What the hell happened to Martin today? Literally almost last in a stage he should have done well on. Unless he is really saving himself for something later on, something must be very wrong.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Compete fail from Barnet and Pinot you feel at end there but nice diesal climbing from Cummings. Great win for the journeyman.
Really nice GC action too, Quintana looks close to being able to drop the 'alien'. No real need for crazy sprint there, I think Froome just wanted all the time he could get on TvG and Valverde who lets not forget has been doing this in the last couple of stages 'late sprints'.
Urine incident seems to be getting headlines, nothing new though Froome just joins long list, sad that some loons really have too far.
Really looking forward to Alps this week as I will be able to watch stages live. I think we could get Saxa Movistar alliance here. Not sure if we can have Astana in after giro Astana vs Conta battle.
baseballlover312 wrote:
What the hell happened to Martin today? Literally almost last in a stage he should have done well on. Unless he is really saving himself for something later on, something must be very wrong.
Hasn't he got chest infection? He was looking rather unwell at beginning of live broadcast I had taped today. He really seems to always suffer badly from allergies and the like in GTs, a shame as you have to believe he could be a Vaughters sneak GC type rider.
Horrible race Garmin are having well season really for that matter.
baseballlover312 wrote:
What the hell happened to Martin today? Literally almost last in a stage he should have done well on. Unless he is really saving himself for something later on, something must be very wrong.
Besides the chest infection that Smowz mentioned - that Pyrenees stage really took a lot out of him, and if you didn't get in the breakaway then there really wasn't any point in trying at the end today unless you had GC interests.
He's only 32. He has a Giro in his legs and that Giro has been tough 3 weeks racing on him. Additionally, he has tried something much different this year than in others; going for the double. I'm sure if he follows 2016 normal schedule (Tour peak, maybe Vuelta as last career race), he can retire on top.
He won't win another Tour even if that is his main goal next season, he might only be 32 (33 in December ) but has been racing at the top level for a long time now, he raced his first GT in 2005 and there is only so much a body can handle before it starts to decline. Yes people were writing him off in 2013 and he came back in 2014 and did well but another year in the legs and with some talented young riders coming through he is really up against it. I think he could pull of another Vuelta win but to aim at the Tour next season wouldn't be a good move.
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
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William Rd The Patch
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i put this up afew days ago, michele ferrari response was pricless
Michele Ferrari @DrMFerrari 5m ago
@richie_porte that'd be the steroids making you angry.
That is so hilarious I wish that Ferrari account was real though
dark_x2012 wrote:
Froome too strong but he still missed out Quintana for a couple of seconds but then rode his way back. Still not that dominator as in stage 10. Maybe he might be just exausted enough to give the other a chance in the Alps
Not dropped..he was looking power meter..and decided not to in red...but just keep on spinning. Had done this 50x almost always worked. Power meter climbing/ riding.
Is this funny? Don't call me russophobic
Maybe with Nibali it works this way..you should kick him good..to get results.
But I believe Sagan himself knows and takes it harder that stage win still missing.
baseballlover312 wrote:
What the hell happened to Martin today? Literally almost last in a stage he should have done well on. Unless he is really saving himself for something later on, something must be very wrong.
Hasn't he got chest infection? He was looking rather unwell at beginning of live broadcast I had taped today. He really seems to always suffer badly from allergies and the like in GTs, a shame as you have to believe he could be a Vaughters sneak GC type rider.
Horrible race Garmin are having well season really for that matter.
Yeah, quite bad bad. Yeah, he doesn't do well in GTs, that's been known for a while. Something always comes up. he did well in last year's Vuelta, and I think maybe he should think about making the Vuelta his primary GT next year (and going this year). The steep finishes and flat days suit him, and help him to fend off his problems and recovery issues.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
dark_x2012 wrote:
Froome too strong but he still missed out Quintana for a couple of seconds but then rode his way back. Still not that dominator as in stage 10. Maybe he might be just exausted enough to give the other a chance in the Alps
Not dropped..he was looking power meter..and decided not to in red...but just keep on spinning. Had done this 50x almost always worked. Power meter climbing/ riding.
I didn't say he was dropped... However, if the 2015 tour follows the 2013 scenario and Froome starts loosing time on the final stages, not following Quintana's wheel will be extremely dangerous.
Rob81 wrote:
That sprint of Froome absolutely shows he is the most unworthy yellow jersey wearer ever. Doper or not. What a ridiculous thing to do.
Your the third or fourth person to say this.
Not quite sure I understand why An earth that the sprint was the most heinous thing ever done by a yellow jersey wearer ever? Like really?
I am thinking the Armstrong Simeoni incident was a pretty nasty thing? Bjarme Riis arrogantly dropping back to back of lead group and attacking? Lemond cheesy Paris celebrations in 1989? Wiggins slapping Nibali's backside? Floyd Landis anyone?
Is it because he denied Quintana the glory of finishing ahead of him, after 'wheel sucking' him for last two klicks?
Was it a case of landing a small almost petty blow to the Movistar duo?
Was he looking for an FU to salty taste in his mouth?
It was a strange thing to do, it struck me that he wanted to maintain gaps to the likes of Valverde, and all the others?
I am probably going all Richie Porte on you guys I guess but please explain to the poor blinkered sky loving Thomas fan boy
Well that was a great stage! Loved the never die attitude of Cummings, but poor from Pinot and Bardet to not work, and let him back in.
For the favourites, Froome and Quintana are the best. Valverde looked done at one point, but recovered and maanged to nearly catch Froome and Quintana which was a great effort. As for the Froome sprint, its not that I didn't like the actual move, it was the look he gave Quintana that annoyed me. He gave him the "how dare you try and attack me" look.
I think Contador will take the 3rd step on the podium in Paris. I just think Valverde always seems to do better in the first half of the Tour and fade near the end, and Contador will probably be in better form. Contador never gives up.
A few thoughts on the stage and in general (only watched the last 20 kms..)
First and foremost, like baseballlover, annoyed and disappointed that Katusha/Movistar didnt take the chasing up. It may be me being unrealistic and dreamy, but its just so much more fun imo when the big guns are fighting for the stagewin. I know they wanna safe energy for the last week, but they dont have to use more than 2 riders each. Add to that fact that Sky probably would help as well in the latter part, since Froomey basically is the favorite for all uphill finishes - a stage is worth a lot.
Im not outraged at Froome, which some seem to be, over the sprint. Its like Hinault and Merckx, wanting it all and trying to impose respect. If he wanted the stage as well (if Sky had taken up the chase) I wouldnt blame him either. I mean, comon, the best are supposed to win, right? This is not charity, is the worlds biggest race.
Expected timegaps all over from the favorites. Valverde so close at catching them in the end - had they raced for the stagewin, he woulda won since Quintana had played it different with the stage on the line - Tejay isnt a thread. Quintana also looked a little bit stronger and for the first time this Tour, his attack was really strong a put Froomey on the edge. Well, maybe not completely on the edge, but you know what I mean. Contador trying to play it passive as he should do on such a stage, but not strong - looks a 3 man race for the last spot. If I were to put my money on one, I would say Valverde. Im hella biased, but he looks incredibly strong - much stronger than TdF 2014. He is peaking for the 3 week and imo, its a myth with the 3rd week. Contador clear cut would be my second guess for that spot. Glad to see Nibbles kinda back, but its clear he doesnt have it.
I wish that Ferrari account was real though
