Tour de France 2013

[Duartista]

But Froome didn't have any freedom last year.

True, but I don't think Valverde meant that they would copy Sky's tactics, rather that he hoped both of them would be up front in the mountains, as on Wednesday in Catalunya.

 

[Miburo]

Quintana will be riding the Tour, not the Giro. But he will be a super dom to Valverde.

Oh ok that duo might give us some fireworks, nice

Actually the tour is ideal for Quintana but he's prob a bit too young although andy and contador were also pretty young

 

[airstream]

As far as I remember only Soler and Pinot hit top-10, being Tour heophyts. I don't think Quintana will top-10, though. He'd better start from top-10 in the Vuelta.

 

[Lanark]

Valverde needs a different strategy, has to gain time in the mountains, an aggressive teammate helps. Unless of course he wants to ride for 3rd or 4th place

I think Valverde would be more than satisfied with a 3rd or 4th place. Besides, he isn't exactly known for his daring and risky strategies. Maybe I'm pessimistic, but I think they'll just play another game of follow the leader in july.

 

[the asian]

If Quintana's allowed to ride for himself. he'll definitely be in the Top 10 at the Tour.

Airstream just has to be patient till july, all his dreams will be crushed.

Don't think Valverde can win , but i certainly fancy his podium chances.

 

[airstream]

If Quintana's allowed to ride for himself. he'll definitely be in the Top 10 at the Tour.

Airstream just has to be patient till july, all his dreams will be crushed.

Don't think Valverde can win , but i certainly fancy his podium chances.

Well yeah, what else pin can a die-hard Contador fan throw in me... I hope for a worthy reaction on loss, the asian. Support how much you want, but don't touch one's dreams without knowing about them.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Why people so busily equate Froome's and Wiggins' climbing capacities is a big riddle.

Airstream, that is blatant unequivocal trolling. Can you not help yourself? I'm reporting you to a mod.

Joking I disagree with your comment though. When has Froome shown a vast difference in quality in the mountains? Thus far this year he had sat behind a train then accelerated in the last 500m. I have not seen one attack a la Contador or Schleck when he went from 5-6k out.

Froome has a punch no doubt but he has never displayed it until close to the line

 

[The Hitch]

True, but I don't think Valverde meant that they would copy Sky's tactics, rather that he hoped both of them would be up front in the mountains, as on Wednesday in Catalunya.

That doesn't work against sky because unlike previous trains, they don't tire from setting a superhard pace.

Wiggins said himself that no one can attack the sky train succesfully unless they are blood doping.

 

[barmaher]

I think Froome and Contador will have a lot on their hands this year and I think there will be a lot of people mixing it up with them.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

That doesn't work against sky because unlike previous trains, they don't tire from setting a superhard pace.

Wiggins said himself that no one can attack the sky train succesfully unless they are blood doping.

Surely if they were forced to work all day then the Sky train would break down in the same way it did yesterday?

 

[Miburo]

Surely if they were forced to work all day then the Sky train would break down in the same way it did yesterday?

Keep dreaming

 

[cineteq]

Keep dreaming

I kind of agree, but not for the same reasons you do.

 

[airstream]

Airstream, that is blatant unequivocal trolling. Can you not help yourself? I'm reporting you to a mod.

Joking I disagree with your comment though. When has Froome shown a vast difference in quality in the mountains? Thus far this year he had sat behind a train then accelerated in the last 500m. I have not seen one attack a la Contador or Schleck when he went from 5-6k out.

Froome has a punch no doubt but he has never displayed it until close to the line

Yet in July I said that Froome was already a climber of Schleck's and Contador's level and both of them would have collided with huge problems againt Sky train if they had participated in the Tour. I was cruelly ridiculed. It looks my credibility even decreased since then, but ok)

It is a necessary details of being the best climber or the main Tour favorite? He will show. My word.

By the way, Froome demonstated brilliant riding at Pena Cabarga? Or it doesnt couint?

 

[airstream]

Only 1 guy at this moment in the current field has what it takes to break Sky. That's gonna be the story of this tour.

A rider that is able to break Sky alone doesn't exist.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Yet in July I said that Froome was already a climber of Schleck's and Contador's level and both of them would have collided with huge problems againt Sky train if they had participated in the Tour. I was cruelly ridiculed. It looks my credibility even decreased since then, but ok)

It is a necessary details of being the best climber or the main Tour favorite? He will show. My word.

By the way, Froome demonstated brilliant riding at Pena Cabarga? Or it doesnt couint?

He did, yes. But you implied a vast difference in abilities in the mountains between Froome and Wiggins. I don't believe that to be the case. They both have great engines and both improved following 2011 Vuelta.

Froome beat Wiggins in the ITT during the Vuelta. That doesn't reflect on their abilities today though

 

[airstream]

He did, yes. But you implied a vast difference in abilities in the mountains between Froome and Wiggins. I don't believe that to be the case. They both have great engines and both improved following 2011 Vuelta.

Froome beat Wiggins in the ITT during the Vuelta. That doesn't reflect on their abilities today though

I'm sure there a lot of features in Froome's attacking arsenal. It is just a matter of need and situation. Whether there will be need to attack in the Tour is uknown. I think he will attack by himself.

 

[LaFlorecita]

No one can beat Froome in the tour unless he crashes

 

[webvan]

Bertie 2009 could have, unfortunately he's checked himself out...

 

[willbick]

Bertie 2009 could have, unfortunately he's checked himself out...

U might as well say a motorbike could beat him

 

[willbick]

No one can beat Froome in the tour unless he crashes

...or gets sick, or loses time due to a mech or getting stuck behind a pile up at a bad time. First week in particular is a minefield

 

[Angliru]

Airstream, that is blatant unequivocal trolling. Can you not help yourself? I'm reporting you to a mod.

Joking I disagree with your comment though. When has Froome shown a vast difference in quality in the mountains? Thus far this year he had sat behind a train then accelerated in the last 500m. I have not seen one attack a la Contador or Schleck when he went from 5-6k out.

Froome has a punch no doubt but he has never displayed it until close to the line

For once I'm going to have to agree with Airstream. I can't recall seeing any evidence that Wiggins should be rated as one of the sports elite climbers. He's more on the level of riders like Nibali and Evans. Froome, running on the fumes of his Tour performance, was able to climb with Purito, Valverde and Contador (just returning from his suspension). Of course as the Vuelta progressed, Froome slowly began to fatigue to the point that at the end he was facing a 10 minute deficit to Contador. I in no way believe that final gc gap is an accurate measurement of what Froome is capable of. For the most part most here believe that Froome has risen to the elite status among the sport's climbers, w/ Contador, Andy Schleck (should he ever return to his best) and we have to include Purito and possibly Valverde although I'd rate him just a bit below depending on the terrain. Quintana is a shooting star who may be elevated to that status by the end of the 2013 season.

 

[willbick]

I think a top,form wiggins is capable of matching the best climbers on long steady climbs. Less so on super steep stuff

 

[Boeing]

I think a top,form wiggins is capable of matching the best climbers on long steady climbs. Less so on super steep stuff

Please offer one example when this EVER happened.

 

[airstream]

Please offer one example when this EVER happened.

Opinions doesn't have to base on previous experience otherwise nothing can happen for the first time/

 

[willbick]

Please offer one example when this EVER happened.

Wednesday...