That sounds like the US Postal play book.

We're 'leaders' because we have riders next to us. That's how the indoctrination playbook was themed...media in America must have had some effect on you!

At the end of the day, when the 'heads of state' those you affectionately call 'leaders' are racing, having a lieutenant is rare.

Have 3 of them like Sky have for Froome who can set a pace so fierce it drops all the other lieutenants is a well known practice in cycling. What you're effectively saying is there is one leader in pro cycling...which is not true.

Cancellara has a lot of riders within the peloton do what he says and directs. He's not up there in a climb.

A 'true leader' basically from your definition, dopes his riders so they can be there and not fatigue. Because that is the only plausible explanation for how a person could guarantee and ensure a rider can be there. It's not like riders fatigue and can lose time...because we never see that in pro cycling, ever! It's also not normal for a team with a specific strategy like Sky to rotate their lieutenants around. Ever. Sky never do that, ever! Always the same 3 riders there because Chris Froome is a 'true leader' and being the only true leader, his men are there, because it's just how things work!

You're quite funny. If everyone could foresee a puncture, they'd never happen. I guess Froome being a true leader would have had a team mate there to hand him a bike when he fell onto Bauke Mollema and Richie Porte too...I mean that's what you said! Nope, instead his running man routine was utilised, and I found it quite entertaining. He did keep his calm though.

Basically, you can't see much at all can you?

That's a sad story in itself. Have fun!!

 

[Cannibal72]

Re: Re:

Blame game is here ... poor little thing was sore after his crash lol

To be honest he has a perfectly good excuse for being sore. He face planted after hitting a moto then had 2 other riders land on top of him. That just 24 hours before a tough, power TT.

Legit excuse or not, winners always find a way to win, losers always find a way to lose :

Denying the existence of luck and pretending everyone has control over their destiny is a very immature view. Porte has had undeniable bad luck. To attribute that to some underlying character trait is asinine.

Yes, bad luck is bad luck but again, riding smart and avoiding bad situations is part of the rider's winning skills. Also, how you handle those situations separates the winners from losers.

If you are a "leader" and you don't have teammates around to help you when in need, means that you are not a leader because a true leader would make sure to always have someone near.

Same for bad positioning and crashes related to that is a sign of poor leadership or even poor bike handling skills.

Either you have it or you don't. Seems like he is capable of managing shorter races but he does not have the mental and physical strength to keep it together for 3 weeks.

Since you would seem to believe that being able to avoid a motorcycle stopping directly in front of you is easy - just part of the winning toolkit! - I look forward to seeing Chris Froome and Alberto Contador regularly bunnyhopping over them next season. Or perhaps you think that 'riding smart' would have been to not ride anywhere near any motorcycles? Because I think you might struggle to do that...

 

[Jancouver]

Re: Re:

Since you would seem to believe that being able to avoid a motorcycle stopping directly in front of you is easy - just part of the winning toolkit! - I look forward to seeing Chris Froome and Alberto Contador regularly bunnyhopping over them next season. Or perhaps you think that 'riding smart' would have been to not ride anywhere near any motorcycles? Because I think you might struggle to do that...

You are correct; there are situations that no rider has control over. On the other hand, how would you explain that some riders crash more often than others? Are you saying that it's all related to being unlucky?

Sure, even Sagan was taking down by a motorbike before right?

Is the pure bad luck the reason guys like Gerrans crash so often?

Last time Gerrans crashed, he was at the front of the pack, so was the wind or some road bump the "bad luck" you are talking about or was it more of a bike handling skills, taking the wrong line, etc?

Really? When was the last time you have seen Sagan, Valverde, Nibali, etc crash on a descent?

Please explain why some guys are always so unlucky, and others rarely get involved in crashes and are able to avoid significant injuries?

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re: Re:

You are correct; there are situations that no rider has control over. On the other hand, how would you explain that some riders crash more often than others? Are you saying that it's all related to being unlucky?

1) Bike-handling skills
2) Forearm strength

 

[Cannibal72]

Re: Re:

Since you would seem to believe that being able to avoid a motorcycle stopping directly in front of you is easy - just part of the winning toolkit! - I look forward to seeing Chris Froome and Alberto Contador regularly bunnyhopping over them next season. Or perhaps you think that 'riding smart' would have been to not ride anywhere near any motorcycles? Because I think you might struggle to do that...

