Cycling

That was an impressive descent by Froome. Seems to have really improved on that front in the past couple of years. Valverde, who's bloody good at descents, didn't close in that much.

Porte can consider himself unlucky not to have a second stage win as he was checked by Froome in the sprint to the line.

Alpe d'hues tonight I think. Froome should comfortably catch up the 39 seconds.

Not the usual full climb. They climb up Sarenne and an undulating route to Alpe d'Huez.

Regarding the climb they're on right now

Race leader Richie Porte told letour.com with a big laugh this morning: “All I know about the col de Porte is that it has a lovely name!”

JGK wrote:Alpe d'hues tonight I think.   Froome should comfortably catch up the 39 seconds.

Porte finishes 23 seconds ahead of Froome.

Peter Kennaugh wins the stage.

Cracking stage.

Going to be a great final stage. Go Porte.

Aye Froome et al may as well have a crack up the final hill.

Froome, Valverde and Latour all attacked on the first climb and have left Porte without any teammates.

Will Fuglsang spoil the party?

Looks like it'll be the case. Froome clearly not in top form, but valverde and he made the race.

Hell of a ride by Porte, though.

Yep, Fuglsang wins the Dauphine.

Fuglsang wins the Dauphine.

WideWally wrote:Fuglsang scores a very narrow stage win over Porte, Froome & Aru. However, Porte is now in yellow by 39 seconds from Froome. Two mountain stages to go.

Big Dog wrote:Porte can consider himself unlucky not to have a second stage win as he was checked by Froome in the sprint to the line.

I think the interference by Froome on that stage has probably cost Porte the title.

No, he probably would have still just missed if those positions were reversed.

To be fair, Porte's team today cost him a lot more than a couple of seconds.

Undoubtedly.

Fuglsang by 10 sec over Porte. So near & yet so far.

Have to say I thought Richie would close out the race, he has looked really good all week (especially his TT), and his lead on he final morning suggested he was odds on.

Froome's TT suggested he was slightly off, as was his ride yesterday, so I couldn't see him getting so much time back. I'm not sure his drift on that finish cost RP the stage - it was so close between the three of them. It made no difference to the times, and Porte didn't seem too fussed by it in his interview later - took it as the kind of thing that sometimes happens.

If BMC as a team have their shit together, I think young Richie will be in with a shout of at least a podium at the tour with the luck every rider needs with regard to avoiding crashes and mechanical failures etc.

There were time bonuses attached to the first three across the line (10 secs, 6 secs, 4 secs) so if Porte had beaten Fuglsang in Stage 6 he would have been 8 seconds better off but still lost overall by 2 secs.

Ah yes, I'd forgotten about that, Wally ..... thankfully it didn't change the result, but certainly could have done.

I wonder if Froome is peaking later this season to be in better form for the vuelta or if it's just his bad back playing up. He's certainly not been anywhere near the levels we've come to expect of him.

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/the-vuelta-a-espana-will-take-on-an-incredibly-steep-31-climb-and-these-photos-show-just-how-tough-it-is-345302


get off the bike and run...

tricycle wrote:http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/the-vuelta-a-espana-will-take-on-an-incredibly-steep-31-climb-and-these-photos-show-just-how-tough-it-is-345302


get off the bike and run...

Froome's tried that tactic before...

Contador to retire next month.