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2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

Isn't that the whole reason they have a neutral service car? Otherwise they could have all types of deals happening, more so than already happens. They seemed to spend a lot of time in the cars plus several of the Orica riders seemed to be doing some pulling when it made no difference one way or another where they finished, they were far back in the GC
 
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Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

The part that makes me laugh is that there was a Sky rider right there. In the pictures of Clarke changing the wheel you can see the other Sky rider. Just take his wheel! Or did Porte plan to use him to pace back to the peloton and if he were missing the wheel he couldn't?

Yeah Probert, the Aussies of OGE were definitely helping Porte, the nationality thing is the only thing that make any sense.
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

I did like that 4 relative unknowns stayed away on pretty much a total flat stage to beat out the sprinters teams
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

I was wondering if they would give everybody the same time today since the crash was just outside 3k but no dice and Aru gets a little time bump. Will be interesting tommorrow to see how things break out with Contador and Aru tomorrow and if Porte, Uran or someone else can claw back into contention.
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

Contador crushing it, Aru better than I expected, Uran struggling, Porte finished behind Viviani.
 
Titleist said:
Contador crushing it, Aru better than I expected, Uran struggling, Porte finished behind Viviani.
Click to expand...

Surprised Uran is struggling. Also pretty sure that the best way to doom Porte in a GT is to put him on my velogames team. Perhaps I shall have to try this with The Dawg in July. It would be a small price to pay...
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

Now I'm wondering if Porte will stay in to support Konig who had a good ride today. Pretty much all the favorites except for Contador did not do well today with the exception of Vandebruke who I don't even think they showed but moved up to 5th overall.
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

Oh, I think that Aru did very well. He is certainly the weakest against the clock. I assume that Uran is either still suffering from the illness he picked up in Romandie or the crashes this past weak. I doubt that Porte finishes the Giro.
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

After today it definitely looks like a 2 horse race. Landa could be a contender if he hadn't lost so much in the time trial and were on a different team.
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

I think Landa needs to either go stupid early and hope he can force and isolated Contador to chase -OR- Aru needs to go early and force an isolated Contador to chase and then have the other counter the tiring Contador. I think its unlikely either way but its the only way I've come up with to win with either a weaker rider or a 4 minute disadvantage.

Also this Giro makes me miss Eustakel. Landa, Nieve, Inxausti, Isguirre are all former EE riders. Yeah they would have crashed 4 times in the TTT and then six times on wet descents but the talent is still there.

I'm also conflicted about Konig. I liked him last year (and before) but hate anything associated with Sky... (same with Viviani).
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

I'm 99.9% sure that he was always going to support the Dawg at the tour. And I'm sure that he is now resting for the tour...
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

Titleist said:
I'm 99.9% sure that he was always going to support the Dawg at the tour. And I'm sure that he is now resting for the tour...
Click to expand...

I figured Porte was going to be their GC guy for the Giro and Vuelta and would skip the Tour, I don't think he did the Giro last year. With their additional climbers Konig, Henao, Roche they would be able to "spare" him.
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

I didn't think that was the plan. According to this from Dec of 2014 it was Porte at the Giro then super-dom-ing at Le Tour with Dawg possible leading at Vuelta. Though I actually think that Konig should get the leadership or even the Bastard of the North, Mikel Nieve.
 
Probert said:
I figured Porte was going to be their GC guy for the Giro and Vuelta and would skip the Tour, I don't think he did the Giro last year. With their additional climbers Konig, Henao, Roche they would be able to "spare" him.
Click to expand...

Porte was all set to lead Sky in the 2014 Giro but was a late withdrawal due to gastroenteritis. Since mid summer last year everything I have seen said he would lead Sky in this Giro and then dom for his bff Froome in the 2015 Tour. As such, his withdrawal, while neutering my velogames team, wasn't much of a surprise considering he had lost so much time that I'd have pulled him, too. Might as well yank him so as to get him ready for the Tour.

All that said, I agree with you that he isn't necessarily needed to dom for Froome but that's been the stated plan for them all along so I fully expect him to be there in Utrecht. One interesting aspect of all this is that Porte recently said he's earned the right to lead the team in 2016. A curious statement for a guy who has never done much to prove himself a legitimate GT contender, and one even moreso when you consider some of the past infighting that's gone on re who is the true team leader for Sky. Froome...and his handler Ms. Cound...have proven to be a bit sensitive, and if that was more than a one-off remark it'll be interesting to see if it leads to any fall out that could perhaps affect this year's Tour lineup.
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

Titleist said:
I think Landa needs to either go stupid early and hope he can force and isolated Contador to chase -OR- Aru needs to go early and force an isolated Contador to chase and then have the other counter the tiring Contador. I think its unlikely either way but its the only way I've come up with to win with either a weaker rider or a 4 minute disadvantage.
Click to expand...

No chance at beating Contador. He is fully charged and will toy with the Astana crew. The road is primarily pointing up so he shouldn't have to worry about crashing. At best it will look like la Vuelta last season. Contador lets them tow him for a couple kilometers, then crushes them and wins the stages. Astana would be wise to try for two spots on the podium and snagging a stage or two.
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

XYZ I agree that Porte's statements are weird, but I think he is out of contract this year. A Strong GC in the Giro would command a much bigger payday. So if he has "earned" the right to lead a team he gets more Euros than, well, whatever this Giro makes him.

EDIT:
And Contador just went all Pantani over the Motorolo. Mechanical then passes everyone.
 
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Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

what's Froome's contract status? Perhaps a move to MTN Qdoba?
 
Re: 2015 USCHO Cycling Thread

Awesome stage today, gutsy riding by Contador to catch Astana on the Motorolo and leave Aru
 
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