Tour de France 2018 stage 9: Arras > Roubaix 156,5 km

[thehog]

Re: Re:

I find it very difficult to believe Bardet wasn’t given a big hand by motos in the final there. There was obviously a reason we weren’t shown pictures from that group near the end. I wonder if anyone out on the road near the finish managed to get a photo or video, social media should tell us more in the next few hours.

Rules haven't mattered in cycling for a long time

There’s not a lot you can do when you get within 45 seconds of the lead group, there is a convoy of cars, you can’t do anything but motor pace in.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re: Re:

I find it very difficult to believe Bardet wasn’t given a big hand by motos in the final there. There was obviously a reason we weren’t shown pictures from that group near the end. I wonder if anyone out on the road near the finish managed to get a photo or video, social media should tell us more in the next few hours.

This is pure speculation. The cameras showed the moment when the Landa group caught Bardet and he was clearly alone at the time, with a team car fading into the distance ahead of him. If they wanted to cheat, then if ever there was a time to give him some shady assist, that was it.

Of course it’s speculation,if it was legit them fair enough, but that’s why I said I find it difficult to believe. Bardet was only a few seconds ahead of the Landa group at that time, and the correct decision was to wait for that group where he had a teammate and Movistar for help. I just find it amazing that they closed almost a minute on the GC group, and pulled a minute on the Uran group, in the last few k’s.

 

[macbindle]

Re: Re:

Apparently been a lot of complaints about Bardet being motopaced back up to main group. I am shocked and wouldn't be surprised if the Badger was the motorcyclist lol

From whom? BikeRadar posters been complaining again?

Can't be true.

Only the British cheat, remember.

 

[bob.a.feet]

For me today the most impressive rider was Quintana. What a ride

 

[Leinster]

Re: Re:

I find it very difficult to believe Bardet wasn’t given a big hand by motos in the final there. There was obviously a reason we weren’t shown pictures from that group near the end. I wonder if anyone out on the road near the finish managed to get a photo or video, social media should tell us more in the next few hours.

This is pure speculation. The cameras showed the moment when the Landa group caught Bardet and he was clearly alone at the time, with a team car fading into the distance ahead of him. If they wanted to cheat, then if ever there was a time to give him some shady assist, that was it.

Of course it’s speculation,if it was legit them fair enough, but that’s why I said I find it difficult to believe. Bardet was only a few seconds ahead of the Landa group at that time, and the correct decision was to wait for that group where he had a teammate and Movistar for help. I just find it amazing that they closed almost a minute on the GC group, and pulled a minute on the Uran group, in the last few k’s.

As Hog said above, they were in the cars the whole time, so it's hardly surprising they were able to make more headway than the EF squad, who had been chasing longer.

 

[Leinster]

Re:

For me today the most impressive rider was Quintana. What a ride

There's about a half dozen "D Martin should give up and go for stage wins if he even survives the rest day" posts from the first few pages of this thread who should be disagreeing with you right now.

 

[Bot. Sky_Bot]

Re:

For me today the most impressive rider was Quintana. What a ride

The same with Majka, with his crash.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

I find it very difficult to believe Bardet wasn’t given a big hand by motos in the final there. There was obviously a reason we weren’t shown pictures from that group near the end. I wonder if anyone out on the road near the finish managed to get a photo or video, social media should tell us more in the next few hours.

This is pure speculation. The cameras showed the moment when the Landa group caught Bardet and he was clearly alone at the time, with a team car fading into the distance ahead of him. If they wanted to cheat, then if ever there was a time to give him some shady assist, that was it.

Of course it’s speculation,if it was legit them fair enough, but that’s why I said I find it difficult to believe. Bardet was only a few seconds ahead of the Landa group at that time, and the correct decision was to wait for that group where he had a teammate and Movistar for help. I just find it amazing that they closed almost a minute on the GC group, and pulled a minute on the Uran group, in the last few k’s.

The Landa group was in the cars when Bardet joined them. Also Sagan along with two QS riders and a Trek rider had already made that 2nd chase group leaving two Sky riders, Movistar's two leaders, a couple of other GC teams with no interest in chasing and Lotto Sudual. However, I was surprised that in the end Bardet and Landa ended up loosing less than 10 seconds to the group with the favorites.

 

[ClassicomanoLuigi]

Martin, Quintana, Thomas all did well to limit their losses

Greipel in 8th place, despite getting scraped up in a crash, that was impressive also

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

I find it very difficult to believe Bardet wasn’t given a big hand by motos in the final there. There was obviously a reason we weren’t shown pictures from that group near the end. I wonder if anyone out on the road near the finish managed to get a photo or video, social media should tell us more in the next few hours.

Rules haven't mattered in cycling for a long time

Except when heads are butted ..........

 

[thehog]

Re: Re:

I find it very difficult to believe Bardet wasn’t given a big hand by motos in the final there. There was obviously a reason we weren’t shown pictures from that group near the end. I wonder if anyone out on the road near the finish managed to get a photo or video, social media should tell us more in the next few hours.

This is pure speculation. The cameras showed the moment when the Landa group caught Bardet and he was clearly alone at the time, with a team car fading into the distance ahead of him. If they wanted to cheat, then if ever there was a time to give him some shady assist, that was it.

