Tour de France

[Norder]

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some entairtainment at last....protestors legged it when he held up the canister - thats all he needed to do - but typically - the dimwitted french retarded cop proceeds to spray his deterrent into the wind....so back onto himself and the riders - what a laugh...in an otherwise completely boring and pathetic TDF !...more please.

[Norder]

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stage 17....Bagnères-de-Luchon - Col du Portet.


The route is only 65 kilometres long, but 38 kilometres run uphill. Although being the shortest road stage of the 2018 Tour, this could very well turn out to be the hardest. The race ends with a sweeping 16 kilometres haul to the top of the Portet.

the race starts on a grid...top 20 in first group with others in 4 groups behind....so splits the teams - lets hope for some belated fireworks/ big on the attacks.

[oldcolner]

Thanks Norder. I didn’t know that. Looks tough. Will Froome be Thomas’s gofer? Some teams have 3 in the top 20 but Sky don’t.

[sinkov]

I always think this idea of having a team mate to 'support' the top riders on mountain stages is overblown, it helps the team tactically, but as for someone being protected from the wind by a team mate in front, I don't see it. If the Sky train is protecting Froome or Thomas, and Roglic tags onto the back of the Skytrain, how is he worse off ?

[The Bedlington Terrier]

News flash! It could be Novichok from a Chanel perfume bottle!

[oldcolner]

News flash! It could be Novichok from a Chanel perfume bottle!

Or worse like Colmans mustard?

[Supersub6]

Or worse like Colmans mustard?

Surely if it was in France it would be Dijon Mustard --they are very patriotic, in fact, they can even fly their flag and it doesn't cause offence---unlike in this country!

[Norder]

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Thanks Norder. I didn’t know that. Looks tough. Will Froome be Thomas’s gofer? Some teams have 3 in the top 20 but Sky don’t.

If it was going to endanger GThomas's lead - you wouldn't think Froome attack and take others with him - but if others pushed the pace and GT eventually couldn't follow - then if he felt good - he'd be free to go.....I Guess.

I always think this idea of having a team mate to 'support' the top riders on mountain stages is overblown, it helps the team tactically, but as for someone being protected from the wind by a team mate in front, I don't see it. If the Sky train is protecting Froome or Thomas, and Roglic tags onto the back of the Skytrain, how is he worse off ?

I think...if it's say the skytrain - it's more about controlling the pace - but as you say - and as has been proven - a couple of riders from the same team can drag another along - then if he's got more legs he could just zip by...but there's the psychological side I suppose.

Cheers.



Edit - totally pointless idea - teams back together within a few hundred meters.

[oldcolner]

Quintana looking strong with 8km to go and a 1 min lead over the yellow.

[Norder]

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and Quintana takes the stage - pity Dan Martin couldn't bridge the gap. GThomas took third - and Dumoulin moves into second after a late attack on the climb...when seeing a seemingly troubled Froome drop of the pace - a perfect scenario for Team Sky perhaps....distancing the tainted Froome....and a little odd how Millar and Boulting were so lightning quick to right him off and put Thomas on the team leader Pedestal...will have to see what happens on the last mountain stage after tomorrows flat - something to chase for 2nd and 3rd.