Which team was the biggest fail in stage 9?

[Miburo]

Even Andy Schlecks had some comments on it. Then you know you ****ed up.

With still 120km to go and Froome being isolated while movistar and saxo still had 5 or even 6 guys in the front. And they did almost nothing against Froome.

 

[Gloin22]

Well it's clear it was Movistar.. but at least they made it interesting at the beginning.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Saxo, because at least Movistar did something, even if it was far too little far too late. Saxo had several guys who just sat in the group and let it all go on without even thinking of coming to the front.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Saxo bank by a mile, way too passive. Waiting, waiting. Dull.

Belkin and Katusha also poor.

 

[More Strides than Rides]

They aren't driving cars. They're using their legs, which are susceptible to fatigue. Racers can't just weigh the opportunities they have tactically, but every sensation they have throughout their body.

When you can't go, you can't go

 

[Christian]

I wished that Kreuziger would attack, he seemed like he wanted to and he is in the same time as Contador. Of course it might not have preoccupied Froome as much but still Saxo could have gotten something out of this day

 

[Pippo_San]

Movistar because I believe they really could have done some kind of damage, they looked mighty strong at moments and then...nothing. They even let the win slip under their nose...fantastic

Saxo, well I guess they would've risked to drop Velasco

 

[Ferminal]

Saxo wouldn't have done anything because Contador would not have felt good. They didn't want to awaken the beast so to speak and have Contador go out the back and be done for. Of course, that now requires Contador to be off the planet in the Alps and genuinely challenge Froome.

Movistar do not have the same excuse given how strong both Quintana and Valverde are.

Let's not forget Purito and his Brown dawg either.

 

[the sceptic]

the got rid of Porte. Battle for 2nd could be extremely important.

 

[Nuash65]

Why do so many people on these forums think genius is an acceptable word to use and why do the mods allow it?

 

[The Hitch]

Saxo, because at least Movistar did something, even if it was far too little far too late. Saxo had several guys who just sat in the group and let it all go on without even thinking of coming to the front.

movistar were riding against Saxo from the start so Saxo knew if they sent Kreuziger or someone up the road he would just knock himself out and get pegged back by Movistar anyway.

They should have both made an alliance of circumstance. both are chasing the yellow jersey who is quite a bit in front of them. they were given a golden opportunity and almost certainly wont get it again.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Saxo wouldn't have done anything because Contador would not have felt good. They didn't want to awaken the beast so to speak and have Contador go out the back and be done for. Of course, that now requires Contador to be off the planet in the Alps and genuinely challenge Froome.

Movistar do not have the same excuse given how strong both Quintana and Valverde are.

Let's not forget Purito and his Brown dawg either.

I think we can add Belkin here. Three guys. Did nothing until Fuglsang and Martin got a gap in the finale.

 

[The Hitch]

Saxo wouldn't have done anything because Contador would not have felt good. They didn't want to awaken the beast so to speak and have Contador go out the back and be done for. Of course, that now requires Contador to be off the planet in the Alps and genuinely challenge Froome.

Movistar do not have the same excuse given how strong both Quintana and Valverde are.

Let's not forget Purito and his Brown dawg either.

Saxo could however have tried to send Roche up the road with a similar placed Movi rider so that both could get some time back on gc and become a threat for the later stages.

 

[The Hitch]

They aren't driving cars. They're using their legs, which are susceptible to fatigue. Racers can't just weigh the opportunities they have tactically, but every sensation they have throughout their body.

When you can't go, you can't go

ugh. Movistar clearly had the energy to ride on the front for 100km. Sending someone up the road requires no more energy than what they used.

 

[Eshnar]

Why do so many people on these forums think genius is an acceptable word to use and why do the mods allow it?

because it is acceptable, unless directed to another user (in which case it is a personal attack - that is ofc forbidden)

 

[roundabout]

movistar were riding against Saxo from the start so Saxo knew if they sent Kreuziger or someone up the road he would just knock himself out and get pegged back by Movistar anyway.

They should have both made an alliance of circumstance. both are chasing the yellow jersey who is quite a bit in front of them. they were given a golden opportunity and almost certainly wont get it again.

Movistar would have sent Quintana or Costa after Kreuziger.

And then it would all have been down to Froome.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Moreno was in the Porte group back when EBH was pacing it, and crossed the groups, so I'd give Katyusha a bit more of a pass.

 

[Miburo]

Moreno was in the Porte group back when EBH was pacing it, and crossed the groups, so I'd give Katyusha a bit more of a pass.

Besides saxo and movistar would have eventually went after purito if he tried something.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Andrey Amador just tweeted that it was a super hard stage, but Movistar achieved their objectives, and "they wanted a spectacle, they got one today!" which means, I guess, that if Movistar really did achieve their objectives for the day then either
a) the pre-stage objectives were met, but the plan wasn't flexible enough to adjust to the situation
b) Movistar weren't quite as ambitious in their objectives from the stage as fans might have hoped

 

[wwabbit]

What? No mention of Sky being the biggest fail? They lost Kiriyenka to OTL, lost Porte's podium spot, and Kennaugh rode off the small cliff allowing Movistar to take advantage starting off everything...

 

[mikeNphilly]

"Damn those dopers!!!"

"Damn these riders for not attacking 100% of the time, I want action all day!"

Can't have it both ways guys, Movistar rode a good race. They did attack Froome on the last climb, he responded and matched it. Was a good race overall today, congrats to Garmin

 

[burning]

What? No mention of Sky being the biggest fail? They lost Kiriyenka to OTL, lost Porte's podium spot, and Kennaugh rode off the small cliff allowing Movistar to take advantage starting off everything...

They were capable of doing nothing at all, it is completely different from having 6 men against 1 for 120 km and doing nothing for 3.5 hours

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

If this was 07, Vino would certainly have done something, but there is need to wish for Vino in 2013... Lol, just kidding. Of course Vino with his olympic form would have attacked Vroomey until he was laying crying on the tarmac, but oh well.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

"Damn those dopers!!!"

"Damn these riders for not attacking 100% of the time, I want action all day!"

Can't have it both ways guys, Movistar rode a good race. They did attack Froome on the last climb, he responded and matched it. Was a good race overall today, congrats to Garmin

Yet again the conflation of attacking cycling with doping. Remember Levi?

While I wouldn't put a cent on Lucho being definitely clean, the 80s were a completely different era in terms of the science behind doping, and Herrera wasn't the kind of guy to sit in the pack all day on a stage like this.

 

[batchuba]

I thought Movistar and Saxo did just fine. Movistar isolated Froome and Quintana tried a few digs. Decent effort.
Why would Saxo attack when it was clear Contador would be the one to lose out? It was damage limitation for Saxo today, and they limited it to none at all.

You sure are a demanding lot.