'I expected attacks but we had everything under control'
The British squad were able to control the main bunch throughout the mountain day of the Tour to Culoz, with very few attacks from their key rivals
Members of Team Sky said they were left surprised by the lack of attacks from Chris Froome’s GC rivals on the mountainous stage 15 of the Tour de France.
Only Fabio Aru (Astana), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) made moves in earnest, but all of them lie three minutes or more down on GC.
>>> Chris Froome maintains lead as Pantano wins Tour de France stage 15
Froome’s closest rivals, Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) never made a move aside from when Froome feigned an attack on the final climb of Lacets du Grand Colombier.
Sky’s team principal Dave Brailsford said the team had been braced for attacks on the 160km slog through the mountains to Culoz, but said they never lost their control over the race over the six categorised climbs.
“Someone was going to take it up on the penultimate climb that’s for sure and today it was Astana, Brailsford said. “And to be fair [Diego] Rosa rode pretty hard there and put in a stint, and Aru was obliged then to put in an attack.
“It didn’t really come to anything and of course Valverde [attacked] to his credit but it didn’t work for him. Nairo didn’t move and neither did anybody else.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“We were never out of control today,” he added, “and the situation was always managed. It looked like Chris could have gone, but with it being flatter on the run-in it was better to stay with teammates and just be on the safe side.”
Sky’s strong squad of climbers controlled most of the stage on the front as they’ve have done through much of the race, and many of the GC contenders behind either looked unable or unwilling to really test the British team’s super-domestiques.
The likes of Wout Poels and Mikel Nieve were extremely prominent on Sunday's stage, while Mikel Landa and Sergio Henao have been able to take the main workload on other mountain days.
“I hope the contenders are afraid, it would be nice!” said Wout Poels.
“There were a few little attacks today but not any big, big attacks. Maybe they’re saving them for the last week, which also going to be a hard week.
“I expected a little bit more attacks but we had everything under control, we had good numbers in the front so that was really good. I didn’t see how he [Nairo] was today because I was all day pulling in the front!”
>>> Five talking points from stage 15 of the Tour de France
Even Froome himself admitted he was surprised to see the lack of action on the Hors Categorie penultimate climb of the stage.
Mollema only remains 1-27 down on Froome but his teammate Geraint Thomas hinted that many of those below his leader would now be looking to preserve their place in GC and not risk it with attacks.
“We always expect the worst and we always expect people to attack us,” said Thomas.
“We’re in a commanding position, and it’s a good position to be in especially with Froomey riding so strongly.
“As you go in to the last week they’re going to start trying to defend their positions, fifth or looking to try and get on the podium.
“And then other things come in to play like team GC and other things. Like I said we’re in a good position and we just have to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
7 steps you mustn't forget when preparing your bike for spring
Mechanic to pros and amateurs alike, Glen Whittington shares his tips for the successful de-hibernation of your bike
By Glen Whittington Published
-
‘To find out post-accident that I would be in a wheelchair… I felt like my life was over’ - How adaptive bikes give spinal cord injury survivors their lives back
The High Fives Foundation provides athletes with spinal cord injuries with adaptive bikes and bike camps across the country.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It doesn’t change anything’ - Tom Pidcock’s coach on Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Kurt Bogaerts says the pressure is off for Pidcock as he looks to defend the title he emphatically won last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'Losing the plot in public - it's mental' - Geraint Thomas on Patrick Lefevere's criticism of Julian Alaphilippe
Ineos Grenadiers rider says he feels sorry for his peers who are criticised in public by the Soudal Quick-Step boss
By Adam Becket Published