2017 Tour de France

[Rocket-Boy]

When the real contenders were in the race he was up the road scoring points on intermediate sprints and making up a lot of points. the others couldnt go with being Kittle, Greipel etc. Of the 2 that are out only Sagan would of been able to go with and that would of been a quality battle.

I disagree that it would have been a battle between Sagan and Bling, it never has been before.

Sagan never had issues taking green overall because he could just go out in a breakaway or make sure he picked up all the intermediate sprints throughout the tour.

 

Of the pure sprinters, when Kittel, Greipel and Cav were around then Bling didnt feature at all.

 

I think Bling has worked hard and saw the gap with Sagan out to use his tactics to win green overall, Im fairly sure he would have just made it past Kittel in the points before Paris.

I like the guy and I really hope he holds his race together and keeps it overall, I just dont think he will be repeating that in any future tours.

[Rocket-Boy]

DQ'ing Sagan basically kicked the race for the Green Jersey in the teeth.

^this. It left someone who wasnt a pure sprinter and could use Sagan tactics to get all the intermediate sprints done.

[J Wakefield]

I disagree that it would have been a battle between Sagan and Bling, it never has been before.

Sagan never had issues taking green overall because he could just go out in a breakaway or make sure he picked up all the intermediate sprints throughout the tour.

 

Of the pure sprinters, when Kittel, Greipel and Cav were around then Bling didnt feature at all.

 

I think Bling has worked hard and saw the gap with Sagan out to use his tactics to win green overall, Im fairly sure he would have just made it past Kittel in the points before Paris.

I like the guy and I really hope he holds his race together and keeps it overall, I just dont think he will be repeating that in any future tours.

 

I think you misunderstood me, I said other than Sagan no one else would of put up a fight for Bling. Not saying Bling would beat him, not at all and yes Bling saw the gap but he would of ended up 2nd to Sagan as long as Sagan did what was needed in the none pure sprint stages. 

 

Bling and Sagan are very similar, Sagan is just better.

[Bonus]

He must at least try . Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Now is the time to be bold and grab it by the scruff of the neck.

 

 

And if he joined the break and the group reeled it in purely because of him . . . ?

[Rocket-Boy]

I think you misunderstood me, I said other than Sagan no one else would of put up a fight for Bling. Not saying Bling would beat him, not at all and yes Bling saw the gap but he would of ended up 2nd to Sagan as long as Sagan did what was needed in the none pure sprint stages. 

 

Bling and Sagan are very similar, Sagan is just better.

Then I definitely misunderstood you, sorry about that.

Your last line sums up my feelings exactly, so Im glad that Bling is getting a shot at it and working for it.

[Shebeen]

I think you misunderstood me, I said other than Sagan no one else would of put up a fight for Bling. Not saying Bling would beat him, not at all and yes Bling saw the gap but he would of ended up 2nd to Sagan as long as Sagan did what was needed in the none pure sprint stages. 

 

Bling and Sagan are very similar, Sagan is just better.

Yes, totally  - I think Sagan leaving has helped the green comp, because it became a battle until Kittel left. I think team Sunweb have been amazing too here. Would Bora have been so good if Majka was doing something as well? We could have had Barguil/Majka and Bling/Sags both fighting for a jersey.

[Wannabe]

And if he joined the break and the group reeled it in purely because of him . . . ?

 

That would have been better than playing watchdog the whole day, hoping Yates blows up on the climb.

 

You know the Afrikaans saying, "Wens in die een hand, k_k in die ander hand, en kyk watter een weeg die swaarste"     

[J Wakefield]

Then I definitely misunderstood you, sorry about that.

Your last line sums up my feelings exactly, so Im glad that Bling is getting a shot at it and working for it.

 

Don't be sorry it happens. All good bud we on the same page.

[J Wakefield]

Yes, totally  - I think Sagan leaving has helped the green comp, because it became a battle until Kittel left. I think team Sunweb have been amazing too here. Would Bora have been so good if Majka was doing something as well? We could have had Barguil/Majka and Bling/Sags both fighting for a jersey.

 

I think Majka was going for a GC position not a Jersey (KoM) He would of been up there, he is quality on a bike. Not sure the team would of been there to support. Would see him rogue vibing it like Uran.

[Jakkals.]

I think Majka was going for a GC position not a Jersey (KoM) He would of been up there, he is quality on a bike. Not sure the team would of been there to support. Would see him rogue vibing it like Uran.

maybe if Majka was still in it, he's youngster Buchman would have a bit more motivation to ride a tad harder.

 

Sagan also so blerrie versatile he could've helped pull on the climbs.

[Pure Savage]

Its Cape Town, go ride outside please.

Arm still not 100% and there is TDF to watch

[Vetplant]

GC group now 8min behind the front of the race... seems like this stage will go to someone in the break.

 

GC contenders seem happy to wait and then have a blowout on the final climb of the day...

[madbradd]

GC group now 8min behind the front of the race... seems like this stage will go to someone in the break.

 

GC contenders seem happy to wait and then have a blowout on the final climb of the day...

 

I'm watching on Racecentre and they posted a message:

 

Questioned by FranceTelevision, Team Sky's sport director Nicolas Portal declared: “Why not arriving at the bottom of the Izoard with ten minutes deficit to the breakaway? We're not necessarily focused on winning the stage. We can't allow ourselves to use the team for two goals, winning the stage and GC. It's important to give the maximum support to Chris [Froome]. We want him to be the freshest possible in the Izoard. Our idea is to defend our position. If his legs allow, Chris will give it all at the end. We fear Rigo [berto Uran] mostly. With Romain Bardet, we never know.”

[CASSIE1975]

I'm watching on Racecentre and they posted a message:

 

Questioned by FranceTelevision, Team Sky's sport director Nicolas Portal declared: “Why not arriving at the bottom of the Izoard with ten minutes deficit to the breakaway? We're not necessarily focused on winning the stage. We can't allow ourselves to use the team for two goals, winning the stage and GC. It's important to give the maximum support to Chris [Froome]. We want him to be the freshest possible in the Izoard. Our idea is to defend our position. If his legs allow, Chris will give it all at the end. We fear Rigo [berto Uran] mostly. With Romain Bardet, we never know.”

 

Does make sense...keep your enemies close and only counter (if and when) they attack...don't NEED to win this stage...

[Vetplant]

There's a split at the front, 25 riders have a 30s lead over the other 29 that was originally part of the move

[Vetplant]

At least we know someone will give it a big go today:

 

Romain Bardet (AG2R-La Mondiale) told letour.com this morning: “I'm ready to fight. I've got nothing to lose. I already finished second in the Tour de France last year. Mental will prevail.