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Tour de France - Pre-race thread
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| ChrisKP |
Posted on 25-06-2015 16:12
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Kirchen_75 wrote:
I'm not sure Cav is 100% happy with Kittel out. Surely he would want to beat Kittel to show whos the real fastest man on 2 wheels but with Kittel out the speculation will continue.
That depends on how we talk fastest. In a 50km flat distance, don't i think none of the will have a chance agains a rider like Tony Martin, Bradley Wiggins, Tom Dumolin or so? Or in a hilly distance? And how long? |
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Posted on 25-11-2024 03:51
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| Paeti |
Posted on 25-06-2015 17:21
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ChrisKP wrote:
Kirchen_75 wrote:
I'm not sure Cav is 100% happy with Kittel out. Surely he would want to beat Kittel to show whos the real fastest man on 2 wheels but with Kittel out the speculation will continue.
That depends on how we talk fastest. In a 50km flat distance, don't i think none of the will have a chance agains a rider like Tony Martin, Bradley Wiggins, Tom Dumolin or so? Or in a hilly distance? And how long?
Sorry, but that's a stupid answer. Everyone knows what he means with "fastest man on 2 wheels" - the fastest sprinter on flat road races.
Uran@diesattlerei
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 25-06-2015 17:24
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parkersay wrote:
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
Kirchen_75 wrote:
I'm not sure Cav is 100% happy with Kittel out. Surely he would want to beat Kittel to show whos the real fastest man on 2 wheels but with Kittel out the speculation will continue.
I doubt that cyclists actually care about that, that is just a trash talk for pundits, to argue who is faster...
Edit: Anyway, good for Sagan, who can now grab few more points also in flatest stages. 
But bad for Sagan at the same time because now Degenkolb will be in the mix for green.
Yeah, that is true ofc, i see him as the biggest threat alongside Kristoff for Peter's shot at 4th win. This should be a nice battle and i am looking forward to it, also for dreams to be destroyed *looking at Cio* 
*TdF fanboy mode initiated*
Edited by Avin Wargunnson on 25-06-2015 17:24
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 25-06-2015 17:27
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Biggest threat for Sagan? Not Kristoff, or Degenkolb. It's clearly, in my opinion, Matthews. |
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 25-06-2015 17:59
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Miguel98 wrote:
Biggest threat for Sagan? Not Kristoff, or Degenkolb. It's clearly, in my opinion, Matthews.
If its clearly Matthews, go throw a couple of hundres (fuck it, thousands, since the value is at +500% - at least) dollars his way since he is at 21 times the money back.
Roughly - Sagan 2, Kristoff 4,5, Cav and Degen 8,5, Bouhanni 15 and Matthews 21. |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 25-06-2015 20:18
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With Kittel out, Kristoff will be even hotter for stage wins than last year in the first week. I see him as Sagan's main rival too, and in fact likely to beat the Tourminator.
If DegenStache wins green jersey he is going to be an easy pick for Velo d'Or, with MSR and PR on his victories. The only thing to possibly prevent DegenStache from it, is if Contador takes the Double imo.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 25-06-2015 20:25
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Shonak wrote:
With Kittel out, Kristoff will be even hotter for stage wins than last year in the first week. I see him as Sagan's main rival too, and in fact likely to beat the Tourminator.
If DegenStache wins green jersey he is going to be an easy pick for Velo d'Or, with MSR and PR on his victories. The only thing to possibly prevent DegenStache from it, is if Contador takes the Double imo.
Contador or..... You gussed it. Valverde could easily win it with TdF, Sebastian, Vuelta, WC and Lombardia still coming up and Fleche, L-B-L, 3 stages in Catalunya and 2nd in AGR in his bank already.
I guess it depends on the Tour since everyone is racing it tho. |
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 25-06-2015 20:30
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Juul Jensen won in Denmark ahead of Quaade btw. Contador and Tinkov love him and he is beasting it this year, but I doubt he will be selected tho after the Giro.
