Who wins the tour 2014 now?

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Not sure about that. Today's finish suited AC far more than Nibali and he gained what, 3 seconds. Noting that AC is 2.34 behind that gap will take some closing based upon what I saw today. If Contador does not show more than he will need to gain time on TT to have any chance of making the top step. But it's very early days.

Contador seemed relatively fresh at the finish line, unlike Nibali. I don't think he went all out.

The mountain stages suit Contador far better, as well. I think he's just measuring his effort over three weeks. He could have maybe taken 10 seconds yesterday, but what would be the point, when he can take minutes in the mountains?

This Tour looks tailor made for him, actually... until the TT, that is. Perfect for a Froome - Contador battle, but not much else.

 

[RedheadDane]

Nobody is gonna win it now. They still got two more weeks to go.

 

[Oldman]

Nibbie's squad managed to off the jersey today and should be able to settle back through to the rest day as Gallopin has almost enough time to survive the next stage. Great tactical move if it was intentional.
AC, on the other hand; has to be really serious tomorrow.

 

[maxmartin]

Nibbie's squad managed to off the jersey today and should be able to settle back through to the rest day as Gallopin has almost enough time to survive the next stage. Great tactical move if it was intentional.
AC, on the other hand; has to be really serious tomorrow.

NO way, SAxo will drill hard tomorrow, Gallopin has no way to keep the jersey, unless he can find the yellow magic, or Saxo deploy some other tacktics

 

[Jspear]

NO way, SAxo will drill hard tomorrow, Gallopin has no way to keep the jersey, unless he can find the yellow magic, or Saxo deploy some other tacktics

True...if Nibali limits his loses he'll be in Yellow again. Really today's move only got him one days rest....which I guess is better than nothing.

 

[Oldman]

NO way, SAxo will drill hard tomorrow, Gallopin has no way to keep the jersey, unless he can find the yellow magic, or Saxo deploy some other tacktics

Yes, way. Saxo needs to separate from Nibali and will drive/attack to do that damage, first. I don't see them doing the entire job of eliminating all other contenders if Nibali comes along for the ride. That doesn't make tactical sense because it reduces the options Astana would need to cover for the balance of the Tour. There may be surges and repeated attacks but I don't think anything sustained will happen unless they can isolate Nibali.

 

[maxmartin]

Yes, way. Saxo needs to separate from Nibali and will drive/attack to do that damage, first. I don't see them doing the entire job of eliminating all other contenders if Nibali comes along for the ride. That doesn't make tactical sense because it reduces the options Astana would need to cover for the balance of the Tour. There may be surges and repeated attacks but I don't think anything sustained will happen unless they can isolate Nibali.

they have drill hard to isolate Nibali just like they did with stage 8. I don't see how Galapoin can survive this process? Plus Lotto will not ride to protect yellow, the plan is still for VDB.

http://www.steephill.tv/players/720...hboard=tour-de-france&id=303546947906&yr=2014

 

[Oldman]

they have drill hard to isolate Nibali just like they did with stage 8. I don't see how Galapoin can survive this process? Plus Lotto will not ride to protect yellow, the plan is still for VDB.

http://www.steephill.tv/players/720...hboard=tour-de-france&id=303546947906&yr=2014

We pretty much agree on how Nibali gets isolated but IMO Saxo will try doses of effort to accomplish that rather than drive an entire stage. There are other teams that have interests that threaten Nibali as well and a consortium is what's necessary to stir things up.

Why I agree that Lotto isn't preserving his jersey; they'll work some just for the publicity. If the scenario I'm predicting occurs between Saxo/Astana (and others); Gallopin could hang on to enough time to stay in Yellow to the rest day. This is all a guess based on having time on my hands and trying to figure out the logical tactics, like you.

 

[The Hitch]

Yes sometimes losing too much weight (compared with what your body is accustomed to) can cost you power and recovery. I agree about Nibs prospects.

Call it training or call it what you want but it's clear that since a few years ago, some gc riders have been able to lose bucketloads of weight without getting fatigued. So I dint think Nibali will suffer from having lost more than he might be accustomed to.

 

[Oldman]

Call it training or call it what you want but it's clear that since a few years ago, some gc riders have been able to lose bucketloads of weight without getting fatigued. So I dint think Nibali will suffer from having lost more than he might be accustomed to.

Anyone that's crested 15 hours a week training knows you can lose weight and go faster; for awhile. Try 20 hours a week repeatedly and no increase in nutritional volume and you don't lose weight and you stop going faster.
There are programs that help with the 20+ hours as AC can testify. Get beef fortified with Spanish vitamins.

 

[yespatterns]

Anyone that's crested 15 hours a week training knows you can lose weight and go faster; for awhile. Try 20 hours a week repeatedly and no increase in nutritional volume and you don't lose weight and you stop going faster.
There are programs that help with the 20+ hours as AC can testify. Get beef fortified with Spanish vitamins.

A Spanish beef reference. How creative. Take it to the clinic you ingenious joke maker.

 

[Oldman]

A Spanish beef reference. How creative. Take it to the clinic you ingenious joke maker.

