Richie Porte Discussion Thread.

[Lexman]

It seems Porte will only get help from 2 climbers in the TdF, Hermans says so in Het Nieuwsblad and it won't be him since he 'll participate at La Vuelta.

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20170611_02920701

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

It seems Porte will only get help from 2 climbers in the TdF, Hermans says so in Het Nieuwsblad and it won't be him since he 'll participate at La Vuelta.

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20170611_02920701

Caruso will be one. Roche's climbing can be hit and miss and he will be on the team but I hope there is another one. They will be strong on the flat, they usually are. Caruso had a good Tour last year.

 

[DanielSong39]

If Porte refused to pull for Froome and did whatever it took to ensure that Froome did not win I suspect it would satisfy a good portion of the forum.
This may or may not be the best strategy for winning the Tour. We shall see!

 

[rick james]

Was Porte really expecting others not to attack him on the final day? what a stupid attitude to have, he might have been the strongest in the race and he had the yellow jersey so it was up to him to show everyone how much fight he had in him, expecting for a easy day and getting pulled to the finish line without breaking a sweat is not what cycling should be about.....thank Christ on a bike the other's did attack

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Was Porte really expecting others not to attack him on the final day? what a stupid attitude to have, he might have been the strongest in the race and he had the yellow jersey so it was up to him to show everyone how much fight he had in him, expecting for a easy day and getting pulled to the finish line without breaking a sweat is not what cycling should be about.....thank Christ on a bike the other's did attack

No he said after the previous stage that he expected Valverde and Froome to attack him on the final stage. I think he did show some fight obviously. Froome and Contador have also lost races unexpectedly so it does happen to others as well. Trying to bluff Froome might work in the Tour but even then it's a dangerous game to play. Maybe the fast start to the stage caught Porte out but he recovered well and of course no one expected Fuglsang to do what he did. If he and Aru can ride this well in the Tour it will make the race even more interesting.

 

[HelloDolly]

Did not understand the Herman article fully as had to use google translate but did he say he wanted to ride the Tour. ??..if so I would definitely have him on the team and Sanchez

The problem is Porte is the strongest but his team is not...however BMC may need to ensure that riders are utilized best ...tactics were shocking on Sunday...general panic and misjudgment

Also Porte's words on his rivals were not too clever ...everyone is riding to win so whatever they do is up to them ...you do not expect favors and support and even if you do you not complain about it or show your temperament....you have to stay cool

If I was Porte at the Tour whatever jersey I had I would only stay with froome....Let everyone go up the road and call Skys bluff.....move only when Froome moves....Others may take the jersey but eventually SKY will take them on and you just sit there and then take advantage

Fuglsang and Martin looked great but they were never under pressure and never needed to chase anyone ...

I

 

[SHAD0W93]

Re:

Yeah, well, about that...

:lol: :lol: :lol:
That one is way better then the Kreuziger Contador one.

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

Was Porte really expecting others not to attack him on the final day? what a stupid attitude to have, he might have been the strongest in the race and he had the yellow jersey so it was up to him to show everyone how much fight he had in him, expecting for a easy day and getting pulled to the finish line without breaking a sweat is not what cycling should be about.....thank Christ on a bike the other's did attack

No he said after the previous stage that he expected Valverde and Froome to attack him on the final stage. I think he did show some fight obviously. Froome and Contador have also lost races unexpectedly so it does happen to others as well. Trying to bluff Froome might work in the Tour but even then it's a dangerous game to play. Maybe the fast start to the stage caught Porte out but he recovered well and of course no one expected Fuglsang to do what he did. If he and Aru can ride this well in the Tour it will make the race even more interesting.

so why *** about it when that actually happens...I just don't understand what Porte was up to or what he was saying or why he felt the need to even talk about it

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Was Porte really expecting others not to attack him on the final day? what a stupid attitude to have, he might have been the strongest in the race and he had the yellow jersey so it was up to him to show everyone how much fight he had in him, expecting for a easy day and getting pulled to the finish line without breaking a sweat is not what cycling should be about.....thank Christ on a bike the other's did attack

No he said after the previous stage that he expected Valverde and Froome to attack him on the final stage. I think he did show some fight obviously. Froome and Contador have also lost races unexpectedly so it does happen to others as well. Trying to bluff Froome might work in the Tour but even then it's a dangerous game to play. Maybe the fast start to the stage caught Porte out but he recovered well and of course no one expected Fuglsang to do what he did. If he and Aru can ride this well in the Tour it will make the race even more interesting.

so why *** about it when that actually happens...I just don't understand what Porte was up to or what he was saying or why he felt the need to even talk about it

Well it sounds like he expected to win. I have to admit I expected him to win as well but as seen before, those short stages can cause problems and sometimes throw up surprising results. It might be the year of the whiner ! Dumoulin whined his way to victor in the Giro, remains to be seen if Porte can do the same in the Tour.

