Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienn - La Toussuire-Les Sybelle

[ILovecycling]

Re:

I'm not sure Quintana is allowed to attack today. At least not before the final climb.

I fear you are right, and if you are...Movistar is even more ridiculous than I thought, this is beyond everything

 

[Ryongsyong]

Re: Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienn - La Toussuire-Les Sybe

I'm baffled by Movistar just baffled. I can not imagine why quintana keeps countering contador. Like seriously are you fighting for the win or for podium places. Froome looked tired at times yesterday. In stead of letting team sky respond which only had thomas with froome at times they do all the work for them.

Huge Froome fan myself but this way its made to easy for him.

I thought it was pretty clear that Movistar's goal is to get 2-3 in Paris?

It's clear, but what isn't is why. No one cares who finishes third.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienn - La Toussuire-Les Sybe

I'm baffled by Movistar just baffled. I can not imagine why quintana keeps countering contador. Like seriously are you fighting for the win or for podium places. Froome looked tired at times yesterday. In stead of letting team sky respond which only had thomas with froome at times they do all the work for them.

Huge Froome fan myself but this way its made to easy for him.

I thought it was pretty clear that Movistar's goal is to get 2-3 in Paris?

It's clear, but what isn't is why. No one cares who finishes third.

I think it's pretty clear why. And yes, the riders care and the sponsors care.

 

[Carstenbf]

Re: Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienn - La Toussuire-Les Sybe

It's clear, but what isn't is why. No one cares who finishes third.

Clearly someone cares. It's the same every year. Hardly a surprise. Besides, when GT can shut Quintana down, what can they do? Also people quickly forgot stage 10. T'was Movistar that lit things up early, and in the end they got their asses handed to them with a Sky 1-2. Can understand their hesitance tbh.

(although I agree that Movi riding vs. Alberto the other day was somewhat pathetic.)

 

[Eshnar]

Re: Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienn - La Toussuire-Les Sybe

Also people quickly forgot stage 10. T'was Movistar that lit things up early, and in the end they got their asses handed to them with a Sky 1-2. Can understand their hesitance tbh.

People also forgot that it is thanks to that very stage that Movistar have two spots on the podium... "got their asses handed to them" is a bit of a misrepresentation.

 

[Red Rick]

I'd say Quintana and Froome have been pretty even climbing wise except for PSM, where it was super hot. If Quintana wants to win the Tour, he has to go halfway up the Croix de Fer, and hope he can get rid of Froome there. Hell, put Valverde in the breakaway on the first climb, that way you can really, really isolate Froome. Think he could gain 2 minutes+ this way if he manages to drop Froome. Not gonna happen though.

Contador will probably attack on the Croix de Fer. Depends entirely on Valverde (and maybe Nibali) what will happen next

 

[SeriousSam]

Froome said he'll follow two wheels and two wheels only: Quintana and Valverde. He also said he's not going to kill the team chasing the break, though he wants to win Alpe.

 

[Carstenbf]

Re: Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienn - La Toussuire-Les Sybe

People also forgot that it is thanks to that very stage that Movistar have two spots on the podium... "got their asses handed to them" is a bit of a misrepresentation.

Yeah, I suppose. Just got that picture of Lil' Richie dropping NQ in my head. Third @ 1.04 and fifth @ 2.01 hardly a stellar result either, eh?

 

[Carstenbf]

Anyways, I'll be cheering like mad for Birdsong today.

 

[fungusbear]

Re:

I'd say Quintana and Froome have been pretty even climbing wise except for PSM, where it was super hot. If Quintana wants to win the Tour, he has to go halfway up the Croix de Fer, and hope he can get rid of Froome there. Hell, put Valverde in the breakaway on the first climb, that way you can really, really isolate Froome. Think he could gain 2 minutes+ this way if he manages to drop Froome. Not gonna happen though.

Contador will probably attack on the Croix de Fer. Depends entirely on Valverde (and maybe Nibali) what will happen next

Sending Valverde off early and isolating Froome because of it is the only way Movistar will win this race, but I would be surprised if they are willing to risk their precious 3rd place for a shot at yellow. More likely Quintana makes several digs and realises he has not dropped Froome, and so waits and only goes all out 1k to go for the stage win.

 

[Eshnar]

Re: Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienn - La Toussuire-Les Sybe

People also forgot that it is thanks to that very stage that Movistar have two spots on the podium... "got their asses handed to them" is a bit of a misrepresentation.

Yeah, I suppose. Just got that picture of Lil' Richie dropping NQ in my head. Third @ 1.04 and fifth @ 2.01 hardly a stellar result either, eh?