You are correct; there are situations that no rider has control over. On the other hand, how would you explain that some riders crash more often than others? Are you saying that it's all related to being unlucky?

Sure, even Sagan was taking down by a motorbike before right?

Is the pure bad luck the reason guys like Gerrans crash so often?

Last time Gerrans crashed, he was at the front of the pack, so was the wind or some road bump the "bad luck" you are talking about or was it more of a bike handling skills, taking the wrong line, etc?

Really? When was the last time you have seen Sagan, Valverde, Nibali, etc crash on a descent?

Please explain why some guys are always so unlucky, and others rarely get involved in crashes and are able to avoid significant injuries?

Porte's definitely not a great bike handler, but he does seem to have more misfortune than other riders. Perhaps that's because he's been less protected than riders like Valverde or Nibali, or perhaps he gets nervous under pressure and thus loses concentration. (Gerrans' crash was thanks to the crosswinds, I think.)

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

Porte seems was less crash prone than his holiness alberto of pinto. Of course we all know Mib jinxed AC so bad this year he never had a chance hahaha.

 

[SeriousSam]

A soaring Richie closes in on TJ even with TJ's 1:45 headstart due to Richie's extremely bad luck. Monstrous gap in capacity between the two.

 

[DBotero]

He already had 3 bad days this TDF if we account the mechanical,the crash and the TT. The 3rd week should be a good one.Waiting to see him dropping his friend in one of the next mountain stages.

 

[Galic Ho]

It's time for BMC to drop the routine and chose a leader.

Richie is the team leader.

Tejay needs to be utilised in a manner that can propel Richie onto the podium.

Greg and Tejay being silly on stage 2 is why Richie is not in third...sure a puncture can happen to anyone, but they were on the front and did not wait for Richie...

Really simple, Tejay was dropped by every rival today. Time to support Richie and go for the podium, because he can get close. Making up that lost 1:45 is not going to be easy.

Options: do what Astana and Movistar tried...attack. Not Froome and Sky, but everyone else. Froome just has to sit on till Paris. BMC need to drop both Movistar riders (not going to be easy), Bardet who made a move (so he has desire to attack if he can) and Yates OR Mollema. I'd go with Yates because he is closer.

Can someone do something on the road please? Tonight was dry and dull. Sky are having it their way and the other rivals don't seem to want to race. They actually have to...otherwise you don't gain time!

 

[movingtarget]

It's time for BMC to drop the routine and chose a leader.

Richie is the team leader.

Tejay needs to be utilised in a manner that can propel Richie onto the podium.

Greg and Tejay being silly on stage 2 is why Richie is not in third...sure a puncture can happen to anyone, but they were on the front and did not wait for Richie...

Really simple, Tejay was dropped by every rival today. Time to support Richie and go for the podium, because he can get close. Making up that lost 1:45 is not going to be easy.

Options: do what Astana and Movistar tried...attack. Not Froome and Sky, but everyone else. Froome just has to sit on till Paris. BMC need to drop both Movistar riders (not going to be easy), Bardet who made a move (so he has desire to attack if he can) and Yates OR Mollema. I'd go with Yates because he is closer.

Can someone do something on the road please? Tonight was dry and dull. Sky are having it their way and the other rivals don't seem to want to race. They actually have to...otherwise you don't gain time!

They are afraid to attack because of what is to come with the MTFs and the TT. The hardest four days of the race and today would not have been easy with so much climbing. Many tired bodies as TJVG has shown already. I still enjoyed the stage for Pantano's win. Guys like Mollema and Yates would rather podium than risk losing a podium. Bardet and Valverde were not going anywhere and Porte did the right thing staying in the group. Should be a war of attrition in the top 10 this week. If Richie can hang tough on the climbs he can move up the GC further. I am sure that Froome will attack on one of the MTFs even if he does not have to.

 

[PremierAndrew]

It's time for BMC to drop the routine and chose a leader.

Richie is the team leader.

