2018 season thread

by Lowlandbrit Sat 13 Jan 2018, 10:02 am

First topic message reminder :

New World Tour season is about to start and, in good news for commentators with airtime to fill, Vaughters' lot are now 'Team EF Education First-Drapac powered by Cannondale'.

AG2R La Mondiale (ALM - FRA)	Astana Pro Team (AST - KAZ)	Bahrain-Merida (TBM - BRN)
BMC Racing Team (BMC - USA)	BORA-hansgrohe (BOH - GER)	Team Dimension Data (DDD - RSA)
Team EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale (EFD - USA)	FDJ (FDJ - FRA)	Team Katusha-Alpecin (TKA - SUI)
Team LottoNL-Jumbo (TLJ - NED)	Lotto Soudal (LTS - BEL)	Mitchelton-Scott (MTS - AUS)
Movistar Team (MOV - ESP)	Quick-Step Floors (QST - BEL)	Team Sky (SKY - GBR)
Team Sunweb (SUN - GER)	Trek-Segafredo (TFS - USA)	UAE Team Emirates (UAD - UAE)

by No name Bertie Thu 19 Jul 2018, 9:13 pm

I see that Tom Dumoulin came second today behind Thomas and ahead of Froome. He is only 11 seconds behind Froome. Dumoulin is only 27, he won the Giro D'Italia last year and is the reigning time trial world champion. He may well beat Froome this year and it may be that Thomas is Sky's best bet against a Dumoulin GC winner. Of course there is still a lot of racing to be had before the end of this year's Tour De France.

by alfie Fri 20 Jul 2018, 12:08 am

Makes for a much more interesting Tour this year with three clear chances still at this point and no guarantees that it can be settled before the time trial...
Of course Froome might yet ride away from the others on one of the remaining mountain stages as in the Giro ; but both Thomas and Dumoulin are looking strong at this stage : would make for a fascinating finish if they remain close together (to say nothing of the "interesting" tactical choices facing the Sky brains trust)

by Azabache Fri 20 Jul 2018, 11:15 am

There's a Monster stage next week with 3 HCs-that might be the one that sorts all this out.

I must say that Bardet has surprised me, and the shorter TT near the end possibly won't find him out as much as the one last year. He was also very supportive of Froome to the French public. I'd like to see him win it one year and end the French drought. Maybe the year after next (Thomas for next year when Froome has retired?).

Quintana, again, seems destined never to win the thing...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 20 Jul 2018, 11:24 am

Yeah this is probably as suited the course is ever going to be for Quintana, and seeing as he made it through the cobbles unscathed, he may be missing his best opportunity yet.

by Azabache Mon 23 Jul 2018, 11:09 am

Correction-the stage I was thinking of has 2 HCs-the Friday one.

I just cannot fathom what Sky ae going to do.

by Lowlandbrit Mon 23 Jul 2018, 12:51 pm

Sky are going to be one man short in the last week; Gianni Moscon has been kicked out for throwing a punch at another rider. Building quite the reputation for himself.

by whocares Tue 24 Jul 2018, 5:40 pm

Yates very unlucky to fall in the last few kms today. Alaphilippe showing he is a bit more than a classic specialist. GC contenders having a relatively uneventful day.
Thoughts on tomorrow short stage with some big climbs on the way and a F1 type start?

by Lowlandbrit Tue 24 Jul 2018, 6:04 pm

It's certainly an interesting concept. Grid start seems a fairly meaningless gimmick, but a 65km mountain stage should be explosive. Don't think the remaining sprinters are looking forward to it much...

by Guest Tue 24 Jul 2018, 6:09 pm

Think they’ll just roll out, and then just go looking for their teams. Quintana or Kruijswijk might go for a long one from the get-go. Pretty much now or never for Froome though.

by alfie Wed 25 Jul 2018, 9:36 am

Really looking forward to this stage. Suppose it is indeed the one on which Froome might impose himself ; but Sky will surely be wary of the nightmare scenario in which he were to drop Thomas but not Dumoulin...I suspect they'll be more reactive.
On the other hand I'd expect one of those a little further back might initiate an attack and once that kicks off...

by Azabache Wed 25 Jul 2018, 10:42 am

Whatever happens, it's been gratifying to see Sky's measured approach to this "problem", and Froome and Thomas have been a benchmark of good, courteous behaviour. Contrast to some characters in past years!

Whether this is all an act is, of course, not yet revealed. Will today be the stage when Thomas falters and Froome takes over? Has Dumoulin any more up his sleeve? Will Thomas maintain his strength, and we get a statement from Sky at day's end? Can Bardet perform a miracle?