Peraud withdrew from the ITT today tho, say he suffered from the heat and havent looked good the whole season, apart from the International win. Good a feeling he wont to well this Tour. |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 25-06-2015 20:32
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Yeah, true. I forgot him there, shame on me. He almost did the Ardennes Triple! Dunno about Tour but I reckon that a stage win up Mur would be already sweeten the deal for Velo d'Or. Dunno if more is possible for Valv, we'll see.
Hope he gets Lombardia this year. Or WC title.
Overall, a really great season so far with many things to look back.
Edited by Shonak on 25-06-2015 20:33
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 25-06-2015 21:04
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Theoractically, he should probably lead the contest had it ended today I guess and since he has a lot more races left he is able to do well in, he is the favorite - unless Contador do the double, obviously, which he doesnt.
Juul won after a mechanical as well, impressive. Fuglsang finished 4th in a decently strong field after his Suisse-abandon which are somewhat good signs. |
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 25-06-2015 21:16
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Croix de Fer confirmed in the Alpe d'Huez stage btw, so its pretty much the same profile as before but with more flat before the climb and less flat after (although still lots). So yes, we will climb that goddammed climb from ALL three sides this year 
Also interesting point to note: The highest point across all 3 GTs this year is the Col d'Allos at a mere 2250m. Not sure when the last time it was that low was, certainly a while ago though.
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 25-06-2015 21:20
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Croix de Fer is a beastly climb (at least from that one side).
But yeah, it will be pretty dull for the 3rd time in a row, I had hoped they would pull a surprise and NOT start in Modane, but I guess its how it works. Anyways, even with Galibier, its hard for even the best climbers to gain significant time for the rolling 20 kilometers or so into Alpe, so I dont believe the replacement will mean anything at all in the grand scheme of things, its just a little annoying that 1) it is so short and 2) its the same climb, but meh. Its the riders who make the race. |
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| bajbar |
Posted on 25-06-2015 21:29
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Stromeon wrote:
Croix de Fer confirmed in the Alpe d'Huez stage btw, so its pretty much the same profile as before but with more flat before the climb and less flat after (although still lots). So yes, we will climb that goddammed climb from ALL three sides this year
Also interesting point to note: The highest point across all 3 GTs this year is the Col d'Allos at a mere 2250m. Not sure when the last time it was that low was, certainly a while ago though.
Well, you might be surprised that in 2013, 2012 and 2010 there have been even lower highpoints to the Tour, with Pailheres, Croix de Fer and Tourmalet taking the honors. |
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 25-06-2015 22:19
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bajbar wrote:
Stromeon wrote:
Croix de Fer confirmed in the Alpe d'Huez stage btw, so its pretty much the same profile as before but with more flat before the climb and less flat after (although still lots). So yes, we will climb that goddammed climb from ALL three sides this year
Also interesting point to note: The highest point across all 3 GTs this year is the Col d'Allos at a mere 2250m. Not sure when the last time it was that low was, certainly a while ago though.
Well, you might be surprised that in 2013, 2012 and 2010 there have been even lower highpoints to the Tour, with Pailheres, Croix de Fer and Tourmalet taking the honors.
I was referencing the fact that across the 3 GT's this year, the highest point is only 2250m. In those years either the Vuelta or the Giro had a higher highest point, so to speak. So no, I'm not surprised
Riis123 wrote:
Croix de Fer is a beastly climb (at least from that one side).
But yeah, it will be pretty dull for the 3rd time in a row, I had hoped they would pull a surprise and NOT start in Modane, but I guess its how it works. Anyways, even with Galibier, its hard for even the best climbers to gain significant time for the rolling 20 kilometers or so into Alpe, so I dont believe the replacement will mean anything at all in the grand scheme of things, its just a little annoying that 1) it is so short and 2) its the same climb, but meh. Its the riders who make the race.
Yeah, it changes pretty much nothing in terms of how the stage will be raced and I would be happier with the Croix de Fer than Galibier if they hadn't already included it twice before
ASO have the profile up already, how organised of them!
