Tour de France 2017 ***SPOILERS***

[Dave Davenport]

Imagine how strong Team Sky would have been with Geraint (and Poels instead of the very disappointing Henao).
Idly musing about the Vuelta, who's going to win that one?

No Valverde, no Quintana, no Thomas, Contador a busted flush, no Landa...
Probably Froome's best shot this year, or an outsider like Gesink, Kruijswijk?

42km flat TT, you'd have to make Froome the favourite (assuming he's riding).

 

[Crackle]

Imagine how strong Team Sky would have been with Geraint (and Poels instead of the very disappointing Henao).
Idly musing about the Vuelta, who's going to win that one?

No Valverde, no Quintana, no Thomas, Contador a busted flush, no Landa...
Probably Froome's best shot this year, or an outsider like Gesink, Kruijswijk?

I'm sure Porte's going to be interested, enthusiastic puppy that he is. Maijka, Valverde, That skinny Russian bloke who crashes a lot, The Dutch coathanger shoulders bloke and a few others. I think it'll be a strong Vuelta but probably won by someone we've only just heard of.

 

[BrumJim]

So 222km mostly flat, particularly in the second half just before the deciding TT. I predict a huge breakaway, and the yellow jersey group only just making the time cut.

 

[smutchin]

That skinny Russian bloke who crashes a lot

Got to be one of the favourites, definitely, if only by virtue of not having done the Tour.

 

[rich p]

I'm sure Porte's going to be interested, enthusiastic puppy that he is. Maijka, Valverde, That skinny Russian bloke who crashes a lot, The Dutch coathanger shoulders bloke and a few others. I think it'll be a strong Vuelta but probably won by someone we've only just heard of.

Will Porte be recovered; Valverde won't.
You mean Ilnur Aspartame?

 

[rich p]

Anyway, I'll start a Vuelta thread as we've already got a Giro 2018 Spoiler thread!

 

[Adam4868]

Been watching on TV here in Brittany,good watching in ignorance,just about understand Cristofer Froome ! General consensus in the bar(where else ?) Is team sky are far too strong a team...but last two stages have been fantastic too watch.Favourite moment of yesterday was Kwiatowskis track stand ! Him and Landa have rode a blinder this tour.Right of to the pool x

 

[Crackle]

Will Porte be recovered; Valverde won't.
You mean Ilnur Aspartame?

Yes him. My Name memory has deserted me today. I didn''t realize Valverde had bust his knee, so no, he won't be in but Porte still might, depends how well his recovery goes.

 

[rich p]

Yes him. My Name memory has deserted me today.

It's Crackle...
...HTH

 

[brommers]

Imagine how strong Team Sky would have been with Geraint (and Poels instead of the very disappointing Henao).

You could throw Stannard into the equation as well

 

[MacB]

Interesting interview, would seem that government and lottery funding have become interchangeable terms. Also the guy is trying very hard not to be too elitist...this money is for the benefit of millions of people/the whole country etc, etc.

 

[brommers]

Idly musing about the Vuelta, who's going to win that one?

No Valverde, no Quintana, no Thomas, Contador a busted flush, no Landa...
Probably Froome's best shot this year, or an outsider like Gesink, Kruijswijk?

You can probably take this Vuelta provisional with a pinch of salt
http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3

 

[smutchin]

You could throw Stannard into the equation as well

Not to mention Rosa - another rider who could be a GC contender in his own right.

 

[rich p]

Interesting interview, would seem that government and lottery funding have become interchangeable terms. Also the guy is trying very hard not to be too elitist...this money is for the benefit of millions of people/the whole country etc, etc.

I beg your pardon?

 

[brommers]

So 222km mostly flat, particularly in the second half just before the deciding TT. I predict a huge breakaway, and the yellow jersey group only just making the time cut.

Where's the mostly flat bits?