Tour de France Stage 9 - Cobbles - Roubaix - SPOILERS

[jlwdm]

Stage 9 could be a very important stage for the GC contenders. A bunch of lightweight climbers on cobbles could lead to lots of problems - crashes resulting in injuries and mechanical issues. Hopefully no serious injuries. Sky is going to have 40 staff spaced along the cobbles with wheels etc.

This stage will be difficult for Lawson Craddock and other riders who riding hurt.

The race will be very different than Paris Roubaix as a strong Paris Roubaix rider on a team with GC hopes will need to ride to support the GC rider. The teams without realistic GC contenders have the best chance of winning this stage as their riders can ride to win instead of riding to support the GC contender.

The TDF started a week late this year because of the World Cup and Stage 9 is starting earlier tomorrow so that it will finish before the start of the World Cup Final.

Jeff

[MattTuck]

It was a surprise how well nibali did on the cobbles in the past. In terms of gc guys, I'd think dumoulin is most naturally disposed.

I really think it will be Sagan, but have a funny feeling that allaphilipe may do something special.

[mhespenheide]

Of the riders that Cyclingnews and Velonews keep talking about, I have to think that Geraint Thomas could be primed for a great ride. It'll be interesting to see if any tension shows up in the Sky camp if Froomey starts to have a bad day...

[Rada]

What about the guy wearing the yellow jersey?

[ultraman6970]

I was thinking about that, way too many good riders that could take the stage.

Froome never done ok in technical stuff like PR because he actually have to ride by himself, the other thing is that we wont see froome till the mountain stages start, probably he will show up by the 3rd week.

Nibali, have faith in dumoulin aswell, and obviously you can't discard sagan and valverde.

What is going on with Quintana?? havent heard from him and looks like he is way back, the other option is that movistar is preparing a set up.

What about the guy wearing the yellow jersey?

[peanutgallery]

Porte now toast

Who now has the legs and the "progamme" to put the screws to Froome? Who, by the way, announced that he may do the Vuelta, too

[kramnnim]

Tejay's time to shine lol

[GregL]

Carnage. They're falling all over the roads of Roubaix! Shades of 2014, but it's the dust rather than the mud.

[Jaybee]

Tejay's time to shine lol

Did he crash 2 minutes after you posted this? No shade on him though, this looks like roller derby.

[peanutgallery]

Didn't realize until today that there were 15 sections of pave

Figured it was just a handful and that was enough of a wrench to wreck some GC hopes. Making all the GC guys with toothpicks for arms be that consistent/strong/lucky for 15 sections is kinda funny. Next best thing would be a pushup and pullup contest at the finish that puts the gruppetto up like 2 hours before the mountains. Now that would be a race

[Jaybee]

GVA is looking really good. Would be awesome to see the yellow win the stage.

[Clean39T]

https://www.reddit.com/r/peloton/comments/8z1zan/results_thread_2018_tour_de_france_stage_9_2uwt/

Race footage with no dodgy ads...

[retrofit]

🤔
Hmmm...
https://twitter.com/PierreL01737684/status/1018217803663409152

[Clean39T]

[emoji848]
Hmmm...
https://twitter.com/PierreL01737684/status/1018217803663409152Looks like it's in a high gear and he just hit it with his leg before the video started.

Tom Sqweeench is about the last person I'd expect would have the cheater instinct.

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[NHAero]

What tires (size, pressure) do you think they ride for a stage with cobbles?

[sailorboy]

Looks like it's in a high gear and he just hit it with his leg before the video started.

Tom Sqweeench is about the last person I'd expect would have the cheater instinct.

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Or maybe we didn't see him re-mounting a chain that had become dislodged and then turning the cranks by hand or something. that's just way too obvious

[GonaSovereign]

Or maybe we didn't see him re-mounting a chain that had become dislodged and then turning the cranks by hand or something. that's just way too obvious

Exactly. You crash, your chain comes off. You spin the cranks to put it back on, and with the wheel off the ground it spins up fast.

[cal_len1]

AG2R needs to use some different tires or something, 3 punctures for Bardet is just ridiculous.

[ultraman6970]

I wil lassume that everybody in ag2r was using the same tires, usually they do. Then if the rest of the team was ok, you have only two solutions to the problem bardet had... 1... the tires he used came from a bad batch, or, second, he is having horrible luck this year.