Tejay needs to be utilised in a manner that can propel Richie onto the podium.

Greg and Tejay being silly on stage 2 is why Richie is not in third...sure a puncture can happen to anyone, but they were on the front and did not wait for Richie...

Really simple, Tejay was dropped by every rival today. Time to support Richie and go for the podium, because he can get close. Making up that lost 1:45 is not going to be easy.

Options: do what Astana and Movistar tried...attack. Not Froome and Sky, but everyone else. Froome just has to sit on till Paris. BMC need to drop both Movistar riders (not going to be easy), Bardet who made a move (so he has desire to attack if he can) and Yates OR Mollema. I'd go with Yates because he is closer.

Can someone do something on the road please? Tonight was dry and dull. Sky are having it their way and the other rivals don't seem to want to race. They actually have to...otherwise you don't gain time!

They are afraid to attack because of what is to come with the MTFs and the TT. The hardest four days of the race and today would not have been easy with so much climbing. Many tired bodies as TJVG has shown already. I still enjoyed the stage for Pantano's win. Guys like Mollema and Yates would rather podium than risk losing a podium. Bardet and Valverde were not going anywhere and Porte did the right thing staying in the group. Should be a war of attrition in the top 10 this week. If Richie can hang tough on the climbs he can move up the GC further. I am sure that Froome will attack on one of the MTFs even if he does not have to.

There's a rest day and a flat stage in between.

I can understand Froome Mollema and Yates riding defensively, but wtf is everyone else doing. At least Aru Bardet and Valverde tried

 

[Galic Ho]

They are afraid to attack because of what is to come with the MTFs and the TT. The hardest four days of the race and today would not have been easy with so much climbing. Many tired bodies as TJVG has shown already. I still enjoyed the stage for Pantano's win. Guys like Mollema and Yates would rather podium than risk losing a podium. Bardet and Valverde were not going anywhere and Porte did the right thing staying in the group. Should be a war of attrition in the top 10 this week. If Richie can hang tough on the climbs he can move up the GC further. I am sure that Froome will attack on one of the MTFs even if he does not have to.

I actually have been thinking if Froome does attack, Richie might need to just go with him. That would get time.

Lets be honest. How many attacks in the mountains have worked so far? 2.

Sky and Froome started them all. Stage 8 and Ventoux, Henao and Froome made a move that won time.

Bauke Mollema was not there on the first one, but he was on the second. Yates was not there for either, nor was Valverde and Quintana was there for one.

It's a different race now, with the extra fatigue, but Porte looked alright. So did Mollema. Bardet looked rough and tried.

A touch of panache won't go astray. Richie had a strong time trial mountain section and did well in the Dauphine time trial...yes extra fatigue plays a part but a rest day and a flat stage would be good.

I don't want to say it, because Porte would have been a loser, but if they'd have allowed the actual times for Ventoux to come up, the race would have been a LOT different today. Froome and others would have attacked.

Now they're all just waiting. Hopefully Froome attacks and drags somebody with him...I'd like a race for second and third please. Granted it will occur, it would just be nice if it wasn't the mountain time trial that the time gaps appear on!

 

[movingtarget]

It's time for BMC to drop the routine and chose a leader.

Richie is the team leader.

Tejay needs to be utilised in a manner that can propel Richie onto the podium.

Greg and Tejay being silly on stage 2 is why Richie is not in third...sure a puncture can happen to anyone, but they were on the front and did not wait for Richie...

Really simple, Tejay was dropped by every rival today. Time to support Richie and go for the podium, because he can get close. Making up that lost 1:45 is not going to be easy.

Options: do what Astana and Movistar tried...attack. Not Froome and Sky, but everyone else. Froome just has to sit on till Paris. BMC need to drop both Movistar riders (not going to be easy), Bardet who made a move (so he has desire to attack if he can) and Yates OR Mollema. I'd go with Yates because he is closer.

Can someone do something on the road please? Tonight was dry and dull. Sky are having it their way and the other rivals don't seem to want to race. They actually have to...otherwise you don't gain time!

