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Morning all, awesome looking stage this is, stunning.
The big star of the last week of the Tour de France is Western Europe's highest peak: the Mont Blanc culminates at an altitude of 4808.73m. It's been seen from the Grand Colombier on Sunday, from Finhaut-Emosson on Tuesday, from Megève on Wednesday but the closest place to the giant is Le Bettex, just above the town of Saint-Gervais. That's where, back in 1990, Ronan Pensec took the yellow jersey the day he turned 27. More recently, that's where Chris Froome won the second last stage of the 2015 Critérium du Dauphiné and prepared for his overall success. The ascent to Le Bettex is preceded by a little known but grueling climb: the côte des Amérands. A few hills on the course are unprecedented at the Tour de France, starting with the collet du Tamié, which is not a categorized climb even though it's 50 metres higher than the often featured col du Tamié, two Forclaz – the Forclaz de Montmin and the Forclaz de Queige after the col de la Forclaz in Switzerland on Wednesday – and the Montée de Bisanne, classified hors category by the organizers. After taking his second stage victory in the uphill time trial from Sallanches to Megève, which came after his unexpected downhill victory at Bagnères-de-Luchon in the Pyrenees, Froome is yet to win uphill as he did in his previous campaigns for the yellow jersey. But he made it clear that he's just happy to stay where he is in the overall ranking so he won't chase breakaways down and the biggest fights to come are between the protagonists for second and third places on the podium, namely Bauke Mollema, Adam Yates, Nairo Quintana, Romain Bardet, Richie Porte and Fabio Aru.
Lumpy.
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Very lumpy
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It'll be an interesting day this, but who will attack, and who will sit? To the [url= http://inrng.com/ ]Inrng[/url]
Chris Froome won here in 2015 (pictured) after Wout Poels paced him and he ditched Tejay van Garderen late on the last climb. He says he doesn’t want to win any more stages but why turn down the opportunity? Maybe he can set up a team mate, Wout Poels or another depending on their helper rotation policy.Richie Porte needs to attack to climb onto the podium, he’s sixth overall and has to pick off his rivals with more than a late surge. He can do this on the final climb where Bauke Mollema might find the early slopes severe and there’s a time bonus waiting at the finish line.
Fabio Aru re-emerged yesterday with a surprise third place and if we’ve rediscovered the 2015 vintage then here is a course to suit the explosive climber with a mouth like a basking shark. Still it’s obvious he wants to move up the overall classification and if Team Sky don’t mind others will.
Everyone’s buried Nairo Quintana but the cooler conditions might suit him today. When he finished the stage two days ago it look him close to 90 minutes to provide a urine sample for the anti-doping control, a sign of massive dehydration and a rookie error. It’s still hard to see him winning but he could beat the downgraded expectations.
It’s not game over for Dan Martin either, he attacked on the summit finish two days ago could use his sprint. Similarly Adam Yates and Romain Bardet can jump well and a stage win is just possible if the stars align.
The two breakaway picks are Rafa? Majka and Ilnur Zakarin again, both are climbing very well and you tend to see the same faces in the moves in the final week. Let’s add Alexis Vuillermoz to the list too but he could be on Bardet-duty too.
And finally, a couple of pics from yesterday.
Froome, in full TT mode.
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Dumoulin, my man crush on the hot seat.
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Aru, good pain face.
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Isn't it stage 19?
Thanks for doing this again, by the way.
Oh FFS, I've done it again, yes , it is 19, I'll ask a mod to change it.
Firstly Lunge ... Chapeau.
Im not about after today for the rest of the Tour, so getting my thanks in early for the great job you've done.... I rarely comment but your posts have helped for my fantasy team .... Good man
I'd like Froome for the win today.
He seems to have loads left in the tank and a summit finish awaits .... he's answered every call the media/public have made on him.... He'll do it again and we'll finally love him for it.
Cant see Froome winning, it would mean Sky controlling the break and why would they? Unless Moviestar or Astana work early to keep the break in range but then why do that? Foome is too far ahead and the other contendorscare battling each other for the podium not a stage win.
