#667

Was it 2015 when the echelon split in one of the early stages and he got caught in the back group?

Thought his TT riding was meant to be pretty amazing (for his size) so he didn’t loose too much time but I must have got that wrong.

#668

Think this is a big factor tbh (though definitely not the only factor). I get the sense that GTs have become, on average, much more TT heavy over the last few years.

#669

I also think the white Jersey is a bit of a curse: Tejay in 2012 and Nairo in 2013 and 15, Pinot 2014. Puts loads of pressure on young riders.

Agree with Rich’s points about tactics, position and TTing. But also he’s a complete diesel and can’t kick. So while he’s hard to shake off, it’s very rare that he actually gains time by attacking.

Finally, in the Tour he usually has to deal with the ‘enemy within’ - Valverde seldom if ever rides for him, so that’s advantage all the other teams who have a clear leader.

1 Like
#670

Having said all that, I wonder if Max Sciandri will make a difference tactically this year?

#671

Or they’ve become a big focus, and the importance of being a very good all-rounder is so much more important than being a pure climber who can put minutes into opponents on a climb. The end of specialisation in the peloton is a huge factor in modern day pro cycling

@paidinfull he worked wonders in the Giro. But how he manages Landa, valv.piti and Quintana on the road is tough

#672

quite weird for a tiny guy eh. a pure climber should be able to keep attacking on the steep bits.

1 Like
#673

like it

2 Likes
#674

Maybe we should refer to all guys caught in Operation Puerto by their ‘nickname’

#675

bad title

#676

What about the 2 big aussie gc contenders?

Is Richie ‘amiable Australian, wtf??!’ Porte riding?

I assume Matthews will be up there as long as he has the teammates to support him.

#677

Will crash out

4 Likes
#678

Yeah forgot about Porte tbh, now or never I suppose

@japes Thomas Dekker was ‘Classicomano Luigi’. Look at the Wiki entry, it’s brilliant

#679
  • now
  • never

0 voters

#680

Hijo Rudicio (Son of Rudy)

#681

Zapatero

1 Like
#682

I was thinking that was the stage where Sagan and Froome did that amazing breakaway in the echelons but I just checked and I think it was a year later. Anyway, amazing stage that I’ve watched again https://cyclingtips.com/2016/07/sagan-and-froomes-extraordinary-tour-breakaway-this-is-bike-racing-at-its-best/

Agree with what both Rich and Paid In Full have said. Will be interesting to see if Movistar’s tactics change from the “we’ve got three leaders” thing at the TDF as they did at the Giro which you can only assume are down to them getting Max Schiandri as their new DS. Listened to an interview with Alex Dowsett on the Cylcing Podcast last summer I think and a) he came over as a thoroughly decent bloke but b) also highlighted sharp contrast between how Moviestar and Sky prepared for races in terms of tactics i.e Moviestar kind of don’t.

Am suprised nobody has mentioned Yates. Has come 4th before and is having a good season. Should have recovered from the cold he got riding in the rain on Saturday by the start of the tour. Would love to see Pinot do well though.

2 Likes
#683

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Looool!

#684

Traditionally he crashes out on stage 9.

Is permanently a bit under the weather and feeling very dissapointed.

#685

Nibali and Gilbert to take all the stages and all the jerseys pls.

#686

Think the opposite is the case, especially in the Tour. Re: Quintana, I think he reached a peak very early and also probably raced too many GTs when he was younger. At one point he raced 4 in a row, iirc.

1 Like