Tour de France 2017

[antimony.2601]

Well, Romain Bardet certainly livened things up on the mountain descents in Stage 9. Just couldn't hold on to his lead in the final 15km flat to win. He is simply the fastest downhill rider in the Tour and could still take some stage wins when the finish line is at or near the bottom of a descent.

I'm jumping on the Bardet bandwagon now. Potential first French winner of the TDF is 30+ years, reckon he might find a few extra allies in the peloton.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Romain won't win it while he isn't competitive in the ITTs. Froome at least would have to fall over, and maybe Aru too for Bardet to be a contender this year.

 

[mst]

So Froome has faltered and has shown his vulnerability. Have the team Sky tactics come back to bite them? As they help Froome to the end of each stage have that also been giving other riders a free ride and their teams a rest? Interesting that Froome team-mate passed him after he faltered. Have the team has enough of the Froome centric everything?

Very interesting to see what happens now.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I don't get the criticism of Landa by the commentary team for doing his own thing at the end of the stage. He had pulled Froome up the final two climbs to keep him in the leading group. That last pinch of 300m was a treacherous gradient and Froome had hit the wall. It would not have made a difference had Landa stuck with him to the end, so imo he was quite right to go his hardest to the line. He very nearly caught and passed both Uran and Aru and could have been on the podium. Nothing to sneeze at.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Some good racing in the last couple of days. Finally someone is challenging Froome!

 

[Brumby Runner]

Matthews got the win in Stage 14. Has been having a very strong Tour.

 

[mst]

Great result for our local boy. Hope he can grab another one soon.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Apparently, had to grab something other than the win (which he thought he could get) in Stage 15. Anyway, he could be a good chance again tonight in a slight uphill drag to the line where the stage should be one for the sprinters.

 

[Braveheart81]

Tonight's stage seems like the best chance for a breakaway to survive. They should be able to get a big advantage on the first couple of small climbs and then see how well they can hold on.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yep, break away survived a less than interested peloton chase and was fought out by the sprinters who made it into the leading group. Matthews got the win over Boasson Hagen and Degenkolb.

 

[Braveheart81]

Great to see Bling win a second stage. He's now a real chance for the Green jersey.

 

[Tex]

Galibier tonight. Always awe-inspiring to watch them smash up the big hills.

 

[mst]

Real shame about Kittle but looking good for Mathews. Just needs to get to Paris.