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TdF '17 - stage 5: Vittel>La Planche des Belles Filles 160km

Page 23 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.

Who will win the stage?

  • Chris Froome

    Votes: 30 18.8%
  • Richie Porte

    Votes: 51 31.9%
  • Nairo Quintana

    Votes: 9 5.6%
  • Alberto Contador

    Votes: 14 8.8%
  • Fabio Aru

    Votes: 16 10.0%
  • Jakob Fuglsang

    Votes: 5 3.1%
  • Dan Martin

    Votes: 12 7.5%
  • Romain Bardet

    Votes: 3 1.9%
  • None of the above

    Votes: 12 7.5%
  • Vino-option

    Votes: 8 5.0%

  • Total voters
    160
  • Poll closed .
Re: Re:

Anderis said:
Zinoviev Letter said:
Dan Martin a bit disgruntled with a reporter apparently. It seems he's more annoyed about coming 2nd again than he is pleased at dropping Froome etc.
Dan Martin's biggest win since he left Cannondale is a Volta a Catalunya stage. Perhaps a tad frustrating for a man who earlier won 2 monuments, 2 GT stages and 2 one-week WT races overall. Especially when his form does seem good.

He has been racking up a lot of second places, but that's a natural result of being the no 2 puncheur in the world in a period when the no 1 is a Valverde who apparently found the fountain of youth. As a guy who has always been known as a "win or last" kind of rider, I'm sure he does find his recent turn towards endless minor placings somewhat irritating. This year he hasn't finished a stage race out of the top 6, is having his best ever cq performance and only has one win.

I don't think being with Cannondale would have helped though.
 
Re: Re:

Anderis said:
Zinoviev Letter said:
Dan Martin a bit disgruntled with a reporter apparently. It seems he's more annoyed about coming 2nd again than he is pleased at dropping Froome etc.
Dan Martin's biggest win since he left Cannondale is a Volta a Catalunya stage. Perhaps a tad frustrating for a man who earlier won 2 monuments, 2 GT stages and 2 one-week WT races overall. Especially when his form does seem good.

The reporter said "Is this a performance that makes you think 'OK I <might> be good enough to podium in Paris'?". It came across like he was saying like today was a step up for him, even though he's finished on the podium of Paris-Nice, FW, LBL, and Dauphiné in the last few months. Martin just said "I knew that before the start".
 
Re: Re:

Zinoviev Letter said:
Dekker_Tifosi said:
Mollema was there up until 2,8km before the line

Aru attacked at 2.3

I can understand criticism, but it's a bit too much.

I'm not being super-harsh, I just would have expected him to be there until at least the moment when it exploded. It's one thing disappearing then, another to already be gone quite a bit earlier.
He still has the Giro in his legs. Bar Quintana probably all Giro riders were worse. He's here mainly for the 2nd/3rd week to help.
 
Re: Re:

Dekker_Tifosi said:
Zinoviev Letter said:
Dekker_Tifosi said:
Mollema was there up until 2,8km before the line

Aru attacked at 2.3

I can understand criticism, but it's a bit too much.

I'm not being super-harsh, I just would have expected him to be there until at least the moment when it exploded. It's one thing disappearing then, another to already be gone quite a bit earlier.
He still has the Giro in his legs. Bar Quintana probably all Giro riders were worse. He's here mainly for the 2nd/3rd week to help.

We will see. Of course, Contador has to make himself relevant to the race before it matters
 
Re: Re:

Anderis said:
dirkprovin said:
Having said that, his English is perfectly fluent so he may well have been educated at an English speaking school or at least a bilingual one.
Well, speaking fluent English is not really a rare skill nowadays. ;) Even more so for people coming from countries in which English is one of the official languages.

Very true point in recent decades especially in parts of W.Europe. South Africa is actually somewhat different. Whilst it is many ways the prime official language of business. it is the "first language"/language spoken at home of less than 10% of the population. Amongst Afrikaners, the fluency tends to be distinctly variable especially outside major English speaking or bilingual centres such as Cape Town, Durban (Anglo) & Johannesburg. I've lived a lot of my life in Sth Africa and Afrikaans was my first language growing up; for an Afrikaner Meintjes' English is very fluent and hints at English schooling.
 
