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

[ILovecycling]

one things for sure cannondale wont be involved in any of the action after today.

Sagan will

 

[TheEnoculator]

I don't think Froome or Contador will show their cards yet. Still too early. Sky will work to keep things under control. All the favourites will stay together. I pick Rolland to win in a break and get in yellow with a slim margin over the favourites.

 

[TheBean]

All of the sprinters' teams, Cannondale included, will be involved in a LOT of action later in the Tour, right up to the final day on the Champes.

We can look for them to try to control breaks until the intermediate sprint, then sit up and crawl over the mountains to make it home within the time limit.

As for the winner on Saturday, I look for a second tier leader such as Quontana or Tejay to animate the race so their team leader can sit back and measure the reaction from Berto and Froome. At least I hope that happens, rather than them all sticking together until the final few kilometers when the top sprinters drag race for a few seconds here and there.

Either way, it will be fun to watch the first uphill tests. The race for GC is on!

 

[the sceptic]

What will Saxo do? They have 3 potential super doms so i hope they will do something rather than just riding the sky train

 

[LaFlorecita]

Froome
Alberto + 0'34"
Porte + 0'50"
Valverde +1'02"
Purito s.t.
Pinot s.t.
Rolland s.t.
Evans +1'23"
TJVG s.t.
Roman +1'44

For the lolz

Andy 16th +2'35

 

[LaFlorecita]

What will Saxo do? They have 3 potential super doms so i hope they will do something rather than just riding the sky train

that would not be smart.

If sky want to ride on the front all day, no problem. Then on the last climb when only Porte is left Roman should attack. Then let Porte chase and then when Porte is gone wait for Froome to attack and chase him with Mick and Nico. Then counter attack.

 

[boladelmundo]

I hope this guy have a go.

One of my favourite climbers. Amazing talent!

 

[airstream]

 

[the sceptic]

that would not be smart.

If sky want to ride on the front all day, no problem. Then on the last climb when only Porte is left Roman should attack. Then let Porte chase and then when Porte is gone wait for Froome to attack and chase him with Mick and Nico. Then counter attack.

Yes i mean the last climb or maybe even pailheres. But i fear they will just sit on the sky train and wait for the final Km. I want to see Porte and Froome get isolate with Berto, Kreuziger, Rogers and Roche earlier. Maybe wishful thinking though.

 

[airstream]

. I want to see Porte and Froome get isolate with Berto, Kreuziger, Rogers and Roche earlier. Maybe wishful thinking though.

What options would it give?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yes i mean the last climb or maybe even pailheres. But i fear they will just sit on the sky train and wait for the final Km. I want to see Porte and Froome get isolate with Berto, Kreuziger, Rogers and Roche earlier. Maybe wishful thinking though.

But when Kreuziger, Rogers and Roche try to isolate Porte and Froome they will isolate Alberto too.

 

[Escarabajo]

I don't think Froome or Contador will show their cards yet. Still too early. Sky will work to keep things under control. All the favourites will stay together. I pick Rolland to win in a break and get in yellow with a slim margin over the favourites.

I have never seen Contador play the waiting game. Besides he needs to gain confidence by performing well. If he is feeling good he will attack. He is kind of easy to read. You can tell if he is not good for that reason. Froome can use that to his advantage.

I will be rooting for Contador and Quintana tomorrow. And maybe for Purito also.

 

[all_in]

that would not be smart.

If sky want to ride on the front all day, no problem. Then on the last climb when only Porte is left Roman should attack. Then let Porte chase and then when Porte is gone wait for Froome to attack and chase him with Mick and Nico. Then counter attack.

If Porte will chase after Kreuziger,Rogers and Roche will be dropped.For tomorrow I go with Valverde after a minisprint with Purito,Froome and AC.Andy,Evans,Pinot,Quintana will lose under 20 s.

 

[cineteq]

Froome
Alberto + 0'34"
Porte + 0'50"
Valverde +1'02"
Purito s.t.
Pinot s.t.
Rolland s.t.
Evans +1'23"
TJVG s.t.
Roman +1'44

For the lolz

Andy 16th +2'35

What a sell out! Froome will not win the Tour, learn it.

 

[Ruby United]

I have never seen Contador play the waiting game. Besides he needs to gain confidence by performing well. If he is feeling good he will attack. He is kind of easy to read. You can tell if he is not good for that reason. Froome can use that to his advantage.

I will be rooting for Contador and Quintana tomorrow. And maybe for Purito also.

True. Conta's style of racing is by bobbing his head a lot, and jumping on the pedals. You know he's struggling when he's bobbing his head more then natural.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

After Kash and Brajkos early departure, Birdsong must now stand alone to fight for Astanas honor in the gc. Will he top 10? Absolutely. Top 5? Why not? Top 3? Sure. Will he win this race all on his own? I am Doubtful, but hopeful

 

[Jelantik]

the word for tomorrow:
FIRE WOOOORRRKSS!!!

evan, valverde, purito, quintana have left themselves with a lot more seconds down than alberto. So they might need to start chipping away the deficit before ITT. Birdsong already said he is going to wait and see on saturday.

 

[Ruby United]

Froome
Alberto + 0'34"
Porte + 0'50"

And if LaFlorecita thinks Contador's gonna get dropped, you know he's gonna get dropped

 

[LaFlorecita]

True. Conta's style of racing is by bobbing his head a lot, and jumping on the pedals. You know he's struggling when he's bobbing his head more then natural.

Not true, you can tell he's struggling when he doesn't attack, is grimacing and / or when his head is tilted to the left.

 

[Jelantik]

What will Saxo do? They have 3 potential super doms so i hope they will do something rather than just riding the sky train

well if i have my way, i hope roche is there, and alberto let him win the stage.

 

[LaFlorecita]

What a sell out! Froome will not win the Tour, learn it.

You are not exactly great at predicting things you know

 

[LaFlorecita]

And if LaFlorecita thinks Contador's gonna get dropped, you know he's gonna get dropped

Not true again, I tend to lower my expectations. Ask your bro

 

[cineteq]

You are not exactly great at predicting things you know

Take a closer look to my record this year, e basta!

 

[jens_attacks]

voeckler lost time for weekends breakaway. at least one stage win i hope

tomorrow froomey i don't think will let the breakaway, he wants the stage win

 

[Jelantik]

I don't think Froome or Contador will show their cards yet. Still too early. Sky will work to keep things under control. All the favourites will stay together. I pick Rolland to win in a break and get in yellow with a slim margin over the favourites.

ummfffh... not sure about that. Didn't you see froome on stage 3? he claimed he tried to get out of trouble? really? from whom? he was practically in the front by himself... and he expected he would crash or something? Not unless the road changes like Hogwart dormitory's stair. He clearly was testing everyone ... he said in his interview, he was surprised no one answered *duh*.. So it's not surprising, if he is itching to showboating again.