I think the Marin wind is going to have some say about the outcome of this rcae. Generally, the prevailing summer Marin increases throughout the afternoon and eases in the evening. However, the forecast is a little contradictory today. I am tending to go with Nature instead of computer models, so my analysis suggests that earlier starters will gain the wind advantage with less to be found on the course, and that the final starters, especially Froome, will face a stiffer wind and as a result more difficult conditions on the course.
In any case, even if the wind is the same for all starters, there will be some gusts up to 18km/h and that will always favour stronger and more powerful riders like the Panzerwagen. There is a short little incline with what looks like a 100m section at 14%, and an average of 7% for 1.2kms, and that will favour Froome and Roglic, however the Panzerwagen won't crack over such a short distance and any losses will be regained on the other parts of the course.
His form in the ITT has been waning of late, and he did only manage a 4th-place finish in the opener, however I like how he looked when going long-range and climbing on stage 15.
Expect a bold showing.
8/1 at SP into 7/1. Would like him to be 9/1, but he is very solid E/W value.
Have just watched the LaCourse by TdF race won by Van Vleuten, which covers the same course as that which will be used for the ITT. Very hot on course. Wind is picking up. Tight and tricky course. Those mini-cobbles in places. Winding descent off the climb, but a good surface. The 1.2km climb is at an average of 9.5% not 7%, nothing which Martin didn't experience on stage 15 though, so should pose no great problem.
I think whilst Froome will make time on the climb, he will be safe on the descent so may wipe any gains. The Books installed Froome as an odds-on favourite at SP, and clearly they got that wrong, I think.
Roglic will have benefited from his stage 17 win. He has had some good recent results in TT races with some climbing, and I believe he first came to prominence in the 2016 Giro stage 9 ITT around Chianti. He will be in for a big ride here, but he is not unbeatable, and if Martin is on good sensations he is much better E/W value than Roglic, since a top-2 place at 1/3 is likely for him.
Have just watched the LaCourse by TdF race won by Van Vleuten, which covers the same course as that which will be used for the ITT. Very hot on course. Wind is picking up. Tight and tricky course. Those mini-cobbles in places. Winding descent off the
Kiryi on course -- looks like he is being underestimated in the market. If he tries he can post a time, but it's difficult to know if he is tired or his condition is solid after driving the SKY train after Knees for long sections. Probably he is tired, I think.
Kiryi on course -- looks like he is being underestimated in the market. If he tries he can post a time, but it's difficult to know if he is tired or his condition is solid after driving the SKY train after Knees for long sections. Probably he is tire
It's not always easy to know how he is going on the course without time checks, but it would help if the camera stays with him to see if he is flowing and feeling it...
It's not always easy to know how he is going on the course without time checks, but it would help if the camera stays with him to see if he is flowing and feeling it...
On to the foot of the climb -- market doesn't like him, but this is going to be the critical part of the course for him -- let's see how he negotiates it.
On to the foot of the climb -- market doesn't like him, but this is going to be the critical part of the course for him -- let's see how he negotiates it.
Bodnar is a very hard rider, wherever Sagan has gone he has taken Bodnar, so that says a lot -- but no I didn't expect this from him at all.
Will it hold is the next question...
Bodnar is a very hard rider, wherever Sagan has gone he has taken Bodnar, so that says a lot -- but no I didn't expect this from him at all. Will it hold is the next question...
Btw Bull, I attempted a big price project in the TT opener with Castroviejo -- 20/1 -- did not work then -- hardly ever works in the ITT. Will it today, though?
Btw Bull, I attempted a big price project in the TT opener with Castroviejo -- 20/1 -- did not work then -- hardly ever works in the ITT. Will it today, though?
so u must be pleased for ur compatriot Matthews..think he may well have overhauled Kittel in any case but Sagan would probably have proved unassailable
so u must be pleased for ur compatriot Matthews..think he may well have overhauled Kittel in any case but Sagan would probably have proved unassailable
Yes mate, very happy, and also that it turned into a profitable project. But I think we were denied a very interesting and entertaining competition which might have developed between Sagan and Bling.
