These points De Luna got from 5th in GC (and best from the CT riders) could come in handy in the rankings considering that neither Colombini or Bianchi participated, Oktal Pharma didn't collect that much while Air New Zealand isn't such a threat for us. Guess there is a small light at the end of the tunnel, but let's not jump to conclusions.
Domination! Kim scored more KoM points than 2nd, 3rd & 4th combined. In no small due to phenomenal tactical riding from White to sweep up a handful himself on that final day. A team working in unison to shut down any sign of a challenge. This is the future of cycling, and it's bright pink, headlined by a female rider, and powered by the Caribbean.
Tough day for Eg there, which unfortunately cost us his GC spot. I was very worried about Kamna losing his own GC spot when he was parked towards the back of the group, but it looks like the pace slowed enough in the final kilometers for him to stay in it. Guess it wasn't a climber's day after all.
Solid race for us after a bad TT thanks to Kamna's antics on stage 3. 4th place and a stage win is very solid with the crew we brought here. Hoped for slightly more from Eg, but won't complain about 18th. Skjelmose 2nd on U25 is also a nice little surprise. Bringing KHJ to these types of races has been a disappointment, but that can be said for a bunch of other good puncheurs too, so it evens out.
Congrats to Marcovdw and thanks for the reports!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Weird finale, Kamna and Dunbar were both right at the back of the group that entire last climb but never dropped. A shame Dumbar couldn’t try something, but keeping his 2nd GC is more important than blowing it trying an attack and dropping out of the top-5 completely. Congrats Marco, stupidly close race. This beats 4 seconds as the closest GC loss we have had now, at least I can now scrub Riccardo Ricco tearing us apart in Vancouver on the last day to beat Intxausti out of my mind
A bit of damp squib of a race for us. Warbasse finishing 7th after losing time on two much weaker riders on stage 4. Poor ACC maybe haunting him. Boswell wasted to not much effect and only one stage placing which was 8th and not scored by either of them. Going to say that sending them both was a race planning error.
I think BBl used to get frustrated with Warbasse's TT performances, those have been outstanding for us but he has yet to ride a strong hill or mountain stage, seems liek hanging on has been as good as it gets. One race left for him, in which we are the defending GC champions. Yes that is a hint Larry.
One highlight when Boswell popped up for 9th after being dropped at the beginning of the climb. Not sure if he recovered or that was mistaken identity.
Thanks for the reports. Congrats to Marco, Dennis and Dunbar proved they were the best, tough on Dunbar to lose that way. Great ride by Korosec to take the stage win.
Ulrich Ulriksen wrote:
I think BBl used to get frustrated with Warbasse's TT performances, those have been outstanding for us but he has yet to ride a strong hill or mountain stage, seems liek hanging on has been as good as it gets. One race left for him, in which we are the defending GC champions. Yes that is a hint Larry.
Yeah, this has been a weird reversal to watch. With us, especially in PCM 18, Warbasse would fly the mountains, successfuly attacking and gapping guys he had no business gapping. Then he's hang around guys in the 68-72 TT range too often. Been strange to see that completely flip. Luckily he's hung on enough to stay viable.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
