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Discussion
okgo said:
Lets not forget the standard of rider left in this tour is a lot weaker than when Froome won, and probably when Brad did too. How many stages do you think Nibali would have won if Froome and Bertie were still riding? I'd imagine likely not a lot...
true, however I seem to remember the 2012 tour was not the most challenging though. Olympics were straight after.. My original point was the Nibali irrespective of competition has done the yellow jersey proud. He did not have to win the stage yesterday..
It's the desire to win even when you are 'winning' that I respect.
Dr Imran T said:
okgo said:
Lets not forget the standard of rider left in this tour is a lot weaker than when Froome won, and probably when Brad did too. How many stages do you think Nibali would have won if Froome and Bertie were still riding? I'd imagine likely not a lot...
true, however I seem to remember the 2012 tour was not the most challenging though. Olympics were straight after.. My original point was the Nibali irrespective of competition has done the yellow jersey proud. He did not have to win the stage yesterday..
It's the desire to win even when you are 'winning' that I respect.
2012 was an odd tour - lots of TT by recent standards and obviously Bertie was missing. So Sky could (with Porte, Froome, Knees and EBH supporting Wiggo) roll the Sky Train up the hills and ensure Wiggo didn't lose any time on GC, then gain a minute or more in each TT. Simple plan, worked well.
okgo said:
Lets not forget the standard of rider left in this tour is a lot weaker than when Froome won, and probably when Brad did too. How many stages do you think Nibali would have won if Froome and Bertie were still riding? I'd imagine likely not a lot...
Froome would be sat behind Porte. So, about 12 mins back then.Froome would have been as good as his team. Which means he wouldn't have won. Bertie? More of a challenge. But Nibbles looks like he's saved himself for this tour specifically. Class act.
okgo said:
Froome didn't need Porte in the Dauphine and was a class above most until he stacked it. Yes his team was s
t, and yes Saxo had a better team, but the difference between Nibali and Contador Froome is large.
Also Froome would have taken large chunks of time in the TT.
As the commentator on Eurosport said all talk about how good Froome and Contador would have done is just "pub talk".t, and yes Saxo had a better team, but the difference between Nibali and Contador Froome is large.Also Froome would have taken large chunks of time in the TT.
Over a long stage races like the TDF ,Giro and Vuelta the best man wins!
Gizmoish said:
Panache.
2012 was an odd tour - lots of TT by recent standards and obviously Bertie was missing. So Sky could (with Porte, Froome, Knees and EBH supporting Wiggo) roll the Sky Train up the hills and ensure Wiggo didn't lose any time on GC, then gain a minute or more in each TT. Simple plan, worked well.
Why do people cheer Contador and say "Brad didn't have to beat him that year"? Alberto Contador wasn't at that tour because he was serving a ban for cheating.2012 was an odd tour - lots of TT by recent standards and obviously Bertie was missing. So Sky could (with Porte, Froome, Knees and EBH supporting Wiggo) roll the Sky Train up the hills and ensure Wiggo didn't lose any time on GC, then gain a minute or more in each TT. Simple plan, worked well.
pablo said:
Lots of love for the honey badger today! He got the nod over Millar apparently and looks like he had a point to prove!
Dave, there is only one honey badger:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxzsK4lkY-A
okgo said:
Froome didn't need Porte in the Dauphine and was a class above most until he stacked it. Yes his team was st, and yes Saxo had a better team, but the difference between Nibali and Contador Froome is large.
Also Froome would have taken large chunks of time in the TT.
How much time would he have taken in the TT? He almost certainly wouldn't have beaten Martin today, and Nibali was still 4th, with absolutely nothing to ride for. So, tens of seconds, rather than minutes. And with Sky performing so badly as a team, he would have needed minutes in the bag.t, and yes Saxo had a better team, but the difference between Nibali and Contador Froome is large.Also Froome would have taken large chunks of time in the TT.
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