Responding cynically, but legitimately to a question that may belong in the clinic. Several folks have been busted recently (not Spaniards) and, if you have an alternate explanation; we can take it to the Clinic where it belongs.

 

[yespatterns]

Responding cynically, but legitimately to a question that may belong in the clinic. Several folks have been busted recently (not Spaniards) and, if you have an alternate explanation; we can take it to the Clinic where it belongs.

I'm not sure you are grasping the function of the clinic and forum rules.

 

[Eriana]

Lets look at the facts for a moment:

1. Stage 8 - Contador had his entire team there and burned through them. Nibali gave his guys a day off and rode on Bertie's slipstream. Short steep climbs were never Nibi's forte, but they are/were Bertie's. Yet Contador could not distance Nibali, who's been controlling the race fort he previous 2 days. Richie, who is not tired had no team mates and barely kept up, but better than Valverde who had all his team mates and could not.
2. Stage 9 - Astana was at the front all day, nobody gave them a break. T-S guys had the day off except for the final 40km or so. Sky pretty much took the day off all together. Also, unlike the other 2 teams, Sky had 2 people in the groupetto resting.
3. Stage 10 - I am curious who is going to be controlling the race, because I doubt Astana will or that Lotto can. I also don't think Sky has the man-power to the the jersey this week and keep it. On the other hand, if Contador attacks, the only person right now who brought back Bertie from attachs in 2013 and 2014 years and is still in the race is Richie Porte (as seen in the Dauphine).

Say what you might about Froomey leaving ( ( ), but this is still a mighty interesting Tour.

Richie can still pull a Cadel and win, which would be great for no other reason that I am curious with 3 TDF winners who will lead the team next year. I would pay serious money to see Sky lead by Porte with Froomey and Wiggins as domestiques.

 

[movingtarget]

Lets look at the facts for a moment:

1. Stage 8 - Contador had his entire team there and burned through them. Nibali gave his guys a day off and rode on Bertie's slipstream. Short steep climbs were never Nibi's forte, but they are/were Bertie's. Yet Contador could not distance Nibali, who's been controlling the race fort he previous 2 days. Richie, who is not tired had no team mates and barely kept up, but better than Valverde who had all his team mates and could not.
2. Stage 9 - Astana was at the front all day, nobody gave them a break. T-S guys had the day off except for the final 40km or so. Sky pretty much took the day off all together. Also, unlike the other 2 teams, Sky had 2 people in the groupetto resting.
3. Stage 10 - I am curious who is going to be controlling the race, because I doubt Astana will or that Lotto can. I also don't think Sky has the man-power to the the jersey this week and keep it. On the other hand, if Contador attacks, the only person right now who brought back Bertie from attachs in 2013 and 2014 years and is still in the race is Richie Porte (as seen in the Dauphine).

Say what you might about Froomey leaving ( ( ), but this is still a mighty interesting Tour.

Richie can still pull a Cadel and win, which would be great for no other reason that I am curious with 3 TDF winners who will lead the team next year. I would pay serious money to see Sky lead by Porte with Froomey and Wiggins as domestiques.

I think if Nibali gets in serious trouble today he can't win the Tour. The pressure will be on and if he rides well he will be back in Yellow tomorrow. I just don't see Astana having much of an impact in the mountains. The team does not look strong on paper or even on the moderate climbs so far. Nibali is sure to be isolated probably more than Porte.

 

[Carols]

Responding cynically, but legitimately to a question that may belong in the clinic. Several folks have been busted recently (not Spaniards) and, if you have an alternate explanation; we can take it to the Clinic where it belongs.

Why don't You take it where it belongs...which is Not Here.

 

[Cookster15]

I think if Nibali gets in serious trouble today he can't win the Tour. The pressure will be on and if he rides well he will be back in Yellow tomorrow. I just don't see Astana having much of an impact in the mountains. The team does not look strong on paper or even on the moderate climbs so far. Nibali is sure to be isolated probably more than Porte.

I read Brad is picking Nibali.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins-to-stay-at-team-sky-in-2015

I think Nibali will win the Tour, he's my favourite. If he goes as well as he did when he won the Giro last year, if he's got the same condition, I think he's unbeatable

 

[whittashau]

How is Nibali sure to be more isolated than Porte? That makes no sense. Birdsong finished top ten last year, Scarponi is a GT winner.

 

[Sciocco]

Since it is the first rest day...

Time for a new "who wins" poll thread? Options: Current top9 GC + Vino?


I don't know how to make a thread with a poll, otherwise...

 

[Afrank]

Since it is the first rest day...

Time for a new "who wins" poll thread? Options: Current top9 GC + Vino?


I don't know how to make a thread with a poll, otherwise...

Just check the box that says "yes, post a poll with this thread" that is in the additional options box when creating a new thread.

It will then take you to the poll to enter the choices after you hit submit this thread. Don't forget to check the votes are public box.

 

[Sciocco]

Just check the box that says "yes, post a poll with this thread" that is in the additional options box when creating a new thread.

It will then take you to the poll to enter the choices after you hit submit this thread. Don't forget to check the votes are public box.

Thank you.