Tires IME is a thing of luck, i have used the cheapest POS tubulars and never had problems, used continental clinchers and every week i was getting flats. Just plain bad luck man.

AG2R needs to use some different tires or something, 3 punctures for Bardet is just ridiculous.

[Hellgate]

An epic stage with crashes, drama and broken steer tubes. Classic.

[classtimesailer]

I don't think there were more cameras for this year's Roubaix stage but I did see many more flats, broken wheels and bike changes. I know nothing but I think the tires are too soft and the bikes are not as durable as the riders. In a stage where you are likely to crash, it would be smart to have a bike that won't break so easily.

[weisan]

http://alicehui.com/bike/gifs/tdf_r

[ahumblecycler]

@weisan-

Thanks for posting that video - totally awesome!

[Jaybee]

I wil lassume that everybody in ag2r was using the same tires, usually they do. Then if the rest of the team was ok, you have only two solutions to the problem bardet had... 1... the tires he used came from a bad batch, or, second, he is having horrible luck this year.

Tires IME is a thing of luck, i have used the cheapest POS tubulars and never had problems, used continental clinchers and every week i was getting flats. Just plain bad luck man.

Agree.

1) 3 flats in a day is on the edge of normal, bit not outside random statistical distribution.

2) maybe Bardet likes a really low pressure?

[msl819]

Glad for JD... great win. I have enjoyed him since the Argos/Shimano doc that was out a few years ago.

[Climb01742]

Is TeeJay the most unlucky guy? Victim of coincidence? Not so steady nerves?

[weisan]

https://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/interviews/degenkolb_cop.jpg

[Climb01742]

Anyone else hear the Taylor Phinney pre-race interview about having to ‘babysit’ Uran all day? Maybe I’m wrong but he didn’t sound pleased. Then his post-race interview didn’t sound overly pleased at having to TTT Uran the last 25km. I’m a big fan of Taylor and it’s not always easy to read him...what’s straight and what’s messing with people. But his interviews today seemed, well, kinda striking. Anyone else have a take?

[classtimesailer]

I saw the morning interview and was surprised at his candor. I suspect he wasn't all in on that TTT.

[trener1]

He gets paid to do a job and thats his job, if he doesn't like it he can find another team.
I'm pretty sure he was brought to the Tour for 2 stages, the TTT and today.

[denapista]

Exactly. You crash, your chain comes off. You spin the cranks to put it back on, and with the wheel off the ground it spins up fast.

Welcome to the world of social media, where a narrative is created without any context... You can create a 2 second loop, versus the entire 3min loop that shows the facts... Damn we're losing as a society as a whole...

[tctyres]

An epic stage with crashes, drama and broken steer tubes. Classic.

Yeah, that broken frame in the Groenewagen crash was something!

[Clean39T]

Bernal crashing into the back of the BMC team car..

https://giant.gfycat.com/IdleHandsomeKilldeer.webm

[Clean39T]

Kwiatko after the race:

https://i.imgur.com/KRynctc.png

[Clean39T]

Cav congratulates Dege after the race..

https://streamable.com/thx7p

[Hellgate]

Bernal crashing into the back of the BMC team car..

https://giant.gfycat.com/IdleHandsomeKilldeer.webmThat's how Marcel Wust lost an eye.

[msl819]

Cav congratulates Dege after the race..

https://streamable.com/thx7p

That’s awesome. Certainly gives you the impression that it means something to him beyond just a feather in his cap or more money in his pocket. It is rare these days, but every once in a while we get a reminder that at least some are grown up kids, i mean that in the best way possible, who are living out their wildest childhood dreams.

[msl819]

Anyone else hear the Taylor Phinney pre-race interview about having to ‘babysit’ Uran all day? Maybe I’m wrong but he didn’t sound pleased. Then his post-race interview didn’t sound overly pleased at having to TTT Uran the last 25km. I’m a big fan of Taylor and it’s not always easy to read him...what’s straight and what’s messing with people. But his interviews today seemed, well, kinda striking. Anyone else have a take?

If you haven’t seen the Outskirts video he did with the Morton bros where they rode Co to Moab, he actually speaks about his frustration with always having to give canned answer to the press. He comes across to me as one who has an opinion and wants it heard, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It is more entertaining that’s for sure.

