Tour de france

[kermit16]

Chris Froome was questionable starter in this year’s Tour De France as he had an adverse finding in a analytical test for Salbutamol! The UCI cleared him shortly before the start of this year’s Tour. He won the Giro And is attempting the rather rare double ! As mentioned he got off to a rough start in stage 1 yesterday as he ran off into a ditch. However he was not alone as Richie Porte and several others encountered spills. Geraint Thomas and last year’s runner up Rigoberto Uran appear to be early leaders amongst the main GC contenders with Froome and Porte .51 seconds back of Thomas and Uran.
Tomorow however is a Team Time Trial in which I expect Team Sky to make up some time ! It should be a very interesting day ! GL !

 

[kermit16]

Stage 3 was won by BMC ! Team Sky finished second 4 seconds back. This now puts Chris Froome in better placing with several of his main CG contenders but certainly was great news for Richie Porte who is now 4 seconds ahead of Chris Froome. Also BMC has Greg Van Avermaet in Yellow, Tejay Van Garderen in second place and Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas in 3 rd just 3 seconds back. Chris Froome is now 55 seconds out of CG lead in 18 th place. However in reality it was a good day for Froome as he gained valuable time on a number of his main competitors. I consider Chris Froome to still be the favorite in this year’s Tour but it’s going to be a tough task !

 

[kermit16]

Tomorrow’s stage 4 looks to be a rather easy flat stage that barring some wind or rain should NOT result in any changes in the CG standings. I expect the true sprinters to battle it out at the finish ! I’d probably go with one of the long shots like Sonny Colbrelli at 25/1 as Sagan, Kittel and Gaviria are all too low of odds for a finish line that will be VERY crowded !

 

[HacheMan]

Sorry but I’ve been unable to get online as my password wouldn’t work or more likely.... I couldn’t remember it ! I,wasn’t sure if anyone cared but if you do, I’ll start posting my updates. Unfortunately as you know it’s already underway.

I take it the password reminer sent to you worked :toast:

 

[kermit16]

I take it the password reminer sent to you worked :toast:

Yes reset my password and now the forum will once again be bored with my comments ! Thanks for helping me getting back on line. I love the Tour and have made good profits wagering on it. It’s a sport that many don’t understand all the little intricate little technicality of rules and unwritten traditions. That helps make it profitable betting ! GL

 

[HacheMan]

Yes reset my password and now the forum will once again be bored with my comments ! Thanks for helping me getting back on line. I love the Tour and have made good profits wagering on it. It’s a sport that many don’t understand all the little intricate little technicality of rules and unwritten traditions. That helps make it profitable betting ! GL

You do not bore us & many of us were looking for this thread!

Thank You Kermit!

 

[Ricboff]

Movistar refuses to pick a GC leader, lol. Three strong riders in Valverde, Landa and Quintana. Unlike Team Sky where everyone is working for Froome, Movistar prefers the 'let's wait and see attitude' With that said, cant wait to see Landa in the mountains. Those three if working together can be dent on Team Sky. Keep in mind , Landa did not do the Giro, chap is fresh as roses.

Team Sky strategy? same as every year, lol. Get the deepest team , set a stupid pace and wear down the competition. Team Sky landed 21 yr old Colombian young star Egan Bernad, he'll help Froome in the mountains...the rich get richer. Amazing..................at his age, why did Froome run the Giro?...:think2:


Dumoulin could be a threat. Won the Giro a yr ago. He can TT...does he have the team to back him?...is he ready?




Froome looking to win his 5th title, to be tied for the most ever...at the age of 33......freak show

 

[Ricboff]

one key stage will the 12;

two stages into the mountains (10,11) and then the rider's reserve surely will be tested with this BEAST of a stage

u kidding me? lol Alpe d'Huez ending is a 8.1% gradient......


seriously The Tour de France is borderline inhumane. These riders are incredible, respect

 

[kermit16]

one key stage will the 12;

two stages into the mountains (10,11) and then the rider's reserve surely will be tested with this BEAST of a stage

u kidding me? lol Alpe d'Huez ending is a 8.1% gradient......


seriously The Tour de France is borderline inhumane. These riders are incredible, respect

Yes this will perhaps decide IF Froome made a mistake winning the Giro this year ! Tough double for sure and stage 12 is indeed brutal !

 

[kermit16]

Peloton is cutting this one pretty close today with accidents slowing them down this close to finish. I expect the 4 leaders to be picked up but sprinters are a little nervous!

 

[kermit16]

Gaviria wins stage in a close exciting photo finish with Sagan edging Greipel for second. The 4 breakaways weren’t caught until the final km. I haven’t caught the possible time gaps caused by a large pileup with about 5 km left in stage. However I don’t think any of the main CG contenders were involved so,standings should remain unchanged in CG ! I will update later.

 

[kermit16]

Main CG time gaps remain the same ! I’ll post my thoughts on stage 5 later.

 

[kermit16]

Tomorrow’s stage will be intense I believe. It’s not going to be brutal but it has plenty of climbs in the second half that will keep the main CG contenders nervous. Narrow roads and possible weather factors could cause some minor changes in CG standings. Peter Sagan looks like a possible winner here unless a breakaway group escapes.

 

[kermit16]

23 km to go and the road is really narrow. It looks like the breakaway 2 riders will not win today’s stage as peloton is closing in !

 

[kermit16]

As expected, Peter Sagan easily out sprinted Sonny Corbrelli to win stage 5 ! This guy is just too cool !

 

[kermit16]

Stage 5 didn’t produce many big changes in the CG STANDINGS. MOst of the top riders were right close to the front at the finish and received the same time. Tomorrow’s stage 6 has a very tough finish and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Froome and a few other CG big guns go for the win.

 

[kermit16]

Today’s stage is getting to the interesting part when I expect some attacks by Several of the main CG contenders. Peloton will not be letting the breakaway riders win this stage as gap is,down to 2 minutes.

 

[kermit16]

Dan Martin wins stage 6. Lots of big gaps at finish and not a great day for Chris Froome as he lost time at finish as I expected him to make a move in last 1 km. His Sky partner Geraint Thomas finished only 3 seconds off Yellow lead ! Perhaps the Giro win by Froome is starting to show.

 

[kermit16]

Today’s stage didn’t cause any real big movement in the Yellow Jersey standings. However I really think today’s biggest story seems to be overlooked!
What’s the real story going on with Chris Froome and is Geraint Thomas perhaps going to become Team Sky’s main rider in this year’s Tour ? Froome lost 5 seconds to a number of his main competitors while Thomas gained 2 seconds. You can try and alibi it any way you want BUT Chris was right there at the front of the Peleton and still lost 5 seconds on a day when he needed to try and gain seconds ! I think he’s just over a minute off the Yellow now. Not insurmountable BUT I’m wondering if I’m the only one feeling concerned ?

 

[Ricboff]

yup. I think Team Sky maybe hedging with Thomas who's in great form. Not convinced of this as its just NOT Team Sky's way of doing things! Weird ending...Thomas given the freedom to take off

Thomas had this to say pre-Tour de France:

“I’m feeling as ready as ever – better than I’ve ever felt at the start of the Tour,” he said.

keep in mind Thomas won in June, Criterium Du Danphine


really dont know what to make of this. Questions will be answered in the mountains, NO DOUBT!!!!!!!!