Of course it’s speculation,if it was legit them fair enough, but that’s why I said I find it difficult to believe. Bardet was only a few seconds ahead of the Landa group at that time, and the correct decision was to wait for that group where he had a teammate and Movistar for help. I just find it amazing that they closed almost a minute on the GC group, and pulled a minute on the Uran group, in the last few k’s.

As Hog said above, they were in the cars the whole time, so it's hardly surprising they were able to make more headway than the EF squad, who had been chasing longer.

It was obvious, you can see the long line of cars and motorbikes at the back of the lead group. Happens all the time. As soon as you can see the cars you know you are safe. Every team does it when chasing back on. It’s not unique to this stage.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Very disappointed for Porte. I’d like to see him get one crack at a GT without falling off or getting sick or whatever

The Porte fans collectively all dumped whiskey in their coffee and let out a forlorn sigh............it's just hard to take. I guess Tejay's day was rubbing it in even more for BMC supporters.

 

[Leinster]

Re: Re:

Very disappointed for Porte. I’d like to see him get one crack at a GT without falling off or getting sick or whatever

The Porte fans collectively all dumped whiskey in their coffee and let out a forlorn sigh............it's just hard to take. I guess Tejay's day was rubbing it in even more for BMC supporters.

And all the while GVA was driving/attacking the front of the peloton.

What would the BMC tactics have been with Richie in TJ's position?

 

[janraaskalt]

Re:

Martin, Quintana, Thomas all did well to limit their losses

I'm apparently completely missing the joke.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Very disappointed for Porte. I’d like to see him get one crack at a GT without falling off or getting sick or whatever

The Porte fans collectively all dumped whiskey in their coffee and let out a forlorn sigh............it's just hard to take. I guess Tejay's day was rubbing it in even more for BMC supporters.

And all the while GVA was driving/attacking the front of the peloton.

What would the BMC tactics have been with Richie in TJ's position?

GVA wouldn't have waited that's for sure but Caruso would have. I think it would have been similar to Movistar pacing back Landa.

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

It was certainly entertaining. I'm gutted for Porte. What a nightmare his career has been these last few years.

I think he was the best hope of beating Froome, but I'm hopeful we'll still see exciting racing. There are enough contenders still in it.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

Very disappointed for Porte. I’d like to see him get one crack at a GT without falling off or getting sick or whatever

The Porte fans collectively all dumped whiskey in their coffee and let out a forlorn sigh............it's just hard to take. I guess Tejay's day was rubbing it in even more for BMC supporters.

And all the while GVA was driving/attacking the front of the peloton.

What would the BMC tactics have been with Richie in TJ's position?

GVA wouldn't have waited that's for sure but Caruso would have. I think it would have been similar to Movistar pacing back Landa.

From what was said yesterday GVA had freedom to race for himself today and not worry about their GC guys.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Movistar moved 3 places up in the team GC, enough said.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Well, much addo about nothing.
All fake like modern cycling. Those Sissy cobble stne stages are pointless. They only bring danger but don't offer chances to actually create gaps- So you either do a real cobble stage with tough sections or no such stage at all. Today's *** is useless.

 

[Koronin]

Re:

Movistar moved 3 places up in the team GC, enough said.

Yep, and if they do what they should do in the mountains, they'll have that title. 3 GC riders who can all finish GC top 10 if not top 5 will give you the team title. Quickstep doesn't have many riders for the mountains.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Well, much addo about nothing.
All fake like modern cycling. Those Sissy cobble stne stages are pointless. They only bring danger but don't offer chances to actually create gaps- So you either do a real cobble stage with tough sections or no such stage at all. Today's *** is useless.

Weren't there 4 and 5 star sections? What would you consider tough?

 

[roundabout]

I don't think that there were any 5 stars sections from Roubaix ridden in full.

 

[Escarabajo]

Well, much addo about nothing.
All fake like modern cycling. Those Sissy cobble stne stages are pointless. They only bring danger but don't offer chances to actually create gaps- So you either do a real cobble stage with tough sections or no such stage at all. Today's *** is useless.

+1

Worthless stage.

Super bike handlers Zakarin, Yates, Quintana, Martin, Pozzo, Majaka, etc. LOL. They are ready for Paris-Roubaix next year. They arrived with the leaders after all.

And the ones that crashed or had a mechanical can be motor paced. LOL.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Well, much addo about nothing.
All fake like modern cycling. Those Sissy cobble stne stages are pointless. They only bring danger but don't offer chances to actually create gaps- So you either do a real cobble stage with tough sections or no such stage at all. Today's *** is useless.

Weren't there 4 and 5 star sections? What would you consider tough?

200km plus stage, doing roughly the last 100km of Paris-Roubaix
A Time Trial /Team Time Trial of around 60km length that includs the likes of Carefour the L Arbre, Troue d Ahrenberg and Mons en Pevele would also be nice.

 

[hfer07]

I just watched the highlights.................. Meh
I'm sooo glad I'm not watching Le Tour

BTW poor LRP stroke by bad luck yet again