Not a stellar result, probably. But then again they seem to be pretty happy about it.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

One or more of the top 3 are going to hit bonk city today. I know who my money is on.

 

[Sylvester]

Re:

One or more of the top 3 are going to hit bonk city today. I know who my money is on.

Wishful thinking, I'm afraid. Although Valverde is probably going to lose some time today. Then again, so are Thomas and Contador.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

Re: Re:

One or more of the top 3 are going to hit bonk city today. I know who my money is on.

Wishful thinking, I'm afraid. Although Valverde is probably going to lose some time today. Then again, so are Thomas and Contador.

They aren't top 3

 

[Hugo Koblet]

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One or more of the top 3 are going to hit bonk city today. I know who my money is on.

I think that Valverde is only gonna crack if Froome goes for a long range attack.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

One or more of the top 3 are going to hit bonk city today. I know who my money is on.

I think that Valverde is only gonna crack if Froome goes for a long range attack.

He will crack trying to chase down Contador

I think Berto will win the stage I had a vision

 

[staubsauger]

Froome probably saves himself for tomorrow. He really wants that Alp d' Huez victory after Ventoux 2 years ago, I guess.

Normally this one is for a strong escapee. Just like it has been when my man Michael Rasmussen won here in 2006. Collecting another polka dot jersey as well. Maybe Fuglsang got some instruction from the chicken few days ago.

Fuglsang, Voeckler, Majka. Any chance at least one of them could give it a go today?

Bardet won't get enough freedom by Trek and Mollema. Purito looked tired yesterday. I forgot about Pinot, though. This could be his one last chance to gain a stage victory.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

Froome probably saves himself for tomorrow. He really wants that Alp d' Huez victory after Ventoux 2 years ago, I guess.

Normally this one is for a strong escaper. Just like it has been when my man Michael Rasmussen won here in 2006. Collecting another polka dot jersey as well. Maybe Fuglsang got some instructions from the chicken few days ago.

Fuglsang, Voeckler, Majka. Any chance at least one of them could give it a go today?

Bardet won't get enough freedom by Trek and Mollema. Purito looked tired yesterday. I forgot about Pinot, though. This could be his one last chance to gain a stage victory.

I expect Fuglsang to be in the break today. The break has a decent chance of holding today, while tomorrow it's much harder. Rodriguez had a hunger knock yesterday. I expect him to be in the break again today. If Fuglsang is there, he has to.

 

[dacooley]

Re:

One or more of the top 3 are going to hit bonk city today. I know who my money is on.

let me guess, i bet on your favorit rider froome right?

 

[DBotero]

Re: Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienn - La Toussuire-Les Sybe

It would be funny to see G. doing a move a la Froome on La Toussuire http://www.rtbf.be/video/detail_froome-fait-exploser-wiggins-dans-la-toussuire?id=1744152

 

[Sylvester]

Let's guess who will be in the break. My guess:

Fuglsang & Kangert (Astana), Bardet & Chérel (AG2R), Pinot (FDJ), Kreuziger & Rogers (Tinkoff), Herrada & Izagirre (Movistar), Sanchez (BMC), Bak (Lotto), Rodriguez & Losada (Katusha), Uran (OPQS), Rolland & Sicard (Europcar), Zubeldia (Trek), Oliveira (Lampre), Martin (Cannondale-Garmin), Mate (Cofidis), Pantano (IAM), Feillu & Vachon (Bretagne), Kudus & Pauwels (MTN)

25 riders.

 

[saganftw]

i think movistar will win the stage,podium is ok-ish but stage win could make it a good tour for them...considering froome will probably want to win tomorrow there could be some pacts sealed between sky and movistar

 

[BeagRigh]

Re:

Let's guess who will be in the break. My guess:

Fuglsang & Kangert (Astana), Bardet & Chérel (AG2R), Pinot (FDJ), Kreuziger & Rogers (Tinkoff), Herrada & Izagirre (Movistar), Sanchez (BMC), Bak (Lotto), Rodriguez & Losada (Katusha), Uran (OPQS), Rolland & Sicard (Europcar), Zubeldia (Trek), Oliveira (Lampre), Martin (Cannondale-Garmin), Mate (Cofidis), Pantano (IAM), Feillu & Vachon (Bretagne), Kudus & Pauwels (MTN)

25 riders.

Seems like a good shout, though I'd drop Bardet (Trek and Lotto will chase).

 

[Vroome.exe]

Re:

i think movistar will win the stage,podium is ok-ish but stage win could make it a good tour for them...considering froome will probably want to win tomorrow there could be some pacts sealed between sky and movistar

So you say that stage win is better than double podium?

 

[Cyclingismylife]

What do you think about Winner Anacona and Tanel Kangert? Maybe one of them can win the stage?