Well put Al, it was simply a perfect stage on so many fronts. Was also nice to have a stage where crashes were not the primary strategy point (by the way- if they replay that Hoogerland crash one more time I'm gonna scream). And Jens- goes from handing off a bottle to a competitor who couldn't hang onto his own musette to completely crushing everyone- damn I really wanted him to win! And Thomas ever the poker player- he sure knows how to hide his cards well. They all looked totally spent at the end- I'm surprised none of them collapsed at the finish or fell over because they didn't have energy to unclip.
Jens says he's gonna hide in the pack today and rest. He sure earned a rest day- but holy cow, even if you are hiding today does not look like you can call it a rest or easy day!
BTW- when that one rider (whose name I don't remember) attacked at the end and Tommy didn't chase, Jens shook his head. I couldn't tell if he shook his head to say "stop looking at me Tommy- I'm not chasing him" or if he was shaking his head 'cause he was pissed that no one saw the attack and let him go, or if he was saying "don't bother- he'll never make it".
Huge props to Rolland -- he rode like a champ and I'm thinking he may get the polka dots from his team mate Voeckler.
Sad to see the BMC implosion, but it was perhaps predictable given the performance so far in the handful of key stages. Too bad the DS did not turn TJV loose - maybe he will now have a free pass to fly. Not sure about their tactics today either. That early TJV/Evans move struck me as ill thought out. Why go that early with that combination -- did they really think they could ride away like that? OR given how Evans turned out on the finishing climb, did he know he did not have the legs and it was a desparation blow? Either way, I didn't get it.
And props to Sky, despite not being a fan of the team or Wiggins, particularly, they deserve massive respect for the team drilling it ALL day today. Froome really has the goods - dropping Wiggo and Nibali before being ordered to wait up. Really impressive. I admit to being a cynic, but I sure hope they're all racing clean.
Niblali was true to his word and repeatedly attacked. He was the only one who could have isolated Wiggins in the finale.
Absent a Sky blowup, tour's probably all but over for the top step, but places 2-5 are certainly in play down to the last TT.
I hope, given Froome's obedience to Sky's team orders to protect Wiggo, that they give him his own opportunity to fly in his own protected rider stage race - even bettering his 2nd place in Spain last year! I'd love to see Wiggo slaying himself at the front of the pack to pace Froome up a monstrous climb for the win.
Personally, I like Froome better than Wiggo, but the whole team seems to be too mellow for me. Not a lot of personality. Isn't that stereotypical British thing? haha
I hope, given Froome's obedience to Sky's team orders to protect Wiggo, that they give him his own opportunity to fly in his own protected rider stage race - even bettering his 2nd place in Spain last year! I'd love to see Wiggo slaying himself at the front of the pack to pace Froome up a monstrous climb for the win.
Personally, I like Froome better than Wiggo, but the whole team seems to be too mellow for me. Not a lot of personality. Isn't that stereotypical British thing? haha
Froome reminded me of when Contador was helping Armstrong win his 8th tour....you know, catching the break, making an excereration to pull Lance past and then......oh yeah, he didn't wait once he got that gap and Lance just sat on the wheel being a teammate and not winning an 8th tour.......anyway
I really wish they had let TJV give it a go once it was clear Cadel didn't have the legs yesterday, but I really respect the way TJV supported his leader all the way to the end.
I'm looking forward to watching him become a top contender on his own.
TeJay is earning huge karma points worthy of Tour Boyfriend status. Nice to see Garmin get a stage win- that team has really taken a huge hit this year.
Well it looks like TJV pretty much blew off Evans at the top of the climb today when Cadel flatted. I know they will cover it over for media interviews, but I don't think there is any way TJV did not hear Evans yelling at him ... I hope they patch things up. And big kudos to Sky/Wiggo for calling off the chase once they realized what had happened with the tacks on the road.
On that point, who does that?? It's like IMWI and IMCdA a few yrs back. Yeesh!
In the interview, Tejay said he didn't really understand what was happening and thought there were other teamates there to help Cadel. I think they'll be okay. But I agree, big props to Wiggo/Sky for waiting. I am finding it harder and harder to not like Wiggo each day. True class act.
And what about Cavendish setting the pace leading up to the 2nd climb! That was quite a surprise!
And for whoever threw out the tacks - as Wiggo would likely call him - effing wanker!!
I heard Paul or Phil say, look at Cav, handing out the punishment, or some crap like that. They need to dig deep and find a way to pry their lips off his bum. Cav did squat. As soon as the road went up he was off the back. A big show for the cameras. He's headed home soon. He didn't even make it to the last sprint that Griepel took, but they sort of mumble that under their breath.
