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The most disappointing thing is what I read in l'Equipe today: Romain stating that he doesn't focus on improving his ITT; that bad ITT and time losses gives opportunities for future attacks. The Ninja approach may be OK if a top-5 is the objective, but as you mention, he'll never win a GT like that.Alexandre B. said:He won't improve from second to first if he continues to TT like Purito, that's for sure.
Tonton said:The most disappointing thing is what I read in l'Equipe today: Romain stating that he doesn't focus on improving his ITT; that bad ITT and time losses gives opportunities for future attacks. The Ninja approach may be OK if a top-5 is the objective, but as you mention, he'll never win a GT like that.Alexandre B. said:He won't improve from second to first if he continues to TT like Purito, that's for sure.
Regardless, let's see what RB does in the mountains. If he destroys everybody, then with so little ITT in the Tour, Bardet still has a shot at a very high placing in the GC.
He wanted to ride two GTs this year, I guess he'll do the Vuelta.Red Rick said:It's borderline ridiculous that a rider like him is going only for the Tour again.
Mayomaniac said:Let's calm down, Latour is more of an allrounder and not a pure climber, so him being better in the ITT isn't that much of a surprise.
Let's see how he does on the mountain stages.
toolittle said:Latour performance in Stage 20 of 16 Vuelta left a huge impression in my brain.
At age of 22.
First entrance to GT
Won last stage which is epic & demanding w/MTF
Fast and crazy start
Around 30 persons in breakaway
Breakaway includes Robert Gesink, LLS, Pierre Rolland, Louis Meintjes, Frank Matthias, Darwin Atapuma
Brutal finish
Passed 2 times by opponent last KM.
Won and drop 2nd in last 50 meters.
More surprise when I reviewed video.
In last 10km of 9% average climb :
Loss 30 sec to Froome & Quintana duo attack from pletelon
Take 10 sec from Alberto Contador group
Take 30 sec from Esteban Chaves
Take 60 sec from Simon Yates group
Alexandre B. said:Before the Formigal demise he was sitting 18th on GC.
But Tonton is right in my opinion. Bardet's record in GTs is super impressive (15th, 6th, 9th with a stage win, 2nd with a stage win) and I don't think Latour could match that.
Agree 99%.Valv.Piti said:Last year's results were honestly pretty skewed, as long as there is a decent amount of flat to hilly time trailing, Romain has big limitations. There weren't last year in Dauphine and you can argue the Tour as well (where the 2-5 spots were very, very close anyways).
I would be careful what I wish for, I think top-5 would be very good and act as a confirmation. In the Tour, that is.
HelloDolly said:Mayomaniac said:Let's calm down, Latour is more of an allrounder and not a pure climber, so him being better in the ITT isn't that much of a surprise.
Let's see how he does on the mountain stages.
Carlton Kirby thinks LaTour is the new Bernard Hinault ..... :surprised:
Poor LaTour.... he will be a Kirby obsession from now on
Good rideTonton said:Another solid ride for Romain Bardet. From a GC-guys prospective, he didn't look as strong as Porte, Aru, or Birdsong, but he looked at least as good as Contador, and better than Dawg. That's encouraging.