Not that we have seen much of them yet, but when we have have seen the GC leaders, Froome has been riding in front of G. First time I have seen that, is this official switch of team leader?
Vacuous consumerism, loans, and gambling. The joys of daytime adverts
I see Carol Voldemort has move from high cost loans to equity realease so another financial scandal in the offing
Ah, the people that think that because she was good with numbers on a quiz show, that makes Carol absolutely the right choice to talk to them about investment portfolios, retirement income, etc.
They caused Brexit, you know.
Back in Europe, is Bardet going to pop off the front on the descent?
I do hope Bardet gets a chance to give a descending masterclass.
Sketchy desent, hope G can stay on his bike
Quintana goes!
Sagan crashes...... if a MTBer with their superhuman skills can't stay upright!
#prayforgerainthowellthomasmbe
Valverde up the road, Quintana as a staging post - Landa attack perhaps?
Froome!?
So will TD keep GT in yellow here?
So will TD keep GT in yellow here?
Yes is my suspicion.
Looks like it.
To be fair, what is TD to do? I think he's just going to try and keep Sky close and try to smash the TT. So if Sky can wear him out today and tomorrow he may not quite have the legs.
What Lunge said.
However, what about Froome? Was that a bit if fakery and we are going to see a later attack, or has he not got the form to take the Jersey?
i don't know, Froome does seem to be running at 95%, those "spin the legs up to hamster on amphetamines on his wheel" cadence that he normally uses to attack, don't seem to be there, he has done the odd attack, but don't ever seem to stick, even he must have some fatigue still from the Giro i guess.
Still can't believe Gilbery managed another 60km and those climbs with a broken kneecap!
Are we seeing a passing of the baton (not the French bread) from Clive to Howell?
However, what about Froome? Was that a bit if fakery and we are going to see a later attack, or has he not got the form to take the Jersey?
If he goes then TD will do the chasing so all he does is expend energy as GT will again follow, they could tag team attack TD but it's more high risk. Given how the summit finishes have been before not having any time bonus left would be an advantage
Dan Martin's commitment can't be faulted but by god he's not pretty on a bike is he...
start might have been a damp squib but the rest is quite good.......
Quintana gaining some time today could play into Sky's hands. They'll do well to let him get 2 mins or so. Dumoulin will be looking at defending his podium position tomorrow if it tightens up a bit. Kruijswijk as well....
Dumoulin will be looking at defending his podium position tomorrow
TD should blow NQ away on the TT though, by that logic if NQ puts TD under pressure then Froome is too
So can froome get back on there?? Sat at the back to attack or rest? Shouting on the radio so what is left in the tank
Roglic and Thomas gap Froome, Bernal paces Froome back to Thomas
I can't work out the politics!
TD goes, Thomas follows again
Well on the second attack GT is the team leader now
G bossing it.
yep, but Froome is retaining the lieutenants..... they haven't gone with Thomas (if they could)
Yup, no question on the Sky leader now, G all the way. Awesome!
Thomas kicks and takes ~7s over TD, and ~45s over Froome.
Baton has been passed.
Awesome stuff from G!!
G's little kick for the line is a good indicator for tomorrow and the TT I think.
cracking stuff 🙂
Decided on the road by the looks of it.
Correct way to do it
Booooosh. Awesome stuff GT
That was a little confusing from the outside perspective wasn't it.. When Bernal came back on the front i thought "OK, Froome is dead and Thomas now assumes leader role" which is exactly how it looked... Then Thomas went with Roglic and TD and Bernal sat with Froomey.... weird...
Only thing i can assume is GT said "I've got it, no worries" and let Bernal help Froome out.
But you've got to think that Thomas is now in pole position, both in team Sky and the actual TDF ?
I can’t see TD taking more than 30s off G in the TT. NQ will lose 1:30, so he is still waaaay off.
Super Domestique Froome tomorrow!
froome can get back in his box now i think.
there was only one rider in charge today.
good to see Dan Martin regaining some face its not been his tour this year
Shame quintana took the top spot though but he did work for it.
My mistake. Steady stage tomorrow designed for a breakaway and Tourmalet day is on Friday. Bring it on.
Watching on Basque TV, no mention of Sagan...
Tomorrow is going to be great. When Elbows the stem watcher is determined he succeeds. Tomorrow he’ll be determined to make sure Mr Thomas is in the best place to win that maillot jaune outright. I bet Team Sky will be delighted tonight.
Froome looks rubber ducked to me, like he's holding on for dear life. Tomorrow could, potentially, be a more restful day which gives Thomas 1 mountain stage and 1 TT not to fall off and not to crack.
Rubber side down, Geraint, rubber side down.
Only thing i can assume is GT said “I’ve got it, no worries” and let Bernal help Froome out.
This ^^
all pretty simple really. Froome covered the early attack to protect G. Froome burnt out towards the top so G left to defend himself. Bernal drops back because he had to, or to try to pace Froome back on
1. Geraint Thomas 70hrs 34' 11"
2. Tom Dumoulin +1'59"
3. Chris Froome +2'31"
4. Primoz Roglic +2'47"
5. Nairo Quintana +3'30"