Kudos to Wiggo and Sky for sitting up, but no sainthood for that. Tacks on the road that take out a bunch of riders in the group should cause a neutralization. TeeJay heard him but given the spot and all the riders coming over the top and the crowd...I'm thinking he was confused as to what to do. I don't really think TeeJay was dumping Cadel. Not yet anyway.....
Oh- I must defend my new Pro Tour BF. You can see Tejay looking around trying to figure out what is going on and there was another rider immediately there with Cadel (who unfortunately as it turned out also had a flat so turned out to be no help). I think you need to look at everything Tejay has been doing for the past 2 weeks to get a total picture. That kid is a team player, knows his place, and is flying his slot.
Wiggo and the rest of the leaders shutting down the race to let Cadel catch up (after they chased down Rolland- who was either a prick or clueless as to what was going on) has to make you a little proud to be a cycling fan. For all the crap we get to take about doping, its nice to have a true sportsmanship act like today displayed for all to see.
I LOVE Cavendish - have since he was racing with Garmin several years back. And based on his Twitter feed, he seems like a better dude than he is made out to be in the media. Also from Twitter, Rolland either was sorry he got blasted by the other racers, or was truely sorry. His race director said that he was outside of radio range and didn't hear of the tacks. But only he knows for sure. Wiggins didn't buy it - said Roland was full of crap.
Following on twitter after the stages is as entertaining as watching it during!
BTW - does anyone know why Taylor Phinney isn't in the Tour this year? I figured after his Giro showing, he would have been selected. I know he wouldn't be any help in the mountains to Cadel, but other than TJ, no one else is either.
I have mixed feelings about Tejay today, I didn't like his answers at the post race interview, but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. If his radio was going crazy with tack reports from the DS and other teammates he might not have been able to clearly hear/figure out where/what was going on with Cadel at the top of the climb. One he looked around in each direction a few times and he was on the "downhill" there wasn't a lot he could do.
Wiggo/Sky did the right thing, Froom waved at Rolland in disgust as he attacked after the Yellow jersey said to hold. Respect the Maillot Jaune!
I agree with Cary. I'm becoming a TJV fan, but his answers in the post race interviews didn't seem honest. Overall. I'm happy to see Wiggo win this year, since the team is dominant and they were very classy today.
I agree with Cary. I'm becoming a TJV fan, but his answers in the post race interviews didn't seem honest. Overall. I'm happy to see Wiggo win this year, since the team is dominant and they were very classy today.
Well, today went more or less as expected with a non-event day for the GC riders.
A few things of interest (well, to me), though:
* The French teams/riders are having a GREAT tour. I think this was their 4th stage so far (Rolland, Voeckler, Pinaut and now Fedrigo)? A very good sign for their development efforts
* Can't believe how bad Garmin's tour has been -- already 2 (or is it 3) abandons and Farrar is the Lantern Rouge. Great that they won a stage with Millar, but too bad today that VDV couldn't close the deal. The boys in blue have to be bummed.
* The Green jersey is essentially over. No-one contested Sagan today on the intermediate sprint - assuming he finishes the race (is not eliminated on time Wed or Thur thsi week and doesn't crash out) ... it's over. I can't recall a tour where that competition didn't come down to the final day(s).
* Somewhat surprising how many long breaks have succeeded. If my math is correct, we've seen at least 4 stages now where there has been a group that has managed to stay away all day. Probably more a fuinction of the size of Wiggins' lead (and that he knows he will bank minutes over his main rivlas in the final TT) and Sky's tactics as well as that the top sprinters' teams (Sky, Liguigas and Lotto) all have top GC men as well - so they need to hedge their bets and can't run down everything. Probably also driven in some part by the fact that the top overall team (RSNL, so far) doesn't have a sprinter - so no need for them to chase, either. Anyway, an interesting dynamic this year.
Looking fwd to the high spots Wed/Thur, but really I think the only Qs will be whether Froome or TJV get a free hand to fly. Should be a mildly interesting final week, but barring crash or total implosion, yellow looks solid for Wiggins.
i was a little surprised Christian Vande Velde did not try and TT in fro about 1K. As he admitted in the post race interview he had virtually zero chance in a sprint. Maybe he just did not have much left in the tank?
Tomorrow is an epic stage I wonder if we will have epic racing?