 

[Lexman]

Re:

Did not understand the Herman article fully as had to use google translate but did he say he wanted to ride the Tour. ??..if so I would definitely have him on the team and Sanchez

The problem is Porte is the strongest but his team is not...however BMC may need to ensure that riders are utilized best ...tactics were shocking on Sunday...general panic and misjudgment

Also Porte's words on his rivals were not too clever ...everyone is riding to win so whatever they do is up to them ...you do not expect favors and support and even if you do you not complain about it or show your temperament....you have to stay cool

If I was Porte at the Tour whatever jersey I had I would only stay with froome....Let everyone go up the road and call Skys bluff.....move only when Froome moves....Others may take the jersey but eventually SKY will take them on and you just sit there and then take advantage

Fuglsang and Martin looked great but they were never under pressure and never needed to chase anyone ...

I

Hi Hermans said only two climbers will be added to the Tour team to help Porte and he admits it isn't sufficient to win the TdF.

He won't be part since at BMC they have their planning from february till july and he will do Giro (well did) and Vuelta. He's indeed that he doesn't get the chance top ride the TdF but it's not his decision...

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Re:

If I was Porte at the Tour whatever jersey I had I would only stay with froome....Let everyone go up the road and call Skys bluff.....move only when Froome moves....Others may take the jersey but eventually SKY will take them on and you just sit there and then take advantage.

I would agree with this. I think Porte's best chance is to ride like he's still on Team Sky. Just follow them, mostly Froome, and hope Froome doesn't have it when it matters.

 

[red zone]

Re:

If I was Porte at the Tour whatever jersey I had I would only stay with froome....Let everyone go up the road and call Skys bluff.....move only when Froome moves....Others may take the jersey but eventually SKY will take them on and you just sit there and then take advantage

I agree , let the Skybots do their thing and don't worry about following anyone but Froome , with the pace they're going to set i don't see anyone going to far up the road on them anyway so why waste the energy closing down attacks yourself .

 

[HelloDolly]

Re: Re:

Did not understand the Herman article fully as had to use google translate but did he say he wanted to ride the Tour. ??..if so I would definitely have him on the team and Sanchez

The problem is Porte is the strongest but his team is not...however BMC may need to ensure that riders are utilized best ...tactics were shocking on Sunday...general panic and misjudgment

Also Porte's words on his rivals were not too clever ...everyone is riding to win so whatever they do is up to them ...you do not expect favors and support and even if you do you not complain about it or show your temperament....you have to stay cool

If I was Porte at the Tour whatever jersey I had I would only stay with froome....Let everyone go up the road and call Skys bluff.....move only when Froome moves....Others may take the jersey but eventually SKY will take them on and you just sit there and then take advantage

Fuglsang and Martin looked great but they were never under pressure and never needed to chase anyone ...

I

Hi Hermans said only two climbers will be added to the Tour team to help Porte and he admits it isn't sufficient to win the TdF.

He won't be part since at BMC they have their planning from february till july and he will do Giro (well did) and Vuelta. He's indeed that he doesn't get the chance top ride the TdF but it's not his decision...

Thanks ....I would take Hermans to the Tour and use him on certain stages ....much better than Moinard or de Marchi even with the Giro in his legs....Surely BMC must be flexible
Caruso will be there and Roche (who suffered from his car crash on Thursday and couldn't help Porte on Friday to Sunday) , Sanchez but need Herman as well imo...unless TJ can be included and plays ball ...but would still bring them both and rest them on stages until mountains as SKY do with their Doms who ride the Giro

Needs to be all hands to the pump.... to give Porte a chance

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Did not understand the Herman article fully as had to use google translate but did he say he wanted to ride the Tour. ??..if so I would definitely have him on the team and Sanchez

The problem is Porte is the strongest but his team is not...however BMC may need to ensure that riders are utilized best ...tactics were shocking on Sunday...general panic and misjudgment

Also Porte's words on his rivals were not too clever ...everyone is riding to win so whatever they do is up to them ...you do not expect favors and support and even if you do you not complain about it or show your temperament....you have to stay cool

If I was Porte at the Tour whatever jersey I had I would only stay with froome....Let everyone go up the road and call Skys bluff.....move only when Froome moves....Others may take the jersey but eventually SKY will take them on and you just sit there and then take advantage

Fuglsang and Martin looked great but they were never under pressure and never needed to chase anyone ...