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 26-06-2015 01:53
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https://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/robe...-de-france
Formidable article on Skys TdF-team from Millar. Rowe, Stannard and Pate for the first week; Poels, Porte and Henao in the mountains; Kennaugh and Thomas for both and obviously Froome as captain. That leaves Roche out, as well Nieve and König. Roche hasnt been going too well, Nieve hasnt either and has ridden Giro with Konig - they should focus on the Vuelta, since the 3 climbers + Thomas are better in the mountains atm I feel. Balanced team without just mountain goats |
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| parkersay |
Posted on 26-06-2015 07:30
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Riis123 wrote:
Contador or..... You gussed it. Valverde could easily win it with TdF, Sebastian, Vuelta, WC and Lombardia still coming up and Fleche, L-B-L, 3 stages in Catalunya and 2nd in AGR in his bank already.
I guess it depends on the Tour since everyone is racing it tho.
Lets be real, Valverde won't win the Tour. He hasn't looked good in the Tour's mountains in the last two Tours, and he hasn't been close to contending (I know he was 4th last year, but he was never in the mix for the win). I don't see why Movistar continue to go with this co-leaders strategy instead of backing Quintana 100%. If Valverde would commit to being a wingman for Quintana and quit trying to throw his hat into the mix as well, they would be an unstoppable tandem.
Either way, the polka dot jersey preview is up:
https://the5thq.w...breakdown/ |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 26-06-2015 08:08
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parkersay wrote:
He hasn't looked good in the Tour's mountains in the last two Tour
He was in good shape in 2013 and 2nd up until he lost big time in the echelon stage due to a unfortunate puncture or mechanical or whatever happened back then. Afterwards, he helped Q.
But yes, Movistar is wise to back Q 100% for le Tour, but allow Valv to get a shot at yellow in the first week. It's still prestigious to have it for some days and Valv is their main star for a decade now.
I heard Q will back up Valv at la Vuelta? So, Valv has a really good shot at it this year if Froome and Nibali skip Vuelta. Landa and Aru are likely great threats and the usual Purito plus one, two dark horses.
Edited by Shonak on 26-06-2015 08:12
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| parkersay |
Posted on 26-06-2015 08:52
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Shonak wrote:
parkersay wrote:
He hasn't looked good in the Tour's mountains in the last two Tour
He was in good shape in 2013 and 2nd up until he lost big time in the echelon stage due to a unfortunate puncture or mechanical or whatever happened back then. Afterwards, he helped Q.
True, I forgot about that day in the crosswinds. Still, I find it somewhat ridiculous to think Valverde should be anything more than a luxury teammate for Quintana at this point. I just don't see a way for Valverde to win this race. |
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 26-06-2015 10:29
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parkersay wrote:
Riis123 wrote:
Contador or..... You gussed it. Valverde could easily win it with TdF, Sebastian, Vuelta, WC and Lombardia still coming up and Fleche, L-B-L, 3 stages in Catalunya and 2nd in AGR in his bank already.
I guess it depends on the Tour since everyone is racing it tho.
Lets be real, Valverde won't win the Tour. He hasn't looked good in the Tour's mountains in the last two Tours, and he hasn't been close to contending (I know he was 4th last year, but he was never in the mix for the win). I don't see why Movistar continue to go with this co-leaders strategy instead of backing Quintana 100%. If Valverde would commit to being a wingman for Quintana and quit trying to throw his hat into the mix as well, they would be an unstoppable tandem.
Either way, the polka dot jersey preview is up:
https://the5thq.w...breakdown/
I am a big fan of Valverde, but dont get me wrong, I dont have any delusions about that. at all. I know he wont win the Tour anymore, unfortunately, and probably the Vuelta as well, but what I meant by it was he possibility of stage win, super domestique, top-10 etc. It all counts.
Shonak: I havent heard that, but it probably depends a lot on the Tour. I think its unwise though, I would rather just to have to captains.
Edited by Riis123 on 26-06-2015 10:31
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| Kirchen_75 |
Posted on 26-06-2015 11:40
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I'm prepared to bet my house on Tony winning in Utrecht. Hopefully he doesnt have a mechanical like in Liege TDF 2012 I think |
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