Casar Wins From Break; Contador and Schleck Drop Injured Evans
by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2010 11:46 AM EDT
in Tour de France
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Post-Stage Thread
Frenchman Sandy Casar of Francais des Jeux won today's final Alps stage to St. Jean Maurienne while Andy Schleck of Saxo Bank inherited the yellow jersey from a beaten Cadel Evans as Schleck and reigning champion Alberto Contador joined the remnants of the day's breakaway for the stage sprint. Casar took the sprint with a well-timed acceleration and a tight left-hand turn just before the line that closed the door on Lampre's Damiano Cunego.
The early breakaway included three Caisse d'Epargne riders, including their captain Luis Leon Sanchez, who survived to the finish and was in the virtual yellow jersey for a while. However, on the Col de la Madeleine, Saxo Bank increased the tempo of the contenders' group, whittling the chase down one by one, until with 5km to go Schleck accelerated away with Contador in tow. The two traded blows for a while, before declaring detente and joining together for the pursuit of the leaders. They caught them, along with Christophe Moreau, in the finishing village and joined the stage sprint, though to no great effect.
Anthony Charteau of Bbox Bouygues drew even with Jerome Pineau for the polka dot jersey, and will wear the sport's coolest looking kit tomorrow. Evans came in a full 7.47 behind the winners today, looking shelled. [update] Following the race Evans revealed that he has a fractured elbow from a crash on Sunday, which inhibited him today.
More results, below the fold.
Results:
- Sandy Casar, FdJ
- Luis Leon Sanchez, Caisse d'Epargne, s.t.
- Damiano Cunego, Lampre, s.t.
- Christophe Moreau, Caisse d'Epargne, at 0.02
- Anthony Charteau, Bbox Bouygues, s.t.
- Alberto Contador, Astana, s.t.
- Andy Schleck, Saxo Bank, s.t.
- Samuel Sanchez, Euskaltel, at 0.57
- Joaquin Rodriguez, Katusha, at 2.07
- Levi Leipheimer, The Shack, s.t.
- Robert Gesink, Rabobank, s.t.
- Jens Voigt, Saxo Bank, s.t.
- Denis Menchov, Rabobank, at 2.10
- De Weert, Basso, VDB, Plaza, Armstrong, at 2.50
And the new GC:
- Schleck
- Contador, at 0.41
- Sammy Sanchez, at 2.45
- Menchov, at 2.58
- Jurgen Van den Broeck, Omega Pharma, at 3.31
- Leipheimer, at 3.59
- Gesink, at 4.22
- Luis Leon Sanchez, at 4.41
- Rodriguez, at 5.08
- Ivan Basso, Liquigas, at 5.09
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agreed.
stupid the first time around, doubly now.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
When the fathers of the inventors of Xtranormal were born, first thing they did was
JUMP THE SHARK!
Ceci n'est pas une signature.
Hey, I've got no problems with your sense of humor--I accept that not everyone's funny bone is in the right place
but posting this again after the response in the last thread just strikes me as baiting.
Dans le final, j'avais des jambes de feu--Sylvain Chavanel, after his win on Stage 7
According to BMC Twitter, Cadel is racing with a fractured elbow
Grinta
"My clients dont care shit about romandie or mello johnny" - singhstax
Further from Jim O of BMC
“We didn’t want to let our competitors know and have them attacking Cadel on the early climbs.”
"My clients dont care shit about romandie or mello johnny" - singhstax
by PopUp Rolen on Jul 13, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough
But Schleck and Contador were going to fight it out on every mountain stage no matter what.
They are laser beamed on each other.
Should be epic.
I thought that Cadel was looking kind of pale.
by tamburlaine on Jul 13, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeap, his talents could probably serve
the team better later.
by tamburlaine on Jul 13, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Did BMC get an invite to the Vuelta?
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
Le No
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
BMC didn't ask for an invite to the Vuelta...
…and they said they were not fully staffed (riders or otherwise) to do a third Grand Tour this year.
by Chief Commissaire on Jul 13, 2010 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Kudos to him
Not sure it made the slightest difference, but still a great effort in those circumstances.
by kcbottom9th on Jul 13, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
a broken arm wont make the slightest difference?
by Davide Don of Rio on Jul 13, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
In the big picture, no
I just don’t think he is in the class of Contador and Schleck. He’d have been closer, but still a fair way back.
by kcbottom9th on Jul 13, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
That's not sure ...
… he’s better suited to the Alps, and could have pegged back time on the easier stretches … and he went over the top ten minutes back and finished eight back, so with a cracked elbow he was about the equal on the descent with the Andy/Conty group.
Healthier he could well have hung longer and then finished the climb with the next chase group and taken some back on the descent. Perhaps held them to +1:00, with Andy in a pale yellow given the TT and level pegging w/Contador, taking pressure off BMC for the crossing to the Pyranees. But if ifs and buts were candies and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas.
Ah damn
more bad luck strikes Cadel, poor guy and man cyclist are tough.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Cyclists are tough
This is what I kept thinking during the World Cup when guys were falling all over themselves for invisible fouls.
Eat rice, act nice, and let the good times roll
Bah footy players are tough too
it’s just become part of the game unfortunately.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Oh I agree
I certainly wasn’t thinking “Look at these pansies” or anything like that. It is just a different mentality. There is no time to roll around faking pain and indignation in cycling. If you can continue riding after a crash, you get up and go. To see those two mindsets juxtaposed at the highest levels of the respective sports was interesting.
Eat rice, act nice, and let the good times roll
In all fairness
Playing hurt gives you an advantage in soccer. Playing hurt in cycling will get you attacked
When you consider the sustained levels of pain that they
have to operate in, even without the crashes and broken bones, it’s got to be one of the hardest sports.
by tamburlaine on Jul 13, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Danish TV have an annoying Tour feature
where they invite top athletes from different sports to ride a climb (this year Tourmalet) on a compu-trainer. The common response from them is just awe and disgust at what riders put themselves through.
Some guy on espn(former football player)
kind of snarkily said that Favre was probably thinking if he can still play QB at 40 then Lance should be able to ride a bike at 38. Yes, ignore the fact cycling is far more difficult endurance wise and even physically because Favre gets hit 1 or 2 times a game…hit hard ugh hard hit ugh.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
ESPN?
Some the worst insight ever. When I heard Skip Bayless say the hot dog eating contest was harder than Le Tour, I was ready to book a flight to Connecticut just to kick his @$$.
Working in an office where football rules...
they’ll always point how tough football players are, but after watching Armstrong slide on his backside for 100 feet or so and get back up and remount his bike and try to chase back.