I have been wondering about Vande Velde ...a few years ago he was right up there with the favorites (and I believe that it it wasn't for a crash, he could have been on the podium one year)...but since then he has been nowhere close to his former self..
Yeah, I was rooting for CV2 to pull it off but twas not to be. Also really enjoyed watching the boys "work over," as Paul said, the lil' red sprinter dude. I'd like to go back and watch the last 10k of the race to see exactly how they did it.
...and has anyone else noticed all of the facial expressions that TommyV goes through when riding? Puffing of cheeks, gritting of teeth, and in general a constant "boy, I'm sure working hard here!!" series of expressions.
And Zabriskie was 52nd in the tt. Dietary changes at Garmin. Good on them.
Funny as usual Chris!
As for drama queen Tommy- apparently none of the riders trust his act anymore. He's like the boy who cried wolf. But who knows, maybe that's just his face when he rides- kinda like how Chris Horner has that strange Joker smile all the time.
Does anyone else feel like the rest of this week is just going to be a big let down? Green Jersey is all tied up and no one is even bothering with contending for it, Sky has things so locked down that no one gets away that has any chance of threatening the yellow jersey, and so it seems we need to be content watching folks far back in the field battle it out for stage wins. I guess I can only hope that Frank takes a chance for a stage win on Thursday when it's a mountain top finish.
Oh- and meanwhile, Al you seem to be safely in front of Chris and I. But MooJo is still kicking cow tail
Does anyone else feel like the rest of this week is just going to be a big let down? Green Jersey is all tied up and no one is even bothering with contending for it, Sky has things so locked down that no one gets away that has any chance of threatening the yellow jersey, and so it seems we need to be content watching folks far back in the field battle it out for stage wins.
Have to agree with you Nemo. I tend to think that the Yellow and Green, and likely White, are essentially decided. It would take a significant unforseen event to undo any of these, respectively.
@ Rich, you're right. The break yesterday really did work over Sammy D over the last 10k. On the broadcast, I think there were at least 4 (poss 5) attacks (Saxo Bank 2x, Voeckler 1 or 2x, Van DeVelde 1x and also Fedrigo) where the others made him bridge the gap -- attacking when he was either first or second in the rotation and forcing him to come across each time.
Also at least twice they allowed the gap to open behind him when he was on the front. When that happens, the person on the front slows and puills off ... and then the train hits the gas slightly, forcing the rider who just rotated off (and at slower speed) to accelrate and jump into the back of the line harder than usual. Very subtle and also extremely effective. I would say that this is actually moreso than the outright attack, because it has the appearance of keeping the group working together, where after an attack, then all eyes are alert for the next move(s).
Both are classic tactics to sap the snap of a sprinter. They also did these on little risers or rollers -- also known to cause issues for the sprinters. (being or having bee one, I recognize the signs) And it worked to perfection.
Thanks for that explanation Tim- I recognized the attacks, but not the more subtle move of allowing a gap when the sprinter is in front. Ya know- that is the kind of thing that would be really nice for them to cover on the "rest day recap" tonight- but I'm sure they won't.
@ Nemo, I suspect the pros don't want all of their secrets (this among many, far worse ones) out there.
There are lots of ways to burn people's matches for them ...
* The above mentioned approach of allowing a gap to open behind the person you want to tire. This works of there is a tacit agreement to do it, else the person behind you (if you leave the gap) will just come around/over the top of you and grumble someting about not leaving open spaces like that ... of course that can also work if the person you want to thrash is behind you: feign tiredness and make them repeatedly come over to close the gap (and stay one slot closer to the front); that forces them to take more pulls/shorter rest.
* There's also the tried and true sit on the back and refuse to pull approach. This can work, but will earn you real enmity if you do it in a race unless you are well and truly shelled. If you pull that and then outsprint people for a placing, then make for your car quickly.
* punching it into every hill or rise, or out of every corner. Vern non-EN style riding, and you need to be among the strongest in a group to do it, else you will fry yourself in the process. This will tire all riders, but the accordian effect, even in a group as small as 4 or 5 will over time wear down the people on the back of the train more
* accelerate when you pull through and the person you want to gas has just come off the front. Same effect as above with them having to drill it (slightly) to close the gap every time. Works well if you have the engine for it. On the track/velodrome, we actually do a drill with the motorbike/motorpacer where you ride 2 laps on the moto, then have to open a gap of 1-2 bikelengths and close it in 2-3 laps before you go the back of the line.
