[Closed] Tour de France Stage 19 - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne / La Toussuire - Les Sybelles

Dan bloody Marrrrrtin !

🙄

(Stage 19)

is GENIEZ still riding? (actually, might literally still be riding, finishing yesterday's stage 🙄 )

I think Froome will be attacked today lots, yes even more by the GC riders. The only one who might get him is Quintanna but he doesnt have as good a support team as Froome so i think he'll fail. I dont think he has much to loose in attacking as every time he goes Froomy will have to chase so both would be equally tired tomorrow on Duez. Should be another exciting day.

Bugger, err, mods,can yoiu change that to "stage 19" please? Anyone mind reporting it to alert them? Thank you.

Finishing breakfast in Monaco,warm breeze blowing across the yachts by the hotel and it's already HOT down here in the south.* However, that heat is as nothing to the crazed fervour of the French press! "ON A GAGNÉ, ON A GAGNÉ".

As if they've won the whole race or something.
Fervour aside, the coverage in l'Equipe is excellent.

* 8)

Capn Flashgit, surely it reads [b][u]UN[/u][/b] a gagne ? 😀

Was indeed a smashing stage yesterday for the French, enjoyed that Bardet win.

Today, well it's got to be a GC day. I'd expect to see a fearsome pace set up the Croix de Fer and any breaks reeled in.

Be interesting to see how much Movistar want the win with two podium places at risk. Valverde does look a bit vulnerable. Contador nothing to lose but seems tired.

A bit predictable but Froome to follow all the attacks and then go for the win (having missed out on this stage a few years ago.)

what happened to the velogames league table updates?

here you go. that's me at the top by the way. 🙂

1. The Froome Wagon - Paul B - 5135
2. i'm off to boat jail for a good sleep - spawnofyorkshire - 4944
3. Alan's Deep Bath - Andy - 4843

Be interesting to see how much Movistar want the win with two podium places at risk. Valverde does look a bit vulnerable. Contador nothing to lose but seems tired.

Boardman noted yesterday on ITV4 highlights how much Sky might pick up on any perceived weakness from Valverde and try and shift G up into podium, that does now seem to be one of their stated ambitions.

Can't see them abandoning CF but if the opportunity to put Valverde under pressure is there, they may well see what they can force.

I'm sticking my neck out and predicting Froome for the stage

Quintana 30s down the road

Valverde way down

G to go into 3rd as he drags the rest up

G attacking would be a good move, either then he gets free or else softens then up so Froome goes. However, he has not shown that he has that sort of acceleration; he's more in the wiggo/evans mold, and it's not Sky's style being too risky.

[baseless predictions]Froome to lose at least a minute to Quintana today, Contador to move into 3rd after Valverde cracks.[/baseless predictions]

I would love Brailsford to let G push for a podium, the guy deserves it, he is becoming my new Jens particularly after Tony Martin crashed.

With Froome being able to handle himself in the GC, Porte could look after him with Roche.

Go on David, put a spanner in the works, give G the nod and **** the conservative plan, the rest of the GC contenders are broken (except Quintana)

Is todays stage the one they used for the Etape?

[quote=mj27 dijo]I would love Brailsford to let G push for a podium, the guy deserves it, he is becoming my new Jens particularly after Tony Martin crashed.
With Froome being able to handle himself in the GC, Porte could look after him with Roche.
Go on David, put a spanner in the works, give G the nod and **** the conservative plan, the rest of the GC contenders are broken (except Quintana)

this, 100%. On previos threads I've mentioned my wild dreams of G being allowed to attack

I reckon we'll see Majka in a break, ostensibly to pick up KOM points and help Contador late on but he'll ride away and take the stage. Neither Sky, Movistar nor Taxoff will try and force the pace till late, so "the heads of state" will be together until the foot of the final climb, by which time the break will have suceeded.

Contador normally finishes GTs strongly whilst Valverde falls away, so he might force his way onto the podium (sorry G - I think he'll go down, not up). But he might save it all for an iconic win on the Alpe tomorrow.

Get the feeling that Movistar would settle for 2 podium places and won't gamble - bit disappointing from the so-called "best climber of his generation", but we have to remember he may look like an old man, but he's only 25 (and, like Sagan, burdened with over-expectation). But, if they do try, I've got a feeling Sky might be vulnerable.

Then again, something completely differant might occur - even a "boring" tour is completely unpredictable.

On previos threads I've mentioned my wild dreams of G being allowed to attack

G on that subject over at [url= http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/07/news/podium-not-priority-for-thomas-in-tour-homestretch_379299 ]velonews[/url].

Must be a few on here waiting for this, should be a good read...

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Is todays stage the one they used for the Etape?

It is indeed. A couple of mates rode it. Said the Glandon / Croix de Fer was a log jam of people pushing bikes and pulled up suffering from cramp! My mate's Strava comment, and he's quite a handy rider...

Damn hot, and the hardest bike ride I have ever done! the last 2km of the Col d'Glandon is almost unrideable.

Probably be proven wrong, but don't think Contador is fussed about being 3rd - he'd prefer to attack from way out on the 1% chance that he gains minutes on everyone à la Landis 2006 / himself in the Vuelta in 2012, rather than ride conservatively and move up a place or two.. it's win or nothing for him..

I can't see G attacking, with Porte sick still he's the only Sky rider that's been able to stay with Froome late into a stage. They can't risk having G ahead and Froome with no team mates behind in the GC group.

