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

[Lanark]

Probably won't happen much untill the last 4k, but hey, it's the first MTF, best to keep your expectations low.

Although this topic is a bit premature, who knows what GC-riders are still in the race after Albi.

 

[Red Rick]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2AiCVzx2L8&hd=1

He'll go fully automatic

 

[Red Rick]

In all seriousness, Sky will try to controll to the last 1,5 km, where Froome will try to go, Froome himself will only reacht earlier if Contador goes and Porte can't keep him close

 

[the sceptic]

Last year Wiggins had 3 superdomestiques that were on the same level as other teams leaders. Only Porte will be that strong this year so i imagine it will be harder to ride the train all the way to the top

 

[Cimber]

Last year Wiggins had 3 superdomestiques that were on the same level as other teams leaders. Only Porte will be that strong this year so i imagine it will be harder to ride the train all the way to the top

Froome doesn't need a train like Wiggins did. Froome is the strongest climber atm.

Btw, sucks balls that JRod and Quintana are hurt after crashes

 

[Froome19]

Last year Wiggins had 3 superdomestiques that were on the same level as other teams leaders. Only Porte will be that strong this year so i imagine it will be harder to ride the train all the way to the top

But both Froome and Porte is a stronger combo than Froome and Wiggins.

 

[Cimber]

In all seriousness, Sky will try to controll to the last 1,5 km, where Froome will try to go, Froome himself will only reacht earlier if Contador goes and Porte can't keep him close

I actually expect that to happen, but if Froome is smart he will attack earlier than that. Contador wont peak till the 3rd week so Froome should take as much time as he can on Ax3

 

[Cimber]

i don't think so, he will attack with at least 5 kms to go. a wet cold day in the alps can happen, better take time now while you can

According to Riis and Tinkov Contador is scheduled to peek in the 3rd week, and Contador himself has said that he will likely ride conservatively until after the 2nd TT. However, with COntador you never know But I do expect him to try to stay with Froome on Ax3 (which will be hard enough)

 

[search]

there are 45 points for the mountain classification available on that final climbs, if anyone takes both he has a decent chance of keeping the jersey for a whole week

 

[airstream]

According to Riis and Tinkov Contador is scheduled to peek in the 3rd week, and Contador himself has said that he will likely ride conservatively until after the 2nd TT. However, with COntador you never know But I do expect him to try to stay with Froome on Ax3 (which will be hard enough)

Do you really suppose that Froome is so myopic not to peak for the 3rd week?

 

[LaFlorecita]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2AiCVzx2L8&hd=1

He'll go fully automatic

Lol that would be such a surprise.

I want to see that Alberto again

 

[ElChingon]

I'm thinking the real GC guys will not come out to play this early, maybe some flexing but some 2nd tier rider will win it.

 

[Cimber]

Do you really suppose that Froome is so myopic not to peak for the 3rd week?

Not at all, but I think that's what TST is hoping for

 

[Cimber]

I'm thinking the real GC guys will not come out to play this early, maybe some flexing but some 2nd tier rider will win it.

Ye we will likely not see any real action until the last 2 kms. But If Froome is smart he will go earlier.

 

[Afrank]

there are 45 points for the mountain classification available on that final climbs, if anyone takes both he has a decent chance of keeping the jersey for a whole week

So maybe Rolland will go all in for the stage and the KOM. That would be good. He has some time to make up, so it would be smart for both his GC hopes and KOM backup plan. And he'll have a little leeway.

 

[Finn84]

there are 45 points for the mountain classification available on that final climbs, if anyone takes both he has a decent chance of keeping the jersey for a whole week

Same points are available on Sunday if someone goes to the all-day-breakaway.

Unless the break wins, I don't see really much chance that Pailhères and Ax 3 Domaines will be won by a same rider.

 

[search]

Same points are available on Sunday if someone goes to the all-day-breakaway.

yep, I know, but winning on all the climbs is relatively unlikely as well. And that guy would need to have won points before as well as someone winning on a hc climb would keep the lead in terms of a draw

 

[Angliru]

Not at all, but I think that's what TST is hoping for

I think the only thing Contador /TST can hope for is that Contador's peak is superior to Froome's.

 

[Froome19]

Lol that this thread is a sticky and Stage 7 thread is not..

 

[Parrulo]

Lol that this thread is a sticky and Stage 7 thread is not..

My fault there, thought i had stickied the right thread and went back to my studies

 

[The Hitch]

Froome is not going to go 6 k out.

If he does I wonder if he will get that thing where he slows down to a near complete halt, puills Voekler faces, and starts to look like hes about to crack Taaramae Xorat de Cati style, and then gets the second wind and starts flying again.

Weve seen that a few times with him.

 

[willbick]

of course froome will not go 6km out. He will do what he's been doing all season. the sky train will power up the last climb. there will be no serious attacks because the big GC guys know it is pointless. Porte will hit the front with about 3km to go. At 1km to go the best climbers (i think contador, moreno, maybe valverde and puritoand quintana depending on fitness) will just about be hanging on and Froome will go super attack to win by about 10 secs. Porte, contador, Moreno and maybe the others will be in an elite group for 2nd place.

 

[willbick]

sorry forgot Talansky. He'll be in elite group.

 

[TANK91]

Surely will be big gaps, no? How can they all mark eachother on that last climb. I think its too difficult the stage to really see a 5 to 10 rider group, I think we will see big gaps on the first climb I think Froome will win, second will be Schleck followed by Contador and their will be a huge gap to the rest I predict these 3 will be the best 3. Schleck and Contador always been the best in the TDF now Froome as joined the club.

 

[Miburo]

pailheres 2007 was nice though, as a TD fan

Not when you're a vino fan

I hope Froome goes full ***. Let's hope alberto will be able to follow him.