[petethedrummer]

Sky certainly have livened up the tour. In previous years the GC contenders would have sat looking at each other for another week. This could mean that Sky wrap it up and the last week will be awful dull but I don't think so. I still don't think Wiggins has it in the high mountains of a 3 week tour. Whether Evans and Nibali can pull enough back is another question and will be interesting to watch. Froome though, I don't see him having any weaknesses really. He looks like he could take a few minutes from Wiggins if allowed. Wiggins doesn't look 2009 skinny which might slow him down in the high mountains but then he might be less susceptible to an illness.

I don't like the Sky tactics. It looks like they are sent out with a number of watts to hit for a certain amount of time and they glue themselves to that. But it has made it interesting so far.

[titan18]

Only riders that I think can attack are Schleck and Van den Broeck. Radioshack will attack a bit I'd say to try and win the team classification. With Zubeldia,Monfort, Kloeden,Schleck and Gallopin, I think they'll try at least. Don't see much coming from the rest

Originally Posted by petethedrummer

Sky certainly have livened up the tour. In previous years the GC contenders would have sat looking at each other for another week. This could mean that Sky wrap it up and the last week will be awful dull but I don't think so. I still don't think Wiggins has it in the high mountains of a 3 week tour. Whether Evans and Nibali can pull enough back is another question and will be interesting to watch. Froome though, I don't see him having any weaknesses really. He looks like he could take a few minutes from Wiggins if allowed. Wiggins doesn't look 2009 skinny which might slow him down in the high mountains but then he might be less susceptible to an illness.

I don't like the Sky tactics. It looks like they are sent out with a number of watts to hit for a certain amount of time and they glue themselves to that. But it has made it interesting so far.

Can't believe you think this race is interesting. It's the worst Tour/Giro I've seen in years.

[RobFowl]

Originally Posted by funnights74

You took the words out of my mouth, this tour looks in danger of going down the Indurain route. Hopefully nibali, evans and maybe zubeldia will get stuck in in the high mountains this week.
Sky have a lovely problem, probably 2 podium positions in the bag, barring disaster. As i feared pre-tour this tour looks like it's wiggins to lose, yawn yawn.

I think Wiggins will win now but Froome won't stay on the podium. He'll still be a domestique and will lose time on at least one of the hillier stages. There'll be some attacking going on too now

[Sarz91]

Originally Posted by funnights74

You took the words out of my mouth, this tour looks in danger of going down the Indurain route. Hopefully nibali, evans and maybe zubeldia will get stuck in in the high mountains this week.
Sky have a lovely problem, probably 2 podium positions in the bag, barring disaster. As i feared pre-tour this tour looks like it's wiggins to lose, yawn yawn.

Looks like it's back to the Vuelta and Giro for grand tours for me.

[Lumen]

One ill-timed puncture is all it takes for Wiggo to lose several minutes in the GC.

I wonder whether Froome would give him a wheel or whether his radio might develop a sudden malfunction.

[petethedrummer]

Originally Posted by titan18

Can't believe you think this race is interesting. It's the worst Tour/Giro I've seen in years.

My point was they have made the first week more interesting. They wanted to contend for the win and went out and did it. None of the "oh you first", "no after you" of the first few mountain stages in the last few years.

If they keep pile driving the opposition it will indeed be awful, but I think there is plenty of opportunity for it to all go wrong. I hope it does, but not because I dislike Wiggins (I am indifferent) I just don't like these sorts of tactics. It also turns the tables on Evans, he must attack and not just cover.

Last year's tour was a belter but took a fair while to get going.

[titan18]

Originally Posted by petethedrummer

My point was they have made the first week more interesting. They wanted to contend for the win and went out and did it. None of the "oh you first", "no after you" of the first few mountain stages in the last few years.

If they keep pile driving the opposition it will indeed be awful, but I think there is plenty of opportunity for it to all go wrong. I hope it does, but not because I dislike Wiggins (I am indifferent) I just don't like these sorts of tactics. It also turns the tables on Evans, he must attack and not just cover.

Last year's tour was a belter but took a fair while to get going.

