Posted this in the TdF equipment thread as well....

Interesting that the majority of the Etixx - QS team are still on the old Venge. Cav is on the new Venge and it looked like Kwiakowski was as well. Haven't see any of the Asatana guys yet....

Step Clemons in the breakaway is on the new Scott Foil.

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"If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams

After the talk of how Astana is such a strong team, this stage is giving them fits.

What's with BMC? They get Tejay up there and then they sit on instead of contributing and gaining more time.

No need with Alberto and Froome in the group. They're not going to drop them so let the sprinter teams do the work on the front.

Of course there is, he needs to gain as much time as possible at every opportunity. To miss out on distancing the best climber in race is a mistake.

Why does it seam that the Specialized rides are all getting flats?

Any idea why Cav went so early? It seemed pretty obvious that he was going to get caught with the quality of riders tucking in behind him. Was there a strategy that I'm not understanding?

Because he used to be able to win easily by going at 200 yds. He's lost some speed.

Slick riding by Greipel and FC to slip in. Cav kind of screwed Martin by not sprinting all the way to line and letting FC get third.

Really good racing today, Cav went too early but he also did not get a lead out, not sure if that was predetermined to try and not drop Martin. Really amazing finish by Sagan considering he had to put in a huge effort at 14k to get back from his puncture. Cancellara proved once again that in a super hard stage he can finish with the sprinters. Greipel did exactly what he needed to do.

That seemed like too simple of an answer., but you're probably right Maybe he can't admit that he's lost a step and needs to change tactics. I guess he wouldn't be the first great athlete to have trouble admitting that Father Time catches up with everyone.

It was earlier than 200, closer to 300. Renshaw ran out of gas too early and there was nothing left to do but hit the gas and hope it lasts. It didn't. Besides, a long flat sprint favors Greipel in any year.

Agreed, it looked more like Renahaw running out of gas, leaving Cav little choice but go early or get jumped.

a bunch sprint is a team event... Cav is as awesome as ever, or perhaps he's "lost a step", but that's not why he didn't win today.

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Yeah, Etixx made a mess of that finish. After crushing it to create the gap, they mucked up the finale and not only lose the stage, but cost Martin the jersey.

Unbelievable. And not the first time this year they have screwed up races they should have won.

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Chicago Cubs - 2016 WORLD SERIES Champions!!!!

"If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams

Absolutely, especially since Teejay is not an explosive climber. BMC should have ridden harder / more to create a bigger gap.

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Chicago Cubs - 2016 WORLD SERIES Champions!!!!

"If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams

Slick riding by Greipel and FC to slip in. Cav kind of screwed Martin by not sprinting all the way to line and letting FC get third.

No kidding! Ok, so he didn't know it was FC, but still... why is he sitting up? Isn't he interested in the points jersey?

Maybe he can't admit that he's lost a step and needs to change tactics.

Just a screw up. Hit the front too soon. Greipel and Sagan got a great pull to the line.

I think people underestimate the toll that this race took on the guys in the front group. It was a brutal classics-style event, not a typical TdF bunch sprint day with lots of places to hide until the last few minutes.

Avg speed for the stage was 29.75mph.

I think you are a little optimistic as to what BMC can / did do - they rode pretty damn hard, as did Sky and Saxo-Tinkoff to get that gap up to 1:28... that's a huge gap when you consider Astana, Movistar, Garmin and Katusha all had major incentive to chase - as did weaker teams like FDJ and AG2R. Taking 1 minute out of an Astana / Movistar chase would be a good result so getting closer to 1:30 must make BMC, Sky and Saxo-Tinkoff very happy.

It looked like when the split started they sat on and I think were hoping Rohan would catch up. But, I did see them starting to work later once they decided the yellow jersey was lost and putting time in Nibili and Quintana.

Kwiatkowski averaged 52.8 kph (33mph) over the final 1:15 with an avg power of 343W. He was working pretty hard.

343W is cruising for him. The guys pulling the train would have been double that.