Well - what the heck's going to happen? I'm quite sure Froome would love to win again if only to show his new team they've backed a winner but will Ineos allow him to and would the rest back him up? Thomas would love to win it, as would Bernal but will Froome then accept being a support rider. Froome and Thomas haven't exactly set the world afire yet.
Intriguing :hmmm:
I reckon Bernal will be captain, with Thomas as lieutenant. That leaves Froome carrying the water bottles, if he goes - and that's a big if.
On current form there's no way Froome is going to Le Tour. I fear Thomas's win was a one off so that leaves Bernal as the main man
Have to agree with Philip's appraisal, Froome is a shadow of the rider he once was, I can't see him ever contesting a grand tour again really, which is a shame.
Froome over 5 minutes down at the Criterium du Dauphiné.
Is this the end of an illustrious career? :(
Froome has an absolute iron will, but he's still recovering from last year's horrific crash. Who knows if he will ever fully recover and of course time isn't on his side. If he makes a full recovery then I wouldn't bet against him being able to compete in the future but he would need a few decent team mates to challenge Ineos.
The rumour is that Thomas is nailed on as one of the Ineos leaders and that it is a straight choice between Bernal and Froome - unfortunately for Froome at the moment there is only one outcome!
I agree that Bernal is likely to be number one at Ineos, with Thomas doing his usual superb supporting role and being there in case plans change. I can't see Froome getting in the top three.
I'm interested to see how it all works this year with the virus around. There was a plan to not have crowds, wasn't there? One of the finishes is near us but I'm not sure I'd go along at the moment. Mind you this is our last year here so never say never!
I cant see Froome contesting anything. Big injury takes time to heal and then even longer to get back to peak condition.
Would love to see Thomas picked as the leader to try and contest another win but I think they will probably go with Bernal with Thomas as a very strong second man.
Certainly in the early days they were talking about holding it in July, but with no crowds, but obviously that's totally impossible to enforce. No idea what's going to happen in September though!
I'd love to see Froome get back to full strength, if nothing else it's always a real shame to lose such a talent in that way. Beloki never really recovered from similar injuries after his 2003 crash, and he was a fair bit younger than Froome. There's no shortage of determination in Froome. I wonder if moving team is a good thing - on the one hand it's a new opportunity and incentive to get fit, but part of me thinks he's moving away from the richest team in the sport, and if it doesn't work out at Israel Start-Up Nation are they going to stick with him? Feels a bit of a 'one last chance' move.
Anyway, I like both Bernal and Thomas, happy to see either of them win, sure it's going to be a strange race in so many ways!
Quote from: Southerngooner on August 13, 2020, 08:05:46 AM
There was a plan to not have crowds, wasn't there?
Maybe possible at start/finish/crucial points like tops of climbs etc but otherwise impossible to enforce. More to the point can the public keep their pets in as there was a Dobermann running loose in the first stage of the Criterium. That could have caused carnage ::) >:(
Pinot, Pinot, Pinot...
It'd be great to see a French winner and at least in my opinion he's the down-to-Earth, reserved, likeable every-man that are prolific in two wheeled sports.
Unfortunately, I'm starting to doubt it'll go ahead but fingers most definitely crossed as I love the Tour. :claphappy:
Chris Froome now 14 minutes down in the Criterium but as he's a confirmed domestique to Egon Bernal that's not really surprising. His interview after yesterday's stage was actually encouraging but I don't think he'll be going for the win at the TdF
Bernal out of the Dauphiné with a bad back :hmmm:
Sad news. :(
Will/can anyone step up to the plate for Ineos? I don't think Thomas has got it in him and Froome's not fit yet
Quote from: Newportnobby on August 15, 2020, 04:06:08 PM
Sad news. :(
Will/can anyone step up to the plate for Ineos? I don't think Thomas has got it in him and Froome's not fit yet
I'll have a go, I'll have to get a new inner tube and I'm not sure about the lycra, but 3 weeks in France, I'm game :D
Remco Evenepoel has just had a shocker of a crash at Il Lombardia, straight over the side of a bridge :( He is conscious and just been carted off in an ambulance.
