Pro Cycling 2015 thread: Le Tour, Giro, Vuelta, etc. - Page 28 - Sporting Events and Fantasy Sports

It's not just this race where that is the obvious situation. In the past Porte has always had at least one epically bad day per grand tour, even when he was riding as team leader. He is not a reliable grand tour leader so I hope BMC are not relying on him.

The only grand tour that I can remember him being a team leader and preparing himself as one was for the Giro this year and he only fell by the wayside ultimately because of some bad luck and incurring of penalties (when he swapped over his bike with another team's rider).

He's still relatively young and I don't see TJ being that much better as he has absolutely tried to prime himself for the tour.

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07-24-2015 , 08:35 PM

#677

stevie_larson

journeyman

Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 272

Quote:

Originally Posted by bundy5

Even functioning as a super domestique he has at least one terrible off day every GT and that's without the pressure of being a leader.

Edit - he came apart even after that penalty and the sickness he experienced wasn't the first time that's come up in a major race

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07-25-2015 , 02:25 AM

#678

kevin21

SE Spokesman

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 62,020

Today is Sammy Sanchez day. 66/1 to win the stage

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07-25-2015 , 05:01 AM

#679

unwantedguest

Guest

Posts: n/a

Read last few pages and see no chat about doping or motorcycles.

Everybody clean and have I been whooshed on the motorcycle thing?

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07-25-2015 , 07:17 AM

#680

Cinarocket

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14,790

Everybody is clean marty nothing to see here

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07-25-2015 , 07:18 AM

#681

jannibarzul

journeyman

Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 392

Quote:

Originally Posted by swighey

I don't think you missed anything in the last two years. But maybe I missed myself saying Quintana was "dropped" because I don't recall saying it.

Who were these riders (note, I am not talking about anyone "dropping" Quintana)? Froome and Porte as far as stage 10 in this tour. Maybe some others but I can't quite pin it down right now, maybe I "missed" it. Wiggins is a better "climber" than all of these guys on near zero gradient slopes - if that helps you understand my context. Anyway, as I said Quintana is the best climber in the world when it's steep (an opinion I think you share). Maybe you think stage 10 wasn't "important" so Quintana didn't bother winning it?

Well you said MANY riders are better than him uphill when it is not so steep and i was just wondering who are these riders, because besides the stage 10 I can not remember anyone being better uphill than quintana in the last 2 years. And not so sure about the wiggins talk, i guess he should have 5-10kg more than his optimal climbing weight because he is training for the olympics.

But maybe you just meant his edge on the not so steep climb (up to 6-7%) is just smaller and more riders can follow him than on the steep ones.

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07-25-2015 , 07:29 AM

#682

lofcuk

old hand

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,531

So much for my thinking/hoping Thomas would get a podium! I don't think there is anything suspicious about how Thomas and Porte are riding. Just fatigue after hard racing. I don't think there will be a problem Sky putting in one more top performance today.

Quintana? Meh, too little, too late.

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07-25-2015 , 07:46 AM

#683

kevin21

SE Spokesman

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 62,020

I guess it all depends what Movistar want to do.

GC is too far away you would assume so I think they will be happy to keep 2 & 3 and then try and launch either of those guys off the front to win the stage.

Obv we all hope that is crap and they try to isolate Froome on the 1st climb and attack him as early as possible and hope Quintana can pull of a miracle.

Nibali will be the interesting one to watch after his exploits yesterday.

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07-25-2015 , 08:52 AM

#684

bundy5

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Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 8,140

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevie_larson

Ok but you will admit that was his tour when he lost that time given the strength of the field for the Giro.

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07-25-2015 , 08:54 AM

#685

derwipok

Power Ranger

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 54,312

Zomg they are actually pressuring Froome already.

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07-25-2015 , 08:54 AM

#686

jannibarzul

journeyman

Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 392

Valverde with the yolo move

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07-25-2015 , 08:57 AM

#687

esad

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 13,183

Finally someone decided to go early. These last climb moves were at best barely making a dent in the lead. It'd be cool if this works.

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07-25-2015 , 08:58 AM

#688

Error Prone

centurion

Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 154

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannibarzul

Valverde with the yolo move

I almost want it to come off. I like Froome but this is brave.

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07-25-2015 , 09:00 AM

#689

jannibarzul

journeyman

Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 392

OMG Quintana is this real. Serpa helping him a few meters

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07-25-2015 , 09:02 AM

#690

derwipok

Power Ranger

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 54,312

This is great.

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07-25-2015 , 09:04 AM

#691

mw828

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Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 29,301

please let them get out of sight

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07-25-2015 , 09:06 AM

#692

mw828

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 29,301

oh froome hitting back. this attack may get caught quick.

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07-25-2015 , 09:08 AM

#693

guivre1408

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3,587

Yeah **** teammates they are useless for the show

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07-25-2015 , 09:25 AM

#694

Cinarocket

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Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14,790

need a few more colombians up front

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07-25-2015 , 09:31 AM

#695

Cinarocket

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Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14,790

Easier said that done but was surprised to see Bardet not trying to get on the break and score as many points as he can at the Croix-de-fer. Staying with the favorites he was likely gonna get dropped and couldn't have scored many points anyway and Froome was always going to outscore him at l'alphe d'huez. Can kiss his jersey goodbye now

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07-25-2015 , 09:52 AM

#696

1989

journeyman

Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 374

Lets go Quintana xD

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07-25-2015 , 09:54 AM

#697

Cinarocket

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14,790

Can't help thinking how more excited I'd be if Quintana had maybe tried earlier yesterday and gained an extra minute.

You're not taking 3mins from Froome here