Or Cadel riding with a broken elbow.
Or Farrar riding with a fractured wrist.
And everyone else that went down in those crashes and are out.
Nuff Said
Racing for Victory and Free Beer!
Well
don’t you just go a hundred miles or so west?
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Computrainer?
They néed a bigger travel budget
moo
by Willj on Jul 13, 2010 2:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
nice autocorrect
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't believe that this thread has taken this direction
I mean seriously, is this some new revelation? I don’t mean to offend anyone new to the sport, afterall, this is a great place (PdC) to learn a lot about the workings of the pro ranks, but I’m surprised that this is considered “debatable” at all. There is no other sport that even comes close – I guess I’m sick of hearing “enlightened” sports broadcasters making claims that cycling is “one of the hardest sports” in the world. Ok, I’m done.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
What about...
Cross-country ski-ing?
Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here. This stuff will make you a god damned sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me - Jens Voigt, Predator (1987)
more from BMC
Dr. Max Testa: “Cadel is a super tough guy. He did as much as any human could do. If there’s any risk to his health, we’ll stop him.”
That really explains it then
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
10-20
11. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 43h 40’ 52" + 05’ 11"
12. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN – TRANSITIONS 43h 41’ 23" + 05’ 42"
13. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 43h 42’ 12" + 06’ 31"
14. ROGERS Michael 118 TEAM HTC – COLUMBIA 43h 42’ 45" + 07’ 04"
15. SASTRE Carlos 91 CERVELO TEST TEAM 43h 42’ 54" + 07’ 13"
16. WIGGINS Bradley 31 SKY PRO CYCLING 43h 42’ 59" + 07’ 18"
17. ROCHE Nicolas 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 43h 43’ 25" + 07’ 44"
18. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 43h 43’ 28" + 07’ 47"
19. LÖVKVIST Thomas 37 SKY PRO CYCLING 43h 43’ 44" + 08’ 03"
20. KLÖDEN Andréas 24 TEAM RADIOSHACK 43h 44’ 46" + 09’ 05"
Don't suppose there's any screenshots of the combativity podium?
Eurosport do not want to show me :/
Venga Caisse d'Epargne!
I bet that's the last time we see Contador and Schleck working together in this Tour
http://www.bah.net/
by dees ees en drama on Jul 13, 2010 11:51 AM EDT reply actions
I'd love to hear how they decided to work together
How much was it just those two and how much the DS’s? Who brought it up?
They seem to be buds which helped
I think once Andy saw he couldn’t drop Bert he asked him to work together and eliminate everyone else today and fight it out in the Pyrenees. Plan worked…
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Maybe I am alone
But the prospect of Schleck and Contador battling it out on every mountain stage just seems epic to me.
I guess in theory Menchov still is in the fight (Sam Sanchez is such a bad time trialer he just can not be considered in the fight imo), but the clarity of the battle, the battles to come . . . I can’t wait.
Nope, they're both pleasures to watch climb so to see them attack each other is even better
Can’t wait for the Pyrenees
Venga Caisse d'Epargne!
Why wait?
I can imagine the finish at Mende could produce some fun, if not a decisive moment. Friday!
It will be fun
but likely have a break winning with Andy and Bert marking each other, nothing too tough on that day and they won’t kill each other over 2km.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Credit to Andy for hitting Conta several times today
He tried to see if he was touchable over and over again but AC was strong today.
And hge'll check him
on every mountain stage.
I can’t wait.
So the big question...
Was the last stage (to Morzine) the one stage where Contador will show weakness? Stay tuned.
Interesting that
we are not asking the question if Contador can drop Schleck. AndI think we are right not to ask the question.
Schleck looks tremendous right now.
I’d even say that it is not a sure thing that Contador take out multiple minutes on Schleck in the time trial.
Beats him sure. But I am not sure that Schleck needs 3 minutes before the time trial.
definitely not
a minute would be nearer the mark i’d say
"I was watching the Tour de France in 2005, just being a fan again. I thought, ‘you're a fucking idiot. You're a bike fan who gets to ride the Tour de France.'"
- david millar
I am asking that
A case can easily be made that Contador is aiming for a week three peak. A three week tour is just that.
by ursula on Jul 13, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Further
Contador looked a lot strong on this stage than the last one. Who’s to say that he has reached his peak when we’ve sen his peak in the past to be higher than this?
What a great story
is left to be told.
I can’t wait.
AC clearly had no plans to put any time into Andy today
He just rode well enough to keep up and was happy to put time into the second tier competition. We saw nothing about his potential.
yeah i agree with that
contador rode a pretty sensible race today.
"I was watching the Tour de France in 2005, just being a fan again. I thought, ‘you're a fucking idiot. You're a bike fan who gets to ride the Tour de France.'"
- david millar
Alberto has learned a lot
-restated?
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
It is not plausible I was told dammit!
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
And more than that
they put Yellow on the shoulders of Andy and Saxo and can now cruise to the Pyrenees while Saxo works. Not too bad.
Astana DS is a wise guy
actually Astana has handled this race far better than RS so far. I really thought they would have a guy in the break today.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Extra Credit
for having to deal with Vinokourov. I guess you just have to keep telling Bert to pretend Vino doesn’t exist.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah thats not so good
Im thinking a successful break either tomorrow or 3 days from now, just to take yellow off Saxo’s back
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
Nicki S wasn't so bothered by it
Said the upcoming terrain isn’t astough on the Yellow team as the early flat-stages (and he is the one who is going to do the work)
My guess is if the break doesn't threaten
they’ll let it go tomorrow, to ease up froma tough day by Andy, and most of all Jens! who hasn’t had too much rest so far.
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
No. No. No.
Tactical sense = Let Lance win.
Alberto has a lot to learn because he still hasn’t let Lance win.
Vlaanderens Mooiste
what sucks
is that I like both of these guys (and Cadel).
Shoot, all I wanted this year was a good race.
And, I’m getting it. yay.
You like both and they will finish 1-2
this sucks? I quite like it
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
But, (splutters mindlessly)
I’m an Amurrikin fan. I cain’t possibly watch a sportin’ E-vent without turning it into a MO-ral-ty PLAY.
There’s got to be someone to H8.
Oh . . . Moreau’s still in the race?
I’m good.
And if we are real good boys and girls
We’ll see a Vuelta with Frank and Bert going at it with Andy in the shadows….lurking.
you're such a tease
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
The big ITT is 52km.