My dream scenario, for what it's worth...Thomas maintains, Froome/Sky declare him the leader, he gets a well-earned victory, the French are enamoured by all this good grace (well, this is a dream!), Froome rides the Vuelta, misses next year's Giro, does the Dauphine as a warm-up, wins his fifth Tour...

Or is some other surprise scenario coing to hit us all?

by whocares Wed 25 Jul 2018, 10:48 am

I hope Movistar try something from the start. Given they have 3 riders well placed in the « grid » and not much to lose in my opinion.

by Azabache Wed 25 Jul 2018, 10:52 am

Yes. Given their stars and the money behind them, they haven't had a great Tour so far...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 25 Jul 2018, 3:27 pm

For some reason AG2R are on the front up the second climb of the day - basically giving Sky riders time off chasing. They've dropped a few now Latour is riding hard, but Sky still have 5 riders in the group...

by Azabache Wed 25 Jul 2018, 3:34 pm

Not yet the "fireworks" stage everyone predicted (but I'm following a live text only).

I still think Friday will be the day...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 25 Jul 2018, 3:35 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:For some reason AG2R are on the front up the second climb of the day - basically giving Sky riders time off chasing. They've dropped a few now Latour is riding hard, but Sky still have 5 riders in the group...

And now there is no AG2R riders left as they crest the climb, so Bardet is alone but there's still Poels, Kwiatkowski, Castroviejo and Bernal for Thomas/Froome. Not smart!

by **Afro** Wed 25 Jul 2018, 3:36 pm

Watched the start, not knowing what to expect.

Was very underwhelming. All the lead contenders gently moved away, took their time getting into their clips.

Nothing gained from the grid start

by whocares Wed 25 Jul 2018, 4:01 pm

Bardet doesn’t look strong this tour anyway. Kudos to Roglic... helping Froome so far.

by whocares Wed 25 Jul 2018, 4:03 pm

And now Dumoulin helping GT to regroup with his team mate.

by Guest Wed 25 Jul 2018, 4:34 pm

Geraint looks in superb shape. Can’t look past him now, with Froome off the pace

by Azabache Wed 25 Jul 2018, 4:36 pm

The Giro-Tour Curse?

by Guest Wed 25 Jul 2018, 4:38 pm

Froome must of lost 40 odd seconds on Thomas

by **Afro** Wed 25 Jul 2018, 4:44 pm

By my reckoning GT has put nearly a minute on Froome. He’ll be about 2 and a half minutes ahead of Froome and 2 minutes on Dumoulin.

Time to put your efforts behind GT Team Sky

by Azabache Wed 25 Jul 2018, 4:46 pm

Froome for the 2019 Tour!

by alfie Wed 25 Jul 2018, 4:53 pm

Well that was fun !

Saw the real Quintana at last...bit late for this year ; but a great stage win.

Thomas proved himself and with Froome struggling at the finish Sky now have no choice but to put it all behind the Welshman...the extra few seconds from the third place bonus all helping him build a cushion over Dumoulin ahead of the TT.
They will need to watch both D and Roglic on Friday ; but it is looking good for GT at the moment...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 25 Jul 2018, 4:54 pm

Yep looks like Froome and Dumoulin are struggling as we go into week three, following their Giro classic battle

Will take a ridiculously bad day for Thomas to lose this now - especially with the time trial to come (where he’ll put time into everyone bar Dumoulin you’d think)

Who’d have thought since Hinault won in 1985 there would be three British tour winners before the next French one!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 25 Jul 2018, 4:55 pm

Should also say what a ridiculous talent Bernal is...21 years old and flying up these mountains - hope Sky let him have a go at the Vuelta...

by Lowlandbrit Wed 25 Jul 2018, 5:02 pm

alfie wrote:Saw the real Quintana at last...bit late for this year

Story of his career...

by **Afro** Wed 25 Jul 2018, 5:07 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Yep looks like Froome and Dumoulin are struggling as we go into week three, following their Giro classic battle

Will take a ridiculously bad day for Thomas to lose this now - especially with the time trial to come (where he’ll put time into everyone bar Dumoulin you’d think)

Who’d have thought since Hinault won in 1985 there would be three British tour winners before the next French one!

Bit of a spicey time trial though. I can see some going out a bit too quickly and getting caught out at the end.

by Azabache Thu 26 Jul 2018, 11:05 am

I thought the booing-noticeable even on ITV4's highlights programme-disgraceful and churlish.

What a laugh if Bernal turns out to be the next star and the French still don't produce a winner.

by No name Bertie Thu 26 Jul 2018, 4:43 pm

Bernal was Sky Team Leader for the Tour of California.

by Lowlandbrit Fri 27 Jul 2018, 1:27 pm

Looks like the green jersey might be up for grabs after all...

by Azabache Fri 27 Jul 2018, 3:16 pm

They will nurse along Sagan to beat the cut.

