2019 Tour de France
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Something of note will definitely happen tonight!
There's several scenarios under which George could end up wearing (more) yellow tomorrow - depending on how TJV decide to use him.
Most likely one is if they use him to try to pull some Ineos teeth and Ineos don't bite. Though if I were TVS, I'd be reasonably conservative and hope to use him just to pace Kruiswijk to the finish line.
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Should be a fun stage.
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Paddy Bevan out with a couple of fractured ribs
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I think TJV will be a bit disappointed in Kruiswijk on that climb - he lost 35 seconds to Thomas.
I've only watched the highlights package and didn't catch what George did when the big attacks happened - whether he waited a bit for Kruiswijk or couldn't really respond.
Not that it matters too much in the greater scheme of things, at present. TdF finishes with three brutal mountain stages, so no-one is going to have it safely won until all of those are over.
Interestingly only one individual TT this year and a somewhat hilly course - as well as being sandwiched between two mountain stages - so that might suit George a bit.
A series of flat and hilly stages over the next few nights - next mountain stage is Stage 12.
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@Chris-B said in 2019 Tour de France:
I've only watched the highlights package and didn't catch what George did when the big attacks happened - whether he waited a bit for Kruiswijk or couldn't really respond.
That final km doesn't allow waiting for teammates or even shepherding - if your team mate can't keep up so be it - once you slow down you're cooked on that climb - 20% then 14% then a final 24% and a 90° lefthander as well - devil take the hind most...
Still debating whether I stay up for tonight's stage - I know I won't be doing so for the ITT - gawd I hate that type of cycling event - what worries me are Team Hypocrit Dopage taking over the tour again because Movistar played Dumb and Dumber again while Thomas just looked ominously strong - I still do not understand how long term grimpeurs (steady powerful climbers) can suddenly become Puncheurs (short term huge power climbers) at the end of multiple climbing stages legitimately.
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@SynicBast said in 2019 Tour de France:
@Chris-B said in 2019 Tour de France:
I've only watched the highlights package and didn't catch what George did when the big attacks happened - whether he waited a bit for Kruiswijk or couldn't really respond.
That final km doesn't allow waiting for teammates or even shepherding - if your team mate can't keep up so be it - once you slow down you're cooked on that climb - 20% then 14% then a final 24% and a 90° lefthander as well - devil take the hind most...
One only has to look at the last 400m for the battle between 1st and 2nd to see what happens when you blow up - simply left for dead. A bike length becomes forty.
Still debating whether I stay up for tonight's stage - I know I won't be doing so for the ITT - gawd I hate that type of cycling event - what worries me are Team Hypocrit Dopage taking over the tour again because Movistar played Dumb and Dumber again while Thomas just looked ominously strong - I still do not understand how long term grimpeurs (steady powerful climbers) can suddenly become Puncheurs (short term huge power climbers) at the end of multiple climbing stages legitimately.
I spot the problem.
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Are you implying Thomas is doping?
There is a massive difference between a puncheur and having enough in the tank for a 2 minute burst of power at the end of the stage, which is what Thomas did yesterday.
Thomas is a diesel engine. He can’t respond to consistent short, sharp digs so I don’t really see what your point is.
@SynicBast said in 2019 Tour de France:
@Chris-B said in 2019 Tour de France:
I've only watched the highlights package and didn't catch what George did when the big attacks happened - whether he waited a bit for Kruiswijk or couldn't really respond.
That final km doesn't allow waiting for teammates or even shepherding - if your team mate can't keep up so be it - once you slow down you're cooked on that climb - 20% then 14% then a final 24% and a 90° lefthander as well - devil take the hind most...
Still debating whether I stay up for tonight's stage - I know I won't be doing so for the ITT - gawd I hate that type of cycling event - what worries me are Team Hypocrit Dopage taking over the tour again because Movistar played Dumb and Dumber again while Thomas just looked ominously strong - I still do not understand how long term grimpeurs (steady powerful climbers) can suddenly become Puncheurs (short term huge power climbers) at the end of multiple climbing stages legitimately.
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@scribe said in 2019 Tour de France:
@SynicBast I’m interested to hear your evidence against Thomas.
I don’t think he’s claiming evidence just suspicion.
Brailsford has always appeared dodgy and doesn’t quell suspicions.
I d like to think the sport is in a clean phase but just like cricket, things that appear odd will raise eyebrows -
@scribe said in 2019 Tour de France:
@Crucial I asked if he was implying that Thomas was doping and he said yes. That’s more than suspicion.
I provided an inference, you took the implication. If I was mounting a prosecution, sure I'd have to provide evidence, but I'm not. I just find it very suspicious particularly given that particular team and its recent demonstrated behaviour - in matters of doping with cycling, the benefit of the doubt generally does not go in their favour in the court of opinion.
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What happened last night? Seems like carnage on a basic stage?
G Thomas the only top guy to not lose time. Tour over?
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@mariner4life said in 2019 Tour de France:
What happened last night? Seems like carnage on a basic stage?
G Thomas the only top guy to not lose time. Tour over?
side winds split the ploton twice in the space of a minute and the front part of the peloton had almost two big teams - Sunweb and Team Dopage Rename. They pounced and upped tempo big time - as would any team with GC ambitoions - so what was meant to be a bit of a progression became a nightmare for the GC contenders caught in the Split - George was on his way back to the peloton loaded up with didons for Krusijwijk and the otheres when the split occurred and just got hammered.
In so far as the fallout goes - Alaphilippe must now have to reconsider his options as the currentleader - he's strong enough to at least remain a contender for GC but Porte, Fuglsang and a few others are done - Both big GC contenders form Team Dopage Rename are right at the front - so, barring a crash, Thomas and bernal are now favourites - so yeah the tour is almost effectively done and dusted.
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jesus h christ GB screwed the pooch there and so did his team. Total amateur hour.
why the fcuk would a guy who's fourth on GC and your teams backup option for overall be going back to the car on a windy flat stage. You have people who are literally paid to do that.
you would never see Bernal going back to get bottles.
the team is performing well as individuals but their directors are farking twats. But this is a massive individual fcukup which George has to also take a lot of the blame for. Skinny weed like that in a bit of wind he's fcuked. He's also underselling himself as a team leader by doing domestique work - a euro rider would NEVER do what he did.
"The radios were a bit sketchy and we all got our wires crossed. I ended up going back to get bottles, which was really weird. I don't really know why I was going back but I was under the impression I needed to get them, but the boys didn't even need them. The team car was also confused," Bennett said.
needs to lose another 10 mins somewhere so he can have a shot at a stage win.. which will only happen if SK crashes.
farking angry about this! thought this was going to be an awesome year.. then Bevin falls off (AGAIN.. 3rd year in a row) then GB does this. ugh.
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That's fucked. Super unprofessional.