Who's going to gain the most on the cobbles?

[rote_laterne]

Mollema, Nibali and probably Valverde. Kwiatowski will do fine too.

 

[williamp78]

They made the point on the GCN preview (here) that what counts here is power (as opposed to p/w ratio), meaning the bantamweight Froome is vulnerable. Add in the fact that anyone with outside GC hopes needs every second he can get and the only conclusion is that someone's going to have a right go tomorrow.

Froome may be very light but he still produces a lot of watts. If he didn't then he wouldnt be such a good time triallist.

Pure mountain goats would be very vulnerable for the reason you state; but guys like pozzovivo or even quintana aren't here.

Going to hopefully be pretty epic no matter what; though i'll be stuck at work missing every second of it

 

[King Boonen]

Remember it's not just about watts. The bike will bounce about and some upper body and core strength is required to keep it pointed in a straight line.

I think an injured Froome could have some really problems.

 

[inthepink]

The issue tomorrow isn't power and while good team mates are a necessity the real problem is the arbitrary nature of the cobbles and crashes

We see loads in races where riders know who to ride the cobbles ....tomorrow there are many who have never ridden them (some doing their first tour)...so at the end of the day there is an element of luck

 

[nunomb]

From all of these guys, Costa has best result in the paris-roubaix, right?

 

[DenisMenchov]

Didnt he say cobbles don't belong in the tour?

He did.
He gains the most severe injury 100%

 

[Fzotrlool]

Dawg. His crash will not have any consequences.

I think at least two main guys and two underdogs will crash so bad that they are forced to leave the Tour. Papy Horner will be one of those underdogs.

 

[woodburn]

Zubeldia to board the Cancellara train all the way to the yellow jersey.

That would allow the ninja to stay hidden.

 

[go crazy]

I apologize for omission of Kwia.
Be free to name him in posts, as it's already done.

Yes, thank you. Out on a limb for sure, but I will say Kwiatkowski takes 2' being sucked along the OPQS freight train that is going to rip the peloton to shreds tomorrow.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Yes, thank you. Out on a limb for sure, but I will say Kwiatkowski takes 2' being sucked along the OPQS freight train that is going to rip the peloton to shreds tomorrow.

I will be interested to see how Tony Martin goes on the cobbles. Has he ever raced them before?

 

[Forunculo]

Talansky is my choice. Garmin has bring good escorts... unlike Oleg

 

[blaxland]

Voted Mollema but thats more bias than anything,also would like to see Alberto gain some time.But realistically Kwiatovski will be the main time gainer,as others have said he has the best cobbles team to support him and from what ive heard he rides them well.The overall GC will definantley get a shake up tonight,can't wait"

 

[Netserk]

I will be interested to see how Tony Martin goes on the cobbles. Has he ever raced them before?

He was the one who caused the Frank crash last time IIRC. He is absolutely terrible on cobbles.

 

[luckyboy]

Vanmarcke and Boom for Mollema

I read that Boom said he will be riding for himself and won't wait. Same likely for Sep too

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I read that Boom said he will be riding for himself and won't wait. Same likely for Sep too

Well that would surprise me, but I guess Belkin still have riders who can support Mollema here. Wynants and Tankink have solid experience.

 

[fungusbear]

I am hoping that Froome and Contador will lose a small amount of time to Nibali, and a decent amount (over a minute to the likes of Talanksy). This would force the best two riders into playing catch up in the mountains

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

He was the one who caused the Frank crash last time IIRC. He is absolutely terrible on cobbles.

Thanks. I don't remember him there at all. Let's see if he has improved then.