Which team was the biggest fail in stage 9?

[Nuash65]

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

But the word is a term of abuse for people with learning difficulties. Do you allow cripple, p**f, n***** ... I could go on. Haven't we realised as a society that words that are so derogatory to a section of society are not acceptable as general insults?

Thank you to whoever changed the thread title.

 

[burning]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9b3Qf8PPOHk#t=373s

This guy clearly does not know what he's talking about, Froome just did fine vs 6 men from 2 teams each

 

[Poursuivant]

It seems like a missed opportunity for the rest. Sky will have a relatively easy week until Ventoux to recover. Froome was impressive today, but if he would have been attacked from all comers it may have been different. Two tough days take their toll I suppose, ask Richie Porte.

 

[Stetoe]

Belkin and Katusha also poor.

Why, exactly?

 

[Carols]

Sky
10 char

 

[Dutchsmurf]

Why, exactly?

Because they tried absolutely nothing. Although compared to Movistar it is only a minor fail.

 

[Stetoe]

Because they tried absolutely nothing. Although compared to Movistar it is only a minor fail.

Well, what were they supposed to do?

 

[fantomas]

Sky, even though Froome saved the day for them.

 

[WillemS]

Well, what were they supposed to do?

The problem with Belkin is that would have been content with one top-5 placing, they are over the moon with the current 3rd and 4th place. They will only defend their positions, I don't think they will attack. I can't blame them, either, as I think attacking would eventually mean losing time for them. They're maxed-out, I think.

 

[Jelantik]

Sky, even though Froome saved the day for them.

+1. Definitely Sky.
Lost kiryenka above time limit *surprising*
Porte nosed dive to 18 minutes * surprising after the mighty performance yesterday*
the rest of his team finished with gruppeto

Froome still holds the jersey. But paris is still a long way. He was asked yesterday about taking the yellow jersey too early. He answered quickly. Not at all, he is confidence with the strength of his team. Well today is at least a glimpse of how strong his team for the next two weeks.

+ The winner of today's stage
Saxo Tinkoff
with a weaker contador, the rest of the field can't take more time off him. That's a precious opportunity that the rest of the field might not get in the third week.

 

[The Hitch]

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

I said before the stage i feared Movistar would just ride for Valverde's podium which he said before was his objective and that seems to be what they are doing.

also maybe they think they get good publicity for playing sky for a day.

 

[The Hitch]

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.

Why is "isolated" an achievement. if you isolate an opponent but then give him a free ride for the rest of the stage you have accomplished absolutely nothing.

Its like in football earning a penalty in order to level a game you are losing, missing it on purpose, then truimphantly running back celebrating that you won the penalty.

 

[The Barb]

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

Totally agree. And the response that it's ok because it's not directed at anyone is particular is weak.

Let's see if these words get through:
******
******.

Not directing them at anyone, just using them ...

 

[Nuash65]

Totally agree. And the response that it's ok because it's not directed at anyone is particular is weak.

Let's see if these words get through:
******
******.

Not directing them at anyone, just using them ...

Thank you, I feel relieved that at least someone else on the forums agrees with me on this matter!

 

[Vino's Mum]

Kennaugh's tumble, some vintage Richie Porte, Kiry's BSOD, and Froomie joining Movistar.

Has to be Sky.

 

[batchuba]

Why is "isolated" an achievement. if you isolate an opponent but then give him a free ride for the rest of the stage you have accomplished absolutely nothing.

Its like in football earning a penalty in order to level a game you are losing, missing it on purpose, then truimphantly running back celebrating that you won the penalty.

I didn't say anything about "celebrating", or "achievements". I said it was a decent effort.

If we must use a football analogy, it would be more akin to putting together a good move, getting through on the keeper, but finishing with an unconvincing shot. You are at least creating chances, which is most definitely something.

I am assuming you were massively frustrated by their inability to do more from such a promising position? Me too. But I got over it.

The Sky team were given a bit of a kicking, and Kiri is out - while a whole lot less than what might have been, I disagree that it amounts to "absolutely nothing".

But then...I'm less demanding.

 

[Escarabajo]

Sky.

During the race I thought Movistar was the biggest failure, but after the race was over and thinking with a cold head what just had happened I have to say that Sky had it the worse:

Sky Problems:

- Showed weakness as a Team
- Lost a valuable rider for the mountains and flats.
- Lost leverage in GC by Porte loosing too much time.
- Froome looked a little nervous and not so cold headed. This could come back to hurt him. If Contador recovers and Valverde gains confidence, we can have several guys attacking him and I am sure he cannot follow all of them.

As for Movistar it looks like they are racing 100% for Valverde and he looked not to be in the best shape to attack. So he called off the attacks from Quintana. He was just happy to eliminate Porte. They look fine with 3 guys in GC. Maybe they gain strength and confidence for the last week of the Tour.

 

[roundabout]

Of course Froome would look nervous when he is alone against 12 Saxo/Movistar riders with 130k to go.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

How long is Valverde's contract?

 

[Richeypen]

Thought Froome played it just right. Followed the right wheels and let the right riders go, not a lot else he could (or should) have done. Sky as a whole were poor though. Kick in the eye for those who said that Froome would be better off not having Wiggo at the Tour, no way even on Giro form would he have been dropped today.

 

[cineteq]

Saxo's the biggest fail. Movistar did they part, yet they could've done more. KAT was also a fail. Anyway, the good news is that Froome now is very vulnerable, and most likely end the same way he did in 2012 Vuelta.

 

[burning]

How long is Valverde's contract?

As long as he wants to ride I guess

 

[the asian]

Movistar. They had a very good chance to either be in yellow or reduce the gap to Froome and did neither despite isolating him for 140 Kms.
Saxo gets a pass, mainly because I think Contador isn't too comfortable yet.

 

[DHammer]

Before reading all comments i will say my opinion.

Saxo Bank failed more than Movistar.

While Saxo can have the excuse that they are waiting for the Alpes and Contador is limiting losses because he isn't in shape atm. They could have done a lot more to help Movistar.

Movistar failed mostly to us supporters who were expecting carnage all over the road.

For them, they did not failed (maybe just to the point they failed to deliver stage victory for Valverde).
Their objective is podium for Valverde and team victory, while getting some stage victories for Valverde, Quintana and Costa.

They really tried today but couldn't do more!

 

[Rollthedice]

Movistar. They had a very good chance to either be in yellow or reduce the gap to Froome and did neither despite isolating him for 140 Kms.
Saxo gets a pass, mainly because I think Contador isn't too comfortable yet.

They can't put time into Froome alone. Valverde is the leader and he just can't ride away, Quintana isn't allowed. The only chance would have been combined attacks with contador and others.