Cheers mate! Just got to your post as had to take dogs out when race ended.... Bad ju-ju for Sky. Hope Thomas can climb!
Wiggins fall was a disaster for Sky ,it also cost Thomas his white jersey.Geraint shouldn't have waited ,there were a couple of others that could have helped Wiggins if he had been able to continue.
Yeah - but Boasson Hagen was down too. And Geraint was the lead-out for Hagen. But, even so, it was a ****-up! As I said before - I hope Thomas can climb. It's his only hope....
Fookin gutted for Wiggins. He had the eye of the tiger this year. Nailed on for the podium at least this year IMO. Well gutted we wont get the chance to see what he could do in the mountains. Contador doesn't look on it and a good chance to take plenty of time off the schlecks on the final time trial. Still, looking forward to the mountains. Stage 18 looks awesome, plus Alpe d'Huez on stage 19.
Contador - 24th is @ 1'42" behind Hushovd. It's a deficit he can make up once the climbing starts. Samuel Sanchez - 32nd is @ 2'36". Again, he can climb, but will have to make his move in the Pyrenees. Geraint Thomas - 38th is @ 3'18". It's quite a deficit, but he could make a dent in it as he can climb. Good luck, boy!
Thomas has to use the rest of the tour for experience for future tours when sky may have a different strategy. Just see how he goes in the mountains, attack if he feels comfortable. Plus he's far enough behind for GC contenders to not be too concerned if he escapes for a stage win. Thomas certainly has the potential to salvage the tour for sky.
Sky have Edvald Boasson Hagen for the Sprints; Rigoberto Uran Uran is a mountain-climber; Thomas himself is a sprinter/pursuit rider and can also climb. I think Sky will let him go for GC, if he can make up time. Otherwise, it could be as you say: just ride for experience and have a go.
Col de la Croix Saint-Robert (Category 2) coming up! This might open up the field a little...... It's a narrow, steep climb - so the peloton will be strung out (rather than riding in a bunch). Anything could happen.....
Great afternoons racing this afternoon, next 16km should be class. I want to dislike vino after everything that's happened but I just dont think I can.
After 2008. Super finish, Thor looking a complete beast right now. Cadel is looking pretty strong though and considering his advantage over contador he actually looks the favourite for me at the moment. That finale really has whetted my appetite for the mountains next week
Yes! Thor can climb some, and there's Evans, Contador and the Schlecks (either or both). Waiting to see where Thomas finished today. By the way - must be good for you to see the race, rather than the highlights!?
Yeah it did make a change, done pretty well avoiding the outcome every day but you can't beat the live stuff. At least the weather gave me a genuine excuse to stay indoors.