They are afraid to attack because of what is to come with the MTFs and the TT. The hardest four days of the race and today would not have been easy with so much climbing. Many tired bodies as TJVG has shown already. I still enjoyed the stage for Pantano's win. Guys like Mollema and Yates would rather podium than risk losing a podium. Bardet and Valverde were not going anywhere and Porte did the right thing staying in the group. Should be a war of attrition in the top 10 this week. If Richie can hang tough on the climbs he can move up the GC further. I am sure that Froome will attack on one of the MTFs even if he does not have to.

There's a rest day and a flat stage in between.

I can understand Froome Mollema and Yates riding defensively, but wtf is everyone else doing. At least Aru Bardet and Valverde tried

Even so it was not great finish for attacks unless you had a good gap before the last descent and Sky was choking off all of the attacks. There are better stages to come for attacks.

 

[movingtarget]

They are afraid to attack because of what is to come with the MTFs and the TT. The hardest four days of the race and today would not have been easy with so much climbing. Many tired bodies as TJVG has shown already. I still enjoyed the stage for Pantano's win. Guys like Mollema and Yates would rather podium than risk losing a podium. Bardet and Valverde were not going anywhere and Porte did the right thing staying in the group. Should be a war of attrition in the top 10 this week. If Richie can hang tough on the climbs he can move up the GC further. I am sure that Froome will attack on one of the MTFs even if he does not have to.

I actually have been thinking if Froome does attack, Richie might need to just go with him. That would get time.

Lets be honest. How many attacks in the mountains have worked so far? 2.

Sky and Froome started them all. Stage 8 and Ventoux, Henao and Froome made a move that won time.

Bauke Mollema was not there on the first one, but he was on the second. Yates was not there for either, nor was Valverde and Quintana was there for one.

It's a different race now, with the extra fatigue, but Porte looked alright. So did Mollema. Bardet looked rough and tried.

A touch of panache won't go astray. Richie had a strong time trial mountain section and did well in the Dauphine time trial...yes extra fatigue plays a part but a rest day and a flat stage would be good.

I don't want to say it, because Porte would have been a loser, but if they'd have allowed the actual times for Ventoux to come up, the race would have been a LOT different today. Froome and others would have attacked.

Now they're all just waiting. Hopefully Froome attacks and drags somebody with him...I'd like a race for second and third please. Granted it will occur, it would just be nice if it wasn't the mountain time trial that the time gaps appear on!

But if the accident on Ventoux had not happened I am sure that the gap between Mollema, Porte and Froome over Quintana would have increased in the last km. But it's history now and Richie should just forget it. He still has time to move further up the GC if his legs stay sound but I think TJVG will suffer with the harder stages to come. TJVG is a bit odd in that one day he is bad and next day he looks pretty good while Richie seems to simply get worse after one bad stage. His TT was not great but he only lost time to Mollema and Froome and all of the small guys struggled in the wind. I think he can do better in the next TT.

 

[Cookster15]

They are afraid to attack because of what is to come with the MTFs and the TT. The hardest four days of the race and today would not have been easy with so much climbing. Many tired bodies as TJVG has shown already. I still enjoyed the stage for Pantano's win. Guys like Mollema and Yates would rather podium than risk losing a podium. Bardet and Valverde were not going anywhere and Porte did the right thing staying in the group. Should be a war of attrition in the top 10 this week. If Richie can hang tough on the climbs he can move up the GC further. I am sure that Froome will attack on one of the MTFs even if he does not have to.

I actually have been thinking if Froome does attack, Richie might need to just go with him. That would get time.

Lets be honest. How many attacks in the mountains have worked so far? 2.

Sky and Froome started them all. Stage 8 and Ventoux, Henao and Froome made a move that won time.

Bauke Mollema was not there on the first one, but he was on the second. Yates was not there for either, nor was Valverde and Quintana was there for one.

It's a different race now, with the extra fatigue, but Porte looked alright. So did Mollema. Bardet looked rough and tried.

A touch of panache won't go astray. Richie had a strong time trial mountain section and did well in the Dauphine time trial...yes extra fatigue plays a part but a rest day and a flat stage would be good.

I don't want to say it, because Porte would have been a loser, but if they'd have allowed the actual times for Ventoux to come up, the race would have been a LOT different today. Froome and others would have attacked.