Re:

Valv.Piti said:
I dont know, I just seem so indifferent to this whole thing at the moment. Valverde was literally the only thing I was excited about this Tour and that time trial robbed him, me and the rest of the world for the potentially biggest thread to Froome.
His desperation robbed him. He only has himself and his inferiority-complex to blame.
 
Re: Re:

Netserk said:
Valv.Piti said:
I dont know, I just seem so indifferent to this whole thing at the moment. Valverde was literally the only thing I was excited about this Tour and that time trial robbed him, me and the rest of the world for the potentially biggest thread to Froome.
His desperation robbed him. He only has himself and his inferiority-complex to blame.

You are starting to sound like Dirk talking about Caleb Ewan.
 
Re:

Alexandre B. said:
I'm tired of the talking about a guy that rode 7km in this Tour, to be honest.
Isn't the Tour always like this? The actual racing is mostly so dull and uneventful (especially with this year's awful route), that hypothetical scenarios take on unbelievable importance and drive most discussion.
 
Re: Re:

Netserk said:
Valv.Piti said:
I dont know, I just seem so indifferent to this whole thing at the moment. Valverde was literally the only thing I was excited about this Tour and that time trial robbed him, me and the rest of the world for the potentially biggest thread to Froome.
His desperation robbed him. He only has himself and his inferiority-complex to blame.
You are right.
 
Re:

Valv.Piti said:
I dont know, I just seem so indifferent to this whole thing at the moment. Valverde was literally the only thing I was excited about this Tour and that time trial robbed him, me and the rest of the world for the potentially biggest thread to Froome.
Valverde isn't good enough in the high mountains to win it. He struggled a lot in the Dauphine, and while I know it's not an accurate indication (look at fugslang) he was quite clearly a level below Porte, Froome, Martin and Aru. The Galibier and the stupid Izoard mtf would have hurt him
 
Re: Re:

Brullnux said:
Valv.Piti said:
I dont know, I just seem so indifferent to this whole thing at the moment. Valverde was literally the only thing I was excited about this Tour and that time trial robbed him, me and the rest of the world for the potentially biggest thread to Froome.
Valverde isn't good enough in the high mountains to win it. He struggled a lot in the Dauphine, and while I know it's not an accurate indication (look at fugslang) he was quite clearly a level below Porte, Froome, Martin and Aru. The Galibier and the stupid Izoard mtf would have hurt him
You know, it may have. There were obviously greater chances that he wouldn't win, but thats not what I am saying. And I don't really care - I would just have loved to see him compete because, well, he is my favourite rider by a mile. I loved Rasmussen, but it wasn't him I cheered for in Courchevel in 2005. Followed him closely ever since, in my early years always playing PCM with Illes Balaers and Caisse d' Epargne, always imagining myself to be Valverde when I was out sprinting on hills. My friends didn't understand why I would cheer for a rider that always failed in Tour de France, failing to grasp he was so much more than just that.

There was a reason why I didnt really watch cycling for a few years. Valverde was just everything to me.
 
Re:

Rollthedice said:
Re-watch the 2012 stage, with 3-2.5 K to go there were about 8 guys left, three Sky. Richie and Froome pulling 450W with Wiggo, no way anybody could've attacked.

It seems (according to La Gazzetta) that Aru put out an average of 460W in the last climb (total ascent time of 13' 18'' at 22.56km/h).
 
Re: Re:

huge said:
Rollthedice said:
Re-watch the 2012 stage, with 3-2.5 K to go there were about 8 guys left, three Sky. Richie and Froome pulling 450W with Wiggo, no way anybody could've attacked.

It seems (according to La Gazzetta) that Aru put out an average of 460W in the last climb (total ascent time of 13' 18'' at 22.56km/h).
recreational clinic material may have been involved in getting that timing
 
Re: Re:

Red Rick said:
huge said:
Rollthedice said:
Re-watch the 2012 stage, with 3-2.5 K to go there were about 8 guys left, three Sky. Richie and Froome pulling 450W with Wiggo, no way anybody could've attacked.

