Julian A and Tony M off the front. photo credit AFP
Forget the skinny climbers for a moment. Let’s talk about these two on Stage 16 and appreciate just why they are the professionals and we are not. Young Alaphilippe has already proven himself to be a monster in his Tour debut. If not for a jammed chain on the final descent of stage 15 he might have won his first Tour stage. The dude can climb and descend, like a bastard. And how is he even still in the Tour after this?
Really?
So he shakes that off, nearly wins an incredibly hard stage 15 then rides off the front with teammate Tony Martin early in stage 16. Normally a two person break will be held at four or five minutes, the peloton will break out the picnic baskets and the sprinters will nap until the finale. But no, Tony Martin can ride at over 48 kph for hours, by himself, on a road bike. Alaphilippe did the occasional pull on the front, to save face, but this was the Tony Show.
I dare any civilian to get their bikes up to that speed, grab a handful of ghost spinaci bars, settle in and do that for two minutes. I’m much more impressed by this than Froome’s climbing ability, but I tend toward the rouleurs anyway.
Was it another pointless breakaway? By the time the peloton finally sped by Alaphilippe then Martin it seemed like it but maybe that doesn’t matter. Maybe getting off the front and putting everyone else in the hurt locker for a few hours is reason enough.
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@blackpooltower
They finished together but Alaphillipe was caught TM carried on and took his lead ou to about 20 seconds before the inevitable.
Fancy a beer or two?
@Owen
Race radios may not help but blaming Sky for being too strong is on par with blaming girls for wearing short skirts.
@LeBeige - LOL...I love the "UK Postal" moniker... Not since a certain team in blue and white kits have we seen an entire team completely own the peleton on climbing days with nobody having "bad" days.
As for Panzerwagen...he's just a fvcking machine. A younger Jensie with his ability to go on the break and just give it hell??? After feeling a bit disappointed in the non-event the GC battle has become, this entry is exactly what I needed to remind me that the true bad-ass mothers are the one-day monsters.
@fignons barber
Most memorable stages pour moi have been GVA's win on stage 5 and subsequent (brief) time in yellow and Sagger's bare knuckle job on windy stage to Montpellier, alas with praying mantis in yellow in tow.
Classics men rule.
@litvi
Agreed, but wtf was Dumoulin wearing for today's time trial? Stripper socks?
For me it was GVA's defense of the yellow, 5th on the next stage, that was more impressive, over climbs he was never expected to hold onto. Ledge.
The Martin and Alaphilippe stage, I was rooting for them and sweating on them to hold it to the line, also scratching my head wondering what the hell they were doing out there, but marvelling at the stupendousness of it all.
I hate Sky as much as the next fan, but Lemond is questioning them now, and if The Humping Spider takes the win, there will be no end of 'how boring' it has been. Seriously, GTFO. Sport goes through phases where one team dominates. Anyone a fan of F1 when Schumacher won everything. Same diff.
Were fans saying the same in the Mapei years? What about the Postal years? Americans loved that shit, it brought scores of new riders at the time.
I have a feeling if it's not your team, people just moan and complain. I also have a feeling if it was their favourite team, or a rider from their country or some such, they'd be beating their chests.
I've admired the ancillary results and interesting events outside of the GC battle more than watching Sky this tour, for sure, but you have to recognise success even when it is smacking you in the face with boredom.
@Al__S
GCN did a profile of Hansen before the tour & he mentioned he's always in his TT suit (e.g. no pockets) as even the "sprint suit" annoys him cos the pockets catch air.
@Beers
hell yeah, GVA even increased his lead in yellow.
@chris
The last time we saw a team this strong COTO ran it.
Sorry that wasn't mean to be bolded