Andy dropped 42 seconds in 8km to Alberto
[Math]
So 52/8=6.5 (Big ITT is 6.5 times longer than prologue)
6.5*42seconds=273seconds (If the gap is the same, then Andy would lose 273 seconds)
273seconds/60=4:33 minutes (273 seconds = four minutes and 33 seconds)
IF all things are the same, Andy will either need a gap of 4:33 on Alberto, or he’ll have to pull a miracle performance the like we’ve never seen from him before. I’m just hoping he doesn’t pull a ~:→.
Vlaanderens Mooiste
Dammnit, Type
Running the proper numbers, the predicted gap should be 3:40.5 seconds.
42/8=5.25
5.25*42=220.5
220.5/60=3:40.5
If the long ITT exactly matches the Prologue, Alberto puts in 3:40.5 on Andy.
Vlaanderens Mooiste
Don't think that math is applicable
Apples and oranges comparison. I’d be slightly more interested in looking at comparisons in long TTs. I wouldn’t waste my own time with it though as these math-exercises are mostly bogus in my book. If they weren’t, Cadel Evans would be a TdF winner today and not Carlos Sastre for instance.
True, isn't a magic prediction
But it does take past perforormance into account.
In the 40.5km ITT on stage 18 last year, which was shorter than this years and had a Cat 3 climb, Alberto put 1:44 into Andy.
Vlaanderens Mooiste
Assuming no major differences in form or exhaustion
my guess is Andy needs 3 min . But then we are getting into Lemond/Fignon territory. I have a feeling it will be sorted before that though.
Perhaps
There are some awfully nasty climbs in the Pyrenees that will make it likely that one of the two will crack.
I just can’t guess which one? Will Andy crack Alberto, or will he be forced to go again, again, and again, like today until he runs out of juice?
I. Can’t. Wait.
Vlaanderens Mooiste
I think it would be Andy
I don’t see Bert even attacking Schleck at this point, only countering. I see a scenario playing out in which Bert has the yellow for one stage-stage 21. Andy must attack even with the yellow and maybe goes too far in the red but I could also see the same 40 second gap we have now still there for stage 20.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
More
Yellow jersey power poll tomorrow, but a preview of a fairly likely scenario:
Andy attacks Bert several times in the Pyrenees and Bert stays glued to his wheel-until Bert senses Andy tiring. Then he attacks.
KO.
There are other scenarios but that is one of the most likely.
In my opinion, Andy needs three minutes going into the TT to stay in yellow
"My clients dont care shit about romandie or mello johnny" - singhstax
no math needed indeed
3 minutes, plus a yellow jersey and last starting will be enough for Andy, a superhuman effort if lower is still possible. No one said sastre stood a chance against cadel, but that happened.
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
It was a smart thing to do. Make it a 2 man race.
by tamburlaine on Jul 13, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
You never know these things
In August 1997 I was 100% sure of 5 years of total Ullrich-domination. Things happen.
And he probably would have multiple wins, w/o LA's emergence...
He had four 2nd place finishes, a 3rd and a 4th after his ‘97 win. Dude was no slouch but couldn’t beat LA.
Your basic point is well taken though.
That was his point.
We don’t know who might emerge next—or what else might happen to shake things up.
Dans le final, j'avais des jambes de feu--Sylvain Chavanel, after his win on Stage 7
Gee, sorry for acknowledging every possibility...
Unless something drastic happens (major injury, doping proof, major emergence of another, etc.), these two will fight it out for years? Schleck’s 23-24 (I think) and the Accountant is 27. Can we at least agree on that?
Yes
The next big thing could come from anywhere.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Well hey
Liggett said yesterday that Phinney should be the next Armstrong or at least Lemond
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Well that's a natural comparison considering the Pursuit backround they all share...
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe K34 was being sarcastic
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
I have to say
the iPhone Versus app is making work tolerable for me.
Eat rice, act nice, and let the good times roll
blimey
that was some stage. a few thoughts…
1) you gots to love cadel evans. riding with a fractured elbow, the man showed grinta in spades. i won’t forget the sight of him collapsing into morabito’s arms for a while.
2) definitely a shootout between contador & schleck for the overall win, i wouldn’t be surprised if it came down to the time trial. they looked pretty evenly matched today.
3) jens! with another awesome ride…
4) happy for sandy casar, hopefully we’ll get a french winner tomorrow as well.
5) i love this tour!
"I was watching the Tour de France in 2005, just being a fan again. I thought, ‘you're a fucking idiot. You're a bike fan who gets to ride the Tour de France.'"
- david millar
indeed
forgot to mention vino’s I AM VINO moment as well, that was excellent
"I was watching the Tour de France in 2005, just being a fan again. I thought, ‘you're a fucking idiot. You're a bike fan who gets to ride the Tour de France.'"
- david millar
Navarro's been amazing
It’s so interesting too, the various domestiques on Saxo and Astana. Lots of different personalities and styles.
Funny how we were talking about teams with multiple GC threats needing to send guys up the road to crack Astana
yet now Astana is the only team that is capable of doing so and did today, love this team of dregs!!!
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
yeah they have been great so far
navarro deserves a medal
"I was watching the Tour de France in 2005, just being a fan again. I thought, ‘you're a fucking idiot. You're a bike fan who gets to ride the Tour de France.'"
- david millar
Well, Contador did send him up the road at the Dauphine with the intention that he would take the stage.
It’s great to see team leaders recognize their team mates talents and allow them to race for wins.
Woof
I have it on good authority
that Radio Shack and Liquigas are the strongest teams in the mountains. : )
In all seriousness, the only thing I regret is that Frank isn’t around for this race. Loved this stage. And if what I heard is correct, Andy hit AC with everything he had today. And came up short. AC and Astana are sitting in the catbird seat at this point. Who would have thunk it?
So long as there are enough big sprinters names in it they won't get eliminated though
Venga Caisse d'Epargne!
About 47m 20
(after that I’m not saying a thing!)
Asked if there are any special diets among the nine riders he smiles: "Yes - nine. If they weren't special, they wouldn't be riding the Tour de France". Soren Kristensen, Chef, Team Sky
All in and accounted for
Millar safe too (even at 8% not the 9% shown above)
Asked if there are any special diets among the nine riders he smiles: "Yes - nine. If they weren't special, they wouldn't be riding the Tour de France". Soren Kristensen, Chef, Team Sky
I would like to apologize to the Tour
for saying its route would be stale. They have set up a very intriguing route which allows the riders to make it great which they did today. I say it is a good thing Andy and Bert pretty much guaranteed they would finish 1-2 today, it was always going to be the case and now we have this great storyline to look forward to. The Pyrenees will be awesome.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
yep, agreed
now all it needs is some giro-style rain
"I was watching the Tour de France in 2005, just being a fan again. I thought, ‘you're a fucking idiot. You're a bike fan who gets to ride the Tour de France.'"
