Giro d'Italia / Tour de France

[Paddingtonwolf]

Awesome stage today, brilliant to see the top four scrapping

 

[Wombat del combate]

Barring a mechanical or crash, I think Froome has this one unless Uran pulls out a spectacular TT.

 

[machin05]

So when will Landa get a shot at a GC? Everytime I've seen him, he looks imperious leading the team right to the end.

 

[Wombat del combate]

He's off to Movistar by all accounts, and would have had a chance if he hadn't also been wiped out with Thomas in the Giro.

 

[machin05]

He's off to Movistar by all accounts, and would have had a chance if he hadn't also been wiped out with Thomas in the Giro.

Did I hear in the comms yesterday that Quintana is off to Sky?

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Yeah I think Landa is definitely going to Movistar which would suggest Quintana is leaving. Couldn't imagine him going to Sky at all (though as you say think he's been linked in the last couple of days). The main talk was Astana which could work with Aru as he'd generally be expected to do the Giro leaving Tour and Vuelta for Quintana.

 

[Johnny75]

Wouldn't be surprised if Quintana went to Trek as Contador is retiring (I think). Next year's Tour is looking very tasty with Landa at Movistar, Dumoulin, Aru, Uran, Quintana, Martin, the Scott brothers and Barguil.

 

[Wombat del combate]

Plus, if Kittel goes to Katusha-Alpecin (and why not, he's got lovely hair and the latter makes shampoo), Gaviria will get a shout at Quick-Step, so the sprinters' will be awesome too.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Yeah Gaviria needs a shot in the tour, I reckon he's the best already (as quick as Kittel but able to do so much more).

It'll be Froome v Dumoulin next year I reckon.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I dunno

I think it might be Thomas v Landa v Dumoulin

I have a funny feeling that Froome might say this year is enough, unless he really fancies joining Indurain on five wins. That stage to Peyregaudes showed some weakness that has not happened before and I think he might see a bit of worry about next year in that, especially if the route is a brute.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Froome has definitely weakened this year, he's had a poor season overall hntil the Tour (which IMO will be the least impressive of his victories). Don't think he's about to retire though.

Thomas is not up to a grand tour winner level for me, not close. Should have concentrated on becoming a world class classics rider rather than just another Sky super domestique, or at least that's what I would have liked to see from him.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Froome was like this under Wiggins.

Without that TV bike, I think Geraint would have been winning the Giro.

 

[Wombat del combate]

I think it reasonable to say that Froome has had his season managed to peak for a Tour which isn't the hardest we've ever seen, so that may fuel rumours behind a decline. Also, he was getting distanced (or at least failing to hold a wheel) before the wheel swap last Monday and had to bury himself to get back on.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Slightly cuntish from the crowd at the Stade Velodrome. Support Bardet - that is great. Booing Froome is a fucking disgrace.

 

[Tony Towner]

4 time winner that without team orders would possibly be 5, very impressive.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Reaction as he came into the stadium just behind their hero Bardet was absolutely beyond the pale. Cunts

 

[Bit on the shaggies]

Reaction as he came into the stadium just behind their hero Bardet was absolutely beyond the pale. Cunts

Laurent Jalabert commenting on the telly here said as much if that helps...

 

[thehistorymakers]

Alberto Contador has announced that he is retiring from professional cycling, after the next Vuelta a España.

 

[machin05]

Vuelta a Espana starts on Saturday. Some of those climbs look outrageous!

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Angliru is INSANE