Tour de France - Stage 8, 195km - Castres / Ax 3 Domaines, July 6th

[DenisMenchov]

Did he go down somewhere? I don't recall.

He went down with JVDB

 

[Pippo_San]

And now, relentlessly, we'll see the first one-two of this Tour 2013 by the Skyborgs.

Resistance is futile.

 

[DenisMenchov]

I really think that Rodgers, Roman, Roche and Contador are better 4 then Froome, Porte, Kiryienka and Siutsou, plus BMC, Garmin and Movistar are really strong. So Sky this year is not that dominant.

 

[movingtarget]

I really think that Rodgers, Roman, Roche and Contador are better 4 then Froome, Porte, Kiryienka and Siutsou, plus BMC, Garmin and Movistar are really strong. So Sky this year is not that dominant.

Sky have some wounded riders at the moment but most team teams do. I still think they are the strongest team on paper. We will know more by the first rest day. Tempo riding is not as important for Froome as it was for Wiggins last year. Froome's climbing strength means mountain attacks will be probable unlike Wiggins time trialling up mountains with his team. I think Froome and Porte will be separated from their team more this year and of course it depends on the tactics of the other teams. If others attack early well, Froome will be dependant on his team. It all depends on which teams are willing to gamble. I can't see the same scenario developing like the 2012 Tour. If the other teams let Sky dictate the pace on the mountains they simply can't win the Tour. I expect a much more tactical race especially from Garmin, Movistar and Saxo. BMC will also have to make decisions and just hope that both Evans and TJVG are riding well enough to also get involved. GC should make interesting viewing by the end of the first individual TT.

 

[airstream]

Froome doesn't need Sky to dominate to win the Tour. His isolation give some additional chance and produce additional options, but doesn't guarantee anything.

 

[Cimber]

Froome doesn't need Sky to dominate to win the Tour. His isolation give some additional chance and produce additional options, but doesn't guarantee anything.

Yeah luckily he is no Wiggins. People tend to forget that

 

[auscyclefan94]

Evans said in his press conference that he thinks Andy Schleck looks quite good. I think he could do well tonight.

 

[Boeing]

DVR programing note for NBC.

Tomorrows stage is live on NBC 4 NOT NBC Sports. FYI in case you set your DVR to record the series on NBC Sports.

 

[DenisMenchov]

Froome doesn't need Sky to dominate to win the Tour. His isolation give some additional chance and produce additional options, but doesn't guarantee anything.

But if Froome gets isolated then he NEEDS to answer every attack on his own.

Evans said in his press conference that he thinks Andy Schleck looks quite good. I think he could do well tonight.

I also think Andy's going to perform on the top level.

 

[airstream]

But if Froome gets isolated then he NEEDS to answer every attack on his own.

Does it threaten to be a big problem for possibly best climber who is oriented on attacks himself?

 

[Ferminal]

Why does he need to answer them? He will just ride up the mountain at his own threshold, which is probably better than everyone else. It's not like it's a 6% roller where two can get away and work together and conserve energy.

 

[DenisMenchov]

Why does he need to answer them? He will just ride up the mountain at his own threshold, which is probably better than everyone else. It's not like it's a 6% roller where two can get away and work together and conserve energy.

I wasn't thinking about today only.

 

[Ferminal]

Eh, fair enough. I hope the others are brave too on the couple of days where the terrain is helpful.

 

[Boeing]

I want to see Froome accelerate and surge the tempo and pull the lungs out of riders who cant attack like Cadel and Ryder . Just tease and yoyo them till they bleed. hurt them all early tomorrow and lay down the law.

 

[The Barb]

Interesting fact I learnt today ...

In 3 of the last 4 Tour's Christophe Riblon has been in the break on the first stage with a mountain top finish.

And of course he won on this climb in 2010.

 

[Pricey_sky]

But if Froome gets isolated then he NEEDS to answer every attack on his own.

It depends who attacks, today is a little different as we still have the flat ITT to come however from next week Froome should have built up more of an advantage over some of his rivals as he is the best TT'er of the GC candidates. A couple of his rivals could have over 2 minutes to make up with another hilly TT still to come.

I predict a group of around 10 will be left with 3k's to go. Purito, Contador, Froome, Valverde and Evans will all have a go towards the end with the winner from the sprint gaining a few seconds on their rivals. No major gaps though 1 GC contender always seems to lose loads of time in the first MTF.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Gonna miss most of this stage...some would say that is a good thing.

 

[del1962]

TV, De Gent and Clarke in the break today.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Froome is going to kick so much Spanish a***.

 

[blaxland]

Cant wait for the start...me thinks Alberto will win this stage by 10 seconds over froome,evans,pinot,valverde,quintana,porte and molema.

 

[The Barb]

TV, De Gent and Clarke in the break today.

All good candidates. As I said earlier, I expect Riblon to be there, as will a Saujason rider (hopefully Feillu as he'd as least have achance of making it stick).

 

[Dazed and Confused]

TV, De Gent and Clarke in the break today.

Don't think Voeckler will try today, odds of winning from break low imo. Sunday's stage much better for the tongue man.

 

[greenedge better then some]

Don't think Voeckler will try today, odds of winning from break low imo. Sunday's stage much better for the tongue man.

why low? who is gonna chase the break,greenedge nope, sky? other teams will look at sky to do it,

 

[jens_attacks]

Don't think Voeckler will try today, odds of winning from break low imo. Sunday's stage much better for the tongue man.

yes but he will try today too i guess
every bonascre stage was won by the breakaway or long range attack-sastre
i think there is gonna be a 15-20 rider breakaway. god knows if sky or saxo would chase it

 

[Dazed and Confused]

why low? who is gonna chase the break,greenedge nope, sky? other teams will look at sky to do it,

Sky will set the pace, its their best chance of getting maximum out of the effort in the end. It worked last year and it will work again. A solid high pace for most of the stage will do serous damage to weaker riders in the end. Just my opinion.

yes but he will try today too i guess
every bonascre stage was won by the breakaway or long range attack-sastre
i think there is gonna be a 15-20 rider breakaway. god knows if sky or saxo would chase it

If the break action is very strong, Voeckler might have a go, but I can't see him joining a weak group after 10km. We shall see.