As it's going, unless Wiggins and Froome crash out, this is going to be the worst Tour or Giro I've seen in a long time. The route doesn't lend itself to the better climbers like Schleck or Van den Broeck taking minutes out of Wiggins either. I cant see Evans taking enough time out of Wiggins with another TT to come in order to win it, barring Wiggins and Froome getting into trouble with crashes.

Best I'm hoping for with the route is for one of the stages with a descent at the end to have horrible weather all day. Nibali and Evans attacking on the descent could cause chaos if its wet.

[TheBlaaMan]

It would be great, if idealistic, to think that VdB, Nibali, Schleck or ANOther will 'gang up' to double-team Sky in the high mountains, and make this an exciting tour, but I think old rivalries will get in the way and they will happily - like last year - leave it up to Cadel to win it if he wants to......

There's a lot of polictics getting in the head of both Nibali (off to greener pastures for 2013) and Schleck (witness his 'performance' on Belle Filles 3 days ago....) to suggest that either will be a factor in the final shake up, but I may be wrong.

Its certainly an interesting tour, watching Sky ride off their power-meter readings, and put everyone into the red, but exciting.......? No, I dont think so.

Give me an Ullrich, Pantani or (God help us) Contador attacking in the hills................thats excitement.

Now, where's me gear...........?

[petethedrummer]

Originally Posted by titan18

As it's going, unless Wiggins and Froome crash out, this is going to be the worst Tour or Giro I've seen in a long time. The route doesn't lend itself to the better climbers like Schleck or Van den Broeck taking minutes out of Wiggins either.

I haven't previewed the stages. I'm not getting much time to follow pro-racing this year. Are there no monster climbs? Must have a gander later.

Originally Posted by titan18

Nibali and Evans attacking on the descent could cause chaos if its wet.

Would be nice to see them collude to bring down Sky.

[Min]

Nicolas Roche on radio 1 now.

[titan18]

Originally Posted by petethedrummer

I haven't previewed the stages. I'm not getting much time to follow pro-racing this year. Are there no monster climbs? Must have a gander later.


Would be nice to see them collude to bring down Sky.

Only two big mountain top finishes for a climber to put in time. Unless someone is prepared to go classic riding and attack from a long way out, I can't see a stage where they can put minutes into Wiggins or Froome.

If Nibali and Evans decide to work together in an effort to break Sky, I could see Radioshack who'll work for the team classification, and perhaps Lotto cos of Van den Broeck work to do it.

Next Thursday, and the the final stages on the 18th and 19th are the only stages that enough damage can be done. It needs someone being strong enough to attack solo by themselves, or else the super domestiques working to hurt Sky early on and teams working together. If the likes of Smyzd,Basso,Vanendert,Van Garderen and the whole of Radioshack worked to hurt Sky, it could be fun.

[donfers]

zubeldia's form is surprising me, about 4-5 years ago he was quite a solid climber, then he was ****e for a few years, now he is top 5 in the gc and even time trialling very well - was he injured or something?

[petethedrummer]

Originally Posted by titan18

Only two big mountain top finishes for a climber to put in time.

Well I'll wait optimitstically until then before I concur with you that it is dull.

[titan18]

Originally Posted by donfers

zubeldia's form is surprising me, about 4-5 years ago he was quite a solid climber, then he was ****e for a few years, now he is top 5 in the gc and even time trialling very well - was he injured or something?

Always a good climber, 5th twice in the Tour, rides for the strongest team in the Tour imo. In relation to the 5ths, in 2003, top 5 were Lance,Ullrich,Vino,Hamilton and then Zubeldia,7 minutes down. 2007, there's Contador, Evans, Levi,Sastre and then Zubeldia who finished 8 minutes behind. He could actually be one of the best riders in the last 10 years.

Pretty much 2nd atm in 2003 if you take out convicted dopers

Some questionable management at Radioshack though

[JRant]

Wow, that was some ride by Brads and Chris. If Sky keep this up they'll rewrite the training manual. Thing is they've been solid all year and have the best backroom staff around. Refuse to believe its down to anything other than hard work, anything else would be absolute lunacy with the olympics coming up.