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Froome's time gains on the descents were partly due to him being totally committed to them, but also due to the Dumoulin/Pinot group twice waiting for Reichenbach. Any assistance he provided on the climbs and valley roads was negated by his poor descending.
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In isolation, I think each of those efforts are well within the realm of possibility. A monstrous feat of athleticm, and some luck to fit it all into a 80km solo attack.
Froome is a better climber than Dumoulin, with only Dumoulin having the need to chase (given that Pinot was riding for podium) so the gains on the climbs are reasonable.
The gain on the first descent is nuts, but a lot of it is probably Reichenbach's fault.
I would have expected the chasers to make up time in the valley, but it wasn't 5 people working smoothly, it was basically Reichenbach and Dumoulin, with Reichenbach riding at a speed that would not drop Pinot.
Lots of attacks on the final climb by Pinot, Carapaz and Lopez, so makes sense that the gap wasn't as big as before, plus Froome's fatigue.
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Links to salty pros?
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We have retired US CX pros who last won 10 years ago absolutely fuming
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Dumoulin.
According to Twatter Froomed gained 1'40 descending+ 11 secs time bonus.
Finestere climb 37s
Finistere descent 1 min 15
Sestriere climb 49s
Sestriere descent 25s
Valley 15s
Final climb 3
Lots of salty pros out there-Callmejane and Dennis being two most prominent. Seems lots of people don't believe in miracles any more.
It's weird, obvs despite not liking him very much as an athlete I fancied Froome for this last night because Yates looked fucked, Dumoulin's not the most natural climber and Froome's got previous for going on alien pedalling sprees so what I saw was ballsy and clever racing, taking advantage of a pretty shit chase from riders who can't climb (or descend apparently) as well as him.
Seems for a huge amount of people taking 3 mins back on a rival in one stage is totally implausible in this day and age. I don't know what to believe-did I just drink some KoolAid?