Pro Cycling Discussion Thread 2015

topgun06 · 23 Jul 2015 at 09:21

Very tough stage today!

Thomas. PLease. · 23 Jul 2015 at 09:22

At least its spicing up a bit now. Hoping Froome blows up chasing down every attack that comes his way from GC contenders. Maybe a chance for Quintana and Valverde to work him over together.

GSVBagpuss · 23 Jul 2015 at 10:58

Vonhelmet said:
They were saying it could be a sprint finish, but I think that'll depend on how quickly the sprinters can get up and over that HC in the middle.

Anyone care to bet against Sagan going in the breakaway today?

Who is they?! Griepel did well a few stages ago to get over a Cat 3!

Thomas. PLease. said:
At least its spicing up a bit now. Hoping Froome blows up chasing down every attack that comes his way from GC contenders. Maybe a chance for Quintana and Valverde to work him over together.

I hope so too, but I was reading that Movistar are working for Valverde podium and team standings win over the yellow (it's worth a lot apparently - see here

Vonhelmet · 23 Jul 2015 at 11:45

"They" was itv. I thought at the time it sounded improbable!

GSVBagpuss · 23 Jul 2015 at 12:32

Phil and Paul? Those bastions of cycling knowledge

Looks like a tasy break today, and I've got 4 bets in it

Really hope Yates can snag it though

Vonhelmet · 23 Jul 2015 at 13:11

Woohoo, Rodriguez in the break so he should legitimately be in the spots by the end of the day. If he spanks it on the Col du Glandon then he'll be building a decent margin, but there is still an HC tomorrow and a cat 1 finish and then another two HCs on Saturday, one of which is the finish, so lots up for grabs.

Hmm, they're doing the Croix de Fer both tomorrow and Saturday. And the Glandon tomorrow is just part of the climb all the way up to the Croix de Fer tomorrow.

Roady · 23 Jul 2015 at 13:21

Vonhelmet said:
Anyone care to bet against Sagan going in the breakaway today?

Not a betting man but I'd happily put money on him finishing second if the sprinters contest the end (unlikely with the HC in there)

Moses said:
On one of the GCN videos, they said how only one minute of the gap between Froome and Quintana had come about because of the gaps in the mountains... so essentially there's still a chance something exciting may happen .

A chance, yes, but I think the majority of the eyes will be on Sky/Froome slipping up (& losing time somewhere) rather than any of the others suddenly finding time from the front. I don't see many of the other teams (except Movistar) with the cohesion or form to take on Sky at the front and controlling the peloton like they have.

Vonhelmet · 23 Jul 2015 at 13:40

Renshaw's retired. Cav is going to need to bribe one of the camera bike riders to lead him out.

a1ex2001 · 23 Jul 2015 at 13:52

Vonhelmet said:
Renshaw's retired. Cav is going to need to bribe one of the camera bike riders to lead him out.

or he can just use Gripel as we all know he will be the front man!

Cosimo · 23 Jul 2015 at 15:09

Sky boys looking very comfortable.

Cosimo · 23 Jul 2015 at 15:21

Contador away from the Froome group.

Cosimo · 23 Jul 2015 at 16:24

Romain Bardet takes it and the big guns saving their powder for tomorrow and Saturday.

#Chri5# · 23 Jul 2015 at 21:40

Bardet is a great descender (IMHO) - love watching him sweep and glide through the bends.

GSVBagpuss · 23 Jul 2015 at 22:41

Quintana has to go early right? He can't do it all up alp D'Huez and I'm assuming Froome fancies signing off the tour with a win anyway

Vonhelmet · 23 Jul 2015 at 23:16

#Chri5# said:
Bardet is a great descender (IMHO) - love watching him sweep and glide through the bends.

Yeah, his descending was amazing. Just absolutely flying down the hill, sweeping across the corners as you say. Interesting comparison of him and Pinot on the itv highlights - you can see Bardet is really good at just flicking his pedals up as he leans from side to side, which is what Pinot cocked up yesterday, trying to pedal while he was still leant over.

Cosimo · 24 Jul 2015 at 06:14

Stage 18 highlights:

Now we get tough:

Contenders running out of time to make their move and I expect Froome to consolidate his position today.

xdcx · 24 Jul 2015 at 08:50

Vonhelmet said:
Yeah, his descending was amazing. Just absolutely flying down the hill, sweeping across the corners as you say. Interesting comparison of him and Pinot on the itv highlights - you can see Bardet is really good at just flicking his pedals up as he leans from side to side, which is what Pinot cocked up yesterday, trying to pedal while he was still leant over.

Bardet is one of the greatest climbers in the peloton and has just confirmed between his Dauphine and now his Tour stage wins this year, he is also one of the best descenders in the peloton. Absolutely amazing rider. I said it before and I will say it again, this guy will win a grand tour in the very near future.

One More Solo · 24 Jul 2015 at 09:12

I'm a big fan of Bardet and Pinot, and I hope Bardet goes to the Vuelta. I can see him doing well there if his efforts at the Tour haven't knackered him. I think there's a big TT in the final week though so he might be a bit screwed if Froome/Contador/Nibali go there.

tedmaul · 24 Jul 2015 at 09:16

xdcx said:
Bardet is one of the greatest climbers in the peloton and has just confirmed between his Dauphine and now his Tour stage wins this year, he is also one of the best descenders in the peloton. Absolutely amazing rider. I said it before and I will say it again, this guy will win a grand tour in the very near future.

Terrible teeth though. :eek:

#Chri5# · 24 Jul 2015 at 10:29

tedmaul said:
Terrible teeth though.

I thought he was wearing a brace at least during the ITV4 interview last night