- Aug 12, 2009
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thehog said:I've been in this situation many a time in a bike race. I've been riding in climbs where they're go so fast I'm at my limit just holding a wheel. You can't attack.
It's the same with Sky. You can't attack early because Rogers and Porte are going at such a speed consistently that you can't get away. Even if you do they don't actually chase you but their speed eventually picks you up.
That's what most of the people posting stuff that supports Sky as clean don't get. This is the hardest thing in the world to do as an athlete. Day in and day out. It is that physically draining. If you are almost on your maximum just holding on, how on earth do you roll past everyone with an attack? Even if you are at 80-85% to make a gap and gain time, you have to go much higher. Much higher.
But Evans and co aren't at 85%. They are well over 90%. It's the numbers in the long run that get you. Sure you bridge a gap, but you pay for it. Their aggregate median speed is simply higher than your total. They burn you out. That's how doping when it's done right works. It's about moving the bell curve to the right. Your average goes up in every terrain. Your maximal threshold goes up. You do more work for the same physical effort. It makes you feel invincible. That's why Mick Rogers was there last night.
You're right. The only way is to force them into error. Theres no other way. But to do that you have to take extreme risks and early. Tomorrow would be a good time to do it. When the peloton is still thick with riders which what causes crashes.
Alas Nibs wants to hold onto 3rd so he'll stay with Sky on the remaining stages.
I got the impression from Thursdays stage Cadel was trying immediately but Nibali wasn't. They didn't appear to be working together. There is another way to make the race interesting. A ran dance. Make it rain out there. Or pray the ladies behind team Sky's riders make some drama and Froome goes on the offensive. Even the juggernaut of Astana 2009 couldn't manage a 1-2 on the Tour podium. Let alone half way through the race and with it obvious nobody can topple them.