Try some of them on your friends on a group ride (with consent of course) and see if you feel a difference
Absolutely great ride by Voeckler today -- solo win ~ 10 min ahead of the favorites and takes the KOM jersey. Five (!) stage wins for French riders -- they are having a great tour.
I suppose we also saw who really was stongest today as well with Wiggo, Froome and Nibali all alone together on the last climb and run in to the finish. Sad to see Evans lose so much time, but I guess the leadership issue at BMC is now well settled. TJV with another great ride to cement his hold on white jersey and stayed with the favorties until the very end of the last climb. Good on him and s star for the future.
Have to say, the tour is pretty much done at this point, aside from possible variances in KOM tomorrow, it really is about all settled with 4 days to go.
I really have gotten to appreciate Voeckler; throwing out the srm and the radio and going on heart and feel. Fun to watch him. He looks like the local older cycling kook, except he's not. Bravo for TV.
Poignant rides by Voight and Hincapie. Awesome efforts over the Tourmelet. That climb is simply huge and epic and it's a week of work in one day for most. It starts way earlier than it "starts", as through town etc it is all up at about 2-4% until it really goes up. And then the mountain just lays out there in front of you. I know it had to be emotionally charged for those guys, just leaving it all out there for perhaps the last time. I so wanted JV to somehow stay in the group and have a shot later but it was just so tough. When you have real climbers falling off left and right seeing Voight there was just so cool.
Yep, it's pretty much over. Brits killed it. Nibali has had a great tour and has done all he can do.
There is still a chance for Nibali...he really only has to take a few seconds to be second overall.....he does a pretty good TT....but a bit disapointed that he hasn't attacked yet....Wiggins has yet to be challenged in the race and before that happens we cannot really know if he is as strong as it looks... I would love for Nibaly to go on the attack tomorrow - perhaps together with the rest of the top-5 contenders
There is still a chance for Nibali...he really only has to take a few seconds to be second overall.....he does a pretty good TT....but a bit disapointed that he hasn't attacked yet....Wiggins has yet to be challenged in the race and before that happens we cannot really know if he is as strong as it looks... I would love for Nibaly to go on the attack tomorrow - perhaps together with the rest of the top-5 contenders
I don't understand how you can say Nibali hasn't attacked yet. He's thrown accelerations out a few times and then Froome & Wiggins just real him in. Then he goes again and gets caught----he's trying, similarly to a dog on one of those retractable leashes.....they run and get a few yards, then the owner clicks that button and starts to bring him back to reality.
Comments
Jens says he's gonna hide in the pack today and rest. He sure earned a rest day- but holy cow, even if you are hiding today does not look like you can call it a rest or easy day!
BTW- when that one rider (whose name I don't remember) attacked at the end and Tommy didn't chase, Jens shook his head. I couldn't tell if he shook his head to say "stop looking at me Tommy- I'm not chasing him" or if he was shaking his head 'cause he was pissed that no one saw the attack and let him go, or if he was saying "don't bother- he'll never make it".
http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/07/news/cancellara-withdraws-from-tour-de-france-for-second-childs-birth_229183
Huge props to Rolland -- he rode like a champ and I'm thinking he may get the polka dots from his team mate Voeckler.
Sad to see the BMC implosion, but it was perhaps predictable given the performance so far in the handful of key stages. Too bad the DS did not turn TJV loose - maybe he will now have a free pass to fly. Not sure about their tactics today either. That early TJV/Evans move struck me as ill thought out. Why go that early with that combination -- did they really think they could ride away like that? OR given how Evans turned out on the finishing climb, did he know he did not have the legs and it was a desparation blow? Either way, I didn't get it.
And props to Sky, despite not being a fan of the team or Wiggins, particularly, they deserve massive respect for the team drilling it ALL day today. Froome really has the goods - dropping Wiggo and Nibali before being ordered to wait up. Really impressive. I admit to being a cynic, but I sure hope they're all racing clean.
Niblali was true to his word and repeatedly attacked. He was the only one who could have isolated Wiggins in the finale.
Absent a Sky blowup, tour's probably all but over for the top step, but places 2-5 are certainly in play down to the last TT.
Personally, I like Froome better than Wiggo, but the whole team seems to be too mellow for me. Not a lot of personality. Isn't that stereotypical British thing? haha
Froome reminded me of when Contador was helping Armstrong win his 8th tour....you know, catching the break, making an excereration to pull Lance past and then......oh yeah, he didn't wait once he got that gap
I'm looking forward to watching him become a top contender on his own.
