Terrible day for BMC. Van Garderen lost another minute due to a crash at the front of the peloton. Lost a rider due to a broken left leg from that crash. A rider who broke away from the pack got caught in the last kilometer.
I think Tejay is going to have to attack tomorrow heading into the mountains and the rest of the team go with him to help out. If he could pick that minute he lost back up tomorrow, it would be huge. Although it will be extremely difficult. Would have to catch the original breakaway a few miles before the first climb then launch the attack as the climb begins to have a chance at staying away, I think. But thats just the point of view of someone who knows little about the sport, only watches the tour, and only knows the basics.
What a fine Tour this is turning out to be. Chuffed for Tony Martin today, that was an excellent ride by him.
His form was brilliant in the Tour de Suisse as well. He's in surprisingly good climbing form at the moment.Definitely. Especially after that stage of the Vuelta last year where he rode on his own for most of the stage and was caught in the last ten metres.
His form was brilliant in the Tour de Suisse as well. He's in surprisingly good climbing form at the moment.
I'd say Astana are quietly happy about losing the yellow jersey at this stage. Let Lotto defend it for a while so their team can focus on Nibali 100% in the mountains.
Should be a cracking stage today.
Yeah, good point, but Lotto will be dead keen to defend it for as long as possible. Gallopin will ride out of his skin today.They will probably have it back by the end of today.
Vuelta might be a better contest than the Tour this year.Contador abandoned. Pity.
It will be a hell of a Vuelta this year though.
Vuelta might be a better contest than the Tour this year.
Agree...contador showed incredible guts to fight on in such circumstances...what a massive let down this race has been with all these big names dropping out...and feel bad for nibali because if he goes in to win this as expected, people will always question what would have happened if froome and contador hadn't crashedEven if he's a (probably) doped ****, I have quite a lot of respect for Contador trying to cycle on despite having fractured his shin bone. Especially after seeing footballers wallow on the turf all the last month.
It's Nibali's Tour to lose, now.
Contador abandoned. Pity.
It will be a hell of a Vuelta this year though.
Chris Froome @chrisfroome · 4h
Big loss for the TDF today. Recover well @albertocontador & I hope to see you at the Vuelta.
Wiggins was supposedly targeting the Vuelta as preparation for the TT Worlds, I hope Froome doesn't come and boot him out of a second Grand Tour this year.