[ultraman6970]

TO me he sounded mad about doing his job aswell... Im with climb-dude...

[weisan]

.

[fignon's barber]

It would be interesting to compare the speeds on the pave sectors used in both Stage 9 and this year's Paris-Roubaix.

[kramnnim]

Did he crash 2 minutes after you posted this? No shade on him though, this looks like roller derby.

Something like that, yes. Surprised he didn't lose more time than he did.

[jlwdm]

It would be interesting to compare the speeds on the pave sectors used in both Stage 9 and this year's Paris-Roubaix.

I would guess they would be slower in the Tour. In Paris Roubaix riders are trying to win or supporting a team mate trying to win. In the TDF only a limited number of riders are trying to win the stage. Most are just trying to keep a team leader safe and not going as fast as they could.

In Paris Roubaix the riders are pretty much all classic/cobbles riders not a bunch of climbers.

Jeff

[rst72]

Or maybe we didn't see him re-mounting a chain that had become dislodged and then turning the cranks by hand or something. that's just way too obvious

I think i watched it 20 times...to me, it seems way too obvious that this was not a case of remounting the chain and turning the cranks.

he's pushing the bike and then picks up the rear. no sign of turning the cranks.

unless he was holding the rear up the whole time...grass may be too tall to tell.

carry on...

[KarlC]

I think i watched it 20 times...to me, it seems way too obvious that this was not a case of remounting the chain and turning the cranks.

he's pushing the bike and then picks up the rear. no sign of turning the cranks.

unless he was holding the rear up the whole time...grass may be too tall to tell.

carry on...

Check out @gorman_colin’s Tweet:

https://twitter.com/gorman_colin/status/1018650519026458625?s=09

He Bends over and fixes his chain and spins the crank.

.

[rst72]

great view. he never put down the wheel.

[Clean39T]

great view. he never put down the wheel.If the wheel doesn't hit, you must acquit!

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[JimmyTango]

Kangaroo Court?

Never heard that expression before.

"Jumping over the facts to reach a foregone conclusion"

[JimmyTango]

That stage was absolutely bonkers!

I expected it to be hard on the non-specialists, but had NO IDEA that that many riders were going to hit the deck.

I thought the race for the stage win was pretty great, and I enjoyed some of the GC driven participation in the decicisive moments. Movistar, Bahrain Merida, and Scott in particular have to be pretty pleased with how things panned out for them. Also, Bardet continues to win me over and almost has me rooting for him as my first favorite pick for the overall-- his swashbuckling spring and aggressive riding today (despite the terrible luck with mechanicals) has him right up with Nibali and Rigo in the fun to watch category.

But damn, after a while the constant crashing started to become a bummer.

All and all it was a blast of a stage though!

[Jeff N.]

They need to remove cobbles from the Tour. Ridiculous. Not necessary.

[Bruce K]

It could be argued that Taylor P is a legit “classics rider” and could have had a legitimate shot at a stage win yesterday.

I am sure he knows his job and Uran’s problems held the team in check yesterday.

I can understand the frustration.

He probably shouldn't have voiced it.

BK

[fignon's barber]

I don't know why, but when I saw Tejay get up covered in sand after that last crash, I started laughing out loud.

[GregL]

I don't know why, but when I saw Tejay get up covered in sand after that last crash, I started laughing out loud.
TJ takes a lot of heat, but nearly every GC rider hit the deck yesterday. He may have overcooked a corner (like so many did), or maybe his tire was already going soft (he needed a wheel change right after his crash). We also don't know whether he was held up early on due to Porte's crash. He only finished 5:47 down after all that, and with only one team mate for support. In my book, that's not too bad.

Greg

[Clean39T]

TJ takes a lot of heat, but nearly every GC rider hit the deck yesterday. He may have overcooked a corner (like so many did), or maybe his tire was already going soft (he needed a wheel change right after his crash). We also don't know whether he was held up early on due to Porte's crash. He only finished 5:47 down after all that, and with only one team mate for support. In my book, that's not too bad.

Greg+1

And did y'all see Egan Bernal hit the deck? Looked like his head bounced off the cobbles...he got really lucky...

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[pncguy]

I don't know why, but when I saw Tejay get up covered in sand after that last crash, I started laughing out loud.

I doubt many of us could beat Tejay on the same course.