Well it looks like TJV pretty much blew off Evans at the top of the climb today when Cadel flatted. I know they will cover it over for media interviews, but I don't think there is any way TJV did not hear Evans yelling at him ... I hope they patch things up. And big kudos to Sky/Wiggo for calling off the chase once they realized what had happened with the tacks on the road.
On that point, who does that?? It's like IMWI and IMCdA a few yrs back. Yeesh!
In the interview, Tejay said he didn't really understand what was happening and thought there were other teamates there to help Cadel. I think they'll be okay. But I agree, big props to Wiggo/Sky for waiting. I am finding it harder and harder to not like Wiggo each day. True class act.
And what about Cavendish setting the pace leading up to the 2nd climb! That was quite a surprise!
And for whoever threw out the tacks - as Wiggo would likely call him - effing wanker!!
Kudos to Wiggo and Sky for sitting up, but no sainthood for that. Tacks on the road that take out a bunch of riders in the group should cause a neutralization. TeeJay heard him but given the spot and all the riders coming over the top and the crowd...I'm thinking he was confused as to what to do. I don't really think TeeJay was dumping Cadel. Not yet anyway.....
Wiggo and the rest of the leaders shutting down the race to let Cadel catch up (after they chased down Rolland- who was either a prick or clueless as to what was going on) has to make you a little proud to be a cycling fan. For all the crap we get to take about doping, its nice to have a true sportsmanship act like today displayed for all to see.
And SUPER happy for LL Sanchez.
I LOVE Cavendish - have since he was racing with Garmin several years back. And based on his Twitter feed, he seems like a better dude than he is made out to be in the media. Also from Twitter, Rolland either was sorry he got blasted by the other racers, or was truely sorry. His race director said that he was outside of radio range and didn't hear of the tacks. But only he knows for sure. Wiggins didn't buy it - said Roland was full of crap.
Following on twitter after the stages is as entertaining as watching it during!
BTW - does anyone know why Taylor Phinney isn't in the Tour this year? I figured after his Giro showing, he would have been selected. I know he wouldn't be any help in the mountains to Cadel, but other than TJ, no one else is either.
Sanchez's move at the end was amazingly well-timed. Smart rider!
Is there really only one more hard day in the mountains for the Tour? Next week may be very boring for us viewers at home.
Wiggo/Sky did the right thing, Froom waved at Rolland in disgust as he attacked after the Yellow jersey said to hold. Respect the Maillot Jaune!
Well, today went more or less as expected with a non-event day for the GC riders.
A few things of interest (well, to me), though:
* The French teams/riders are having a GREAT tour. I think this was their 4th stage so far (Rolland, Voeckler, Pinaut and now Fedrigo)? A very good sign for their development efforts
* Can't believe how bad Garmin's tour has been -- already 2 (or is it 3) abandons and Farrar is the Lantern Rouge. Great that they won a stage with Millar, but too bad today that VDV couldn't close the deal. The boys in blue have to be bummed.
* The Green jersey is essentially over. No-one contested Sagan today on the intermediate sprint - assuming he finishes the race (is not eliminated on time Wed or Thur thsi week and doesn't crash out) ... it's over. I can't recall a tour where that competition didn't come down to the final day(s).
* Somewhat surprising how many long breaks have succeeded. If my math is correct, we've seen at least 4 stages now where there has been a group that has managed to stay away all day. Probably more a fuinction of the size of Wiggins' lead (and that he knows he will bank minutes over his main rivlas in the final TT) and Sky's tactics as well as that the top sprinters' teams (Sky, Liguigas and Lotto) all have top GC men as well - so they need to hedge their bets and can't run down everything. Probably also driven in some part by the fact that the top overall team (RSNL, so far) doesn't have a sprinter - so no need for them to chase, either. Anyway, an interesting dynamic this year.
Looking fwd to the high spots Wed/Thur, but really I think the only Qs will be whether Froome or TJV get a free hand to fly. Should be a mildly interesting final week, but barring crash or total implosion, yellow looks solid for Wiggins.
Tomorrow is an epic stage I wonder if we will have epic racing?
What's up with that...?
Yeah, I was rooting for CV2 to pull it off but twas not to be. Also really enjoyed watching the boys "work over," as Paul said, the lil' red sprinter dude. I'd like to go back and watch the last 10k of the race to see exactly how they did it.
...and has anyone else noticed all of the facial expressions that TommyV goes through when riding? Puffing of cheeks, gritting of teeth, and in general a constant "boy, I'm sure working hard here!!" series of expressions.
