Will Froome survive the three big stages.

[Marco Pantani]

We know Sky was playing games in the stage to Bagneres de Bigorre, and Porte could be sitting in second place, if he was allowed to. But now the three decisive stages are looming and the peloton seems ready to bring the hurt to Sky from kilometer zero. Personally i believe the race isn't over yet and it's possible to isolate Froome and finally ride him out of the jersey. I'm really hoping for three epic stages to crack Froome. Tomorrow, he will add at least 1:30 into everybody, i fear.

 

[airstream]

'The peloton' is said to loudly. All Froome needs is to mark Contador.

 

[cyclogenesis]

After each major effort Froome has had a rest.. If he pulls a killer TT to tomorrow (given two Cat 2s) watch for him to struggle on alpe d'huez * 2

It will be up to Porte, who will take it easy tomorrow to stick to him like glue and pull him up.. but with the gradients there I do not know how much sitting in Porte's shadow will help..

Going to be massive!

 

[Wigwan]

'The peloton' is said to loudly. All Froome needs is to mark Contador.

Froome has yet to show any tactical sense...

 

[Marco Pantani]

'The peloton' is said to loudly. All Froome needs is to mark Contador.

That means Dan Martin pulling with Kreuziger for example.

 

[the sceptic]

Im sure Froome can just go solo and bridge up to whoever he needs to if he gets isolated.

 

[airstream]

Froome has yet to show any tactical sense...

Believe he has enough tactical sense you sit on Contador's wheel. If you are eager to spin the things so that everything plays against him, you'll succeed no doubt. But it is surrealistic theories mostly.

 

[webbie146]

After each major effort Froome has had a rest.. If he pulls a killer TT to tomorrow (given two Cat 2s) watch for him to struggle on alpe d'huez * 2

It will be up to Porte, who will take it easy tomorrow to stick to him like glue and pull him up.. but with the gradients there I do not know how much sitting in Porte's shadow will help..

Going to be massive!

All GC contender are gonna give it all they have tomorrow, not only Froome.

 

[Afrank]

The pessimist/realist in me, says he'll easily survive them or even add to his GC lead.

The optimist/hopeful side in me, says the others will test Froome and Sky's resolve with great tactics, technical descending, and epic attacks.

I'm going to take the optimist approach.

 

[airstream]

That means Dan Martin pulling with Kreuziger for example.

No problem. Sky will let them go and launch a positional pursuit. Saxo showed many times in the Tour Kreuziger as a team #1 doesn't interest them whatsoever and in such a case it will play against them since Sky know that Kreuziger is only a diversion.

 

[DenisMenchov]

The real question is will Froome be able to pull a Grand Slam? Win TT, LGB stage, Alpe stage and Annecy + he already won on Ax 3 and Mont Ventoux, so he can win every MTF in the race. Looking forward to seeing 7 W/kg on Alpe d'Huez.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Yes.


...............

 

[Marco Pantani]

No problem. Sky will let them go and launch a positional pursuit. Saxo showed many times in the Tour Kreuziger as a team #1 doesn't interest them whatsoever and in such a case it will play against them since Sky know that Kreuziger is only a diversion.

I'm not talking of solos or duos going up the roads. That was only an example to make clear there are enough riders and teams with an interest to work against the yellow jersey. We will see bigger groups for sure.

 

[spalco]

If Froome adds two minutes tomorrow, it would require a monumental break down for him to lose the yellow jersey, not just a big one.

 

[airstream]

I'm not talking of solos or duos going up the roads. That was only an example to make clear there are enough riders and teams with an interest to work against the yellow jersey. We will see bigger groups for sure.

It is an ideal hypothetical anti Froome scenario which is very far from be played in reality. The teams have their goals - to win the stages, to go up on the GC and so on. It has minimum to do with dropping the strongest rider.

 

[Marco Pantani]

It is an ideal hypothetical anti Froome scenario which is very far from be played in reality. The teams have their goals - to win the stages, to go up on the GC and so on. It has minimum to do with dropping the strongest rider.

All thats needed is the same that we saw on stage 9. Also the top 15 have no reason to hold back, or ride against Porte.

