It's difficult to say if pogi was in his best possible shape, he is always in good shape in all races.Thomas was not close to top form at this point and was out of GC contention, Pogacar was in the opposite situation.
It's difficult to say if pogi was in his best possible shape, he is always in good shape in all races.Thomas was not close to top form at this point and was out of GC contention, Pogacar was in the opposite situation.
He was still under the radar. If that happens again I see the mechanics of the race completely different. That is common sense!he was and still won
This!You are right. But they put what 1:30 on him that stage? If same happens this year they go all out if he stays behind and put 5+ minutes. Whoever is in front group will work to distance him. I bet if Roglic and Thomas, Carapaz are ahead, Ineos and Jumbo will work together. I would go that far that splits are biggest threat for Pogacar this year. UAE will really have to be alert all the time.
That was not the point. He can crash, flat or have a mechanic. All those are very possible for any GC contender. That's when you need a good team to protect him for ambushes and cross winds. This year other riders are not going to be as friendly to work with him. Look exactly at what happened in Pais Vasco. Other riders are not stupid enough to work with him anymore. You still need a good team.Pogacar crashed just before the echelons so was at the back, otherwise he would have been fine and they always go all out when there are echelons, there was not enough kms left to put more time into him.
I predict Dennis, Van Baarle and Sivakov.So the tour is getting closer and i´m curious about the line-up Ineos will start. Usual train stratgy will not work this year, because of the two slovenian riders, so this year in really the first year, where I personally want a strong Ineos line-up at the tour.
I think clear in the line-up are:
Carapaz
Thomas
Hart
Porte
Kwiatkowski
So there are 3 remaining places for:
Dennis, van Baarle, Amador, A.Yates, Rowe, Sivakov and also Dunbar (appears the second best rider from Ineos at the tour de Suisse)
What do you think? Which riders will they bring?
Sivakov looks quite pathetic in Suisse though. I can't see Ineos bringing him.I predict Dennis, Van Baarle and Sivakov.
CarapazSo the tour is getting closer and i´m curious about the line-up Ineos will start. Usual train stratgy will not work this year, because of the two slovenian riders, so this year is really the first year, where I personally want a strong Ineos line-up at the tour.
I think clear in the line-up are:
Carapaz
Thomas
Hart
Porte
Kwiatkowski
So there are 3 remaining places for:
Dennis, van Baarle, Amador, A.Yates, Rowe, Sivakov and also Dunbar (appears the second best rider from Ineos at the tour de Suisse)
What do you think? Which riders will they bring?
Is it already sure, that A.Yates will not ride? I know that he is scheduled for "la vuelta" as one of the leaders, but does this rule out a support role for the tour?Carapaz
Thomas
Porte
Hart
Kwiatkowski
Dennis
Rowe
and one out of van Baarle or Amador.
Yates will not ride the Tour and Sivakov has focused on the Giro and should not be in top shape in July.
He is not even in the pre-selection. So I would very surprised if they add him at the last minute.Is it already sure, that A.Yates will not ride? I know that he is scheduled for "la vuelta" as one of the leaders, but does this rule out a support role for the tour?
I don't think there is any doubt about Dennis. Independent of today. But Dunbar has shown very good form.Carapaz
Thomas
Porte
Hart
Rowe
Kwiatkowski
Dennis
and either Dunbar or van Baarle, depending on whether they go seriously with three leaders, then they need another mountain domestique, or if they have a real designated leader with the others as B-options, then it should be van Baarle.
Might also switch van Baarle in for Dennis if Dennis' form is not good, I guess we will see today.
That's my guess.
So, based on that, we already know what will happens in the tour. Nothing crazy on that, the slovenians are above everyone including ineos.I don't know what I find more crazy. The fact that INEOS has dominated and won every single WT stage race this season, where Roglič or Pogačar didn't participate, or that they've been dominated and seemed to have no chance in WT stage races the Slovenians did participate.
I can understand this. But if Pog or/and Rog crash out/become sick or whatever, their teams have zero other chance of winning the race. Their teams are pretty inferior to Ineos. With the riches of UAE, I would have thought they would have tried to get another GT player in the team just in case. JV not quite as bad as UAE with their team but won't worry Ineos too much, they too rely on Rog for their GT's. Ineos need to be very clever to win this Tour though as they won't have the strongest rider.So, based on that, we already know what will happens in the tour. Nothing crazy on that, the slovenians are above everyone including ineos.
You're right, no chance if some happens to them. Kuss or majka are not the guys to win the tour.I can understand this. But if Pog or/and Rog crash out/become sick or whatever, their teams have zero other chance of winning the race. Their teams are pretty inferior to Ineos. With the riches of UAE, I would have thought they would have tried to get another GT player in the team just in case. JV not quite as bad as UAE with their team but won't worry Ineos too much, they too rely on Rog for their GT's. Ineos need to be very clever to win this Tour though as they won't have the strongest rider.
Not sure how anyone can say Pogi wasn't in his best possible shape - of course he was! He was already fastest at the foot of the climb. Then was easily quickest up the climb. On stage 20!It's difficult to say if pogi was in his best possible shape, he is always in good shape in all races.
Honestly with Porte and Thomas it looks more likely that two of Ineos would crash out quicklyThe last time the 2 top favorites crashed out was 2014. It could happen again and we look at Ineos 1-2-3