It seems (according to La Gazzetta) that Aru put out an average of 460W in the last climb (total ascent time of 13' 18'' at 22.56km/h).
recreational clinic material may have been involved in getting that timing

Thank you for your valid contribution.
 
Re: Re:

Valv.Piti said:
Brullnux said:
Valv.Piti said:
I dont know, I just seem so indifferent to this whole thing at the moment. Valverde was literally the only thing I was excited about this Tour and that time trial robbed him, me and the rest of the world for the potentially biggest thread to Froome.
Valverde isn't good enough in the high mountains to win it. He struggled a lot in the Dauphine, and while I know it's not an accurate indication (look at fugslang) he was quite clearly a level below Porte, Froome, Martin and Aru. The Galibier and the stupid Izoard mtf would have hurt him
You know, it may have. There were obviously greater chances that he wouldn't win, but thats not what I am saying. And I don't really care - I would just have loved to see him compete because, well, he is my favourite rider by a mile. I loved Rasmussen, but it wasn't him I cheered for in Courchevel in 2005. Followed him closely ever since, in my early years always playing PCM with Illes Balaers and Caisse d' Epargne, always imagining myself to be Valverde when I was out sprinting on hills. My friends didn't understand why I would cheer for a rider that always failed in Tour de France, failing to grasp he was so much more than just that.

There was a reason why I didnt really watch cycling for a few years. Valverde was just everything to me.
Poetic
 
Re: Re:

huge said:
Red Rick said:
huge said:
Rollthedice said:
Re-watch the 2012 stage, with 3-2.5 K to go there were about 8 guys left, three Sky. Richie and Froome pulling 450W with Wiggo, no way anybody could've attacked.

It seems (according to La Gazzetta) that Aru put out an average of 460W in the last climb (total ascent time of 13' 18'' at 22.56km/h).
recreational clinic material may have been involved in getting that timing

Thank you for your valid contribution.
What he's saying is that there is no way Aru climbed that 3 minutes faster than Froome. Unless you were being sincere.
 
Re: Re:

Valv.Piti said:
Brullnux said:
Valv.Piti said:
I dont know, I just seem so indifferent to this whole thing at the moment. Valverde was literally the only thing I was excited about this Tour and that time trial robbed him, me and the rest of the world for the potentially biggest thread to Froome.
Valverde isn't good enough in the high mountains to win it. He struggled a lot in the Dauphine, and while I know it's not an accurate indication (look at fugslang) he was quite clearly a level below Porte, Froome, Martin and Aru. The Galibier and the stupid Izoard mtf would have hurt him
You know, it may have. There were obviously greater chances that he wouldn't win, but thats not what I am saying. And I don't really care - I would just have loved to see him compete because, well, he is my favourite rider by a mile. I loved Rasmussen, but it wasn't him I cheered for in Courchevel in 2005. Followed him closely ever since, in my early years always playing PCM with Illes Balaers and Caisse d' Epargne, always imagining myself to be Valverde when I was out sprinting on hills. My friends didn't understand why I would cheer for a rider that always failed in Tour de France, failing to grasp he was so much more than just that.

There was a reason why I didnt really watch cycling for a few years. Valverde was just everything to me.

Wow. This goes deeper than I thought.
 
Re:

Valv.Piti said:
I dont know, I just seem so indifferent to this whole thing at the moment. Valverde was literally the only thing I was excited about this Tour and that time trial robbed him, me and the rest of the world for the potentially biggest thread to Froome.

It's as if I read a post by laflo after Contador crashed out :lol:

It sucks he's out, really hard, but he robbed himself during that TT by going kamikaze.
 