I

Hi Hermans said only two climbers will be added to the Tour team to help Porte and he admits it isn't sufficient to win the TdF.

He won't be part since at BMC they have their planning from february till july and he will do Giro (well did) and Vuelta. He's indeed that he doesn't get the chance top ride the TdF but it's not his decision...

Thanks ....I would take Hermans to the Tour and use him on certain stages ....much better than Moinard or de Marchi even with the Giro in his legs....Surely BMC must be flexible
Caruso will be there and Roche (who suffered from his car crash on Thursday and couldn't help Porte on Friday to Sunday) , Sanchez but need Herman as well imo...unless TJ can be included and plays ball ...but would still bring them both and rest them on stages until mountains as SKY do with their Doms who ride the Giro

Needs to be all hands to the pump.... to give Porte a chance

Maybe some chance Sanchez but it doesn't sound like it which is a mistake. Hermans and TJVG did the Giro and TJVG is currently at the Tour of Switzerland so he won't be there as he also did the Giro. They need fresh legs and the problem is GVA is probably taking a climbers spot also. I'm convinced Caruso will be good for Porte but they are definitely one or two good climbers short. Roche will do what he can. BMC have to strengthen their climbing ranks. They went through this before with Evans and they got away with it but Porte is no Evans. You think they would have learned last year when the only mountain support came from Caruso, most of the other riders including TJVG were usually gone before the final climb. Dennis will probably be saved for the Vuelta with TJVG. GVA could be useful if he gets into breaks but I hope he is doing a certain amount of domestique work as well. He is there to win stages of course but I hope they can find a balance as his strength will be also needed by Porte.

 

[HelloDolly]

There should be no saving for the Vuelta .....what they hell is that about ?
BMC have a chance to win the Tour .....not so the Vuelta...TJ or Hermans or Dennis would be lucky to get a top 10

Dennis should be at the Tour...he is strong
Hermans also ...can be rested in first 2 weeks and only come to the fore in final week
GVA should be told its about Porte and he must work for him

Then Roche, Caruso, Sanchez, Wyss and Oss ...that would be my team

 

[DanielSong39]

I think BMC is more concerned about losing time on the flats. Porte is a small rider and has had his share of issues on the road.

In the mountains I suppose he could always follow Sky, Movistar, or Astana in the case his domestiques aren't up to the challenge.

 

[del1962]

Re:

There should be no saving for the Vuelta .....what they hell is that about ?
BMC have a chance to win the Tour .....not so the Vuelta...TJ or Hermans or Dennis would be lucky to get a top 10

Dennis should be at the Tour...he is strong
Hermans also ...can be rested in first 2 weeks and only come to the fore in final week
GVA should be told its about Porte and he must work for him

Then Roche, Caruso, Sanchez, Wyss and Oss ...that would be my team

Just about right, but I would probably have Kung in place of Wyss.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

There should be no saving for the Vuelta .....what they hell is that about ?
BMC have a chance to win the Tour .....not so the Vuelta...TJ or Hermans or Dennis would be lucky to get a top 10

Dennis should be at the Tour...he is strong
Hermans also ...can be rested in first 2 weeks and only come to the fore in final week
GVA should be told its about Porte and he must work for him

Then Roche, Caruso, Sanchez, Wyss and Oss ...that would be my team

Would be a ludicrous decision to sacrifice GVA for Porte. That would have been like telling Sagan last year that it's all about Contador and he must work for him.

Alienating by far your best rider and best hope of a stage win, for a guy who is almost certainly going to have a bad day and finish outside the top 5.

 

[Cookster15]

Re: Re:

There should be no saving for the Vuelta .....what they hell is that about ?
BMC have a chance to win the Tour .....not so the Vuelta...TJ or Hermans or Dennis would be lucky to get a top 10

Dennis should be at the Tour...he is strong
Hermans also ...can be rested in first 2 weeks and only come to the fore in final week
GVA should be told its about Porte and he must work for him

Then Roche, Caruso, Sanchez, Wyss and Oss ...that would be my team

Would be a ludicrous decision to sacrifice GVA for Porte. That would have been like telling Sagan last year that it's all about Contador and he must work for him.