Now they're all just waiting. Hopefully Froome attacks and drags somebody with him...I'd like a race for second and third please. Granted it will occur, it would just be nice if it wasn't the mountain time trial that the time gaps appear on!

But if the accident on Ventoux had not happened I am sure that the gap between Mollema, Porte and Froome over Quintana would have increased in the last km. But it's history now and Richie should just forget it. He still has time to move further up the GC if his legs stay sound but I think TJVG will suffer with the harder stages to come. TJVG is a bit odd in that one day he is bad and next day he looks pretty good while Richie seems to simply get worse after one bad stage. His TT was not great but he only lost time to Mollema and Froome and all of the small guys struggled in the wind. I think he can do better in the next TT.

Spot on. Porte rode well today and should now be rewarded by BMC with outright team leadership. Go for broke, latch onto Froome's wheel to elevate him closer to a (slightly) possible podium. It won't be easy but if he even gets close after his set backs this tour it should be a psychological fillip and watershed moment for him. A stronger 2nd TT (mountain) would confirm he actually does have the capacity to ride strongly for 3 weeks. Getting close to a podium after his setbacks won't just silence any doubters but silence any lingering self doubts of his own.

 

[movingtarget]

They are afraid to attack because of what is to come with the MTFs and the TT. The hardest four days of the race and today would not have been easy with so much climbing. Many tired bodies as TJVG has shown already. I still enjoyed the stage for Pantano's win. Guys like Mollema and Yates would rather podium than risk losing a podium. Bardet and Valverde were not going anywhere and Porte did the right thing staying in the group. Should be a war of attrition in the top 10 this week. If Richie can hang tough on the climbs he can move up the GC further. I am sure that Froome will attack on one of the MTFs even if he does not have to.

I actually have been thinking if Froome does attack, Richie might need to just go with him. That would get time.

Lets be honest. How many attacks in the mountains have worked so far? 2.

Sky and Froome started them all. Stage 8 and Ventoux, Henao and Froome made a move that won time.

Bauke Mollema was not there on the first one, but he was on the second. Yates was not there for either, nor was Valverde and Quintana was there for one.

It's a different race now, with the extra fatigue, but Porte looked alright. So did Mollema. Bardet looked rough and tried.

A touch of panache won't go astray. Richie had a strong time trial mountain section and did well in the Dauphine time trial...yes extra fatigue plays a part but a rest day and a flat stage would be good.

I don't want to say it, because Porte would have been a loser, but if they'd have allowed the actual times for Ventoux to come up, the race would have been a LOT different today. Froome and others would have attacked.

Now they're all just waiting. Hopefully Froome attacks and drags somebody with him...I'd like a race for second and third please. Granted it will occur, it would just be nice if it wasn't the mountain time trial that the time gaps appear on!

But if the accident on Ventoux had not happened I am sure that the gap between Mollema, Porte and Froome over Quintana would have increased in the last km. But it's history now and Richie should just forget it. He still has time to move further up the GC if his legs stay sound but I think TJVG will suffer with the harder stages to come. TJVG is a bit odd in that one day he is bad and next day he looks pretty good while Richie seems to simply get worse after one bad stage. His TT was not great but he only lost time to Mollema and Froome and all of the small guys struggled in the wind. I think he can do better in the next TT.

Spot on. Porte rode well today and should now be rewarded by BMC with outright team leadership. Go for broke, latch onto Froome's wheel to elevate him closer to a (slightly) possible podium. It won't be easy but if he even gets close after his set backs this tour it should be a psychological fillip and watershed moment for him. A stronger 2nd TT (mountain) would confirm he actually does have the capacity to ride strongly for 3 weeks. Getting close to a podium after his setbacks won't just silence any doubters but silence any lingering self doubts of his own.

Yesterday was a really hard stage. I dunno what some fans expect. Most of the comments from riders have indicated that. It was a good stage for Porte to get through before the flatter stage and the rest day. Someone in the top 10 always has an off day after a rest day, it's just one of the anomalies of Grand Tours. I think BMC will be keeping Porte's spirits up and consistency wise it's been his best GT so far against the best opposition bar Contador. I am predicting that Froome will go crazy on one of the MTFs and the reaction of the others and the TT will decide the podium.