 

[Alphabet]

The only way he won't survive these three stages is if he is forced to abandon because of injury or illness.

 

[airstream]

All thats needed is the same that we saw on stage 9. Also the top 15 have no reason to hold back, or ride against Porte.

To defend is easier than to attack. Froome should defend against 1, 2 guys at most.. I think you realize HOW much stronger these 1-2 should be to put into 4 min back and to what extent it is probable.

 

[martinvickers]

I think this scenario involves the other teams sharing the Clinic's attitudes, and that's not how it works. I'm sure Belkin have no love of Froome, but the idea they'll let someone else's team win even at the price of costing mollema a podium doesn't bears scruitiny.

If anything, fortunately or unfortunately, it actually suits Moviestar to hold the race together, as it increases Quintana's podium hopes, as well as his KOM hopes. A possible white/KOM/Podium/Alpe Stage win grand slam is going to matter rather a lot more to movistar than enjoying Saxo pull one over on froome.

Of course, surprises are always happening - but it would be a surprise.

 

[InterestedSpectator]

We know Sky was playing games in the stage to Bagneres de Bigorre, and Porte could be sitting in second place, if he was allowed to. But now the three decisive stages are looming and the peloton seems ready to bring the hurt to Sky from kilometer zero. Personally i believe the race isn't over yet and it's possible to isolate Froome and finally ride him out of the jersey. I'm really hoping for three epic stages to bring them Skyborgs down. Tomorrow Froome will add at least 1:30 into everybody, i fear.

But why do you hope for this and 'fear' the last (I mean - 'them skyborgs' - really!) and what on earth motivates you with these views about people you do not know? I don't understand why people have to associate themselves in this way. A true enthusiast does not care who wins, just that it's an exciting competition, surely?

 

[Pricey_sky]

Froome has yet to show any tactical sense...

Following Valverde on stage 9 which meant Saxo had to chase, then marking Quintana on the final climb. Also working with Quintana on Ventoux to put even more time into his rivals.

These moves make great sense for Froome, perhaps not on your views of who you want to win the race but still....

 

[shades1]

i lolled a little when i saw this poll

the only way froome is losing this tour is by falling off the side of the mountain ... well there is one other way but thats not for this part of the forum .

 

[wwabbit]

But why do you hope for this and 'fear' the last (I mean - 'them skyborgs' - really!) and what on earth motivates you with these views about people you do not know? I don't understand why people have to associate themselves in this way. A true enthusiast does not care who wins, just that it's an exciting competition, surely?

You must be new here, welcome to the cyclingnews.com forum!

But seriously, I wouldn't worry too much. I think most enthusiasts are rational and mature. Forums however attract the vocal minority that have heavily invested their emotions into their favourite riders and see the need to insult their rival riders and fans to justify their fandom. You will just have to mentally filter out the noise and you will find that there are constructive and informative posts to be found in here.

 

[Marco Pantani]

But why do you hope for this and 'fear' the last (I mean - 'them skyborgs' - really!) and what on earth motivates you with these views about people you do not know? I don't understand why people have to associate themselves in this way. A true enthusiast does not care who wins, just that it's an exciting competition, surely?

I thought it was pretty clear???

Fear obviously means i expect Froome to gain a lot of time.
What on earth do you mean with the following part? I'm a cycling fan, thats why i dislike that weird Sky dominance. Clinic related issues aside. And finally a true enthusiast should be eager for real racing, only a Sky enthusiast would be happy with one rider dominating the TTS and the mountains and his teammade dropping the whole peloton. I would't mind Frooeme or Sky winning in general, but the way they perform ruined last years Tour and at least threatened this edition in the same way.

You're welcome.

 

[Marco Pantani]

You must be new here, welcome to the cyclingnews.com forum!

But seriously, I wouldn't worry too much. I think most enthusiasts are rational and mature. Forums however attract the vocal minority that have heavily invested their emotions into their favourite riders and see the need to insult their rival riders and fans to justify their fandom. You will just have to mentally filter out the noise and you will find that there are constructive and informative posts to be found in here.

Since you can't possily be talking about me, i agree 100 per cent.