- david millar
And listed in the GC standings, so looks like they didn't cut him.
Dans le final, j'avais des jambes de feu--Sylvain Chavanel, after his win on Stage 7
By over 7 minutes.
Assuming no one is still behind him.
Dans le final, j'avais des jambes de feu--Sylvain Chavanel, after his win on Stage 7
what a ride.
"I was watching the Tour de France in 2005, just being a fan again. I thought, ‘you're a fucking idiot. You're a bike fan who gets to ride the Tour de France.'"
- david millar
with napolitano close behind him.
"I was watching the Tour de France in 2005, just being a fan again. I thought, ‘you're a fucking idiot. You're a bike fan who gets to ride the Tour de France.'"
- david millar
No, it's Hinault
Yelling “attack!!”
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 13, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
So of the Giro GC riders
Only Basso looks like he has an outside chance at the podium. And he’s slipping away slowly.
without wishing to turn everything into a doping conversation
i’d say this is probably a positive development.
"I was watching the Tour de France in 2005, just being a fan again. I thought, ‘you're a fucking idiot. You're a bike fan who gets to ride the Tour de France.'"
- david millar
Not surprising as he has done it before
Cadel breaking his elbow has nothing to do with Giro fatigue and Sastre just doesn’t have it anymore so who knows how the Giro really is affecting these guys.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
One thing's for sure
Wiggins was a non-factor when the Giro went up and he’s a non-factor now when the Tour goes up.
Depends
Sky was some sort of factor on the Ramaz two days ago. And the non-factoriness is of different kinds, in the Giro he didn’t want to be a factor and here he can’t.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 13, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
They took a tactic from the old T-Mobile book
(which was adapted from the old Monty Python sketch of the Scottish Suicide Squad) (can’t find this one on You Tube, only the Life of Brian version . . )
hence
why you should learn to win a stage race before you think you can win THE TOUR. treating every race you enter as a training race is naive, and a little disrespectful. too many guys get lured into " im a contender" mentality when they have never actually won anything (stage races)
But I think it has to do with Wiggins' past
Being an Olympic athlete he has excelled at focusing training on a single longterm goal. He is simply applying his methodology at the Tour and not 4000m. I don’t think it’s inexperience that is the barrier to winning, it’s the quality of his opponents and his rider characteristics.
yep
It’ll be interesting to see how Sky adapt/amend their aims/tactics after this (to give them their due, the BC lot are pretty good at learning from experience). What they (I hope) will have discovered from this is that because a road race is a lot less controllable quite a few of the things they do for the track just aren’t going to work. So like the other day, taking control if you’re able to do so would be the usual BC way of thinking about things, whereas any other sensible DS would surely have thought hiding in the wheels and seeing how it all panned out was the better thing to do. Though as I said before, I’m not sure the outcome would have been all that different.
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
Agreed....
I think that Wiggo also completely underestimated the tour, and the difficulty that comes with trying to race in the elements, against the best riders in the world over 3 weeks…Last year was really a complete one-off, and while he has talent there is a reason why towering talents like ASchleck and Conta don’t try to WIN the tour in their 2nd go….
I think that training is all good, and putting out good numbers and gettingthe weight down is fine but as the poster said previously- win ONE stage race first then let’s talk about the TdF….
See you next year Wiggo…
by Doctornurse7 on Jul 13, 2010 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I think people are overblowing the win the tour thing.
I don’t recall that being said all that much, tbh.
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
True but
Wiggins has said that he has a big goal of winning the Tour before retiring in a couple of years. He said that pre-tour, when he was thinking of last year. This year, it really feels like Andy and Bert, especially Andy so far, are bringing much more heat and Wiggins is finding out just how far he is from winning a Tour. Very.
Of course he has a big goal of winning the Tour.
I have a big goal of being the Director of Tate Modern. That doesn’t mean to say I actually think it will happen.
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
Re: attempting to win the tour on his second go...
This is Wiggins’ 4th Tour now, one more than Schleck, and the same number as Contador (who won it on his second attempt.)
Admittedly Wiggins may be new to the GC threat side, but he had one hell of a good result last year, why shouldn’t he aim towards it this year?
Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here. This stuff will make you a god damned sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me - Jens Voigt, Predator (1987)
I think we should get the Tate's BOD on the forums here
You would be an improvement over their current Director.
Tate Modern has just appointed Chris Dercon , so they disagree. I actually think he’ll be really good.
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
Wiggo sure as hell thought he would contend though
or you’d have to imagine so, he looks like the 18th best GC guy right now, definitely not fulfilling his own goals.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Yet you could say the same about Basso &
Sastre etc (although both with admittedly tougher Giros than for Wiggins)
Those are 2 GT winners who cracked at the first sign of the Alps, but I’m sure both went into this race thinking they could podium.
Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here. This stuff will make you a god damned sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me - Jens Voigt, Predator (1987)
Basso has his Giro win
he is tranquillo. Sastre surely must be frustrated as well but he has proven himself in the past like Basso. Wiggo had one great Tour but has yet to prove he can do that consistently.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Very true...
But that quest for consistancy may have been all he was predicting when he said he was aiming for the podium.
3rd up from 4th sounds pretty consistant to me.
You are correct though, he hasn’t produced the goods to back up his hopes/aims.
Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here. This stuff will make you a god damned sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me - Jens Voigt, Predator (1987)
he's not going to say
my aim is to come 18th, is he?
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
To be pedantic
He doesn’t – the journalist does
In his Sunday Times interview with Kimmage before the Tour (not available on internet for free anymore unfortunately as a RM site so no link) Kimmage repeatedly gives him a hard time for not quoting a finishing position he wants to target.
And after yesterday, to his credit, he was offered the soft option of blaming the parcours etc and didn’t take it. Admits it’s disappointing etc.
The real test of both him and his team is how they handle from now to the finish.
Asked if there are any special diets among the nine riders he smiles: "Yes - nine. If they weren't special, they wouldn't be riding the Tour de France". Soren Kristensen, Chef, Team Sky
It's a reasonable distinction, and an important one..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
(ok, so the exhibitions aren't
but it was $20 to step through the door of MoMA when I was last there).
I wasn’t keen on the Olafur Eliasson thing at Tate Modern. But his Berlin exhibition is ace.
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
When I was in New York
I asked someone at MoMA about why they felt they could have all the works unglazed & unbarriered. Her answer: “it’s $20 to get in”.
