It was a great stage. Lots of good racing. Perhaps this happened because it was following a rolling rest day. Either way, it was a lot of fun to watch. A couple of thoughts.
SPOILERS
Roglic was very impressive. Not only did he animate the climb up the Aubisque, taking the summit after riding off the front of the leading yellow group, but he descended like a maniac, putting Froome in trouble, dropping everyone and ending up with a 19 second win which jumped to 29 seconds with the time bonus for the stage win. It really was an amazing ride. He is a fun rider to watch and has great climbing skills as well as very strong ITT abilities. PLus, he is a former junior ski jumping world champion. Did anyone mention that?
Thomas looked strong but took no risks. Nonetheless, every time there was a move that mattered he covered it. Bernal was clearly very strong, too, and looks like the next great Colombian. Oddly he kept helping Froome as much as he was helping Thomas. I am not sure if that was because there was still some hope within the team for Froome on the GC or if it was because Thomas didn't need the help while Froome was clearly struggling. I was thinking that Thomas was not doing much to honor the yellow, as he had just sat on the entire stage, but then he busts out that big sprint at the very end and changed my mind. He is probably just worried about tomorrow.
Dumoulin also looked strong but not strong enough to ride away from Thomas. I think Dumoulin was just sitting on and waiting until the ITT tomorrow. This may work, as Dumoulin is a very good ITT guy, but Thomas sprinted to the second spot on the stage and so picked up 6 seconds over Dumoulin. Not sure he will be able to do enough tomorrow to win.
Chapeaux to Mikkel Landa and the movistar team. They took the race over for the first 2/3 of the stage and at one point Landa was in GC second place on the road, as they say, but the strong men caught him on the final 40km. Still, they made the race very interesting.
I think Roman Bardet should have a new name: Roman "and on his wheel, Bardet." Bardet was CONSTANTLY sucking someone else's wheel. He was always isolated and had no strategic reason for sitting on, as far as I can see. I shouldn't be so hard on him, but it seems like he never takes his turn.
Watching Pierre Latour trying to climb with the big boys reminded me a little of Voeckler. Tongue out, lots of grimacing, and all over the bike.
A great day of racing. The real race tomorrow will be for second and third between Dumoulin, Roglic and Froome.
SPOILERS
Roglic was very impressive. Not only did he animate the climb up the Aubisque, taking the summit after riding off the front of the leading yellow group, but he descended like a maniac, putting Froome in trouble, dropping everyone and ending up with a 19 second win which jumped to 29 seconds with the time bonus for the stage win. It really was an amazing ride. He is a fun rider to watch and has great climbing skills as well as very strong ITT abilities. PLus, he is a former junior ski jumping world champion. Did anyone mention that?
Thomas looked strong but took no risks. Nonetheless, every time there was a move that mattered he covered it. Bernal was clearly very strong, too, and looks like the next great Colombian. Oddly he kept helping Froome as much as he was helping Thomas. I am not sure if that was because there was still some hope within the team for Froome on the GC or if it was because Thomas didn't need the help while Froome was clearly struggling. I was thinking that Thomas was not doing much to honor the yellow, as he had just sat on the entire stage, but then he busts out that big sprint at the very end and changed my mind. He is probably just worried about tomorrow.
Dumoulin also looked strong but not strong enough to ride away from Thomas. I think Dumoulin was just sitting on and waiting until the ITT tomorrow. This may work, as Dumoulin is a very good ITT guy, but Thomas sprinted to the second spot on the stage and so picked up 6 seconds over Dumoulin. Not sure he will be able to do enough tomorrow to win.
Chapeaux to Mikkel Landa and the movistar team. They took the race over for the first 2/3 of the stage and at one point Landa was in GC second place on the road, as they say, but the strong men caught him on the final 40km. Still, they made the race very interesting.
I think Roman Bardet should have a new name: Roman "and on his wheel, Bardet." Bardet was CONSTANTLY sucking someone else's wheel. He was always isolated and had no strategic reason for sitting on, as far as I can see. I shouldn't be so hard on him, but it seems like he never takes his turn.
Watching Pierre Latour trying to climb with the big boys reminded me a little of Voeckler. Tongue out, lots of grimacing, and all over the bike.
A great day of racing. The real race tomorrow will be for second and third between Dumoulin, Roglic and Froome.
Comment