Re: Re:

Valv.Piti said:
Brullnux said:
Valv.Piti said:
I dont know, I just seem so indifferent to this whole thing at the moment. Valverde was literally the only thing I was excited about this Tour and that time trial robbed him, me and the rest of the world for the potentially biggest thread to Froome.
Valverde isn't good enough in the high mountains to win it. He struggled a lot in the Dauphine, and while I know it's not an accurate indication (look at fugslang) he was quite clearly a level below Porte, Froome, Martin and Aru. The Galibier and the stupid Izoard mtf would have hurt him
You know, it may have. There were obviously greater chances that he wouldn't win, but thats not what I am saying. And I don't really care - I would just have loved to see him compete because, well, he is my favourite rider by a mile. I loved Rasmussen, but it wasn't him I cheered for in Courchevel in 2005. Followed him closely ever since, in my early years always playing PCM with Illes Balaers and Caisse d' Epargne, always imagining myself to be Valverde when I was out sprinting on hills. My friends didn't understand why I would cheer for a rider that always failed in Tour de France, failing to grasp he was so much more than just that.

There was a reason why I didnt really watch cycling for a few years. Valverde was just everything to me.

Great post! True youth hero he is for you.

Makes me understand your post to which I replied above.
 
Re: Re:

Valv.Piti said:
Brullnux said:
Valv.Piti said:
I dont know, I just seem so indifferent to this whole thing at the moment. Valverde was literally the only thing I was excited about this Tour and that time trial robbed him, me and the rest of the world for the potentially biggest thread to Froome.
Valverde isn't good enough in the high mountains to win it. He struggled a lot in the Dauphine, and while I know it's not an accurate indication (look at fugslang) he was quite clearly a level below Porte, Froome, Martin and Aru. The Galibier and the stupid Izoard mtf would have hurt him
You know, it may have. There were obviously greater chances that he wouldn't win, but thats not what I am saying. And I don't really care - I would just have loved to see him compete because, well, he is my favourite rider by a mile. I loved Rasmussen, but it wasn't him I cheered for in Courchevel in 2005. Followed him closely ever since, in my early years always playing PCM with Illes Balaers and Caisse d' Epargne, always imagining myself to be Valverde when I was out sprinting on hills. My friends didn't understand why I would cheer for a rider that always failed in Tour de France, failing to grasp he was so much more than just that.

There was a reason why I didnt really watch cycling for a few years. Valverde was just everything to me.

He "is" everything to you. His career isn't over yet. :) I can relate. He was my favorite since his win on La Pandera in the Vuelta (2003?) until Contador came along and it's been neck and neck ever since. I've been partial to the Spanish riders since Pedro Delgado and then Miguel Indurain. It was because of them that I went back in history to explore the other Spanish and Spanish speaking champions with Bahamontes, Jose Manuel Fuentes and Luis Ocana being a few of my all time favorites.
 
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Re: TdF '17 - stage 5: Vittel>La Planche des Belles Filles 1

clydesdale said:
I got something right! Good job Aru...love that guy, good stage.

Regarding Porte: I will not and do not understand the faith people have in this guy. I think he will end up in the 4-7 range overall. He will crack and lose three minutes on some climb later on.

Regarding Bardet: I'm a fan of his and I thought he was fine here. He isn't really an explosive rider so he will do better later. I don't think he has what it takes to win overall unless the others let him go early on a climb. Still, I think he will do fine.

Dan Martin: Similar feelings toward him as Porte. Good on them if they win, but there are a long ways down the list of people I'd put money on.

I agree regarding Bardet. He was where he had to be today and couldn't expect more. Sunday's stage (one for the pure climbers) should be an indication of how strong a competitor he will be this year. Quintana was slightly disappointing today, but it was not that unexpected, since he hasn't raced since the Giro. He'll have to get into gear soon though and without Alex, there's no forgiveness for being dropped.

Regarding Porte: He didn't crack last year and may well repeat that, but I'm not awaiting the Richie era (Aru and Froome were stronger today).

Dan Martin: He seems to be acquiring the patience that is needed to be a GC contender, but the parcours has suited him so far (except the TT). The final week will be very difficult for him with the high Alps and, particularly, the TT.

Aru at present looks to be the biggest threat to Froome and I'm looking forward to a direct head to head at some point. Very impressive win today for Wallace.