2014 TdF Thread?
07-23-14, 10:17 AM
#252
Senior Member
LOL at yourself. Both of these guys have been top-3 at the Dauphine, one of them having actually won the damn thing, remember? It was only a month ago. And both have been top-10 at the TdF, Talansky at both the Tour and Vuelta. Yeah, neither of them are major GT podium threats, at least as yet, but how many nations have one of them? Let's see, Italy (with just one guy!), Spain, the U.K., Colombia. Am I missing anyone? Arguably France and Australia if you count Pinot this Tour and Cadel at the Giro last year, but that last one is a reach given his apparent trajectory. But, you know, keep up with the snark, it makes you look clever and well-informed about the sport.
Not always, he didn't seem to have one in 2012. But the last two years he has had that problem. This year doesn't appear to have been as bad as last, he's still in the top 10. Still, he's going to have to turn that around. The issue at least this year seems to be that he's in an in-between kind of form for stage races, getting up to speed too slowly for the 1-week races like the Dauphine, but having a bad day on a crucial climbing stage in third week of the Tour. That's a bad place to find yourself in.
Not always, he didn't seem to have one in 2012. But the last two years he has had that problem. This year doesn't appear to have been as bad as last, he's still in the top 10. Still, he's going to have to turn that around. The issue at least this year seems to be that he's in an in-between kind of form for stage races, getting up to speed too slowly for the 1-week races like the Dauphine, but having a bad day on a crucial climbing stage in third week of the Tour. That's a bad place to find yourself in.
07-23-14, 10:37 AM
#253
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these shortish mountain stages often end up being the best from a viewers point of view - they seemed to be raced aggressively from the get go, have the name brand players involved, and are fun to watch.
07-24-14, 07:31 AM
#258
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which Frenchman? or all? I think they should work together to try and dispatch Valve and get Pinot and that older guy from AG2R that no one can remember his name on the podium!
07-24-14, 08:44 AM
#260
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Would really like to see something from Pinot, but he isn't willing to risk his 3rd to try and drop Valverde me thinks! Peraud from ag2r looked really strong yesterday sticking to Nibbles wheel, but how much did that take out of him. Get ready for a show for the remaining spots!
07-24-14, 09:29 AM
#262
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There have been some suspicious looking climb numbers circulating around twitter pretty much for the entire tour in the mountains. Not just Nibbles, but a few others too. Mainly Nibbles.
07-24-14, 10:02 AM
#263
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07-24-14, 10:04 AM
#264
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07-24-14, 10:06 AM
#265
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there's no way Vinokourov would let anything suspicious happen on his watch. also my internet feed pooped out today so i didnt see the stage. I assume the yellow jersey did something extraordinary
07-24-14, 10:07 AM
#266
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07-24-14, 10:14 AM
#267
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Everything I've seen so far has been between 5.8 and 5.9 w/kg, today something like 6.07. Froome had higher power estimates last year. Doesn't mean it's necessarily clean, but if there have been higher estimates out there, it would be interesting to know.
07-24-14, 11:22 AM
#270
Senior Member
Alas, without an Hinaultish palmares, especially in the one-day races. The way Nibali has raced in this Tour has absolutely made me a fan. I was more neutral on him before, but from Stage 2 he's been hungry, aggressive and very sharp.
07-24-14, 12:26 PM
#271
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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ooh, he's back on top in my mind
https://zippy.gfycat.com/ImpassionedShamelessCapybara.webm https://zippy.gfycat.com/ImpassionedS...sCapybara.webm
https://zippy.gfycat.com/ImpassionedShamelessCapybara.webm https://zippy.gfycat.com/ImpassionedS...sCapybara.webm
07-24-14, 12:39 PM
#272
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07-24-14, 04:27 PM
#274
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I wasn't referring to wins through the calendar year, just someone who excels day to day within a stage race, no matter the terrain. Yes lofty, but his abilities are well rounded. And he hasn't had to prove it yet this Tour, but he descends as well as Sagan.
07-24-14, 05:19 PM
#275
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As far as best all rounder, Big Mig eclipses Nibali in that domain as Indurain was also well capable of winning a sprint, TT or Mountain Stage.
I respect Nibali but let's keep it real. he has a long palmare to fill before he can approach Indurain, let alone Hinault.
Last edited by Moyene Corniche; 07-24-14 at 05:27 PM.