Thanks lunge for doing this every day, much appreciated.
Froome has no reason to win today. Just defend.
Would love to see Poels get the stage as a reward though. #beast
With positions 2-6 only separated by 1:08 the fight is going to be all about who gets on the podium behind Froome. Even Aru in 7th is only another 1:08 back so I'm sure he will also be in the mix after yesterday's showing and Astana are looking stronger as a team now.
I think there will be a breakaway and the race up the final climb won't be about the stage win so no interest for Froome to exert himself greatly. He will just be marking the other GC contenders who will almost certainly attack if they want to move up the GC and get on the podium. My biggest fear is that Adam Yates is going to get swamped and distanced by the multiple attacks which are sure to come from several contenders.
Yates has done great, winning the white jersey would be great anything else is a bonus, his time is still to come.
plus 1 on the thanks to Lunge, been enjoying these threads.
Hopefully will be an exciting day, 2-6 have everything to play for.
Likewise worried for Adam Yates, but I reckon/hope the stage a few days ago shows he's got more to give. Agree with A-A though, so long as he keeps the white jersey it will ahve been a great tour
Adam Yates has 3 minutes on Louis Meintjes for the white jersey, he should be able to hold that if he doesn't blow up trying to follow every attack by Porte, Mollema, et al.
I think it's close enough "near" the top that one or two teams (BMC, Astana maybe) might really want to keep the time bonuses available for their leader and may try to control the whole stage. Doubt it'll work though
It's going to be sh.t or bust for Quintana and Movistar today. Can see Valverde (drugs cheat) going for it on his own today. Fingers crossed for Yates.
Same old same old. It's a hugely impressive performance from Sky and Froome. Expect the lead to go over 4 mins today, he'll gain time on all of 2-10 (or not lose, at worst)...
imgoing on my jollies today, will have wifi tonight but not fast enough for any sort of streaming (not that there will be any by the time I get there) anyone know the best way of getting highlights? Does ITV player work abroad? can I connect ipad once there and download the highlights? Any other highlights online shows?
Am I right in thinking that it is to Sky's advantage to let a break from non-GC teams get away? That way GC-insignificant riders pick up the time bonuses and the GC is just down to time over the line. Plus Sky don't get disliked (as much) for hoovering up all the wins.
DONK official TdF app has short highlights (often linked to on other websites) and is good for following stages in terms of info. ITV player doesn't work abroad unless you have a uk vpn. Depending upon where you are going they may have a highlights show on. Various videos uploaded to youtube. Search around here (in French but English links too and from teams) [url=
Looking forward to the stage and the scenery, Quintana looks done to me I think he's off the podium for good. IMO Froome will extend again and tomorrow too with Porte the only rider capable of making up time. Tonight's GC
Froome, Mollemo, Yates, Porte with much smaller gaps 2-4 and maybe Porte on the podium and closing down Mollemo. Maybe I am wrong but stage doesn't look like one where Porte could a minute ?
Donk, google Mobdro
@i_did_dab Yes, pretty much it. It's why breakaways tend to succeed later in the Tour as the time gaps have become big enough that someone well back in the GC will be allowed to get away. But, if say three Movistar riders were in a breakaway and then sat three or four minutes ahead of the peloton (or the GC group) then it would be pretty obvious that they are waiting for Quintana/Valverde to make an attack and are there to help. So Froome, Mollema and Yates all have to be on their guard and assess everything that goes on.
There's thunder and lightning here in Lausanne the other side of the pre-Alpes. I can't imagine it's going to be very nice weather at 1,700m today....
Froome has no reason to win today. Just defend.
THIS
It really depends on whether Froome wants to rub their noses in it or just sit and spin to victory, I suspect he will follow Porte - might let him get a wee lead as he is a mate so he can attack the others but I doubt it. Essentially its game over barring bad luck
or that they really want to win the team GCMovistar riders were in a breakaway and then sat three or four minutes ahead of the peloton (or the GC group) then it would be pretty obvious that they are waiting for Quintana/Valverde to make an attack
Either way I dont think either of them have the legs to attack Froome as has been shown on every other climb/stage.