 

[Jelantik]

The last week will decide whether the BMC duo is a version of dumb and dumber or finally Batman and Robin. Or only Batman. Hope it's not too late. They are running out of a road now to keep playing 2 cards. Adam Yates is the closest one, and he'll most likely fade on the last stage (remember chavez?). Richie in every mountain he seems to move foward, while Tejay is certainly moving.. but backward.

 

[movingtarget]

The last week will decide whether the BMC duo is a version of dumb and dumber or finally Batman and Robin. Or only Batman. Hope it's not too late. They are running out of a road now to keep playing 2 cards. Adam Yates is the closest one, and he'll most likely fade on the last stage (remember chavez?). Richie in every mountain he seems to move foward, while Tejay is certainly moving.. but backward.

Or it's possible they don't have the legs like Quintana. Why wouldn't Porte be conservative even if he was feeling good ? No one cops more criticism in grand tours than he does. I thought he looked tired yesterday but so did Yates and some of the others. It's the hardest part of the race and only going to get harder. If Porte has the legs he will make a move in the mountains or try and go with one of Froome's moves which seems inevitable at this point as Movistar have not made any inroads and probably won't. Froome will probably add a few more nails to the coffin or just wait for the TT.

 

[Kokoso]

He already had 3 bad days this TDF if we account the mechanical,the crash and the TT. The 3rd week should be a good one.Waiting to see him dropping his friend in one of the next mountain stages.

Why do you think TT was a bad day? I mean, he rode decent TT actually.

 

[Galic Ho]

It's time for BMC to drop the routine and chose a leader.

Richie is the team leader.

Tejay needs to be utilised in a manner that can propel Richie onto the podium.

Greg and Tejay being silly on stage 2 is why Richie is not in third...sure a puncture can happen to anyone, but they were on the front and did not wait for Richie...

Really simple, Tejay was dropped by every rival today. Time to support Richie and go for the podium, because he can get close. Making up that lost 1:45 is not going to be easy.

Options: do what Astana and Movistar tried...attack. Not Froome and Sky, but everyone else. Froome just has to sit on till Paris. BMC need to drop both Movistar riders (not going to be easy), Bardet who made a move (so he has desire to attack if he can) and Yates OR Mollema. I'd go with Yates because he is closer.

Can someone do something on the road please? Tonight was dry and dull. Sky are having it their way and the other rivals don't seem to want to race. They actually have to...otherwise you don't gain time!

They are afraid to attack because of what is to come with the MTFs and the TT. The hardest four days of the race and today would not have been easy with so much climbing. Many tired bodies as TJVG has shown already. I still enjoyed the stage for Pantano's win. Guys like Mollema and Yates would rather podium than risk losing a podium. Bardet and Valverde were not going anywhere and Porte did the right thing staying in the group. Should be a war of attrition in the top 10 this week. If Richie can hang tough on the climbs he can move up the GC further. I am sure that Froome will attack on one of the MTFs even if he does not have to.

Pantano had a good win and IAM need something.

I don't like monopolising of a race, unless it's Peter Sagan and Valverde.

Someone has to do something on Wednesday on the mountain top finish.

What will play into that? The rest day. We will see how everyone handles it. Honestly, if Tejay hangs on till that climb and does get dropped, that's a good result for him. Anything above that is brilliant.

I honestly hope they isolate Froome and leave him with Henao or Landa. Everyone needs tor drop Poels. He's doing what Rogers did in 2012...pulls off the front for 50km (maybe not that close) but monster stuff.

I do believe Movistar will attempt something. Hopefully BMC and Astana get in there too.

And if they reach the final climb on Wednesday with 2 Sky domestiques, here is hoping Froome tells them to back off, or they just naturally do it and he attacks. Because then, at least we get a race for every other position.

If Froome attacks, his lieutenants force everyone else to race. And that is still enjoyable. I just want to see some attacking. Heck, sub Contador in for a stage and see what a week or so off fresh would offer...somebody do something!

The mountain time trial...it's about conserving it till then. Maybe the day before someone tests Froome, but if not him, they need to smack the other rivals a bit before the ITT, wear them down a bit and take more time the next day.

