What a finish! What an end to the stage!

That last hew hundred meters was steep as hell, I had a feeling Aru/Bardet would get the stage. Froome struggles on something that steep. I wonder if Landa was allowed to go ahead?

That last hew hundred meters was steep as hell, I had a feeling Aru/Bardet would get the stage. Froome struggles on something that steep. I wonder if Landa was allowed to go ahead?

Almost as good as reading how much utter twaddle is written on ST about this race.

It really was.

Almost as good as reading how much utter twaddle is written on ST about this race.
I was told Aru only wants to be second and that it's a parade for Froome. Lol.
Now Aru is in the lead and apparently that was the plan all along.
Because Froome really wants to have three other riders within 29 seconds of him with nine stages to go.
Priceless stuff, comedy genius.

I am happy for Aru and the one day of excitement. Its all predictable. Astana has to control tomorrow, which means a breakway will succeed tomorrow. Froome will be back in yellow by stage 18.

You're talking about a breakaway succeeding as if it were a bad thing. There is nothing more exciting than a successful breakaway.

Also it appears Froome is unable to just ride guys off his wheel at will on climbs this year. That's new. Sky has to scheme for bonus seconds, etc. That's just good racing.

There are still 6-7 guys competing for the 3 GC podium spots, and none of those spots are locked down.

Today we had a AG2R and Cannondale GC guys 1-2 on a legit mid-tour mountain stage. When's the last time that happened?

I'd tend to agree about the last 4-5 TdF's. But I think if you set aside your bongload of Hater Kush for a minute, it might dawn on you this is shaping up to be a pretty decent bike race.
(ignoring the whole Sagan deal).

Just saw on Eurosport, Landa was told to try and get ahead of Aru to stop him from getting the bonus seconds

Is it the beginning of the decline of the skytrain?

I agree with you & I hope your right.

sucks that Uran & Bennett were docked bonus seconds for taking a bottle today, another reason I hate this race. Bardet may be deducted time as well for taking a bottle. Plus I am still pissed about Dan Martin crashing Sunday, he would be up there also.

I said I am super excited Uran is having a good race, he was always great to watch in the Giro, and I really like Bardet, finally a serious French contender. In the end they are all fighting for 2nd & 3rd, Froome is in a league of his own. I hope this is the year I am wrong and will will see over the next 9 stages. Even though I am a hater I still have on my illegal feed at work on my 2nd monitor, I love this sport, tired of seeing the same thing each year.

I'm a sentimental sort who is wondering if Michele Scarponi is looking down and smiling today.

sucks that Uran & Bennett were docked bonus seconds for taking a bottle today, another reason I hate this race. Bardet may be deducted time as well for taking a bottle.

CN reported that Vaughters complained that Bardet also took a bottle. I haven't seen where Bardet was also penalized though. More fuel for the Francophobes.

Froome won't be happy about today's result, but that final 20 degree climb didn't really suit him. He'll be concerned, but the final ITT leaves him as the favorite. I don't see where Aru can put enough time into Froome between now and the ITT, but today's result makes things a lot more interesting.