If not, the "commisars" have leeway in deciding an exemption.

After all, he's not British so the French can be generous!

by alfie Fri 27 Jul 2018, 3:29 pm

Think Sagan will survive - hope so ; would a travesty if someone else won Green by default.

Landa is making it a race for the podium though...getting close to virtual second now.

Thomas working hard now : will be grateful for all the help he can get from Bernal (and Froome ?) over this last 45 km...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 27 Jul 2018, 3:34 pm

Sky still looking strong with Kwiatkowski, Bernal and Froome to support Thomas - I think based on Brailsford's comments post stage 17 that they'll all be working for Thomas, as he put it "G presents our best chance to win this race currently". If Froome hadn't lost time to Dumoulin on that stage I think they may have still been split leaders, but not now.

by alfie Fri 27 Jul 2018, 3:53 pm

Ah...hadn't realized Kwiatkowski was still there. Indeed Sky still look to be controlling it.
Landa certainly moving up the standings anyway. And Bardet following him.

Might be an attack or two on this last climb though...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 27 Jul 2018, 3:56 pm

Dumoulin goes! Distances Quintana, but crucially not Bernal...

by alfie Fri 27 Jul 2018, 4:01 pm

Froome seems to be battling to hang onto these attacks...Bernal trying to help him stay in touch...

Roglic, Dumoulin , still the two Sky will have to chase every time. Could be some more fun in the last of this climb...as Roglic attacks !

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 27 Jul 2018, 4:08 pm

Roglic/Dumoulin/Thomas left now - Froome has cracked, and is falling back. Bernal trying to crest the gap back to help Thomas.

Thomas exposed for the first time all tour...

by alfie Fri 27 Jul 2018, 4:09 pm

Think Froome is cooked...although the amazing Bernal has rejoined him ...but he just doesn't have the legs.

GT now on his own with Roglic, Dumoulin and Krusewyk...last ten of "up" now...

by alfie Fri 27 Jul 2018, 4:19 pm

Another stunning effort from Bernal clap

Riding Froome back up to the group.

Not over yet. Think Roglic will attack once more...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 27 Jul 2018, 4:48 pm

Will take a pretty spectacular collapse from Thomas to lose this now - over 2 minutes up on his closest rival, with a 31km time trial (in which I would make him favourite to win) - should be in the bag for the Welshman!

by alfie Fri 27 Jul 2018, 4:52 pm

And indeed Roglic rides to a terrific stage win clap

And into third overall. Going to be a TT battle between Dumoulin Roglic and Froome for second and third places.

Think GT has it in the bag now...they won't take two minutes out of him tomorrow. And the way he finished today suggests he will be primed for the TT thumbsup

Lot of heroes today - not least Bernal , again. Impressed with Bardet on this stage too.

And the scenery was great.

by Azabache Fri 27 Jul 2018, 5:15 pm

Dumoulin and Martin complained about Roglic drafting?

Is there to be a "stewards' enquiry"?

by Lowlandbrit Fri 27 Jul 2018, 6:41 pm

Azabache wrote:Dumoulin and Martin complained about Roglic drafting?

Is there to be a "stewards' enquiry"?

I get the feeling they were mainly frustrated that they lost his wheel in the first place. Might well have been the reason they couldn't close the gap, but it's not really his fault if the motorbike was too close.

by alfie Sat 28 Jul 2018, 4:00 pm

Froome seems to be riding back onto the podium in this TT...

Leading through the second checkpoint and has taken a commanding lead over Roglic - who looks to be paying for his efforts yesterday.

GT had one anxious moment on a damp patch but is in third on the stage at present .

Can Froome overtake Dumoulin ?

by alfie Sat 28 Jul 2018, 4:10 pm

No. Froome's brilliant ride has won him third in the GC but Dumoulin takes the stage win - just.

Thomas won't beat his time but he's won the Tour Bubbly

by Guest Sat 28 Jul 2018, 5:02 pm

Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) 80hrs 30mins 37secs
Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Sunweb) +1min 51secs
Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) +2mins 24secs
Primoz Roglic (Slo/LottoNL-Jumbo) +3mins 22secs
Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/LottoNL-Jumbo) +6mins 08secs
Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R La Mondiale) +6mins 57secs
Mikel Landa (Spa/Movistar) +7mins 37secs
Dan Martin (Ire/UAE Team Emirates) +9mins 05secs
Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/Katusha-Alpecin) +12mins 37secs
Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +14mins 18secs

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 28 Jul 2018, 9:16 pm

Magnificent from Thomas - what a rider, what a bloke!

by whocares Sun 29 Jul 2018, 9:19 am

Hats off to this year « lanterne rouge » , most of would have given up by now with a broken shoulder

https://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-france/a22581028/lawson-craddock-lanterne-rouge/

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