I reckon it will be Sky or Movistar setting a fast pace to the bottom of the Croix de Fer (I think Sky will up the early tempo to try and avoid having a large breakaway form or at least close it down before the CdF). Then there's going to be fireworks on the CdF; Valverde, Contador and Nibali all attacking early and Froome/Quintana marking each other. All depends then if one of them can drop Froome before the top, if not it will likely be a Froome win from an attack on the last climb. If they do then it could be the first time Froome is put under real pressure (I don't think G will still be with him at the top of the CdF) and could be a case of limiting his losses and holding Quintana to a minute or two.

Boardman noted yesterday on ITV4 highlights how much Sky might pick up on any perceived weakness from Valverde and try and shift G up into podium, that does now seem to be one of their stated ambitions.

Valverde to look like he's struggling to encourage Thomas to push himself too hard, at the behest of Froome, leaving Froome to be attacked by a revived Valverde and Quintana.

There are some grumpy can tweets going round #chickenpoxtour

I understand on flat stages with the wind, leadout etc. but what's the significance of teammates during mountain stages?

There's still an aero benefit to drafting on the less steep uphill bits, plus the psychological effect of someone to set the pace and follow their wheel.

Also to minimise time lost to mechanicals by swapping a wheel/bike if necessary. eg Sagan gave up his bike to Contador after he crashed on the descent a couple of days ago.

Steven bloody KRUIJSWIJK's up front and damn, I've called him up front for the last few days in the bumps and he's been nowhere! Today? damn if he's in the break and on the front...

Grrr

And it's pouring down too!

And Berties gone off the front, so too Nibbs.

And it's pouring down too!

Where? Not where they're currently riding.

Peloton looking pretty thin already.

Sky are in trouble here, lost a few people, GT struggling, this is going to be a seriously tough day in the office from Froome I reckon.

That was a pretty brutal start. Froome only got Poles with him now I think. Nibali with Scarponi. Quintana looks to have the most team mates with him. Would assume there'd be a bit of a regrouping before the Glandon, Movistar probably the only team with enough numbers to really push the pace.

there are going to be some serious time differences today. looks like the other guys want to isolate Froome. Not a bad start in that respect...

In that climb about 5k from the top, poring down it was.. ok short downpour but still.. thought it might have carried over to the other side of the mountain but it hasn't.
All descending now on new tarmac..

Van Baarle doing a touch of off roading there

Froome, what a gent. Makes sure he's clear of the bunch before launching his snot rockets.

Oooh Jono's been [url= https://fanculamedia.wordpress.com/2015/07/24/brioche-st-jean-de-maurienne-to-la-toussuire-tdf-stage-19/ ]making brioche[/url] 🙂

3 sky team with froome now, plus a few more a few seconds back

Yes, now that breakaway has got itself established, it's all settled down a bit now. Pretty manic start though with everyone fighting to get to that lead group!

Not a bad place to hold a stage this, damn lovely countryside and mountains. 8)

I can't help but think the message from Froome and GT lately that the teams all well and feeling good is a bluff. Health issues in Sky I think.

Oi, G what are you doing at the back?!
Get back up there.

G's cooked. Not going to be his day today.

nibbles attacks

froome follows (not sure why)

Come on Froomey, dig deep.
Get back on there G!

Will be interesting to see how the Quintana/Valverde thing works out. I reckon Quintana has to give it a go on that last long climb but will he get any help ? Froome is the most vulnerable he has been all Tour.

Froome, Quintana, Contador and Valverde all in a group with the remnants of what was the break away. Froome on his tod - Pouels got dropped (I think?) rest seem to have at least 1 other team member in there.
RM.
Edit - wrong, Pouels is with him.

Hope one of the other main contenders give froome a bit of a kicking today,nothing against froome but it would be great if there where a few within a few seconds of each other for the alp de huez(can't see it though)

Froome in for a long day today by the look of it.

chrispy media blackout is now in full effect!
this is going to have to wait till I finish work 🙁

Valverde attacks. Froome is in for a torrid day at the office.

Pouels got dropped (I think?)

Valverde attacks.
Poels given the job of closing the gap - not working!

Valverde's gone up the road and Froome hasn't chased.
For the G-Fans he's about 2'10 behind the Yellow Jumper group.
RM.

Great to see a French guy out front, taking 2mins now too.. Dude 8)

Wout Poels back with Froome.
Valverde's attack neuralised

hmmm - Valverde looks like he's stopped bothering

hmmm - Valverde looks like he's stopped bothering

Headwind innit

Bizarre to watch the favourites across the road like that.

Oh dear, froome has bike problems

How the hell can he spin like that to catch them back up 8)

Not very classy by Nibali

Scanned the TV, choices of basketball cage fighting and lots worse... Deciding day?

'kin ell itv choose that moment to go to adverts

Froooooomie!!!

Spin boy spin 😆

What happened to Uran?

Bad form Nibbles.

I want to do this stage 😀

Not very classy by Nibali

Poor form, He had a good look and there's no way he can claim that he didn't know what was going on.

You mean the downhill bit bikebouy?

I guess we're going to be treated to lots of downhill footage of Nibali - should be good.

Nibali the **** from Messina
Let him go , he is no threat anyway.

Nibbs climbing and attacking is a beautiful thing.. 8)

Nah, the uphill bit 😆

Poor form, He had a good look and there's no way he can claim that he didn't know what was going on.

So he might start the final climb with a 2min lead at this rate.

First one to mention Discs gets a 😛

Froome needs to let nibali go, he's no threat to him and plenty others can do the chasing.

Woohooo.. Nibbs on the attack downhill !!

First one to mention Discs gets a 😛

Booo the adverts

Grrrr..adverts....grrrr 🙄

RM 😛

😆

Jesus christ got to take the boy to his swimming lesson in half an hour 😥

froome mechanical was a stone in his brake caliper

would not have happened with discs ......