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And that was over a million* years ago. Things seem different now with how the calendar is structured, and how grand tours are ridden
Possibly but of the big hitters who planned only for the tour and structure the calendar and team tactics for this; Froome, is u/s, Dumoulin injured, Thomas has had a poor run up with injuries and crashes (but is not entirely out of it yet), Quintana was a busted flush last year. nibbles past it, Porte a perennial no show, Martin never going to be a TdeF winner so we're left with a "second string" of whom JA is one of the better riders. And we have another big stage tomorrow and the Alps to come so a lot can still change re JA.
he didn't really do anything in the race till the final 400m, just sat on the Team **** the planets train, didn't need to cover any attacks or change of pace. Though It was a pretty hard and fast pace it was quite constant.
Porte a perennial no show, Martin never going to be a TdeF winner
I’d would still have picked them ahead of JA in the absence of any other contenders
I’m with tired , wanting a french man to win. They have the “class” this year.
Although I have to say, the last time I saw a rider that pumped right after a stage win(ITT)was when floyd landis went off on a rampage up an alp the day after he lost time .
Imo he deserves the yellow just for the skid after the TT.
If G is being honest and knew he was on a bad day, what the hell would have happened if he had a good one.
let's hope today was his poor day for the tour.
tomorrow will tell.
Nothing wrong with wanting a Frenchie to win (though I'd favour Pinot over JA).
Also nothing wrong with asking questions about JA, we'd be daft not to and if he doesn't show a dip in form over the coming days it will be pretty suspicious - considering the energy he expended in the early part of the race.
No conclusion jumping here though, let's wait and see. Enjoying the race very much in the meantime.
I wonder if the French press will be as suspicious as they usually are.
Of course not. Only those nasty Anglo-Saxon types deserve suspicion and scrutiny. The glorious French riders are beyond reproach, no matter how 'surprising' their performance might be...
I am enjoying this years TDF too much to worry/care if Alaphilippe is on some sort of PED; I am just enjoying it for what it is.
Of course G is going to say he knew he was on a bad day from the beginning - whether he really believes that or not is another thing. To admit that he put more effort into cashing in on his 2018 TDF win than he put into defending it wouldnt help his confidence ahead of tomorrows stage would it.
I still hoping Alaphilippe can win this.
Only those nasty Anglo-Saxon types deserve suspicion and scrutiny. The glorious French riders are beyond reproach, no matter how ‘surprising’ their performance might be…
Flashie you are Richard Virenque and I claim my £5
Well, Virenque is a good case in point here. Dirty dealing doper, unrepentant, still fêted.
There is still a long way to go, Alaphilippe isn't showing any signs of struggling yet but one bad day or doing a Yates in last years Giro and imploding the in the final week after looking strong and leading for two weeks are all still possible, I think only if he continues to dominate until the end is it worth raising any questions around his form
I just think Thomas looks knackered - more than usual at this stage. I really can’t see him challenging JA unless the latter blows up.
Well, Virenque is a good case in point here. Dirty dealing doper, unrepentant, still fêted.
You would be hard pressed to find someone from that era who didn't fit that bill but he does come head and shoulders above the rest on hypocrisy
And he is number one in the world, great form this year.
And let's face it GT isn't on his best form either. He's only managed to fall off twice so far.
Here's FDJ boss Marc Madiot watching the finish of today's stage.
https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1152606591008542720
Great.
Talking of Virenque it was only today I twigged it was him in the Festina watch advert, suppose I shouldn't be surprised but for me he's up there with Lance as one of the big villains of cycling. Imagine U S postal or Trek using Lance in a ad?
stevious
Member
Here’s FDJ boss Marc Madiot watching the finish of today’s stage.
He is off of his head........
For the GC riders it is all about limiting losses and not blowing up. JA could blow up on any of the stages in the high mountains. GT said he didn't risk going deep today, time will tell if he made the right decision
Don’t get the cynicism over Alaphillipe, he’s riding well and clearly coming into form.
Usually people who haven't been watching him. Mrs and I tipped him as a future winner on his first TdF outing. He's a class act. Still hope he cracks and G comes through though.
Usually people who haven’t been watching him. Mrs and I tipped him as a future winner on his first TdF outing. He’s a class act. Still hope he cracks and G comes through though.
Don't think it's about being unaware of his class - it's more that he's carrying a phenomenal amount of form over time - he was the strongman of the Classics season. van der Poel said then that Ala was the strongest of the peloton, and he (phenom and future of cycling) knew he was in great form himself when he could just about stay with his attacks. Froome and G don't get out of bed until May, yet Ala has been bodying Belgian hardmen left right and centre since late feb.
I mean let's all just enjoy it for what it is but you can't say I always knew that lad would come good. Crushed all comers in the time trial and that pace today was crucifying, buried most of the strongest GT riders in the world. It's off the scale.
One to ponder for those that think that G will come through.....yeah he won last year and was in amazing form. In previous years though the third week has been a massive struggle for him. I know that he was working for a leader, but was it 2016? when he was third overall with a couple of stages to go, then he ended up blowing up massively and finishing in 15th. Similar thing happened in the previous years too if I remember correctly.
If Alan Philip does blow up in the mountains, I can easily imagine G doing the same.....Pinot also has form for struggling in the final week of a GT. Maybe Verbal could be a dark horse? Kruijswick is pretty consistent when he's on form in a GT and his team looked stronger than the frackers.
I thought Jumbo Visma looked fantastic and to quote “Steven doesn’t crack” from his young teammate. Very solid from their GC rider throughout. Possible second overall if JA has a bad day. As for Movistar, why couldn’t they get behind their now proper leader from the first week? I think G will be competitive in the alps, but as Sir B said “this is probably G’s natural level”. I agree with that. Last year was his peak year and have thought that all season.
I don't there's anything unnatural about Alaphillipe... yet. He's worldno1 and did win the Kom jersey last year. Yesterday was a short stage so going well even after yesterday is reasonable. I imagine he will ship some time today on the longer stage with multiple climbs as the fatigue from the previous days efforts build; even though pre-race guides suggested he could win today's stage.
In an ideal world I'd like to see Pinot gain more time to set up a close race in the alps. Either way it continues to be a great tdf imo
Sadly I think GT will lose more time on Sunday...............
Well, just because a few French riders are finally (after about 15years) at the forefront of the peloton some detractors feel the need to have some wild suspect accusations to throw at them.
Sauce for the goose. . . And Karma, who is a vicious bitch at times!