2019 Road Racing Season Omnibus (Spoilers Guaranteed)

[guido]

One more day of rolling around on the high plains, then we get to test that...

[BBB]

The first alpine stage looks like being an absolute cracker. The Vars, Izoard and Galiber (via the Lauteret).

Back in '89 Fignon was gapped on the Vars and Izoard with LeMond attacked going down the Izoard before a mad scramble up the hill in Briancon. Fignon lost time and it looked to be advantage LeMond.

In 2011 Schleck attacked on the Izoard and had the assistance of a team mate on the decent and on the valley road up to the Lauteret (with a head wind). Evans saved his race by riding on the Lauteret and then pulling back time on the Galiber.

This time round the race finishes following a long decent down the Galiber. If its hot, it will be really hard.

[Lionel]

The first alpine stage looks like being an absolute cracker. The Vars, Izoard and Galiber (via the Lauteret).

Back in '89 Fignon was gapped on the Vars and Izoard with LeMond attacked going down the Izoard before a mad scramble up the hill in Briancon. Fignon lost time and it looked to be advantage LeMond.

In 2011 Schleck attacked on the Izoard and had the assistance of a team mate on the decent and on the valley road up to the Lauteret (with a head wind). Evans saved his race by riding on the Lauteret and then pulling back time on the Galiber.

This time round the race finishes following a long decent down the Galiber. If its hot, it will be really hard.

Absolute gorgeous route and yes ultra tough.

[slwrnu]

I am in the Alps at the moment, and it is pretty warm everywhere. This increases the chances of thunderstorms, but as someone else mentioned they usually do not roll in until late afternoon. The various internet weather forecast sites are quite inconsistent so anything could happen. I look forward to turning on the radio later.

[sk_tle]

If it is too hot Pinot might not feel to good. If there are thunderstorms he will shit in his bib in the descents. I hope to be wrong.

[Saab2000]

This part of France is so stunning and has amazing riding. I'd love to visit again and have a local guide. Lionel and Sebastien were the best local guides!

[jdp211]

If it is too hot Pinot might not feel to good. If there are thunderstorms he will shit in his bib in the descents. I hope to be wrong.

Eh, the Pinot who's afraid of descending is a man of Tours past. He was hanging with JA on a technical descent a week ago (albeit dry). It's been an impressive show of will to get over a fear that lost him a number of races. Hell, he even won il Lombardia, showcasing his ability to descend as well as climb.

[sk_tle]

Doing that in the wet would be different. I'll also add that sfter two big crash in descents, Julian Alaphilippe is far from being as much confident as he used to be.

[skouri1]

exciting three days to follow. im wondering how dead they all feel at this point, though they did just have two easyish days.
unfortunately, i think these alpine climbs will be great for bernal and thomas and their months of tenerife training. Bernal could soar here, he is quite an incredible young rider and the altitude will be great for him. Rowe's expulsion certainly complicates their task...im crossing my fingers for some French glory. on verra.

[guido]

Quintana wins the stage, but Alaphilippe saves his lead after seeming to crack on Galibier. Only Bernal takes time. What a stage!

[DOOFUS]

I think Alaphillipe will be able to limit his losses tomorrow -- he's got a good descent from the Iseran, and then the Cat 1 climb to Tignes.

It's looking like this tour comes down to Val Thorens. Perfect!

[72gmc]

I've only read the recap so far, but Ineos reads like yet another team that confuses itself more than anyone else with its two-leader strategy.

[sevencyclist]

I am loving the TDF this year! Best since 1989 for me.

My take is that Alaphillipe is doing his best to hang on and with the profile of short climb at the end tomorrow, he will likely be able to hang on for another day.

Saturday is going to be the big one. He will have to follow Thomas and hope that Ineos is favoring Thomas, since he does not have the explosive legs to go with Bernal. If Ineos is willing to have Bernal be the new champion, then Alaphillipe is done. As for Pinot and others, they should ignore Alaphillipe and follow Bernal and hope to overtake him for some gain. My bet is that it is going to come down to the upper part of Val Thorens this Saturday! Looking forward to the racing.

[rabo]

That was racing!
Question is not if Allaphillipe will lose yellow , but when.
My guess is tomorrow.
Been wrong before though, and that is just fine.

[BBB]

Movistar (Quintana) may have won the stage, but their tactics are confusing. They didn't have enough firepower to force the issue on the Iozard, or at least to continue forcing the issue, and now have three riders in the top 10. Quntiana managed to move ahead of their best placed rider and both Quintana and Landa are leaving the team.

[Thad Pasquale]

Movistar

Hot mess...

[BBB]

What is Movistar doing? | CyclingTips

Really odd given the team, or its previous iterations, have won the race a number of times.

[sk_tle]

On the other hand they have 3 talented riders who seems to be just a step below the best this year so it is not easy to make up a good tactic. You can harden the race all you can with your teammates, if nobody is able to make up the difference you still have a problem.

To sum it up 3 4-stars level riders do not make 1 12 star rider to compete against 5-stars ones.

[j44ke]

Where the heck did the blood on the front of Quintana's jersey come from? Nose bleed?

[bdaghisallo]

Where the heck did the blood on the front of Quintana's jersey come from? Nose bleed?

Apparently it was a gel that he spilled on his jersey. Either that or his teammates were trying to stab him in the back and missed.