Le Tour 2015

GetWithIt

Route announced - http://www.letour.com/us/

Froome:

"The team and I will have to give it some careful consideration before we make any commitments to which of the grand tours I will compete in.
"I see myself as quite a balanced GC (general classification) rider and the Giro with its inclusion of a long TT (time-trial) of 60km and tough uphill finishes will make it a well balanced race which suits me well.
"If I did the Giro I may also be able to get myself back to top shape for the Vuelta and go there with a realistic chance of aiming for the win.
"Next year's Tour is going to be about the mountains. There's very little emphasis on time-trialling which means the race will be decided up in the high mountains.
"With six mountaintop finishes it is going to be an aggressive and massively demanding race"

Does, does this mean Nico may have a stab at leading at Le Tour for Sky next year? :eek:

Tree Scape

Seems Froomey is giving himself an "out"

lissard

Can't help wondering what effect the cobbles will have - reckon they were pretty decisive for Nibali this year as he put serious time into all the main contenders. Would be great if there was a wet first week again to keep it interesting.

death1234567

3 posts and nobody has mentioned that the bonifications are back! BONFICATIONS! I can already hear Seán Kelly's commentary.

lissard

It's a bit nuts that there are only 14kms of ITT. I find them bloody boring to watch but over 3 weeks there really should be more TT kms than a simple prologue. The Giro looks like a much more balanced GT in comparison and it's unsurprising that the likes of Froome is talking about doing that instead.

Brian?

lissard wrote: »

It's a bit nuts that there are only 14kms of ITT. I find them bloody boring to watch but over 3 weeks there really should be more TT kms than a simple prologue. The Giro looks like a much more balanced GT in comparison and it's unsurprising that the likes of Froome is talking about doing that instead.

I concur, this is a very strange Tour. It suits Quintana and Contador perfectly. Froome less so, but he still could do well if he targets it. I'm calling it now, Nibali won't retain his title.

lissard

I can't see Contador maintaining form over both a Giro and Tour. That 3rd week will surely kill him, silly to predict 9 months out but Nibali or Quintana for me.

slap/dash

Agreed on the tt. But at the same time I'm happy. They dull.!

bwalsh1983

GetWithIt wrote: »

Route announced - http://www.letour.com/us/

Froome:

Does, does this mean Nico may have a stab at leading at Le Tour for Sky next year? :eek:

Id say more Leopold Konig or anoter crack for Porte.

death1234567

Brian? wrote: »

It suits Quintana and Contador perfectly.

Only 14k of ITT means it's setup for Quintana. It's his to lose IMO, nobody else can compete with him in the mountains.

MPFG

death1234567 wrote: »

Only 14k of ITT means it's setup for Quintana. It's his to lose IMO, nobody else can compete with him in the mountains.

Froome can still beat him in the mountains and Contador too if in top form IMO

Although not for long...in 3/4 years he will dominate a race like the Tour 2015

A few stages there very good for Dan Martin and with no TT (except a short one) he could have a high GC but possibly working for Talansky???

Can't see Froome not riding the Tour but if not then who knows who woudl get a chance....dependent on form I suppose ...

ted1

MPFG wrote: »

Froome can still beat him in the mountains and Contador too if in top form IMO

Although not for long...in 3/4 years he will dominate a race like the Tour 2015

A few stages there very good for Dan Martin and with no TT (except a short one) he could have a high GC but possibly working for Talansky???

Can't see Froome not riding the Tour but if not then who knows who woudl get a chance....dependent on form I suppose ...

Froome is out, focusing on both Giro and the spainish one, reckons that there far enough apart

velo.2010

Wiggo....Wiggo....Wiggo!

Would he fancy one last crack aat the Tour if Froome doesn't go? A longish Prolouge, TTT and a cobble stage in the first week. He might not win overall but a chance to wear the Yellow Jersey one last time could prompt him to have a go.

Actually, if he thinks his track team are not up to winning gold in Rio it could be a bit more realistic. This winter might give him a few answers..... but of course he needs Froome to say no!

letape

The route also suits the stronger French riders who are very good climbers - Pinot, Bardet and Peraud

MPFG

ted1 wrote: »

Froome is out, focusing on both Giro and the spainish one, reckons that there far enough apart

Froome is not out ?? He said he would consider it ....if you read his statement you will see he has not ruled it out completely

I think once Murdoch gets hold of him he will be riding Le Tour

REBELSAFC

MPFG wrote: »

Froome is not out ?? He said he would consider it ....if you read his statement you will see he has not ruled it out completely

I think once Murdoch gets hold of him he will be riding Le Tour

I agree. Froome not riding the Tour would be like Tom Cruise not turning up at the Oscars because he was going to the Golden Globes instead.

Like it or not the razzmatazz,glitz and most importantly media attention is all at the Tour. Froome could win the Giro and La Vuelta and still not get the public acclaim he would get challenging for the Tour

Brian?

death1234567 wrote: »

Only 14k of ITT means it's setup for Quintana. It's his to lose IMO, nobody else can compete with him in the mountains.

An in form Contador can take him on and beat him in the mountains.

I'd highly favour Contador next year, if it wasn't for the cobbles. He always loses time on the cobbles.