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
Underestimate
like how? Did he train less? I don’t mean to question your thinking, but I tend to look for physical stuff before things like his outlook. Last year, against the same guys more or less, he was quite good, so we know that he can finish high up in the Tour. But either he didn’t prepare properly or his body is a tad unpredictable, like a lot of guys who have the occasional grand tour success but who are really suited better to one-week events. Or maybe he struggles in hotter weather (can’t remember what last year was like).
Basically, I think there’s a good chance he’s the same guy, with the same body and head and the same competition, but his legs just aren’t responding as well for reasons that aren’t easy to pin down.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it all boils down to what JV said in an interview last year
In 2009, Wiggins benefited from an easy route, team time trial and Astana soft pedaling to not embarrass Lance. On a hard route, with a much more talented and divided field, and no team time trial, Wiggins is showing his true potential, which is a top 5-15 GC rider, depending on the parcours.
If Wiggins gives his all for the next three Tours, the only way he can hope to sniff a podium is a route with a lot of one mountain stages and tons of time trial miles.
"My clients dont care shit about romandie or mello johnny" - singhstax
lot of truth in that
Also, he doesn’t seem to deal with the heat. Nor does he have someone like CVV riding in support of him.
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
It worked...
for Indurain.
Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here. This stuff will make you a god damned sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me - Jens Voigt, Predator (1987)
Sir
You overlook his towering win in the Jayco Herald Sun Tour last year
Asked if there are any special diets among the nine riders he smiles: "Yes - nine. If they weren't special, they wouldn't be riding the Tour de France". Soren Kristensen, Chef, Team Sky
That allegation can be plausibly denied
Asked if there are any special diets among the nine riders he smiles: "Yes - nine. If they weren't special, they wouldn't be riding the Tour de France". Soren Kristensen, Chef, Team Sky
As BW did here
“We had a few beers last night trying to decide what to do but CJ really made his mind up deciding to give it to me and that was it really!”
Asked if there are any special diets among the nine riders he smiles: "Yes - nine. If they weren't special, they wouldn't be riding the Tour de France". Soren Kristensen, Chef, Team Sky
ah
plausible deniability. A fine surrogate for “truth”
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2010 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Wasn't he sick too or something? Can't remember
But your point stands either way. Giro-Tour double is not for mortals these days
These pantyless podium girls + vodka were Menchov's undoing
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
how'd I miss that!?
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly--don't see how Giro fatigue factors in
It’s amazing that Cadel took yellow on Sunday and finished on even terms with Contador, given that his elbow was already broken then. He may well have been the strongest guy in the race. We’ll never know.
In any case, very sad. And his post-race comments—apologizing to his team for “letting them down”—wow, what a work ethic.
Cazzo, it's going to be a bloodbath! The Mortirolo is a horror, absolutely interminable. -- Michele Scarponi
Basso won't last the pyrenees, the Giro was very hard this year...
I think the podium will be the A’s and Samu/Levi.
by Bruce Suomi on Jul 13, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Final GC
AS
AC
Levi
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I think either is likely.
Sammy is hitting hard right now but will he keep this up for the next nearly two weeks? Even the transfer stages from the alps to the Pyrenees are not easy going.
So I agree it could very well be a a guy who is steady (not spectacular but steady) in the third slot.
Both Levi and DM are riders who get stronger as a race goes on (or just maintain form as others drop away). Also both have history of doing well in a long GT TT.
I believe that VDB as good as he has looked is already drifting back will continue to do so. DM looked wiped at the end of today but I would not bet against him.
So AC will win and Levi won't get close to being on the podium
AC
AS
Sammu
for me
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Whole of stage now available to view at France tv site
http://tour-de-france.sport.francetv.fr/videos?date=20100713&type=revoir-etape
Worth a look at last ten minutes – if only for commentatry. Allez Sandy, Victoire française, Une superbe victoire etc. Love it
Asked if there are any special diets among the nine riders he smiles: "Yes - nine. If they weren't special, they wouldn't be riding the Tour de France". Soren Kristensen, Chef, Team Sky
cycling + French listening comprehension practice
that might well be my evening sorted out
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
Commentary is so much better than Versus
THey’re so much more aware of what’s going on with the guys on the motorbikes (including Jaja).
by FrenchKheldar on Jul 13, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
unfortunately the longer I listen to French
the harder I find it… no stamina :-(
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
Shame
as it works in the UK (and as their interviews and stuff dont) thought it may work globally.
Asked if there are any special diets among the nine riders he smiles: "Yes - nine. If they weren't special, they wouldn't be riding the Tour de France". Soren Kristensen, Chef, Team Sky
A&A the new Anquetil and Poulidor?
If so, which one will be the eternal champion and which will be the eternal second?
And the KOM race is still wide open
-Pineau is still making a play
-Charteau however looks real strong
- Moreau looks interested in his last Tour
- My boy Valls of course fell off the map today.
It's in the "Cancellara-clause"
in which we are all obliged to wait up as Sui inevitably falls behind.
Charteau is a surprise
Bbox is really on form for this race, their riders look eager and ready to do things to shake it up
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
Amazing B-day for me today!
I get to stay home from work today!
I get to watch the TdF live! AMAZING stage!
Sandy Casar won! He is on my VDS team!
I get to ride to Poolesville now! It’s not 103 degrees!
My wife is taking to the Lebanese Taverna in Bethesda afterward!
Racing for Victory and Free Beer!
I could always wear an adult diaper.
Is there ANYWAY to pee on the bike and not get piss all over yourself? Or is that a forgone conclusion?
Racing for Victory and Free Beer!
Funny it's my wife's b-day too
And Lebanese Taverna sounds good :)
Although, we’d go to the original in Falls Church.
Do you know they have a sort of cafe-style one in Chevy Chase – cheaper prices – still good food :)
you guys
are not killing me, just slightly wounding. I had Leb Tav in Woodley on my speed dial for three years after I moved to Seattle. You know, for when we were back there visiting.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
If you can't make it to Taverna,
The Lebanese Butcher (near 7 and Lee highway intersection) is also pretty good. There’s also a place on Old Courthouse road just off of 123 near the toilet bowl building :)
Oh wait, I’m not helping? I bet you get decent east Asian food in Seattle.
Is there a Moby Dick House of Kebob near where you live?
the toilet bowl building? which one is that
(i wonder if that’s the one we use to call the tampon building?)
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
how is the moby dick house of kebob?
hubby didn’t think much of that one. personally, i like sorrento’s grill, especially the shirraz salad and the eggplant puree.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
the best restaurant closed down a few year's ago, marie's in reston.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Too all of those who are already salivating over Contador and Schleck...
you forget, there are still a lot of road in front of them. A bad day. A hunger knock. Nasty wreck.