Quote from: Philip. on August 15, 2020, 04:13:42 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on August 15, 2020, 04:06:08 PM
Sad news. :(
Will/can anyone step up to the plate for Ineos? I don't think Thomas has got it in him and Froome's not fit yet
I'll have a go, I'll have to get a new inner tube and I'm not sure about the lycra, but 3 weeks in France, I'm game :D
Plus 2 weeks in quarantine on your return :hmmm:
Quote from: Newportnobby on August 15, 2020, 04:20:47 PM
Quote from: Philip. on August 15, 2020, 04:13:42 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on August 15, 2020, 04:06:08 PM
Sad news. :(
Will/can anyone step up to the plate for Ineos? I don't think Thomas has got it in him and Froome's not fit yet
I'll have a go, I'll have to get a new inner tube and I'm not sure about the lycra, but 3 weeks in France, I'm game :D
Plus 2 weeks in quarantine on your return :hmmm:
I'd need more than 2 weeks after 3 weeks on a bike :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing:
Quote from: Philip. on August 15, 2020, 04:20:17 PM
Remco Evenepoel has just had a shocker of a crash at Il Lombardia, straight over the side of a bridge :( He is conscious and just been carted off in an ambulance.
He's conscious and being assessed according to the team.
Deceuninck-Quickstep confirmed Saturday evening that the 20-year-old suffered a fractured pelvis and bruised lung in the crash.
A lot of bad crashes this year already. That one with the barriers in Poland was bad too.
Although that one should never have happened and the organisers have a lot to answer for there.
Thomas sometimes does well with a last min change of plan and no expectations. Always going to back a fellow Thomas for a win : :D
Team Ineos Line up for Tour De France
Andrey Amador
Egan Bernal
Richard Carapaz
Jonathan Castroviejo
Michal Kwiatkowski
Luke Rowe
Pavel Sivakov
Dylan van Baarle
Thomas will ride the Giro and Froome La Vuelta
https://www.teamineos.com/article/ineos-grenadiers-set-out-grand-tour-plans-for-2020 (https://www.teamineos.com/article/ineos-grenadiers-set-out-grand-tour-plans-for-2020)
It would appear to be a management/Dave Brailsford decision. Not sure Geraint or Chris had any input.
Sivakov might be a contender after his performance in the Critérium
Quote from: Newportnobby on August 19, 2020, 12:22:39 PM
It would appear to be a management/Dave Brailsford decision. Not sure Geraint or Chris had any input.
Sivakov might be a contender after his performance in the Critérium
Yes Brailsford has always made it clear it is himself that calls the shots.
Gutted Thomas isn't riding but would be good to see him get a fresh shot at the Giro
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/53867606 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/53867606) Mark Cavendish left out of race for second year in a row, is this the end of Britain's glory years in cycling?
I am affraid I think it is. Even last time he attended you could tell he wasn't as sharp anymore.
Cracking character and can be proud of what he had achieved though. Good to go out on a high also.
Some words from Dave Brailsford.....................
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/sir-dave-brailsford-rejects-claims-185806678.html
Going off the news that Covid cases are rising sharply in France, I fear the 2020 edition won't end well
Quote from: Philip. on August 27, 2020, 02:01:54 PM
Going off the news that Covid cases are rising sharply in France, I fear the 2020 edition won't end well
It didn't start well either for some, lots of injuries and withdrawals on the first day :worried:
Only two withdrawals, plus John Degenkolb outside the time limit.
It's made me realise the extent to which I've lost touch with cycling. I don't know half the 'big' names anymore!
Yesterday's stage was mad, good to see today's being a bit less sketchy! Strong riding from Alaphillipe too. Could be quite the shock result, particularly if the race were curtailed early...
Quote from: njee20 on August 30, 2020, 10:51:17 PM
Only two withdrawals, plus John Degenkolb outside the time limit.
It's made me realise the extent to which I've lost touch with cycling. I don't know half the 'big' names anymore!
Yesterday's stage was mad, good to see today's being a bit less sketchy! Strong riding from Alaphillipe too. Could be quite the shock result, particularly if the race were curtailed early...
Yeah, my bad grammar I'm afraid. I meant lots of injuries, and a couple of withdrawals :-[
That was one scary badass descent yesterday :goggleeyes:
Glad it was decent weather and the helo shots were just great
I always feel gutted for those in the breakaway when they don't make it. My heart goes out Jerome Cousin spent almost 100kms out alone and got swept up less than 10kms from home. Shame!
Quote from: Newportnobby on August 31, 2020, 03:17:37 PM
That was one scary badass descent yesterday :goggleeyes:
Glad it was decent weather and the helo shots were just great
Some of the goodbye shots were pretty good too:
(https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2020/08/29/TELEMMGLPICT000238054661_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqg5ozdfdQpDHsa6AO6OAwnlabMGzIC_NZv763wN-vL4o.jpeg?imwidth=960)
Quote from: TrevL on September 01, 2020, 03:11:01 PM
I always feel gutted for those in the breakaway when they don't make it. My heart goes out Jerome Cousin spent almost 100kms out alone and got swept up less than 10kms from home. Shame!
It's always been the most fascinating aspect of road racing for me. Sure, I know there's constant radio contact but, like yesterday, the peloton were within a couple of hundred metres of catching the sprinters. It's rare for a breakaway to get to the finish but I'm always elated when it does occur.