Hopefully nobody leaves it all up till Friday and the last mountain top finish. That's asking too much.

If Porte and maybe one of the Movistar riders takes 30 seconds on their rivals on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, that's a podium place for Richie.

Does anyone actually think Quintana can take 3 minutes, or 45 seconds on each of the remaining back to back mountain stages and beat Froome?

We'll see...but yesterday was dull. Cannot be helped, but it was dull.

 

[movingtarget]

It's time for BMC to drop the routine and chose a leader.

Richie is the team leader.

Tejay needs to be utilised in a manner that can propel Richie onto the podium.

Greg and Tejay being silly on stage 2 is why Richie is not in third...sure a puncture can happen to anyone, but they were on the front and did not wait for Richie...

Really simple, Tejay was dropped by every rival today. Time to support Richie and go for the podium, because he can get close. Making up that lost 1:45 is not going to be easy.

Options: do what Astana and Movistar tried...attack. Not Froome and Sky, but everyone else. Froome just has to sit on till Paris. BMC need to drop both Movistar riders (not going to be easy), Bardet who made a move (so he has desire to attack if he can) and Yates OR Mollema. I'd go with Yates because he is closer.

Can someone do something on the road please? Tonight was dry and dull. Sky are having it their way and the other rivals don't seem to want to race. They actually have to...otherwise you don't gain time!

They are afraid to attack because of what is to come with the MTFs and the TT. The hardest four days of the race and today would not have been easy with so much climbing. Many tired bodies as TJVG has shown already. I still enjoyed the stage for Pantano's win. Guys like Mollema and Yates would rather podium than risk losing a podium. Bardet and Valverde were not going anywhere and Porte did the right thing staying in the group. Should be a war of attrition in the top 10 this week. If Richie can hang tough on the climbs he can move up the GC further. I am sure that Froome will attack on one of the MTFs even if he does not have to.

Pantano had a good win and IAM need something.

I don't like monopolising of a race, unless it's Peter Sagan and Valverde.

Someone has to do something on Wednesday on the mountain top finish.

What will play into that? The rest day. We will see how everyone handles it. Honestly, if Tejay hangs on till that climb and does get dropped, that's a good result for him. Anything above that is brilliant.

I honestly hope they isolate Froome and leave him with Henao or Landa. Everyone needs tor drop Poels. He's doing what Rogers did in 2012...pulls off the front for 50km (maybe not that close) but monster stuff.

I do believe Movistar will attempt something. Hopefully BMC and Astana get in there too.

And if they reach the final climb on Wednesday with 2 Sky domestiques, here is hoping Froome tells them to back off, or they just naturally do it and he attacks. Because then, at least we get a race for every other position.

If Froome attacks, his lieutenants force everyone else to race. And that is still enjoyable. I just want to see some attacking. Heck, sub Contador in for a stage and see what a week or so off fresh would offer...somebody do something!

The mountain time trial...it's about conserving it till then. Maybe the day before someone tests Froome, but if not him, they need to smack the other rivals a bit before the ITT, wear them down a bit and take more time the next day.

Hopefully nobody leaves it all up till Friday and the last mountain top finish. That's asking too much.

If Porte and maybe one of the Movistar riders takes 30 seconds on their rivals on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, that's a podium place for Richie.

Does anyone actually think Quintana can take 3 minutes, or 45 seconds on each of the remaining back to back mountain stages and beat Froome?

We'll see...but yesterday was dull. Cannot be helped, but it was dull.

This is the thing with Sky. If it's not Porte in previous years it was Kyrienka or Thomas and now it is Poels who has been great or Nieve. Valverde and Aru and then Bardet were going nowhere but at least they tried. I hope Richie can try something and still has the climbing form he had on the Ventoux. Mollema was good on the Ventoux but it will be interesting to see how he goes later in the week. He seems to have found some great form. I am not convinced that Quintana will make any time on Froome at this stage. I don't think the stalemate of yesterday will be repeated on the MTFs. I am sure the time gaps will open up especially if Froome decides to attack and of course he has to respond to the inevitable attacks that surely have to come now.