2016 season thread

[Lowlandbrit]

First topic message reminder :

Here's your 2016 hub, pick out your own good, bad and ugly from the new crop of jerseys.

AG2R La Mondiale (FRA)	Astana Pro Team (KAZ)	BMC Racing Team (USA)
Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA)	Dimension Data (RSA)	Etixx - Quick-Step (BEL)
FDJ (FRA)	IAM Cycling (SUI)	Lampre Merida (ITA)
Lotto Soudal (BEL)	Movistar Team (ESP)	ORICA GreenEDGE (AUS)
Team Giant-Alpecin (GER)	Team KATUSHA (RUS)	Team LottoNL-Jumbo (NED)
Team Sky (GBR)	Tinkoff (RUS)	Trek-Segafredo (USA)

World Tour races:

[Mad for Chelsea]

Sky are boring, they say. Sky are formulaic, they say.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Excellent racing from Sky and Sagan - Movistar really aren't helping Quintana much at this tour, team a lot weaker than expected

TDF organisers have confirmed due to weather fears (basically gale force winds) tomorrow's stage will not finish at the top of Mont Ventoux

[Guest]

Turning into a disappointment this tour, in terms of GC action.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Turning into a disappointment this tour, in terms of GC action.

Top 15 riders on the GC covered by 3 mins, Top 5 within a minute of the lead - great descent by Froome to win a stage, awesome battle in Andorra - and the Alps to go

Yeah not a lot of GC action...

Be interesting to see if Sky have learnt lessons from last year when they suffered serious burnout towards the latter stages - everyone know Quintana is at his best in the latter stages of Grand Tours, Froome will need every second he can get

[Guest]

Ventoux shorterned by six km's, due to high winds. Less chance of Froome losing any time.

[Guest]

Quintana is no threat to Froome

[Guest]

Haha Froome is running to the stage finish. What a farse, think Froome should get Mollema's time

[Mad for Chelsea]

Oh my! It's chaos, absolute chaos! De Gendt has won the stage, but behind him... Porte, Mollema and Froome had formed a group of 3 off the back of a Froome attack, with Quintana unable to follow. Porte then runs into the back of a motorbike, which was apparently unable to force a way through the crowd? They all three go down. but while Mollema is quickly back up, Froome has lost his bike. He's running up the mountain while waiting for a spare! Crazy scenes, as all the other GC riders overtake him! No idea what will happen!

[whocares]

It's crazy really. Something must be done against those stupid spectators that ruin yet another stage.

[Guest]

Adam Yates in yellow, Mollema in second @ 9 seconds & Quintana ( who was having a mare) finds himself in third @ 14 seconds adrift.

I expect the above will mean nothing, once Froome is reinstated.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Yates provisionally in yellow, but you have to think the commissaires will intervene, possibly by neutralising it at 3 km out?

[Guest]

I would say, just give Porte & Froome, the same finishing time of Mollema?

[Mad for Chelsea]

I'm not entirely sure they're allowed to do that? Then again I've no real idea of what they are or aren't allowed to do...

[whocares]

I don't remember of any precedents.
Let's see if Sky launch an official complaint. Also why did he change bike a 2nd time? Was it a TT one?

[Fernando]

On Mountains after 3km doesn't neutralize times. So up to the directors who run it now. Apparently he couldn't clip on to it WC.

[Mad for Chelsea]

rumours that Froome could technically be DSQd for his duathlon effort, since the Tour must be entirely completed on a bike...

[Fernando]

That would not surprise me at all MFC.

Common sense not a strong point for the TDF.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Still, Froome jogging up Mont Ventoux will surely join the iconic images of the Tour, what a sight!

[Fernando]

I imagine this will be on the news

[Azabache]

I'm only following this on BBC text from work but, hey, if a motor slows, does that entitle a rider to hit it? Perhaps if Froome rode normally instead of looking down 70% of the time he might have avoided? Correct me if I'm missing something here...

[Mad for Chelsea]

It was Porte who hit the bike, basically the bike was almost playing the role of making space through the crowds as there were far too many people there - probably because of the shortened finish - and just stopped suddenly. Porte went straight into it, Froome into the back of him and Mollema into the back of Froome, and they all three ended up in a heap. Mollema was able to pick his bike up and carry on fairly quickly, but Froome's bike had broken and Porte took a bit longer to get going after ending at the bottom of the pile. So yes, you're talking a bit of nonsense really.