Ten more days!
Such a good Tour so far.
Racing for Victory and Free Beer!
I really hope
Lance, Wiggo, or Rogers put in some Kamikaze attack in the coming days. If Lance does Versus might just, ewww…
Contador and Schleck
Has anyone noticed how it seems like all the GC contender types are having at least one bad day? Crash, Bonking, Bad tactics etc. Only exceptions so far Contador and Schleck. I would like to see them settle this on the road without accident but I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of strange events. Aren’t the “bleeding carrots” still in this race? I mean they have a guy in GC contention. It just seems like a crazy tour where predictions don’t mean a thing.
Alpe Du Huez is my favorite place on earth!!!!!!
Good point
Maybe one or the other will win because they will have less bad days then other GC contenders. I don’t know I guess compared to other riders Contador and Schleck bad days haven’t been that bad. I forgot about those circumstances.
Alpe Du Huez is my favorite place on earth!!!!!!
Anybody know the explanation for the names on Andy's bike?
Dans le final, j'avais des jambes de feu--Sylvain Chavanel, after his win on Stage 7
I found that interesting as well
I figured it was a bike we’d only see as long as he was “only” winning the white jersey comp.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Andy Schleck’s one-of-a-kind S-Works Tarmac SL3 features names of 250 riders randomly selected from thousands who entered the "In It To Win It" contest. Andy explains in the video below.
source: http://iamspecialized.com/road/news-article/schleck-lives-dream
now sock-less and carefree.
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 13, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for clearing it up, though it's a bit anti-climatic I must admit.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
re: andy's bike: ai yi yi yi yi
re: the, err, jersey, the brunette’s cuter, imho
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
downright hot
now sock-less and carefree.
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 13, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
(Not going to say anything about Fedrigo's sister)
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 13, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
My votes for todays hero(s) who rode out of their own skin through a hell I can only imagine
Jens
Sanchez (Sammy)
Tiralongo
Honorable mention: Evans
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
I should have included the inspiring ride of Monier -
it was tough to tell where the road rash ended and the uniform began – pretty cool effect!
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
(the crowd that made sure jens! didn't fall flat just before the madeleine summit)
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Many amazing things today
But did i see correctly that Jens was still towing Andy nearing top of Madeleine .
What a face and what a stud
So sad for brave Cadel.
moo
by Willj on Jul 13, 2010 2:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Jens does not have the ability to such a brave thing
Jens! on the other and does. Indeed he pulled for 4km or so and was going quite a bit quicker than Samu and the Gesink group as well as the Basso group. Then he blew up but because he is Jens! he recovered once more to finish with the Rabo boys.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
True Jens is more of a sprinter
Compared to Jens!
moo
by Willj on Jul 13, 2010 2:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
More of a domestique today
set up all the live threads but was easily beaten to the line on the post race thread.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Wow. What a soldier.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm Renshaw! to Chris' Cav
my job is to navigate the course and get him close to the finish, his job is to finish it off
But you were in action so early
more of a Bert Grabsch I say…I’m sure you are honored to be a Grabsch right?
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
And
Jens is easy to spot in a crowd, just follow the trail of blood.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I credit him for seeing his agenda for the day met, which is no easy task given all of the variables.
He timed his juncture with the dynamic duo to perfection, and I feel provided Andy with support mentally as well as tactically and physically. Seeing the Spanish champ offer Bert a bottle was a bit of a blow (possibly, but who knows) to Andy’s psyche, so at least for those of us watching, it appeared that Jens’ arrival was spot on.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
havent Bert and Caisse been pretty chucks for a while?
by Davide Don of Rio on Jul 13, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
oh, yes, what with lulu and av riding for them. plus, samu is a big pal of his as well.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
As Spanish champ
Jiggy knows he role well.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Cancellara
Looked so relaxed climbing in one of thé gruppettos. Saxo looping good
Sorry i missed why was millar so far behind. Did hé toss bike or mâke cut off?
moo
by Willj on Jul 13, 2010 2:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Mobile commenting hard
Sorry for typos
moo
by Willj on Jul 13, 2010 2:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I still got the point, besides
it looks so….exotic!
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
evidently, he was really injured in the big pile-up day, and is having a really rough go at it
Same with Zabriskie I think
"My clients dont care shit about romandie or mello johnny" - singhstax
Busted ribs if I recall correctly
Having suffered broken ribs before I can’t imagine riding to the corner store, let alone today’s ride.
Can anyone recall a TDF (or any grand tour) with as many broken bones as this one?
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
I rarely refer to any man as a "stud"
but its ironic that at that same moment nearing the top of the Madeleine, I turned to my girlfriend and said, “Jesus Christ Jens is a f*&#ing stud!”
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
feel no shame
that is a true statement
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
I concur
Damn I’m am DYING to get home and watch this stage. The intrigue, the heroism, the gritty work of Jens!, and Cadel. Poor Cadel.
by Spot of Bother on Jul 13, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I've been rolling my eyes...
…for the Jens! lovefest on this site for years, but after todays performance on the madeleine, I think he deserves a separate shout-out post. What an absolutely amazing performance.
You should be taunted for rolling your eyes at Jens!
Go sit in the corner and say 10 Hail Jens! and you shall be forgiven.
now sock-less and carefree.
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 13, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
sometimes....
I even type his name without the !
It will be hard for some to forgive you of that offense
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
set me up nicely...
I SHALL TAUNT YOU A SECOND TIME!
now sock-less and carefree.
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 14, 2010 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions
It was great to see Vino continue to silence the critics
the guy is a complete badass.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
Sigh. I guess so.
Nobody chased him today. So much for the 2 GC contender strategy. Still, I agree he is badass and it’s great to see him back.
That's actually pretty funny,
but I’d have to argue that he’s far too strong to be “useless” given the amount of work ahead. Any GC man would cherish the notion of having him as a leuitenant – besides, he flashy!
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he was just avoiding bottle duty.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Perhaps he was on bottle duty
Didn’t know where they were, and took a wild guess.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 13, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
How did he silence his critics?
He put in a pointless attack that caused no one to bat a lash, then he promptly got caught and dropped, doing nothing to help his team leader. Seems Vino was Vino today. Vino-4-Evah.
"My clients dont care shit about romandie or mello johnny" - singhstax
he silenced them by having what it took to do his job.
