Tour de France 2019 **SPOILERS**

[gavroche]

The finish was about as suspect as I’ve ever seen. Pinot did what I expected, absolutely no qualms with that, he rode superbly, and deserved that epic win. Alaphilippe though......

Why don't you give the lad the respect he deserves? He is riding the Tour of his life and that's probably down to training, preparation, physical fitness, ambition and dedication. It isn't a foregone conclusion yet, far from it, but he is really showing pure class and , as they say, wearing yellow gives you wings.

 

[Crackle]

Hmm. I wouldn't underestimate team evil. If not Thomas then who? He's still second and all of those around him are flaky in one way or another. Bernal is 4th. Ineos remain super reliable ... ish

However if he is physically fooked the he's fooked

I might be premature. The longer Alpine stages will suit him better and should do for Alaphilippe but we were all wondering about his build up this year and I just don't think he's got it. Love to be wrong though.

 

[iandg]

The last time I saw that, it was Lance Armstrong. That was absolutely blatant. I really hope it isn’t a French ‘up yours Brexit’ hush up job.

Edit - Was Armstrong the last time?

.... wasn't Wiggins going fromm trackman to Grand tour GC contender suspicious?

 

[Crackle]

Winning time was 45secs slower than the 2010 duel between Contador and Schleck. I think there was a tailwind today, so nothing special in terms of times.

 

[nickyboy]

Putting to one side @Racing roadkill frankly ridiculous attempts to derail the thread, this sets up beautifully for the last week

If it was Thomas 2-3 minutes in front, everyone would give up and battle for scraps. But I'm sure that Kruiswijk, Pinot, Bernal and Buchmann will go to sleep thinking that if they can crack Alaphillipe, they could win the whole thing. So hopefully we can expect some aggressive, entertaining racing. It will be interesting to see how long Ineos keep Bernal on a tight leash if Thomas ships more time tomorrow because Bernal is in with a great chance if they can crack Ala

 

[Crackle]

Meanwhile Madiot manages to contain himself

 

[MasterDabber]

With Movistar doing their rather confusing stint at the front ineos never really had to do a stint but when once that finished ineos looked less than impressive.

 

[Racing roadkill]

With Movistar doing their rather confusing stint at the front ineos never really had to do a stint but when once that finished ineos looked less than impressive.

Ineos were lack lustre, however, they haven’t got their General this year, so it’s hardly surprising.

 

[Crackle]

Where would George Bennett be now if he hadn't gone for those bottles.

 

[MasterDabber]

Ineos were lack lustre, however, they haven’t got their General this year, so it’s hardly surprising.

Agreed... Geraint is obviously a good rider but he isn't feared in the same way that Froome is. Froome called the shots in Geraint's win last year and his presence makes the others nervous.

 

[rich p]

Ineos lost Kwiat, Moscon far too early but I don't think that would have made much difference.
Movistar were an embarrassment again.
Who'd have thought that Yates, Mollema, Porte, Bardet, Quintana, Martin would have been out of contention so soon

 

[rualexander]

Not sure if they announce the winner or not. I’ve entered a couple of times in the past but haven’t bothered this time. I don’t want a Brompton. Lol.

You might not want a Brompton, but 4 Bromptons plus accessories plus £15,000 (so basically £20,000 if you sell the Bromptons) is not to be sniffed at surely?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Mod note:

Thread edited and a number of posts have been deleted.

 

[Adam4868]

Feck that was hard work watching,had to suffer sitting in a bar in Tuscany in 35degres heat...it's a hard life.
Couldn't resist watching that stage,it's far from over.

 

[Crackle]

With speculation rife those figures look normal. For comparison, in the Armstrong era it was not unknown for riders to put out much more than 6.0W/kg up to 6.7.

Of course this is no guarantee but comparisons of Alaphilippe's ride with Armstrong are overblown hysterics.