it would be interesting to understand the economics behind building a GC, sprint, classics....team.

One thing for sure, budgets are shrinking and riders expectations are rising

I just think if a big team wanted him, he’d be signed. It’s not like Bora hasn’t made it obvious that they weren’t going to resign him.

I didn’t think of Dimension Data, if they could get out of the Cav deal he would be perfect. Trek really has no idea, plus Trek doesn’t sign anyone in their prime it seems, just over the hill GC guys. Sunweb has Matthews, so are they going to sign another big sprinter type, maybe.

Hopefully he keeps winning and gets a good deal.

Weird man crush. I love Tim Declercq.

Not weird at all. The tractor comes out daily to plow those fields of wind down. Tim is a class rider.

What a great ride by the small Burgos team today, they put on a clinic in perfect team work and never say die, it was beautiful to watch.

Also, side bar, Sep Kuss was amazing today.

 

to the connoisseurs.

When do the teams typically announce bike changes for the next year ?

Big ride by Sep. Looks like this could be an up and down GC trek all the way to Madrid.

Definitely not weird at all, Tim is one of my favorite riders. The man just kills breakaway attempts, he’ll probably never win a race but his team doesn’t win without him.

Sep did a great job for Roglic today and the Old Man keeps doing what he does. Lopez and Roglic look like strongest and both have each had a bad day, so far.

+ Quintana and Uran to the bad day list too.

True, but I view today as a little different to Lopez and Roglic’s bad day. Quintana and Uran got dropped after the first attack on the climb, before Lopez even decided to attack. I view that differently to Roglic crash and Lopez missing the correct move. But watch tomorrow Quintana and Uran kill it and the others don’t have the legs. It’s been a nice exciting start.

I recall reading somewhere that Cav brings team sponsors with him. Could potentially explain his continued employment if so.

Not compared to today......
Uran and Carthy both crashed out along with Nico Roche.

Gah, that sucks for Uran. Hopefully Tejay can pull off a consolation prize today.

Edit: Oh christ, nevermind.

TJ down - shit day for EF

wow....weird

There's some Bad Gravity at work, there is

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

No kidding. My long shot for the Vuelta was Danny Martinez, but it looked like they had him in more of a support Rigo role. Now he is way behind. At this rate they will have Docker riding for GC by Monday.

Hopefully Higuita is immune to gravity and can make something happen.

I hope Danny Martinez can produce something.

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"Human existence is based upon two pillars: Compassion and knowledge. Compassion without knowledge is ineffective; Knowledge without compassion is inhuman." Victor Weisskopf.

Zero pressure now
to do anything but ride. Maybe he can get some good mountain finishes.

I really like both riders as well as EF, but Tejay is a first ballot entry in to the crash out Hall of Fame. Uran is currently only a nominee.

Higuita is a special rider. He doesn't yet have the ability to stay with the best on the really long climbs, but that could come.

Unfortunately I think Dani really was hurt a lot when he missed out on the TdF because of the crash resulting in broken ribs. I think he can climb and TT well enough to eventually podium a grand tour though.

Apparently Higuita went down today, according to McEwen. Team yard sale all week.

Fucking hell. I wasn't watching, but WTF EF?!

I wonder how much has to do with the more novice guys that are rounding out each team. A handful racing their first GT. Word yesterday was that a Jumbo rider braked on the descent to start the dominos.