Much more exciting than F1 and just love the scenery! that downhill descent through those hairpins was something else. As Mick says those Heli shots are really good. Makes life seem almost normal!
I've found this year's race to be very exciting with a few surprises.
Bernal has now pulled out and I reckon Ineos have some changes to make, including at top level
Edit - brutal stage today with some parts at 24% ascent. Certainly sorted the wheat from the chaff!!
Tomorrow's looking tough, too :worried:
(I do like some of Gary Imlach's throwaway remarks on ITV4 as well ;D)
Afraid I can't watch Gary (monotone) Imlach, which is why I watch on Eurosport. They have (Crazy) Carlton Kirby, who admittedly talks drivel, but none the less is entertaining, a bit lit like a latter day Murrey Walker, who also talked drivel and was entertaining. Each to his own I suppose.
Carlton Kirby is an aquired taste I agree, but he is certainly enthusiastic, even if he does waffle a bit. Rob Hatch is superb on the other hand, very knowledgeable and precise with his pronunciation.
Quote from: TrevL on September 17, 2020, 07:34:24 AM
Each to his own I suppose.
Not really, Trev, as I can't get Eurosport :no:
David Millar gives excellent insights into the riding and Chris Boardman's techy bits (read gimmicks) used past and present is also fascinating ;D
Fair enough, similarly, I don't have BT sport, so I have to watch MotoGP on Quest, which is only highlights, I really miss watching the "kids" on moto3.
As you said, TdF is really exciting this year, definitely another team is going to win this year, which is good. I'd also like to see someone other then Sagan win the green jersey, just for a change.
I agree about Sagan. He's a 'character' but we can do without such 'characters' butting their way past others and then protesting total innocence.
Richie Porte has been a big surprise to me and it would be good to see him on the podium.
Alaphilippe is just acting like a naughty teenager playing up with attacks and just messing with other teams ;D
Haven't been following along with a lot of interest this year....
Still got memories of a night in Canberra hospital when I fell over during an event ten or so years ago ;) :-[
I really like Gary Imlach! I like his slightly dry style, although I can see why some may find him annoying. I don't like Daniel Friebe however.
It's been a great race, the fact that Bernal was the only defending champion, the fact the form book has been turned upside down, totally uncertain.
Today should be a big day again, and then Saturday's TT just to throw one final spanner in the works. Ironic that Porte is looking as strong as he ever has as he bows out being a team leader and goes back to super domestique!
At last - Ineos do something!
Bad luck rode with Porte (again)
I like Gary Imlach. A bit (well a lot actually) off topic but his book "My Father and Other Working Class Football Heroes" is excellent.
Here in the US we've got some good commentators on NBC - Phil Liggett still anchors the broadcast along with Bob Role who does a lot of the color commentary on the aerial shots (Bob took over from Paul Sherwen which was a touch act to follow). Christian Valverde is really excellent for the racer perspective. It's a shame this year that he's stuck in the studio in the US and therefore he can't ride the tough climbs before the Tour visits. How the hell he's got the breath to talk through the climbs while he's on them is beyond me!
The Tour's been a lot of fun - my wife and I love it and we don't have a "UK" favorites perspective, we like riders all through the teams. We're both pleased that Peter Sagan has been given a run for his money; his reputation hasn't sat well with us even at the start of this Tour before the latest "incident".
I do think Jumbo-Visma should do the decent thing and adopt a different color for the Tour though. I loved it when ONCE rocked up in their pink outfits a few years ago! We can cope with a Maillot Jaune and the Columbian National Champion, but throw Jumbo into the mix and it's impossible!
It reminded me of a football game years ago when Leeds were playing, I think, Coventry who were wearing all-yellow. You couldn't tell them apart on a B&W telly. On Match of the Day, I recall the commentator saying "... and for those of you watching in black and white, Coventry are the team in the all-yellow kit".
Quote from: TrevL on September 17, 2020, 07:34:24 AM
Afraid I can't watch Gary (monotone) Imlach, which is why I watch on Eurosport. They have (Crazy) Carlton Kirby, who admittedly talks drivel, but none the less is entertaining, a bit lit like a latter day Murrey Walker, who also talked drivel and was entertaining. Each to his own I suppose.
Since the the passing of Paul Sherwen, I do now generally prefer Eurosport over ITV. For me the Grand Tours are as much about touring the regions of a country as the racing. But, Carlton Kirby is to cycling commentary as Peter Alliss is to golf - too prone to the occasional cringe inducing pre 80's unenlightened ramble. :doh: As a result, I can't watch a whole day of Eurosport.