Tour de France 2020 | Stage 4 (Sisteron – Orcières-Merlette, 160.5 km)

[perico]

They are trying to really kill the climbers legs

 

[Devil's Elbow]

1k until the false flat gives way to climbing.

 

[Jspear]

Crazy to see the difference in strength between Etixx quickstep (whatever they are called) and Jumbo. Alaphillipe will have a hard time over the three weeks even if he was stronger than last year.

 

[TomLPC]

Every TJV rider looking easy at the front

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Asgreen giving it everything, probably until 7 k to go.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Crazy to see the difference in strength between Etixx quickstep (whatever they are called) and Jumbo. Alaphillipe will have a hard time over the three weeks even if he was stronger than last year.

The team is set up for stage wins, not GC

 

[Rollthedice]

Many sprint trains forming.

 

[Sciatic]

Quick-Step is really killing themself

But I never understand the tactic they are using—if DQS really want to keep the pace really high till the steep section, why not have Asgren and aJungels rotate at the front, thereby keeping a higher speed for a longer stretch?

 

[dicanio_michael]

Crazy to see the difference in strength between Etixx quickstep (whatever they are called) and Jumbo. Alaphillipe will have a hard time over the three weeks even if he was stronger than last year.

Only team should be compared with TLJ is Ineos. DQS is not here to win GC.

 

[Jagartrott]

But I never understand the tactic they are using—if DQS really want to keep the pace really high till the steep section, why not have Asgren and aJungels rotate at the front, thereby keeping a higher speed for a longer stretch?

Perico above is right: by riding hard on the flat/false flats, they're trying to tire or demotivate the real climbers.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Every single team appears to be scared

 

[dicanio_michael]

But I never understand the tactic they are using—if DQS really want to keep the pace really high till the steep section, why not have Asgren and aJungels rotate at the front, thereby keeping a higher speed for a longer stretch?

Because Jungle can be used to neutralize attacks.

 

[Faserr]

But I never understand the tactic they are using—if DQS really want to keep the pace really high till the steep section, why not have Asgren and aJungels rotate at the front, thereby keeping a higher speed for a longer stretch?

I don't know either. A big group at the last k would be good for Alaphilippe I think. So setting a controlles tempo would be good.
Perhaps they just wanted to make sure that the break gets back. That costs a lot of energy.

 

[Simurgh]

Higuita's NC jersey is amazing

 

[spalco]

Has Kirby always been rooting for anglo riders so openly? Don't really remember that from him.

 

[TomLPC]

Ala will run out of teammates, the pace isn't high enough

 

[Jspear]

Only team should be compared with TLJ is Ineos. DQS is not here to win GC.

Oh I know. It was just funny seeing (a little earlier) DQS setting the pace with just two riders left and then seeing so many yellow Jumbo riders behind them.

 

[ice&fire]

I see Roglic only has two teammates. Less than I expected.

 

[Simurgh]

Has Kirby always been rooting for anglo riders so openly? Don't really remember that from him.

I still remember him sobbing when Froome won the Vuelta-double

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Tony Martins done

 

[Red Rick]

Snail pace it is then

 

[Billie]

Montevergine di Merlette

 

[TomLPC]

There are far far too many people still there, someone must fancy it from here Betancur Mur style

Edit: Pierre Rolland, about time

 

[Simurgh]

attack on the left..Rolland of course

 

[Pirazziattacks]

Has Kirby always been rooting for anglo riders so openly? Don't really remember that from him.

That's about 90% of his commentary
How are Si Clarke and Hugh Carthy going today, does Carlton think they might have a shot at the stage win?