You are reading wayyyy too much into this. If Nibali is in the same shape as last year he still has a chance. He rode a slightly higer W/kg on the big climbs in 2014 than Froome did in 2013.

Andy also lost 8-9 seconds on this climb in 2011. He was still fine in the mountains that year(although arguably not as strong as in 2010).

Astana do look really bad overall though. They went to the front with 4-5 riders with 9 km to go and 2 km later Nibali only had Fuglsang left. The whole team just seem kind of weak.

Dan Martin mistiming his attack as usual was pretty funny. Great win from Vuillermoz. Strong attack at the right time.

This is just way off and I doubt anyone else than casual fans thought that.

Of course he is good not great , put him in the Tour and he isn't a threat to win. Put him in the Giro against the second string guys and he has a chance.

I love it when a French guy wins!

Andro just in bad old form today

huh?

Alright, if you want you can choose to ignore the fact that all number suggest Nibali rode the mountains in the 2014 Tour just as fast Froome did in the 2013 Tour. I'm just saying that your comments scream of "casual fan who never watches cycling outside of July" - not that there's anything wrong with that.

And your posts scream of italian fanboy who knows nothing of the sport outside of italians

Nibali just doesn't get much credit. He looked much improved compared to his earlier years in the 2013 Giro (the race Wiggins forgot how to ride in the rain) he won and really doubt Froome/Contador would've had a chance against him last year in the Tour. He has a pretty impressive record for just a good but not great rider. The unfortunate thing is we might never really know how he compares to the others. He might be having a bad year and next year it might be the other guys that don't perform. Guess it is his part to be the one who only wins when others fail. Anyway, I'd call him great just for his GT record. Won them all once and on podium in 7 out of his last 8 GTs.

Anyway, he did crash two days ago so guess he might still bounce back after some rest day magic.

Andro, are you Italian?

No, but I love how that's your only reaction.

Anyway, tomorrow will be interesting. TJ and Sagan are both looking at a possible yellow jersey. Would probably be huge for both of them.

Ah come on man, I'm only yanking your chain. A good ol' difference of opinion is healthy from time to time.

Heh, you're right. No hard feelings.

Anybody, under any circumstances that wins the tour, is a legend. Don't give up on nibbles yet Andro. Va Va Froome looking good though. Also mention in dispatches for Uran, quietley going about business.

He's won 3 grand tours and would have won last year even if Froome and Contador stayed in, he did that well.

lol @ calling a guy with a career triple crown and 4 more GT podiums good but not great

i dont care if the beach chick is hot, i dont want to see anymore talking horse commercials. every goddamn break.

Very excited for the TTT tomorrow as I think BMC has the best team in the race. Hopefully USA #1 can take the yellow and get some additional confidence going into the mountains.

BMC would be the clear favorite tomorrow if it wasn't for the uphill finish at the end IMO. Lotta big guys on that squad maybe tips it to Sky or Tinkoff. Garmin kinda did their TTT a day early, must've not got the memo.

Looking ahead at the rest of the tour reminded me of the 2004 Tour and especially the time trial up the Alpe d'heuz. That's gotta be one of the most memorable stages in the last 15 years or so.

Froome looks to be in better shape this year notwithstanding that he's got a slight advantage over Contador that he comes into the TdF fresher.

Nibali doesn't have such an excuse and will be lucky to make top 5 in the general classification.

Lol

todays stage will have no effect on garmin's time trial tomorrow.

too bad orica is all injured on the stage that could have been their day to shine.

Orica is the only team with only 6 riders in the TTT tomorrrow.

orly

ya rly

a professional cycling team that hasn't done anything for a week can lead a peloton for 40 miles to pull back a 3man breakaway with a 1 minute lead as a completely routine matter.