Kalach wrote:
Nibali said it was impossible to attack today because of headwind on few climbs and on the last climb because of hard tempo set by SKYbots. But moreover downhill was not at all technical and hence no possibilities to make a difference.
Btw how do you assess Quintana’s chances? Do you think he will drop Froome on Alp D Huez?
I think what Quintana lacks is being a rider with balls. Like how was Contador or even Landa nowdays. In my opinion Movistar has a better team in high mountains than Sky so they should exploit this. Over the years the columbian told the media he would wait the perfect time to attack but this never happened or was too late.
As for my fav, Nibali, he said he is feeling great and the preparation for the TDF went well. We shall see in the next days, yet he does not have support like MOV or SKY.
Next two stages will be interesting, especially with the Alp D'Huez finish.
Goes to show how important the pacing of the stages are in the mountains. These stages are actually very, very good in isolation (I love the Romme/Colombiere combo), but you cant have that as the first mountain stage.
Ideally, you would go Alpe d' Huez (hardest MTF ensuring time gaps), La Rosiere and then this stage as the last one - that way it would be ridden a lot less conservative and even though riders still would be scared on the first stage of the three, the hard MTF on the Alpe would guarantee some great action still.
Riis123 wrote:
Goes to show how important the pacing of the stages are in the mountains. These stages are actually very, very good in isolation (I love the Romme/Colombiere combo), but you cant have that as the first mountain stage.
Ideally, you would go Alpe d' Huez (hardest MTF ensuring time gaps), La Rosiere and then this stage as the last one - that way it would be ridden a lot less conservative and even though riders still would be scared on the first stage of the three, the hard MTF on the Alpe would guarantee some great action still.
This is absolutely true. I don't understand why these big organizations don't use such a simple method that would make racing so much more exciting.. logistics isn't an issue the way I see it, they're in the Alps and they will race there for 3 straight days, transfers and such would be the same Km. Maybe 2019..
Riis123 wrote:
Goes to show how important the pacing of the stages are in the mountains. These stages are actually very, very good in isolation (I love the Romme/Colombiere combo), but you cant have that as the first mountain stage.
Ideally, you would go Alpe d' Huez (hardest MTF ensuring time gaps), La Rosiere and then this stage as the last one - that way it would be ridden a lot less conservative and even though riders still would be scared on the first stage of the three, the hard MTF on the Alpe would guarantee some great action still.
This is absolutely true. I don't understand why these big organizations don't use such a simple method that would make racing so much more exciting.. logistics isn't an issue the way I see it, they're in the Alps and they will race there for 3 straight days, transfers and such would be the same Km. Maybe 2019..
Because if they did that Frome would be 5 mins clear after the first mountain stage and the race would be over. . They are trying to keep it close for as long as possible.
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
Riis123 wrote:
Goes to show how important the pacing of the stages are in the mountains. These stages are actually very, very good in isolation (I love the Romme/Colombiere combo), but you cant have that as the first mountain stage.
Ideally, you would go Alpe d' Huez (hardest MTF ensuring time gaps), La Rosiere and then this stage as the last one - that way it would be ridden a lot less conservative and even though riders still would be scared on the first stage of the three, the hard MTF on the Alpe would guarantee some great action still.
Excellent post. I don't need to add anything.
Still, the riders are to blame too.
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan' Gracias Alberto.
— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) July 17, 2018
Romme was slow but still the Sky train killed the race.
Tommy D: "With a strong team as Sky there, they can make a pace that everyone is on their limit. You can accelerate a bit, but then you will get caught and next you will get dropped. That is what everybody is so afraid of. It makes racing really difficulty".
Riis123 wrote:
Goes to show how important the pacing of the stages are in the mountains. These stages are actually very, very good in isolation (I love the Romme/Colombiere combo), but you cant have that as the first mountain stage.
Ideally, you would go Alpe d' Huez (hardest MTF ensuring time gaps), La Rosiere and then this stage as the last one - that way it would be ridden a lot less conservative and even though riders still would be scared on the first stage of the three, the hard MTF on the Alpe would guarantee some great action still.
Excellent post. I don't need to add anything.
Still, the riders are to blame too.
Exactly what I was thinking when I saw the route and especially once I watched the stage. Love that profile (used Romme/Colombiere in my Carbon Throne routes #plug) but not as the first Alpine stage.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [PT] Xero Racing
Until Alps are in the mid of the Tour, this stage is ridden like a day off by GC riders imo...not sure if sequence can change it, contrariwise I think Alp d'Huez like first one can be less terrific, with next stages in mind...btw if Sky-train is still working well I'm not expecting an enjoyable stage tomorrow neither...
Riis123 wrote:
Goes to show how important the pacing of the stages are in the mountains. These stages are actually very, very good in isolation (I love the Romme/Colombiere combo), but you cant have that as the first mountain stage.
Ideally, you would go Alpe d' Huez (hardest MTF ensuring time gaps), La Rosiere and then this stage as the last one - that way it would be ridden a lot less conservative and even though riders still would be scared on the first stage of the three, the hard MTF on the Alpe would guarantee some great action still.
Excellent post. I don't need to add anything.
Still, the riders are to blame too.
Exactly what I was thinking when I saw the route and especially once I watched the stage. Love that profile (used Romme/Colombiere in my Carbon Throne routes #plug) but not as the first Alpine stage.
Indeed. When it was used at the end of a mountain block it gave proper gaps in 2009.
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan' Gracias Alberto.
. They are trying to keep it close for as long as possible.
