Today’s another odd stage.
It looks tough and probable for a breakaway, but so many team have some super exciting tactics up their sleeve.
I think it’s too early to see what Rolland can do, plus, you’ve gotta think how many points are Rog-Acar (like Pogacar, but with a Rog in front ) going to sweep up on the double HC tomorrow and summit finish?
If it’s not Sagan today, who’ll have his team totally driving it at some phenomenal pace for at least the first 44.5km, then I’d look at one of Matt Winston’s riders over at Sunweb.
Hirschi has lost the element of surprise now, so another win for him looks unlikely, but, if they can repeat what they did to Sagan when Andersen won, then perhaps Casper Pedersen can get a victory today?
Also, remember Trentin won on a similar stage last year:- neutral GC day, pretty rolling, third week in.
He’s also got great support in Geschke, GVA and Schar.
I don’t think any JV riders will be let off the leash, INEOS all look weak, but Astana have a few that could be good (Lutsenko for his second win?)
All depends who’s in your team at this point?
For Road Captain today, I’d go with;
Obvs I have one of those (Trentin), but is it not a bit hilly for him today?
I would have thought someone with Polka Dot aspirations would want to exploit the next few days, and mop-up summit points whilst the GC riders are still looking at each other.
His maiden win back in 2013 was over 191km and peppered with Cat 3s and 4s like today’s.
Also see Stage 10 of the 2017 Vuelta, which Trentin also won.
That’s where his value lies for today, he’s “hidden” by his rider type, but has proved in the past he’s okay over climbs when he wants to be…
…if you’ve got Trentin, but none of the others, what do you have to lose?
Then I see you have Asgreen…who won’t have to support the now formless Jules, so maybe him actually???
IF DAVID MILLAR SAYS “HENCE WHY…” ONE MORE BLOODY TIME
I see Nico is in the break…
…and poor Caleb is already struggling
Sagan has given up on today, probably look towards the other lumpy one ending in Champagnole, as well as vacuuming up the intermediates, or what he can muster.
Trentin appears to be having a stab at the green jersey today
Looks in brilliant form
In the break…
TRENTIN
With Benoot from Sunweb now doing a 2UP TT to drag Pedersen into the break, where Roche is waiting for them.
Geschke is in another small group a bit further back attempting to bridge up to Trentin.
Exciting times
) going to sweep up on the double HC tomorrow and summit finish?