It’s not his fault that nobody chased, he followed his orders, with bravado. He closed two minutes on the break in a matter of a few kilometers, and at a time when many “stars” were falling by the wayside. When he finally was caught, he wasn’t dropped, but hung tough and was even seen dragging his group to the finish. He’s a total animal that has the rare quality of being over 35 and not needing to constantly use it as an excuse to perform like a shell of his former self. I maintain that the Giro would have been a much watered-down version had he not participated, and he’s proving it again in this year’s tour. All of the other headliners from this years Giro have been a bore so far.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
And soon you will tell us that he also stopped to save someone from dying today
Holy religiousness, Batman.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 13, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
you're all just jealous of him*
*(and so am I)
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh...
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 13, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
So again, how did he silence his critics
I get the fanboy love thing you have going here, i have one too, although mine is for Ricco (Ricco-4-Evah). I’m not doubting Vino’s strength nor his panache. I don’t think anyone would doubt those qualities of his. I just don’t get how he’s silencing his critics. He’s pretty much riding as everyone expected him to. Solid, with some questionable and laughable attacks and coming in a couple groups behind the leaders.
"My clients dont care shit about romandie or mello johnny" - singhstax
i agree - yep, he's a strong guy, yep he attacked, yep it helped his team leader not a bit
fail
But love him anyway…you just gotta love a guy who can’t help himself but attack attack attack
now sock-less and carefree.
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 13, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed. for his countless faults, i love his style. same reason I (heart) Ricco
"My clients dont care shit about romandie or mello johnny" - singhstax
ughh, hate ricco
can’t get myself there…
now sock-less and carefree.
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 14, 2010 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Like Stefan Schumacher?
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
"...the Giro would have been a much watered-down version had he (Vino) not participated..."
hmmm.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
"Not his fault that nobody chased...".
WTF? It is by definition his fault that nobody chased. He’s a loose cannon that can’t hang in a GC. Why bother to chase him given his history?
VINO-4-EVAH.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm trying to think of what he silenced his critics about?
Can’t climb the big mountains – nope, still hear the chatter.
Unrepented former and current doper – nope, still hear the chatter.
Ego that is bigger than Kazakhastan – nope, still hear the chatter.
Pointlessley attacks his own leaders when no one else takes his threat seriously – nope, hear the chatter.
Gee, isn’t it fun having people bash the rider you like?
I'm a huge Vino fan
but none of that is bashing.
Bashing = personal attacks
Bashing != critical analysis
Vlaanderens Mooiste
He didn't
He never will, and that is ok.
I just think it is absolutely vital to make a clear distinction between critical analysis and bashing. Pointing out Vino’s legitimate flaws is not bashing.
Vlaanderens Mooiste
Your distinction is also unclear.
There was no analysis in what I said. It was simple repetition of what everyone already knew. And it also skipped the strong features that he has. So if that was an “analysis”, you are not requiring much in order to make the grade. I mean do you actually think I was trying to analyze Vino in some constructive way? Sounds to me like you are only willing to give that point for the sake of renaming what was done to Lance. I suppose you would like to call those past remarks you made about someone fellating someone “analysis”.
Nope
Those were just crass statements. And fun to make!
I do think using the metaphor of fellatio to describe the American Cycling Press’ relation with Armstrong is an apt analogy. Perhaps if I had said “fawning acquiescence” it would have been a less crass way to make the same point, and that would certainly qualify as critical analysis. But adding the crass reference moves the comment into the bashing category, even though the metaphor still stands. However, it is the press that is being bashed there, not HWMNBN.
Your comments about Vino, whether or it was your analysis or that of someone else, are applicable and credible analysis. Pointing our legitimate criticisms is not bashing.
Vlaanderens Mooiste
Oh bad imagery
because when I think American cycling media I think Bob Roll and well….yeah those two things together just is not something my mind needs to process.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Millar was so far
Behind gruppetto that peuple started moving and lots of bikers descending . Not many police. I imagine his descent was crazy
moo
by Willj on Jul 13, 2010 2:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
nothing that a good bike throw can't fix
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Robbie Hunter on Twitter:
Miller time showed some guts today.spent all day from Colombier to the finish alone & made time cut.good to see him laughing in the bus now.
Dans le final, j'avais des jambes de feu--Sylvain Chavanel, after his win on Stage 7
indeed.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
by Koppenberg34 on Jul 13, 2010 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Anybody know what happened to Chris Horner today?
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
Don't at all know the details
Looks like he finished in the Hesjedal-Le mevel-Rogers-Lovkvist-Wiggins group. But the video never had its eye on that group. He hasn’t yet posted his blog on Oregon Live yet.
The way Andy and Conta distanced their rivals today is rediculous.
I didn’t expect that much out of them, but then they caught the lead group on the run in, wtf. And they are still totally pacing themselves.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
It seemed like all the gaps shrunk on the downhill
The Rabo/Jrod/Levi group reduced the gap, as did the Basso group, I think.
Vlaanderens Mooiste
Cadel tweets
CadelOfficial Is it Fine Young Cannibals that sing “human beings are unreliable things”? Thanks to everyone who supported me today, even if I sucked :o(
Big hug to this guy. And to all you macho men out there who can’t handle men crying or hugging… get therapy.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
A bit hairy for my taste too.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Men who can't handle hugging or crying
are insecure and thereby not very macho.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Huh?
I don’t think you CAN be macho if you aren’t insecure. To put it another way, secure men don’t have sufficient motivation to be macho.
Vlaanderens Mooiste
OK if you mean the macho look
and actually I have no counter-argument as I guess macho really only does define that look. I guess i mean real strength, both physically and mentally.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Ah yes
exactly
“sharks have a week dedicated to him” is maybe the best line I have ever heard in my life.
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
I had to google that
Reminded me of the Old Spice commercials.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 13, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Stay thirsty...
now sock-less and carefree.
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 13, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I prefer a stoic response
it’s just a personal preference. But I respect Cadel and he’s a tough one.
That comment would have served you a lot better than your original comment.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Being a Samu-fan
- and an objective cycling-fan, I’d like to give a few words to his performance today.
First of all, his climbing is impressive in this Tour. He seems to be handling the heat very well and he’s been consistently at the front – where he’s usually mid-peloton even as big climbs start. His descent today was good – other than taking 30 seconds from Schleck-Contador, he must have taken a helluva lot time on the Levi-Menchov-Gesink-group. They were 30 seconds behind Samu on the top of Madeleine and despite Samu’s cramps, they were 1.15 behind him on the finish line.
Samu is now a very good bet for third place – along with Sastre when he was at his best, he is one of the riders who gets remarkably better in the third week. I think he’ll do the best ITT of any of the GC-riders on the second-to-last day, except for Contador.