Keep getting the thought in the back of my mind that at some point Froome might want to help Porte and might go with him if he attacks...
@junkyard - that was an example of why a breakaway *wouldn't* be allowed to stay away not a scenario I think will happen.
That's a great pic of Froomie up there.
Thanks for all these posts Lunge.
Interesting stage. I think Froome will go with Porte too, and will maintain or increase his time over others. I hope Yates has a good day and keeps 3rd, just needs to play it well which he has so far, but I don't think he can stop Porte taking time from him though. Those hills look horrible (especially the Montee de Bisanne), and if it is combined with rain/lightning it could be a very interesting day.
cheers for the ideas fellas, hoping vpn and tdf highlights will work but might run into trouble so having other options is good.
Dunno if was it mentioned yesterday, watched TT highlights this morning, looked like froome was spat on early on in his run
Looked like someone chucked something at Yates at one point to
Dunno if was it mentioned yesterday, watched TT highlights this morning, looked like froome was spat on early on in his run
I think someone threw what looked like a clear bottle containing a translucent yellow liquid at Froome too, kind of rolled on the road in front of him. Course they could have just dropped their [s]apple juice[/s] piss pot
I'm thinking Aru is going to be the big mover today. He's not done much so far but looked strong in the mountain time trial yesterday. Nibali finally looks like he is willing to work for him as well if Stage 17 is anything to go by. Nibali up the road on the previous climb with Aru hoping to link up with him on the final climb.
Aru is far enough back not to be a real threat to Froome and Sky so he might just be allowed to get a 1-2 minute gap on the final climb. That won't adversely affect Froome that much but it could pull him right up on to the podium.
I wouldn't totally rule out Quintana either. Although he has looked fragile on almost every stage, he didn't have a bad result in the time trial yesterday either compared to the lower GC contenders and could get time on them. He's actually only 45 seconds off Mollema's second spot and could easily take that off him today.
Adam Yates might well lose time today as well I fear. Although he's done brilliantly so far, he faded a bit in the time trial yesterday and could be feeling the pace.
Froome has no reason to win today. Just defend.
Will be interesting to see. When Nibali had the Tour tied up a couple of years ago he went up the road to win the stage while the podium chasers sat tight and marked each other. Froome could easily take advantage of this and do the same today. Or he could just sit tight with another hard day to come tomorrow.
Most predictable part of this stage is probably Sagan and Majka in the early break again to mop up the intermediate sprint and then early KOM points.
I'd watch out for Aru today. I'd not be surprised to see Astana try and get riders in the break and for Aru to try something early, maybe over the Bisanne if he's got some help for the run to the final climb. (edit... what forzafkawi said!)
Reckon the rest of the top 6 will just sit tight till the last climb and see who looks weak.
ferrals - MemberDunno if was it mentioned yesterday, watched TT highlights this morning, looked like froome was spat on early on in his run
I think someone threw what looked like a clear bottle containing a translucent yellow liquid at Froome too, kind of rolled on the road in front of him. Course they could have just dropped their apple juice piss pot
There was a guy in a green hat that looked like he stepped out of the crowd on the right and gobbed at Froome. Later on something yellow seemed to be thrown on road in front of Froome. I replayed that incident several times and it looked to me like it was actually a young kid's yellow hat which blew off by his reaction.
Froome didn't miss a beat in either incident so I'm guessing it wasn't a problem for him.
I loved the bit where the three moronic runners were gearing up for Froome's passing and the Gendarme on the motorcycle cut them off!
great set of threads through the Tour, many thanks lunge.
A great morning read, then a catch up with the highlights every evening.
Getting just a little excited about getting on a plane to Paris on Sunday morning with my son to watch the entourage on the Champs Elysee 🙂
Froome didn't miss a beat in either incident so I'm guessing it wasn't a problem for him.
Head down, huge effort, in an aero helmet, I doubt he even noticed.
yeah, saw that too, I concur 🙂I replayed that incident several times and it looked to me like it was actually a young kid's yellow hat which blew off by his reaction.
Keep getting the thought in the back of my mind that at some point Froome might want to help Porte and might go with him if he attacks..
