**** Tour de France 2017 ****
Discussion
Yipper said:
Aside from a single mountain stage, the TdF has been another yawnfest this year. The lack of 'roid abuse and the woeful ITV commentary are killing it off as a spectator sport.
I'm inclined to agree. Nobody has mounted a serious challenge on yellow at all, and whilst it would be unfair and unkind to begrudge Matthews the Green, it's hardly been a classic year for it with Cav & Sagan out early, Demarre (sp?) failing to keep up on the bumpy bits, Kittel getting injured and Greipel being basically invisible.
I still think the whole spectacle would be infinitely better without the f
king borefest of the time trials. Over 3,500 kilometres of an epic journey through France in one of the most fascinating, complex team sports known to man, but yet again just 1% of the distance, and the only part where the riders ride individually, has an insanely large impact on the final result.As it should.
Time trials are important and are an integral part of stage races. Many great riders cannot time trial. It's another part of the puzzle which makes the race. Another skill you need to have to win one of these big races.
Not enough mountain top finishes this year was more of an issue.
Time trials are important and are an integral part of stage races. Many great riders cannot time trial. It's another part of the puzzle which makes the race. Another skill you need to have to win one of these big races.
Not enough mountain top finishes this year was more of an issue.
ferrisbueller said:
Froome becomes the 8th?
Uran has put it in the fence.
Landa missed out on third by about two seconds.
ETA. Bardet beats Landa by a second. Shame, Landa deserved a podium.
Bardet thoroughly deserved his podium place, kwaka beating Tony Martin in a TT after killing himself in the mountains, hmmUran has put it in the fence.
Landa missed out on third by about two seconds.
ETA. Bardet beats Landa by a second. Shame, Landa deserved a podium.
okgo said:
As it should.
Time trials are important and are an integral part of stage races. Many great riders cannot time trial. It's another part of the puzzle which makes the race. Another skill you need to have to win one of these big races.
Not enough mountain top finishes this year was more of an issue.
OK, I suspect what is needed then is to ban power meter readouts and radios on the time trials, then maybe it would be more challenging?Time trials are important and are an integral part of stage races. Many great riders cannot time trial. It's another part of the puzzle which makes the race. Another skill you need to have to win one of these big races.
Not enough mountain top finishes this year was more of an issue.
As things stand, seriously what it the point if riders can just sit looking at their wattage with their DS on the radio telling them how much they need to up it or drop it?
It's like having a penalty shoot out in the middle of every football match.
mcelliott said:
ferrisbueller said:
Froome becomes the 8th?
Uran has put it in the fence.
Landa missed out on third by about two seconds.
ETA. Bardet beats Landa by a second. Shame, Landa deserved a podium.
Bardet thoroughly deserved his podium place, kwaka beating Tony Martin in a TT after killing himself in the mountains, hmmUran has put it in the fence.
Landa missed out on third by about two seconds.
ETA. Bardet beats Landa by a second. Shame, Landa deserved a podium.
Well done Simon Yates, too.
johnxjsc1985 said:
its a three week test and Froome has come through it the best. Its been a strange Tour this year not enough Mountain Top stage finishes and why cant we have a Mountain TT.
Yes, I know it's the time at the end of the whole race which ultimately counts, and yes, possibly Froome could've done more in the mountains if he'd not had such a huge lead from the time trials, but when it comes down to it, for 99% of the race he was what, 4th to 5th fastest?It just seems wrong that one tiny component of the race can have such a huge impact on the overall result.
I'd also agree that this years tour wasn't the best, that said with Sky's Iron grip on it and their controlled racing it hasn't been thrilling for some time.
Also, not sure about this years course - more mountains would have been better. The first week or or so was pretty quiet, the GC battle didn't heat up until after this first rest day.
Sky - are a very strong team whichever way you look at it, but I hope things change and we have a real battle in the future for yellow. Apart from a few mishaps Sky/Froome were in complete control. Contrast that to Aru's team which looked a bit of a mess. yes, Aru did tail off towards the end but if Aru also had the back up from the start things might have been closer.
Real shame Valverde crashed out at the beginning, would have been nice to see him race and push Froome, same goes for Porte and Martin for that matter.
AC great entertainer that he is just looks like he's not got it in him to challenge the GC.
I think as has been the case in the last few years the Vuelta will really test Froome against the other big GC contenders. I hope Porte makes a speedy recovery but that seems very unlikely.
Not sure who will challenge Froome in the Vuelta but I really hope someone does.
Anywho, much respect to Froome for being a true gent - class act he is indeed
Also, not sure about this years course - more mountains would have been better. The first week or or so was pretty quiet, the GC battle didn't heat up until after this first rest day.
Sky - are a very strong team whichever way you look at it, but I hope things change and we have a real battle in the future for yellow. Apart from a few mishaps Sky/Froome were in complete control. Contrast that to Aru's team which looked a bit of a mess. yes, Aru did tail off towards the end but if Aru also had the back up from the start things might have been closer.
Real shame Valverde crashed out at the beginning, would have been nice to see him race and push Froome, same goes for Porte and Martin for that matter.
AC great entertainer that he is just looks like he's not got it in him to challenge the GC.
I think as has been the case in the last few years the Vuelta will really test Froome against the other big GC contenders. I hope Porte makes a speedy recovery but that seems very unlikely.
Not sure who will challenge Froome in the Vuelta but I really hope someone does.
Anywho, much respect to Froome for being a true gent - class act he is indeed
Long Drax said:
Landa to try to put two seconds into Bardet on the Champs?
Anyone know if the normal etiquette applies to other podium places?On the booing, I'd say it's more of an anti-Sky thing than an anti-Froome thing. And perhaps because Armstrong gave multiple winners a bad name. But perhaps just allowing my own views to get the better of me. Even as a Brit, I want to see a new winner.
Randy Winkman said:
Long Drax said:
Landa to try to put two seconds into Bardet on the Champs?
Anyone know if the normal etiquette applies to other podium places?Surely in reality, the only people likely to take any time off anyone in Paris are the sprinters, aren't they? It would be pretty amazing for a sprinter seriously challenging for that win to also be challenging for the podium, I'd assume!
Kermit power said:
Randy Winkman said:
Long Drax said:
Landa to try to put two seconds into Bardet on the Champs?
Anyone know if the normal etiquette applies to other podium places?Surely in reality, the only people likely to take any time off anyone in Paris are the sprinters, aren't they? It would be pretty amazing for a sprinter seriously challenging for that win to also be challenging for the podium, I'd assume!
Randy Winkman said:
It is possible for an individual or small group to break away and win. But unlikely. Loads will try though. Which is the main reason to watch. But whether you're "allowed" to do it to pinch a jersey, I'm not sure.
I think you are allowed to, but Sky will make sure none of the contenders can do it.Can SKY try to get Landa on the podium though? Send him and 2 domestiques up the road and make Bardet chase? Could at least make a bit of interest!
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