Paul Lake's Left Knee said:Working from home today ;-)
Another sprinter day, unless its windy and they go hell for leather again, hopefully another win for Cav...
Shands said:I hadn't realised tomorrows climb is the same one on which Andy and Alberto played that game of cat and mouse in 2010, slowing virtually to a stand still while Menchov, Samu and co rode on ahead up the slopes. It'd be nice to see Schleck back in that company again if he can manage it.
Shands said:I hadn't realised tomorrows climb is the same one on which Andy and Alberto played that game of cat and mouse in 2010, slowing virtually to a stand still while Menchov, Samu and co rode on ahead up the slopes. It'd be nice to see Schleck back in that company again if he can manage it.
Rascal said:Shands said:I hadn't realised tomorrows climb is the same one on which Andy and Alberto played that game of cat and mouse in 2010, slowing virtually to a stand still while Menchov, Samu and co rode on ahead up the slopes. It'd be nice to see Schleck back in that company again if he can manage it.
Looking forward to tomorrow.
Will we see the Sky train blast them to pieces or will any of the other GC contenders snatch it. Kiriyenka, Lopez, Stannard and not suprisingly Thomas all got dropped on the cat 2 climb today. Were they all resting for tomorrow or are Sky not as strong as last year?
Shands said:Rascal said:Shands said:I hadn't realised tomorrows climb is the same one on which Andy and Alberto played that game of cat and mouse in 2010, slowing virtually to a stand still while Menchov, Samu and co rode on ahead up the slopes. It'd be nice to see Schleck back in that company again if he can manage it.
Looking forward to tomorrow.
Will we see the Sky train blast them to pieces or will any of the other GC contenders snatch it. Kiriyenka, Lopez, Stannard and not suprisingly Thomas all got dropped on the cat 2 climb today. Were they all resting for tomorrow or are Sky not as strong as last year?
No I don't think Sky are quite as strong as last year, and the competition is certainly much much stronger this time around.
I'm sure Sky would like to establish a train tomorrow (made more difficult by Thomas' condition) but personally I'm not sure they'll be allowed to, I expect attacks. Movistar for example could let either/or Valverde and Quintana take off and force a response. Garmin could also play that card with one of Martin, Talansky or Heijsdal; Katusha with Rodriguez or Moreno; Saxo with Kreuiziger; even Andy Schleck. There are plenty of GC threats who will have to be marked, predominantly by Sky. Some of those mentioned may even form a group and do it that way. Alternatively though Sky could pre-empt the others and let Richie go for it, though that's risky for Froome if he has a problem. Then of course you have the wild cards like Pinot, Rolland, Mollema etc who may just want to animate things.
If they're primed for action it could be a lot of fun!
Rascal said:Shands said:Rascal said:Looking forward to tomorrow.
Will we see the Sky train blast them to pieces or will any of the other GC contenders snatch it. Kiriyenka, Lopez, Stannard and not suprisingly Thomas all got dropped on the cat 2 climb today. Were they all resting for tomorrow or are Sky not as strong as last year?
No I don't think Sky are quite as strong as last year, and the competition is certainly much much stronger this time around.
I'm sure Sky would like to establish a train tomorrow (made more difficult by Thomas' condition) but personally I'm not sure they'll be allowed to, I expect attacks. Movistar for example could let either/or Valverde and Quintana take off and force a response. Garmin could also play that card with one of Martin, Talansky or Heijsdal; Katusha with Rodriguez or Moreno; Saxo with Kreuiziger; even Andy Schleck. There are plenty of GC threats who will have to be marked, predominantly by Sky. Some of those mentioned may even form a group and do it that way. Alternatively though Sky could pre-empt the others and let Richie go for it, though that's risky for Froome if he has a problem. Then of course you have the wild cards like Pinot, Rolland, Mollema etc who may just want to animate things.
If they're primed for action it could be a lot of fun!
Obviously i want to see Froome in yellow, but hope it is sxciting tomorrow just to see how good he actually is.
Another good stage today as well, Cannondale and Sagan beasted it didnt they. It was also nice to see Degenkolb second as i like him (he is in my fantasy team) after watching him at the Vuelta last year.