[bocobiking]

I don't know why, but when I saw Tejay get up covered in sand after that last crash, I started laughing out loud.

Kind of a playground-bully thing to say.

[MattTuck]

Couldn't they spray down/sweep some of those corners? I fully support a stage like this in the tour. But, a few dudes with a hose and some brooms could have prevented a bunch of crashes. And, imo, fewer gratuitous crashes would have been an improvement on the stage yesterday.

[gary135r]

I doubt many of us could beat Tejay on the same course.
I'll bet my house none of us could beat him.

[gary135r]

.
That first photo is Pulitzer worthy.

[charliedid]

They need to remove cobbles from the Tour. Ridiculous. Not necessary.

I was thinking they should have 3 or 4 of these stages.

Maybe a mountain "dirt" stage.

[fignon's barber]

Kind of a playground-bully thing to say.


Please explain what the hell you're talking about? I said the visual was funny. He was unhurt and covered in sand. What, did I stumble into a Battle of the Fanboys? :crap:

[fignon's barber]

I doubt many of us could beat Tejay on the same course.


Post O' The Year, right there!

[speedevil]

Maybe a mountain "dirt" stage.

Well, stage 10 has about 2km of mountain gravel in it. Could be interesting if there's rain.

[weisan]

Bernal crashed into the back of BMC team car, Sky's hired extra roadside help

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1018669810820018176

[FlashUNC]

Couldn't they spray down/sweep some of those corners? I fully support a stage like this in the tour. But, a few dudes with a hose and some brooms could have prevented a bunch of crashes. And, imo, fewer gratuitous crashes would have been an improvement on the stage yesterday.

So wet cobbles are better than dry ones?

Its pick your poison once you're running over those "roads."

[MattTuck]

So wet cobbles are better than dry ones?

Its pick your poison once you're running over those "roads."

Clean corners are better than dusty dirty ones.

[FlashUNC]

You're just turning sand into mud. Which I don't think is any better. Its Roubaix. There's never a better. Its which way do you want to hit the deck.

The better would be paving them over.

[vqdriver]

Bernal crashed into the back of BMC team car, Sky's hired extra roadside help

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1018669810820018176

oy. seeing as how he was back in the caravan, he was already coming back after a crash or mechanical. that's a brutal insult to injury.... or other way around.

honestly, i don't know how that type of crash doesn't happen more often. roubaix or otherwise.

[Lionel]

Couldn't they spray down/sweep some of those corners? I fully support a stage like this in the tour. But, a few dudes with a hose and some brooms could have prevented a bunch of crashes. And, imo, fewer gratuitous crashes would have been an improvement on the stage yesterday.

What ???

[rwsaunders]

oy. seeing as how he was back in the caravan, he was already coming back after a crash or mechanical. that's a brutal insult to injury.... or other way around.

honestly, i don't know how that type of crash doesn't happen more often. roubaix or otherwise.

Remember when Porte and Froome ran into the back of the MC?

https://gifs.com/gif/chris-froome-crashes-on-ventoux-and-runs-73x991

[redir]

John Degenkolb looks like he just came back from fighting a war, he did indeed.

Degenkolb overcome with emotion after Stage 9

https://www.nbcsports.com/video/2018-tour-de-france-john-degenkolb-emotional-after-stage-9-win

[oldpotatoe]

They need to remove cobbles from the Tour. Ridiculous. Not necessary.

Maybe cancel the stage if it rains too..:eek:
C'mon, bike racing, make 'em race their bike. All on same course, no advantages to anybody. I loved it, would like to see more pave' or dirt stages(LIke Strada Bianchi)...these guys are pampered with vans full of equipment, legions of staff..mix it up!!

[jdp211]

They need to remove cobbles from the Tour. Ridiculous. Not necessary.

I don't recall the exact number, but per the episode of The Cycling Podcast after stage 9, the Tour has a long history of cobbled stages in the tour. The number that jumps out in my head was that something like 60 or 70 editions of the Tour have featured stages with cobblestones.

[charliedid]

Well, stage 10 has about 2km of mountain gravel in it. Could be interesting if there's rain.

I just heard that!

Nice

[Black Dog]

Maybe cancel the stage if it rains too..:eek:
C'mon, bike racing, make 'em race their bike. All on same course, no advantages to anybody. I loved it, would like to see more pave' or dirt stages(LIke Strada Bianchi)...these guys are pampered with vans full of equipment, legions of staff..mix it up!!