Yes mate, very happy, and also that it turned into a profitable project. But I think we were denied a very interesting and entertaining competition which might have developed between Sagan and Bling.
Yes, looked very good, but I was more surprised that he could attack on the climb instead of along the flats, but once there he was powering along. If he can repeat that ride today, he will certainly get very close. Market is convinced he will. Kung -- 4th. That suggests there is not much a wind factor, meaning later starters won't necessarily be disadvantaged.
Yes, looked very good, but I was more surprised that he could attack on the climb instead of along the flats, but once there he was powering along. If he can repeat that ride today, he will certainly get very close. Market is convinced he will. Kung
The climb is definitelt the key -- I am tending to think that Froome might have his "bury-mode" opportunity on this climb. He did look good when bridging back after his mechanical on stage 15.
The climb is definitelt the key -- I am tending to think that Froome might have his "bury-mode" opportunity on this climb. He did look good when bridging back after his mechanical on stage 15.
Have to think Froome is going to go better on the climb -- the climb has been the key in the stage -- cannot be wind since Kwiatkowski got close. My bet is Froome.
Have to think Froome is going to go better on the climb -- the climb has been the key in the stage -- cannot be wind since Kwiatkowski got close. My bet is Froome.
The argument that Froome won't push it in order to stay safe is a valid one, but I just think he will be much better on the climb than Bodnar. That is solid data -- riders are not making time after the climb on Bodnar.
The argument that Froome won't push it in order to stay safe is a valid one, but I just think he will be much better on the climb than Bodnar. That is solid data -- riders are not making time after the climb on Bodnar.
Froome and Kwiatkowski have had some really hard hill climb challenges in training, but Froome wins them when he is all in, so 5-12secs there should equate to 4-10secs on the line, meaning Bodnar gets beat by Froome. The only thing the market is saying, is that Froome will wipe advantage in the corners and the descent because of protecting his lead, but if he goes into the race like that, he brings Uran into calculations, and so he has to go all-in. Froome for mine.
Froome and Kwiatkowski have had some really hard hill climb challenges in training, but Froome wins them when he is all in, so 5-12secs there should equate to 4-10secs on the line, meaning Bodnar gets beat by Froome. The only thing the market is sayi
Well done mate, always good to buy insurance, though. I just let my Froome bet stand, so a loss for me on him and Tony Martin at the start. Not a good day.
Well done mate, always good to buy insurance, though. I just let my Froome bet stand, so a loss for me on him and Tony Martin at the start. Not a good day.
I don't like to trade in such stressful situations -- someone always has faster pics and/or is closer to the exchange. If I put in bids it's on more drawn-out scenes with time to think things through and set-up value. Bodnar was 200/1 at SP with the Books into 80/1 so people saw value. Still don't know he did it, though.
I don't like to trade in such stressful situations -- someone always has faster pics and/or is closer to the exchange. If I put in bids it's on more drawn-out scenes with time to think things through and set-up value. Bodnar was 200/1 at SP with the
The 1.27 came before the climb I believe, so it was based on confused or incomplete data, knowing that you might have held out for that price instead of 1.4 -- sounds like you have the nerves for it. Still don't know how Bodnar did it, yes Froome likely got the word he had secured his 3-peat, however with Kwiatkowski in 2nd-place I guess I was right that it was a Polish thing.
The 1.27 came before the climb I believe, so it was based on confused or incomplete data, knowing that you might have held out for that price instead of 1.4 -- sounds like you have the nerves for it. Still don't know how Bodnar did it, yes Froome lik
Bull -- cheers mate, thanks for your comment. I had to look up what onions meant online fearing that naming the different vegetable varieties was not what you were talking about, but no, I have no associations with the pro peloton, nor cycling at a high level.
Padlock -- thanks for your kind comment mate.
Hope you both finished with a decent bank.
Bull -- cheers mate, thanks for your comment. I had to look up what onions meant online fearing that naming the different vegetable varieties was not what you were talking about, but no, I have no associations with the pro peloton, nor cycling at a h