On the funny side:

https://twitter.com/Manuel_Javela/status/753610686341738497

[Azabache]

So it's their own bl**dy fault! Maybe they should go on a few charity rides like the London to Brighton to refine their bike handling skills.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Erm, nope. If you're following a wheel, and that wheel suddenly stops for no reason that you can anticipate, then you're going to go straight into it, that's basic physics. You could argue that Porte shouldn't have been that close to the motorbike, but it seemed the only way to get through the crowds, so... Nothing whatsoever Froome or Mollema could have done thereafter.

[Guest]

The motorbike stopped after running into spectators that were completely blocking the path, and the cyclists had nowhere to go.  The motorbike was just in front of them with the cameraman sticking the camera into the cyclists faces, they were on an hor category slope and racing.  There was nothing Porte could do nor for that matter Froome or Mollema.  Ultimately the tour organisers were unable to provide a clear route for them. If the results stand then the cyclists could stage a demonstration in the next stage. If Froome gets disqualified as he probably should then again I will imagine the cyclists and teams will take action. If you win you want to win fair - otherwise the whole tour for this year will be put into dispute.

[Azabache]

B*lls. They have brakes don't they? I've just come back from riding a hairy Marmotte and Etape. One of the first things an experienced rider knows is not to go too near a rider in front-especially on a steep climb-the one following will almost always go down.

[Guest]

B*lls. They have brakes don't they? I've just come back from riding a hairy Marmotte and Etape. One of the first things an experienced rider knows is not to go too near a rider in front-especially on a steep climb-the one following will almost always go down.

So if you were organiser you would have the results stand and disqualify Froome for not cycling to the finish. Okay fine. That is maybe what will happen. Certainly I would discontinue to follow the tour for this year.

[Lowlandbrit]

It's going to be a nightmare to sort out, someone's going to be disadvantaged whatever they do.

[Mad for Chelsea]

B*lls. They have brakes don't they? I've just come back from riding a hairy Marmotte and Etape. One of the first things an experienced rider knows is not to go too near a rider in front-especially on a steep climb-the one following will almost always go down.

Yeah yeah, your experience obviously makes you better qualified than the guys who do this for a living.

Froome has just tweeted that he's keeping the yellow jersey apparently.

[Azabache]

I'm certainly not saying that he should be disqualified-he MAY have to be, but I don't know the rules on running. But-as with level crossing incidents etc.-I suspect that this will adjudged a racing incident. Let's see-we certainly don't want big, powerful, monied teams bullying the authorities...

[Guest]

Seems like tour organisers have figured something out.  Froome still in yellow and has gained time over Yates and Quintana.  Must have taken time differences at point of the crash or maybe an earlier checkpoint.  New results seem reasonable.

[Guest]

From the BBC "It seems that Froome, Porte and Mollema have been given the same finishing time. So that means Froome has extended his lead over Adam Yates and Mollema has closed in on the Briton in second place".

So all the times stand except Porte & Froome were given Mollema's finish time. Mollema lost some time but was able to get back on his bike and finish.

[Azabache]

Yes, it appears to be a reasonable decision given the exceptional circumstances. There's a century of incidents like this and-by and large-they make sensible decisions. I just hope that there was no outside pressure put on-the French public are already highly dubious of Sky... And, oh-Mad for Chelsea-you can put your toys back in your pram-your hero is safe..again.

[dummy_half]

I think calling this an exceptional circumstance is reasonable - my understanding is that because of the shortening of the stage, the barriers that should line the last 2 km weren't in place, so the crowd blocked the road near the finish.

Second ridiculous happening of this year's race, following Adam Yates crashing into a deflating air bridge...

As for the rule about running, I think the issue would have been that Froome was running without his bike - it's permitted to carry the bike with the rider on foot for example in the event that a climb is too steep or a mechanical issue. Happens all the time in cyclocross

[Guest]

Yes, I think without the intervention Froome would have had to be disqualified.  He was the only one not finishing with a bike.  Porte managed to get back on his bike and finish (but behind Mollema).  Froomes bike seems to have had the frame bent out of shape.  I assume team sky can give Froome an "identical" bike tailored to him.

Quintana is a minute and a second behind Froome but he normally gets stronger towards the end of the race.  Froome should be able to pull out some more time in the time trial tomorrow.

Sometime ago it was suggested that Geraint Thomas might be a possible future TdF winner - but it seems that Adam Yates might be that man.  He should win the white jersey this year if he can keep going.

Ps: Froome did finish with a bike but he ran part of the way without a bike.

[Guest]

From the BBC "It seems that Froome, Porte and Mollema have been given the same finishing time. So that means Froome has extended his lead over Adam Yates and Mollema has closed in on the Briton in second place"..

Exactly as I said. Was pretty clear cut & how to resolve the issue.

