Tour de France 2019 stage 17: Pont du Gard > Gap 200 km

[Broccolidwarf]

Makes zero sense to train Matthews as a mountain domestique to Tom, what stage was he going to light up at the front? He was going to hold on until there was 30-40 riders left

I disagree.

A podium always contender takes priority over a stage win.

It's exactly the same decision Astana has made on Cort, who was (until yesterday), solely there for Fuglsang.

And yes, neither would be the last guy on the last mountain, but both being able to work on the first couple of mountains, frees up the proper climbers to go deep later in the stage.

That's just life, on a tour team shooting for the podium - the alternative is to go win some minor races during and after the tour,

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Makes zero sense to train Matthews as a mountain domestique to Tom, what stage was he going to light up at the front? He was going to hold on until there was 30-40 riders left

He had plenty time to do sprint training when Dumoulin announced he wasn't doing the Tour
And anyway Matthews training was for rolling terrain....perfect for today

Matthews had the excuses ready early

Disagree on that also.

You don't just magically put on an extra couple of kilos of muscle mass, with only a few weeks notice.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

When is Colgate signing Politt to an ad campaign?

 

[Scarponi]

Makes zero sense to train Matthews as a mountain domestique to Tom, what stage was he going to light up at the front? He was going to hold on until there was 30-40 riders left

I disagree.

A podium always contender takes priority over a stage win.

It's exactly the same decision Astana has made on Cort, who was (until yesterday), solely there for Fuglsang.

And yes, neither would be the last guy on the last mountain, but both being able to work on the first couple of mountains, frees up the proper climbers to go deep later in the stage.

That's just life, on a tour team shooting for the podium - the alternative is to go win some minor races during and after the tour,

Sunweb don’t get anyone to work, Tom leaves everything to other teams. Too passive of a rider

 

[Red Rick]

Makes zero sense to train Matthews as a mountain domestique to Tom, what stage was he going to light up at the front? He was going to hold on until there was 30-40 riders left

I disagree.

A podium always contender takes priority over a stage win.

It's exactly the same decision Astana has made on Cort, who was (until yesterday), solely there for Fuglsang.

And yes, neither would be the last guy on the last mountain, but both being able to work on the first couple of mountains, frees up the proper climbers to go deep later in the stage.

That's just life, on a tour team shooting for the podium - the alternative is to go win some minor races during and after the tour,

Sunweb don’t get anyone to work, Tom leaves everything to other teams. Too passive of a rider

Dumoulin is about the least leechy rider out there

 

[Wvv]

Oss, Asgreen, Izagirre, Scully, Trentin, Laengen, Skujins, Perichon, King & GVA left the others behind. Almost half a minute now, 25 km to go.

 

[Wvv]

Gougeard was there too but dropped after a Trentin acceleration.

 

[Wvv]

Trentin seems like the man to beat.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Every time Asgreen leads, gaps appear instantly.

No doubt he has the power today, now we remain to see if he has the race craft

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Re:

Every time Asgreen leads, gaps appear instantly.

No doubt he has the power today, now we remain to see if he has the race craft

Not surprised, he's been sitting on all day

 

[Bushman]

Trentin is gonna be really hard to beat today. GVA has a chance and perhaps Asgreen can sneak away but it’s going to be difficult.

 

[Scarponi]

Makes zero sense to train Matthews as a mountain domestique to Tom, what stage was he going to light up at the front? He was going to hold on until there was 30-40 riders left

I disagree.

A podium always contender takes priority over a stage win.

It's exactly the same decision Astana has made on Cort, who was (until yesterday), solely there for Fuglsang.

And yes, neither would be the last guy on the last mountain, but both being able to work on the first couple of mountains, frees up the proper climbers to go deep later in the stage.

That's just life, on a tour team shooting for the podium - the alternative is to go win some minor races during and after the tour,

Sunweb don’t get anyone to work, Tom leaves everything to other teams. Too passive of a rider

Dumoulin is about the least leechy rider out there

team wise he is, solo obviously not. Matthews was going to be useless for him. Should have left him at home

 

[RedheadDane]

I'm in two-minds regarding Asgreen.
Yes; it would be cool if he won - especially after all the work he's been doing - but, eh... I kind of think DQ has enough victories, and... I like things to be fair. Or at least as fair as possible.

 

[topcat]

So no chance of gc action. Suppose I'll catch a few more waves.

 

[spalco]

The escapists' escapists aren't working together well at all, probably still enough though.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Re:

I'm in two-minds regarding Asgreen.
Yes; it would be cool if he won - especially after all the work he's been doing - but, eh... I kind of think DQ has enough victories, and... I like things to be fair. Or at least as fair as possible.

If anyone was ever in doubt you are a female, that post right there leaves nobody in doubt anymore

 

[Wvv]

Trentin solo.

 

[Scarponi]

Cheering for Cofidis

 

[RedheadDane]

Trentin; the guy with probably the biggest chance in the sprint, decides to go solo!

 

[Salvarani]

The best sprinter in the group goes solo on the climb

He has looked the strongest though

 

[Vroome.exe]

Imagine working for 200km and then not even bothering to fight for victory.

 

[Akuryo]

And another one for Trentin. He may not win that often, but always in the Grand Tours.

 

[Bushman]

Trentin is gone. He’s so strong, was climbing incredibly on the stage Yates won (the first one)

 

[brownbobby]

Makes zero sense to train Matthews as a mountain domestique to Tom, what stage was he going to light up at the front? He was going to hold on until there was 30-40 riders left

He had plenty time to do sprint training when Dumoulin announced he wasn't doing the Tour
And anyway Matthews training was for rolling terrain....perfect for today

Matthews had the excuses ready early

Disagree on that also.

You don't just magically put on an extra couple of kilos of muscle mass, with only a few weeks notice.

Yeah you can...especially when you're a typical cyclist running your body close to starvation at times. A shift in diet and training will easily see you gain a kilo per week initially

 

[Escarabajo]

Si Izaguirre couldn't go with Trentin on a second cat climb?
Go figure!