Alienating by far your best rider and best hope of a stage win, for a guy who is almost certainly going to have a bad day and finish outside the top 5.

I disagree. GVA is a classics specialist Porte is a GT rider who had no bad days in 2016 and silenced (most) of his doubters except for new question marks on his descending which may not be so crucial in a 3 week grand Tour. GVA can win races that suit him, Stage wins in the Tour are a poor compromise for BMC compared to a podium in Paris. If GVA isn't the best option to support Porte leave him out. Your opinion that GVA is "by far the best rider in BMC" is your subjective opinion only.

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

Re: Re:

There should be no saving for the Vuelta .....what they hell is that about ?
BMC have a chance to win the Tour .....not so the Vuelta...TJ or Hermans or Dennis would be lucky to get a top 10

Dennis should be at the Tour...he is strong
Hermans also ...can be rested in first 2 weeks and only come to the fore in final week
GVA should be told its about Porte and he must work for him

Then Roche, Caruso, Sanchez, Wyss and Oss ...that would be my team

Would be a ludicrous decision to sacrifice GVA for Porte. That would have been like telling Sagan last year that it's all about Contador and he must work for him.

Alienating by far your best rider and best hope of a stage win, for a guy who is almost certainly going to have a bad day and finish outside the top 5.

I disagree. GVA is a classics specialist Porte is a GT rider who had no bad days in 2016 and silenced (most) of his doubters except for new question marks on his descending which may not be so crucial in a 3 week grand Tour. GVA can win races that suit him, Stage wins in the Tour are a poor compromise for BMC compared to a podium in Paris. If GVA isn't the best option to support Porte leave him out. Your opinion that GVA is "by far the best rider in BMC" is your subjective opinion only.

I think I read that GVA is expecting to be free to go for wins. I expect him to win a stage for sure. The earlier the better for BMC, then he could be used to help Porte later in the race.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I don't think there can be any doubt that GVA is both the better and more accomplished rider. That said, apart from Greg, the whole team should be devoted to Richie.

 

[del1962]

BMC have got the best form GC rider going into the tour, because of that GVA should give full support, if Porte has a bad day then GVA can have some freedom, but not while Porte is one of the favorites for the win, and certainly not if Porte is in yellow

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

There should be no saving for the Vuelta .....what they hell is that about ?
BMC have a chance to win the Tour .....not so the Vuelta...TJ or Hermans or Dennis would be lucky to get a top 10

Dennis should be at the Tour...he is strong
Hermans also ...can be rested in first 2 weeks and only come to the fore in final week
GVA should be told its about Porte and he must work for him

Then Roche, Caruso, Sanchez, Wyss and Oss ...that would be my team

Would be a ludicrous decision to sacrifice GVA for Porte. That would have been like telling Sagan last year that it's all about Contador and he must work for him.

Alienating by far your best rider and best hope of a stage win, for a guy who is almost certainly going to have a bad day and finish outside the top 5.

I disagree. GVA is a classics specialist Porte is a GT rider who had no bad days in 2016 and silenced (most) of his doubters except for new question marks on his descending which may not be so crucial in a 3 week grand Tour. GVA can win races that suit him, Stage wins in the Tour are a poor compromise for BMC compared to a podium in Paris. If GVA isn't the best option to support Porte leave him out. Your opinion that GVA is "by far the best rider in BMC" is your subjective opinion only.

I think I read that GVA is expecting to be free to go for wins. I expect him to win a stage for sure. The earlier the better for BMC, then he could be used to help Porte later in the race.

you don't win Le tour by bring a team mate like that

 

[Blanco]

As it stands right now, Porte is one of the 2-3 biggest favorites for the Tour and in situation like that team can not afford to have a rider with no obligation to work for team leader. in other words, Van Avermaet can chase his wins and breakaways, but only when Porte is safe and not in danger.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

As it stands right now, Porte is one of the 2-3 biggest favorites for the Tour and in situation like that team can not afford to have a rider with no obligation to work for team leader. in other words, Van Avermaet can chase his wins and breakaways, but only when Porte is safe and not in danger.

GVA has to have a completely free role. If he's not stage hunting, then sure, he can take a pull for Porte. But BMC would be crazy to insist he sacrifice himself. He's one of the top riders in world cycling and easily their number one star - you don't tell him to work for a 32 year old who's best GT finish is 5th.

Maybe if Porte is leading the race, or in serious contention, going into the third week then GVA lends his support - and I'm sure he'd be happy to in that scenario. But, until then, Porte will have to make do with 7 team mates.