I agree. I would add that the race radios and power meters are also pampering and should be gone. The sport is killing itself by presenting a boring show.

[Buzz]

Maybe cancel the stage if it rains too..:eek:
C'mon, bike racing, make 'em race their bike. All on same course, no advantages to anybody. I loved it, would like to see more pave' or dirt stages(LIke Strada Bianchi)...these guys are pampered with vans full of equipment, legions of staff..mix it up!!

Agree. Also, as someone else posted get rid of the race radios.

[bobswire]

I agree. I would add that the race radios and power meters are also pampering and should be gone. The sport is killing itself by presenting a boring show.

Ditto, true that. I rarely watch it anymore other than in the morning getting ready for the day. I'll watch the highlights later in the day. One of the main reasons I became a fan of cross and classic's,classics are too hard for teams to try and control otherwise you miss the boat like Sagan did on stage 9.

[fignon's barber]

I don't recall the exact number, but per the episode of The Cycling Podcast after stage 9, the Tour has a long history of cobbled stages in the tour. The number that jumps out in my head was that something like 60 or 70 editions of the Tour have featured stages with cobblestones.

In the early days of the Tour/Giro, ALL stages were on pave/gravel/dirt.

[ntkt10]

I don't have a problem with power meters, but the race radio virtually guarantees the break is always caught.

[fignon's barber]

Maybe cancel the stage if it rains too..:eek:
C'mon, bike racing, make 'em race their bike. All on same course, no advantages to anybody. I loved it, would like to see more pave' or dirt stages(LIke Strada Bianchi)...these guys are pampered with vans full of equipment, legions of staff..mix it up!!


You're right. It's called the Tour de France, not the Tour de France's smooth climbs. It's a race over all the roads.

[MattTuck]

You're just turning sand into mud. Which I don't think is any better. Its Roubaix. There's never a better. Its which way do you want to hit the deck.

The better would be paving them over.

What ???

I was typing on my phone yesterday, and clearly didn't communicate as well as I would have liked.

Not following the meteorological conditions of Northern France that closely, I have to rely on what I heard and read in a few places. Namely, that it had not rained there in 3-4 weeks.

The thin layer of dust that builds up as a result of that length of dry weather is enough to compromise grip compared to 'clean' stones. When I said guys with a broom and a hose, I wasn't suggesting they muddy up the course the morning of the race. I was suggesting that they get out a few days ahead of the race and 'clean' (not to an immaculate standard -- just get that layer of fine dust off) the couple dozen corners on the cobbled sectors, or otherwise entering or leaving the cobbled sectors.

My read on the Tejay crash, having watched it a few days ago, and being majorly sleep deprived, was that the guy entering the cobbled section ahead of him lost his front wheel because of the dusty conditions.

To me, that adds nothing to the race. It is hard enough to race on that surface, under good conditions.

I certainly would also scoff if someone were saying they should come in with water trucks the morning of the race and hose the entire course down.

[FlashUNC]

I agree. I would add that the race radios and power meters are also pampering and should be gone. The sport is killing itself by presenting a boring show.

We should also limit the amount of water they can drink during a stage, like in the good ol days of the Tour. These wusses and their "hydration."

[Jeff N.]

I don't recall the exact number, but per the episode of The Cycling Podcast after stage 9, the Tour has a long history of cobbled stages in the tour. The number that jumps out in my head was that something like 60 or 70 editions of the Tour have featured stages with cobblestones.Perhaps, but none that I can remember feature cobbles as long as I've seen in this TdF. And gravel? Absurd. Sorry. If one's idea of a great tour Stage is seeing lots of blowouts and crashes and injuries, then I guess lots of long and unnecessary cobbles and gravel is just the ticket. Let's throw out some broken glass and thumb tacks too! Maybe even a few land mines!:hello:

[redir]

Perhaps, but none that I can remember feature cobbles as long as I've seen in this TdF. And gravel? Absurd. Sorry. If one's idea of a great tour Stage is seeing lots of blowouts and crashes and injuries, then I guess lots of long and unnecessary cobbles and gravel is just the ticket. Let's throw out some broken glass and thumb tacks too! :hello:

Agreed. Screw gravel.