Tour de la Provence 2021, France, February 11 - February 14

[tobydawq]

Yeah, that's the selfish reason...

The other one is that I don't feel great with allrounders outclimbing the best climbers.

Hmm, he is a bit Valverde-like, physiologically (probably with worse endurance, though). I don't think it would be outrageous for him to get close to his climbing level, even if he will probably not make 20 top 10s in Grand Tours

 

[Zoef-Lightning]

I'm sure Bernal could have gone up the road if Sosa hadn't been there. He looked at ease.
Besides I don't want to see Alaphilippe drop a Bernal in decent form on such a climb, unless Bernal lets him go. That would be to clinical.

Of course not. I think you have seen another race. Bernal was not able to jump behind the back of Ala, even after staying in his wheel. Although he tried... He could only beat him in the sprint, after hiding and resting the final kilometers.

 

[BlueRoads]

Of course not. I think you have seen another race. Bernal was not able to jump behind the back of Ala, even after staying in his wheel. Although he tried... He could only beat him in the sprint, after hiding and resting the final kilometers.

Indeed, we must have watched different races.

 

[tobydawq]

Indeed, we must have watched different races.

At least he is as polite as he demands of others.

 

[Zoef-Lightning]

Indeed, we must have watched different races.

No arguments left ?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

No arguments left ?

I'm pretty sure you'll find yourself in a lot of future arguments, don't you worry.

 

[BlueRoads]

No arguments left ?

Boy, I don't know if you're serious. I don't see any real point in this conversation, because to me it was clear Bernal had two tasks that day: help Sosa get the win, reach as best a result for himself as he could. He did both. He never did anything to lead Alaphilippe to Sosa. He didn't immediately jump when Alaphilippe jumped that one time, because Ala is lot more explosive. (There also was no need to get on Ala's wheel immediately.) It took him like, I don't know, five seconds, to get back. Then he stayed behind Ala, who with all his general explosiveness wasn't able to follow Bernal in the end anymore because he was spent, unlike Bernal, who's just a real climber, and a damn good one.

 

[Zoef-Lightning]

Boy, I don't know if you're serious. I don't see any real point in this conversation, because to me it was clear Bernal had two tasks that day: help Sosa get the win, reach as best a result for himself as he could. He did both. He never did anything to lead Alaphilippe to Sosa. He didn't immediately jump when Alaphilippe jumped that one time, because Ala is lot more explosive. (There also was no need to get on Ala's wheel immediately.) It took him like, I don't know, five seconds, to get back. Then he stayed behind Ala, who with all his general explosiveness wasn't able to follow Bernal in the end anymore because he was spent, unlike Bernal, who's just a real climber, and a damn good one.

Bernal jumped from behind Alaphilippe's back, a few km from the finish line, but was easily taken back by Ala. You did not mention this. You have indeed seen another race. Bernal's failed attack proves he was not better than Ala.

 

[Escarabajo]

Bernal jumped from behind Alaphilippe's back, a few km from the finish line, but was easily taken back by Ala. You did not mention this. You have indeed seen another race. Bernal's failed attack proves he was not better than Ala.

It is still difficult to tell. Had he not have a team mate up the road it would have been clear that he was not stronger than Alla.