[Azabache]

Caught up with the coverage last night on ITV4 (David Millar superb as usual). In all the circumstances well outlined above by posters the decision seems equitable and certainly no riders appear to have objected.

However, it could easily have gone the other way, i.e. the result (and hence GC) was allowed as a "racing incident" and Froome could have been disqualified.

Is Quintana shot or can he come back? We certainly don't want another boring procession all the way to Paris a la US Postal, Discovery. Might as well watch the cricket instead!

Maybe Yates can spring a surprise like Fignon...

[Lowlandbrit]

and certainly no riders appear to have objected.

Mollema did. Think that might have been mostly about Quintana being given Yates' time and jumping back in front of him.

[Big]

Is Quintana shot or can he come back? We certainly don't want another boring procession all the way to Paris a la US Postal, Discovery. Might as well watch the cricket instead!

I'm not really sure this can be compared to a procession comparable to the US Postal days. The time gained has typically been a few seconds here and there after smart attacks rather than total dominance - and all credit to him for that. Would be good from an excitement point of view if one of the other GC contenders could take some time out of him on the TT today, but we shall see. I'm not expecting it as such, but it's possible if he suffers from the additional effort on his break with Sagan and co a couple of days back.

[Azabache]

It may be that we are, indeed, witnessing another Super Human era. If so, we'll all revere him in due course. And if so, feel sorry for Quintana, the two or three French hopefuls et al who will be unfortunate Eternal Seconds like poor old Poulidor.

Then again, might be completely changed this time next week....

[Guest]

Froome comfortably beating all his rivals, Dumoulin looking good for stage victory though. Yates performing very well too.

[Azabache]

Yep-seems to be all over. Final standings in Paris-4 mins. ahead?

[Guest]

Froome leads Mollema by 1:47. Adam Yates in third @ 2:45 & Quintana in fourth @ 2:59

[Guest]

Surprised with performance of Adam Yates, still a long way to go.  Suggestions that Quintana may have a touch of cold / flu.  Still final week mountain stages is where he is expected to do well, but Froome putting in a healthy time gap between him.  Can Mollema challenge him?

[Guest]

Can Mollema challenge him?

No. Froome & Team Sky are in a league of their own. Froome doesn't even look like he's in top gear, even when they've attacked on the mountain stages. Essentially, Froome does, what he wants & when he wants. It's pretty much over, bar injury.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Another bunch sprint, another win for Cavendish. His fourth of this Tour and 30th in total. This one probably his easiest for the year as Quick Step go way too early, leaving Kittel on the front too soon and in effect acting as the perfect lead-out man for Cavendish, who duly cruised past him for the win.

A bit of afters as Kittel felt Cavendish had changed his line to take him out, but on replays there's not much in it, the two of them rather moving towards each other but Cavendish had all the speed. Think it's more frustration than anything from Kittel there, his train made a right mess of that...

[Guest]

One cannot underestimate just how brilliant Cavendish is at what he does.  But then again one cannot compare Cavendish's 30 stage wins with Bernard Hinault's 28 stage wins.  They were completely different things.  Cavendish lacks versatility - that is why Peter Sagan has four Tour de France Green Jerseys (and favourite for the 2016 Green Jersey) and Cavendish only one.

[Guest]

Cavendish won't care he lacks versatility. He'd rather focus on becoming the leading all-time stage winner & surpassing Eddy Merckx, than having a few green jersey's in the cabinet.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Kittel moaning saying Cav should've been stripped of the stage - probably should keep his mouth shut, been an awful tour for Quickstep so far mainly due to his poor sprinting

[Guest]

Cavendish himself was always very realistic about his abilities. He talked about having the wrong body shape and size to have an impact in anything other than flattish stages. Some of the sprinters he is up against are massive in terms of muscle compared to him and over the past few years it looked like he had lost speed to them and the stage wins began to thin out. It has been great to see Cavendish able to exert his dominance again over them - which I suspect has something to do with his track speed training ahead of this years Olympic Games. It is reported that Cavendish has been extremely disappointed not to have won a track Olympic Gold, when the British team in general were dominating track cycling.

[Azabache]

Cavendish-yes, he's upfront about his abilities and shortcomings. Though if he does overtake Eddy's record (stage wins) it would indeed be sacrilege to say that he were the greatest Tour rider, and I don't detect that he would be comfortable with such an accolade. Fantastic achievement nevertheless.

Froome/Sky-I'm liking him more and more and the team are so well-disciplned. What's the matter with the opposition. I would have liked Quintana by now to be testing him with attacks-what's he got to lose? Is it, in the final analysis, a case of " a good biggun will always beat a good littleun"?

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