As for drama queen Tommy- apparently none of the riders trust his act anymore. He's like the boy who cried wolf. But who knows, maybe that's just his face when he rides- kinda like how Chris Horner has that strange Joker smile all the time.
Does anyone else feel like the rest of this week is just going to be a big let down? Green Jersey is all tied up and no one is even bothering with contending for it, Sky has things so locked down that no one gets away that has any chance of threatening the yellow jersey, and so it seems we need to be content watching folks far back in the field battle it out for stage wins. I guess I can only hope that Frank takes a chance for a stage win on Thursday when it's a mountain top finish.
Oh- and meanwhile, Al you seem to be safely in front of Chris and I. But MooJo is still kicking cow tail
Have to agree with you Nemo. I tend to think that the Yellow and Green, and likely White, are essentially decided. It would take a significant unforseen event to undo any of these, respectively.
@ Rich, you're right. The break yesterday really did work over Sammy D over the last 10k. On the broadcast, I think there were at least 4 (poss 5) attacks (Saxo Bank 2x, Voeckler 1 or 2x, Van DeVelde 1x and also Fedrigo) where the others made him bridge the gap -- attacking when he was either first or second in the rotation and forcing him to come across each time.
Also at least twice they allowed the gap to open behind him when he was on the front. When that happens, the person on the front slows and puills off ... and then the train hits the gas slightly, forcing the rider who just rotated off (and at slower speed) to accelrate and jump into the back of the line harder than usual. Very subtle and also extremely effective. I would say that this is actually moreso than the outright attack, because it has the appearance of keeping the group working together, where after an attack, then all eyes are alert for the next move(s).
Both are classic tactics to sap the snap of a sprinter. They also did these on little risers or rollers -- also known to cause issues for the sprinters. (being or having bee one, I recognize the signs) And it worked to perfection.
There are lots of ways to burn people's matches for them ...
* The above mentioned approach of allowing a gap to open behind the person you want to tire. This works of there is a tacit agreement to do it, else the person behind you (if you leave the gap) will just come around/over the top of you and grumble someting about not leaving open spaces like that ... of course that can also work if the person you want to thrash is behind you: feign tiredness and make them repeatedly come over to close the gap (and stay one slot closer to the front); that forces them to take more pulls/shorter rest.
* There's also the tried and true sit on the back and refuse to pull approach. This can work, but will earn you real enmity if you do it in a race unless you are well and truly shelled. If you pull that and then outsprint people for a placing, then make for your car quickly.
* punching it into every hill or rise, or out of every corner. Vern non-EN style riding, and you need to be among the strongest in a group to do it, else you will fry yourself in the process. This will tire all riders, but the accordian effect, even in a group as small as 4 or 5 will over time wear down the people on the back of the train more
* accelerate when you pull through and the person you want to gas has just come off the front. Same effect as above with them having to drill it (slightly) to close the gap every time. Works well if you have the engine for it. On the track/velodrome, we actually do a drill with the motorbike/motorpacer where you ride 2 laps on the moto, then have to open a gap of 1-2 bikelengths and close it in 2-3 laps before you go the back of the line.
Try some of them on your friends on a group ride (with consent of course) and see if you feel a difference
I suppose we also saw who really was stongest today as well with Wiggo, Froome and Nibali all alone together on the last climb and run in to the finish. Sad to see Evans lose so much time, but I guess the leadership issue at BMC is now well settled. TJV with another great ride to cement his hold on white jersey and stayed with the favorties until the very end of the last climb. Good on him and s star for the future.
Have to say, the tour is pretty much done at this point, aside from possible variances in KOM tomorrow, it really is about all settled with 4 days to go.
Poignant rides by Voight and Hincapie. Awesome efforts over the Tourmelet. That climb is simply huge and epic and it's a week of work in one day for most. It starts way earlier than it "starts", as through town etc it is all up at about 2-4% until it really goes up. And then the mountain just lays out there in front of you. I know it had to be emotionally charged for those guys, just leaving it all out there for perhaps the last time. I so wanted JV to somehow stay in the group and have a shot later but it was just so tough. When you have real climbers falling off left and right seeing Voight there was just so cool.
Yep, it's pretty much over. Brits killed it. Nibali has had a great tour and has done all he can do.
Let's talk Colorado and Joe D !!
I don't understand how you can say Nibali hasn't attacked yet. He's thrown accelerations out a few times and then Froome & Wiggins just real him in. Then he goes again and gets caught----he's trying, similarly to a dog on one of those retractable leashes.....they run and get a few yards, then the owner clicks that button and starts to bring him back to reality.