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ewenm said:
It was a Movistar soigneur it seems. He then gave the OGE rider a hand to get going again.
yes, thought that too, he gave the rider a push once he re-mounted. I was rather perplexed by the riders reaction at first [fisty cuffs] and he then seemed OK for said soigneur to push him off..oh and top marks to you sir for spelling soigneur correctly
Grandfondo said:
Were you cynical of last years result?
That's the point isn't it? People crawling up Froome's arse last year, yet appear unable to grasp the fact that Nibbles is a class act, has been for a long time, and his team has ridden its competitors into the ground. Even on his own he's class - he pretty much took Sky on single handed in 2012 when he came 3rd. And if Froome hadn't crashed, and ridden to the end, there's no way Sky were going to be able to set him up for a win. They've splintered.I'm a Froome supporter. I have no doubt he was clean last year, and I have no doubt Nibbles is clean this year. And I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong if it's proved otherwise
Grandfondo said:
Were you cynical of last years result?
No actually and that's a fair point. However, last year (as with the year before) it was the Sky tour. They controlled everything and it wasn't a particularly unexpected result.Notwithstanding that Bertie and Froome are out this year, Nibali has had some very impressive performances in this year's tour. However, he has had a very average year really up until this point. However, I grant you that a quiet start to the year may indicate that he and Astana were saving him for the Tour.
I didn't suspect Froome or Wiggins and that's not because I am a fan, indeed as I've mentioned before in this thread I'm not a Team Sky fan really. It was more because you could see how Sky operated and how a lot of their wins (especially Wiggo's) came from gaining a lot of time in the TTs.
I really do hope that Nibali is racing clean and bar the gossip of him working with Ferrari and Astana's past I'm not aware of him having any past related to doping.
I think it's just a sign of being a bit fatigued of seeing great cyclists who you really rated turning out to be cheats.
Nibbles really shouldnt need to dope to beat this lot, I'm astonished at the lack of competition the other GC riders have managed to muster in this tour. Nibbles has ridden away from them because the likes of Ten Dam, Mollema and Van Den Broeck have been so poor. Yes they could beat me hands down but they are supposed to be contenders for yellow not also-rans. I dont think this has been a particularly tough tour compared to previous years, sure I'd be breathing through my backside halfway through stage one and dead after a day or two but hte overall profile really should suit the team leaders who are more roulers rather than out and out climbers. It says a lot that Van Garderren is still in the top six and Porte is FIFTY minutes down the road....
The French revival has been good, Pinot rode well in 2012 and 13 and really could be the next french tour winner, the fight for second is great too and the TT will still have a major impact on the podium.
The French revival has been good, Pinot rode well in 2012 and 13 and really could be the next french tour winner, the fight for second is great too and the TT will still have a major impact on the podium.
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