Tour de Suisse

Condor Andy wrote:

Fraile crashed yesterday I think. It was definitely an Astana rider.

I haven't brought in Kelderman. I got in Bernal, Mas, Konrad, Spilak, Aru, and Soler, and kept Dennis and Asgreen.

Aru seemed equally risky....I was actually surprised he even entered. I went for Carthy instead.

Condor Andy wrote:

Fraile crashed yesterday I think. It was definitely an Astana rider.

I haven't brought in Kelderman. I got in Bernal, Mas, Konrad, Spilak, Aru, and Soler, and kept Dennis and Asgreen.

I am similar, but have Pozzovivo and Carthy though.

Sniffer wrote:

Condor Andy wrote:

Fraile crashed yesterday I think. It was definitely an Astana rider.

I haven't brought in Kelderman. I got in Bernal, Mas, Konrad, Spilak, Aru, and Soler, and kept Dennis and Asgreen.

I am similar, but have Pozzovivo and Carthy though.

Quietly for a first race back Aru is doing alright. One to watch over the next 5/6 weeks.

Dr Winston wrote:

Just spotted an Omar Fraile “not on the start list” posted....

Left Fraile in......

stevemarks wrote:

Dr Winston wrote:

Just spotted an Omar Fraile “not on the start list” posted....

 

Left Fraile in......

So it was true.  Gosh...unlucky Steve.

Condor Andy wrote:

Kelderman's first race back from injury, probably not pushing it too hard in an effort to be in his best shape for the Tour, especially if Tommy D doesn't show up.

I guess we'll see if Bernal is that good Steve. His results in the past two years seem to suggest he is, and what's his competition here? Mas is probably the obvious one, but who else will challenge him?

So not mechanical then. Mmmm....he’s a fairly obvious pick for the next four days if all things were equal...mmm again. Might just arrange the furniture to bring him in later.

Dr Winston wrote:

Condor Andy wrote:

Kelderman's first race back from injury, probably not pushing it too hard in an effort to be in his best shape for the Tour, especially if Tommy D doesn't show up.

I guess we'll see if Bernal is that good Steve. His results in the past two years seem to suggest he is, and what's his competition here? Mas is probably the obvious one, but who else will challenge him?

So not mechanical then. Mmmm....he’s a fairly obvious pick for the next four days if all things were equal...mmm again. Might just arrange the furniture to bring him in later.

Yes after Bernal and Mas I was struggling Costa Spilak Betancur?

I went with Cathy, Jane and Viv. 

Just realised I left Soler out and maybe shouls swap him in for Fraile, but as its a good breakaway day I sort of prefer not to use the transfer.

Now I've written all that I am probably damned whatever I do.

stevemarks wrote:

Dr Winston wrote:

Condor Andy wrote:

Kelderman's first race back from injury, probably not pushing it too hard in an effort to be in his best shape for the Tour, especially if Tommy D doesn't show up.

I guess we'll see if Bernal is that good Steve. His results in the past two years seem to suggest he is, and what's his competition here? Mas is probably the obvious one, but who else will challenge him?

So not mechanical then. Mmmm....he’s a fairly obvious pick for the next four days if all things were equal...mmm again. Might just arrange the furniture to bring him in later.

Yes after Bernal and Mas I was struggling Costa Spilak Betancur?

I went with Cathy, Jane and Viv. 

Just realised I left Soler out and maybe shouls swap him in for Fraile, but as its a good breakaway day I sort of prefer not to use the transfer.

Now I've written all that I am probably damned whatever I do.

Do you think a big break?....

Condor Andy wrote:

Kelderman's first race back from injury, probably not pushing it too hard in an effort to be in his best shape for the Tour, especially if Tommy D doesn't show up.

I guess we'll see if Bernal is that good Steve. His results in the past two years seem to suggest he is, and what's his competition here? Mas is probably the obvious one, but who else will challenge him?

The quality of the opposition leaves a bit to be desired, but as far as this race is concerned he's obviously a class above.

archieboy wrote:

Looks like stg 9 route has had to be revised as Sustenpass is not yet open.

So a 105 km alternative route has been set up, but it's still brutal.

Aye...maybe more brutal.

Condor Andy wrote:

I forgot that Viviani was in this race when making transfers yesterday....

I managed to drop him, thinking he wouldn’t get over the last climb. Duh

Sniffer wrote:

Condor Andy wrote:

I forgot that Viviani was in this race when making transfers yesterday....

I managed to drop him, thinking he wouldn’t get over the last climb. Duh

I thought today was tomorrow and took him out too.

MinardiM189 wrote:

Sniffer wrote:

Condor Andy wrote:

I forgot that Viviani was in this race when making transfers yesterday....

I managed to drop him, thinking he wouldn’t get over the last climb. Duh

I thought today was tomorrow and took him out too.

Brought him back in today. Seemed to be worth it as it was GVA that I dropped.

I feel like i’m making a lot of bad decisions lately but then I take note that i’ve gone back up from 5th OR to 2nd OR. ..showing that everybody else is making equally “bad decisions”....I think cycling must be going through a less predictable phase maybe. On the plus side...my brother has finally beaten me in a standard game after 18 months of trying (Dauphine)...i’m pleased he’s in the game now instead of trying to pick Tony Rominger...

[/quote]

Maybe the effect of smaller team sizes is filtering through. It feels like teams seem more interested in having quality riders in the break so they don't have to work and Sky, Bora and Quickstep aren't chasing down all the moves anymore and being selective about when to use their firepower.

Similar to you I've been ill and down the league like a brides nightie of late. I'd be interested if more breaks have really stuck, or if course designers have been more successful in keeping all options open or it's just a perception from poor picking of teams recently?