Samu's downhill performance is more or less expected.
But his climbing looks as good or better than I’ve ever seen it. And he’s been consistent on a day to day basis.
That ITT is still a bit of a wild card in my mind. Not just for Samu, but for several of the top guys.
I’m still trying to figure out why some guys seem to get stronger during a 21 day race and why some of them fade. I was thinking that Tondo was going to tear them up in the Giro. But he faded badly. Brajkovic started off well, and now he seems to be fading. I’ve seen him do that before. I don’t think that Samu will fade, but that podium is still not automatic.
Tondo and Brajkovic are still relative newcomers at Grand Tour racing
Especially when it comes to leading a team.
Sam San has been a team leader for a few years now and his last Grand Tour he got second.
Obviously some riders can pick up this Grand Tour thingy quickly, like Bert and Andy, but then they also have/had DS’s who knew how to win a Grand Tour-which most teams don’t.
Samuel is brilliant, on a good day, he's capable of things no one on earth can match.
However, he is susceptible to bad days as well.
I love the guy and would love to see him on the podium, but he’s going to have to do more than just be brilliant, he’s going to have to never crack. That may be problematic.
This is where a rider like Menchov or Levi really shines. Neither one tends to be brilliant or the best guy on the mountain. However, they almost never crack. So they can have trouble putting time into their competition, but they can be a real bitch to put time into as well.
Vlaanderens Mooiste
It's an interesting low percentage subplot
We got three very good riders in Levi, Denis, and Samu: all of them too far back to seriously challenge for the lead but if one of the two leaders falters, these guys could scoop up 2nd place. It’s a low percentage change of that happening but it’s definitely possible.
except . . . that Gerolsteiner and Rabobank
Leipheimer didn’t just crack at least one day in a GT, he imploded into a black hole of non-GC contenderdom.
Yea but I think he is better then that now
You are right that Levi had a history of one epicly bad day in past GTs but that is in the past. On recent races he has focused on that has not happen lately(the giro a couple years back not on his schedule to late I think). I would not bet against either Levi of DM taking that last podium spot.
And did anyone see Andy right after the stage, to say he was wiped is an understatement. I think that he could cook himself if he is not too careful and now Saxo has to defend to the next mountains at least I think. Lots can happen is all I am saying.
So do we think that we have seen the best from Andy?
…On Sunday and today?
Mind you, he was damn impressive, but before they called a cease-fire today, I saw Andy attack what? 3-4 times, and Conta calmly respond to every attack. I thought that Andy attacked with th same ferocity that he did on Sunday, and at no time was Conta in difficulty…I wonder what Andy will do when Conta actually counter-attacks one of his surges on a much steeper hill, say on Ax-3-Domaines on stage 14?
Also, I think that by asking Andy to take the lead on that descent, Conta was able to see up close Andy’s flawed, cautions and unconfident descending style which will come in very handy on those gnarly descents off the (HC) Port du Bales on stage 15 (Nice place for an attack there)and off of the Aubisque on 16 (again, nice place to turn the screws)…
As we all know, now that Andy has the Jersey, he cannot let it go to another team to do the workdo well to keep it…He and Conta are at least 2 mins ahead of everyone else on GC, and this is clearly a 2 man race- And of course all Conta and the Astanas have to do is let Fugelsang and Sorenson and of course Jens! tear themselves to shreds while they sit on wheels and pick, pick, pick at that 40 sec gap until the ITT…Or else, Andy will see Navarro, Vino and the rest of the Astanas deliver AC smoothly into the jersey- Tough situation for Saxo…
I don’t think that even Lance in his pomp tried to defend the jersey for 10 days to and through the 2nd mtn set of mountains in any TdF- (But I may be incorrect there) …
I think that while Schleck definitely did not want Cadel to detonate so massively and give him the Jersey, he has it now, and I think that the strongest part of AC’s tour is still to come, while I suspect that Saxo’s bell might be beginning to toll…
Exciting stuff to be sure and Andy is feeling himself after Sunday, BUT he has yet to respond to an AC counterattack- remember, AC will only mark Andy’s surges- and the Pyreenees are WAY different to the Alps….
More to come, but I think that we have seen the best from Schleck, and are yet to see the best from AC….
On to tomorrow!
disagree
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Think Andy has more in the tank?
But how much does Fugelsang, Sorenson and Jens have?
by Doctornurse7 on Jul 13, 2010 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Please note
sminer has been quite wrong with his Tour predictions so far, may I even say atrocious?
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Wiggins not so good huh?
and…
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Lance and the cobbles stage
and RS blowing things apart and Astana being weak(OK I’m not sure you said that but sometime this year surely)….and is that not enough sir?
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Well
1st Lance Armstrong
2nd Bradley Wiggins
3rd Cadel Evans
4th Ivan Basso
5th Frank Schleck
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Now I didn't leave the "and..." for you to fill in.
fine, two can play that game.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Wrong about Schleck;s descending, he's not great, but not bad
also wrong about Armstrong’s defenses of yellow.
was in yellow for both sets of mountains in 99, 00, 03, and 04 (pretty sure about all of those except 00).
I stand corrected on the LA MJ defense through 2 weeks of the TdF...
…But while ASchleck’s descending was not bad, it is clear that AC is faster and waaaaay more fluid going downhill than he is…
Again, with 2 pyrenean stages ending in hairy descents, I think advantage Contador, no? I mean, make the attack and consolidate on the descent off of the Mountains on stage 15 and 16 might do well to reduce the time gaps to 20 sec or so before the ITT. This would be would be my tactical choice…
Thanks again for the correction!
by Doctornurse7 on Jul 13, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
But in Schleck standards
his descending is off the charts amazing…
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
For most of it today, yeah.
But I saw a few places where Andy took an obviously better line through some of the sharper stuff. I’m just confused at why the boy hates his drops so much.
by Douglas Ansel on Jul 13, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions
conta has definitely improved his descending since last year
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
2004 tdf, armstrong didn't get yellow until stage 15, villard-de-lans, the stage before the alpe d'huez mtt
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Weird
EuroSport kept going on and on about how bad Schleck descends. Actually, Andy S isn’t that bad. He’s not superman by any means, but he isn’t a sack of spuds. (cough) Basso (cough)
Basso's group lost time to a group
consisting of Robert Gesink and Dennis Menchov on a downhill, is that even possible?
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Samuel "kamikaze" Sanchez didn't even make up a rather small 50 second gap
I'm proud of you boys, get them in 2014 when you really hit your prime!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Wut Sammu is the best
or one of the best, that’s like saying Jens! HTFUing ability is overrated.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
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