I have a feeling this might happen too. Best way to defend is to be up the road. Porte goes, Froome bridges across, they work together like old times, Porte takes the stage and gains 4 mins, Froome goes 8 mins up on GC.
Aru is also a good shout, though he's not far enough behind the GC contenders to be given a free rein.
It's taken years but I'm glad to notice Froome is getting the recognition he deserves on this forum.
Its funny how on Facebook the default reaction seems to be:
a) he's not british really
b) he's definately doping its just something that hasnt been discovered
He's a bit like Kelly Slater (12x world champ) in surfing: talks a bit like an android but is obviously completely focussed on the task in hand.
I have to say the ideal scenario is Froomes riding and Brads press conferences
He is a bit of a personality void and this will always fuel the haters and the legacy of cycling is little more than the history of drug cheats
I don't think lack of entertaining press conferences and toys/pram strops = personality void, there's a broad spectrum between diva and complete none person. But agree he isn't as charismatic off the bike as others.
But agree he isn't as charismatic [s]off the bike[/s] when shoved in front of a TV camera as others.
FTFY. Seems to be better liked by his team mates than Wiggo ever was too. To claim someone is a personality void just because they are professional when dealing with press is a bit harsh.
Looks like Nairo is already [url= https://twitter.com/bicigoga/status/756097668099735552 ]thinking about a consolation Vuelta[/url]. Contador confirmed for the Vuelta too.
He's just a great rider destroying the field. Wasn't so long ago everyone was saying he couldn't handle a bike. Well that downhill escape was pretty amazing on top of just being plain stronger than everyone else.
good point, going infront of camera being asked often obvious, sometimes bloody stupid questions is not a proper reflection of their personaility.FTFY.
There's also often a conflict between being "a professional" and "a personailty"
See, I really like the guy. He comes across as very humble and also able to take the proverbial out of himself, his Twitter feed particularly is often very self depreciating. I suspect he won't wind too many people up and generally would be someone you'd want to work with.
I like Wiggo too, but I can also see how he'd be a right pain in the derrière, I don't get that with Froome.
I do like Wiggo too... but he was a moody petulant prima donna who needed Yates or Sutton to keep him on track. I think he was being truthful when he said he was close to walking out on the Tour he won over the Froome incident. Would have been amusing to see how he'd have handled the broken bike incident on Ventoux (not that he'd have been following Porte's attack.)
Froome vs Wiggo threads are all a bit 2012 though, it's been thoroughly done to death!
I'm warming to him. He has learned a lot along the way both on and off a bike. If he didn't ride like a giraffe on a bike he would be being hailed as 'a great' by now. Maybe.
ITV4 live coverage just started - looks like we are getting the full stage today as they are still in the neutralised zone
Bad weather + mountains = Nibali will win. Maybe he'll take back the hours he needs to win the tour overall. Maybe.
In all seriousness, I like Froome and his racing style is often more exciting than he is given credit for. However, I'd rather someone else won because underdogs are more fun.
I say Chapeau to Froome and Brailsford for giving interviews in French (Johnny W used to do that at Toulon also), they are making an effort to directly engage with the public and that's great.
ITV4 live coverage just started - looks like we are getting the full stage today as they are still in the neutralised zone
Yes French TV started 1 hour earlier than usual too
I'd like to see Thomas and Henao get into a break.
See, I really like the guy. He comes across as very humble and also able to take the proverbial out of himself
Yeh that's the impression I get, just a nice genuine guy, won't get caught up in the hype and think he's a rock star like wiggins did. Not that I don't like wiggins but he does tend to believe his own hype.
Thomas DeGendt forcing the break. His team mate Greg Henderson described his method on Twitter last night: https://storify.com/mrstevious/degendt
Inrng is reporting that a break has gone:
Breakaway of 20 with >2mins, includes De Gendt, Majka, Navarro, Vuillermoz, Bennett, Lutsenko, Pantano, Berhane, Rolland, RuiCosta, Buchmann.
getting interesting, pleased i remembered my headphones!
Breakaway of 20 with >2mins, includes De Gendt, Majka, Navarro, Vuillermoz, Bennett, Lutsenko, Pantano, Berhane, Rolland, RuiCosta, Buchmann.
Astana not happy with that though, they're properly killing it on the front!
Aye looks like it will be a full on race all day.
Aru looking for the stage, great stops it being two races. Stage win for Froome a possibility now.
Aru looking for the stage
This early on, more likely they really wanted someone in the break and are not happy with it as is.
Like the De Gendt facts... 🙂
To get in the break..he sits @500w 4 5min. Then he knows who holds his wheel will be strong enough to ride and he will drop them later.
They have a man in the break!
Big thanks to lunge for these threads! They really do add to my annual tour experience, they make me sound way more knowledgeable when discussing the tour with my mates 😉
I like Froome, this year he has shown a level of aggression and opportunism that I didn't know he had! As for how British he is, I was born in Africa but hold a uk passport so if he isn't British then I am
F***** 🙂
I don't reckon this stage is about winning the tour, but the fight for the podium is going to be epic!
They have a man in the break!
Hadn't spotted that. Maybe they want more in the break. Something about it they're not happy with. Can't see them hitting the front with 110k to go for any other reason.
Come on come on come on...
Home from the pub so apologies out there but...
Come on Richie, ride for tasmania, roar like the tiger!#
Conversation in the pub tonight was he is probably a contender next year, the one to match Froome on the climbs and if TJ is done in the team maybe a GC team like Cadel had.
I'll place bets on him doing a podium, strongest of those in the top 10 and a great bloke
Break is only 3 mins up.
Isn't Lake Annecy beautiful, what a playground for skiing, mtb, roadies, water skiing ... 🙂 I recall there was an STWer living in Alex just above the Lake, lovely.
maybe a GC team like Cadel had.
... but with someone who can support him on the climbs! Maybe send Tejay to the Giro and have Porte for the Tour with Tejay in support role.
Reminds me of the comments from Froome earlier about them being pretty much the only team totally dedicated to just winning the GC. No sprinter, no stage win aspirations (other than Froome but then only for GC time), no one ever going in breaks, and 5 very good climbers in support, not just a bunch of bodyguard roulers for the flat stages.
Something about it they're not happy with.
Yes, theyvwant the peleton to go hard so that Aru can move up the GC and have a crack at the stage
was getting really confused looking at the live tracker, but it seems it not working!
Maybe. A long way out to put most of the team on the front though. Vino is a despicable cheat but he is also a wily old fox so probably has something up his sleeve.
Some big engines in the break, if they can get over the otop in front they might stretch it out a bit.
Notice BMC have two riders in the break too. Could come in handy.
Astana bickering already!
Astana bickering already!
Possibly because they've spent the entire race so far smashing the crap out of it and got precisely nowhere...
Discussing WTF they're doing chasing down a break that has their own man in it. While Froome sits on their wheels quietly giggling to himself.Astana bickering already!
I am staggered that there seem to be no other team like Sky who plan and think things thru and seem to have alternate plans should things alter significantly. Is it Dave Brailsfords guiding hand ?
It seems odd when Sky aren't sat at the front of the peleton, Astana still there, AGR with them, Froome just sitting on the wheels, waiting.
I am staggered that there seem to be no other team like Sky who plan and think things thru and seem to have alternate plans should things alter significantly
Sky have traditionally been absolutely useless at having any sort of Plan B.
On the one hand that avoids any distractions like trying to cater for a sprinter and a GC contender within the same team. On the other hand it really screws things up when your GC contender crashes out (Wiggins in 2011, Froome in 2014).
I am staggered that there seem to be no other team like Sky who plan and think things thru and seem to have alternate plans should things alter significantly. Is it Dave Brailsfords guiding hand ?
You say that but I wonder what Sky's plan B would have been? They are all in for Froome.
Sky don't do Plan B's, but they do Plan A's very well indeed.
Dumoulin out, injured his hand in a fairly innocuous crash by the looks of it. Not sure who my Tour man crush is now, any suggestions?
Dumoulin abandoned? Injured or Rio on his mind?