Schleck and Contador share the spoils on Tourmalet
by Jens on Jul 22, 2010 11:49 AM EDT
in Tour de France
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Andy Schleck tried with all he had to ride Alberto Contador out of the yellow jersey on the final climb of the 2010 Tour de France but he could not ride his rival off his wheel. They distanced all their rivals and crossed the line with Contador graciously avoiding to contest the sprint after following Schleck all the way on the climb, fending off all attacks.
Contador now seems all but certain to take the jersey to Paris and Schleck created a comfortable margin to stay in second after the long timetrial. Results after the flip:
Stage results:
1.
SCHLECK Andy11
TEAM SAXO BANK
5h 03' 29"
2.
CONTADOR Alberto1
ASTANA
5h 03' 29"
+ 00' 00"
3.
RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin77
KATUSHA TEAM
5h 04' 47"
+ 01' 18"
4.
HESJEDAL Ryder54
GARMIN - TRANSITIONS
5h 04' 56"
+ 01' 27"
5.
SANCHEZ Samuel181
EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI
5h 05' 01"
+ 01' 32"
6.
MENCHOV Denis191
RABOBANK
5h 05' 09"
+ 01' 40"
7.
GESINK Robert195
RABOBANK
5h 05' 09"
+ 01' 40"
8.
HORNER Christopher23
TEAM RADIOSHACK
5h 05' 14"
+ 01' 45"
9.
VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen101
OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO
5h 05' 17"
+ 01' 48"
10.
KREUZIGER Roman44
LIQUIGAS-DOIMO
5h 05' 43"
+ 02' 14"
11.
CUNEGO Damiano201
LAMPRE - FARNESE
5h 06' 29"
+ 03' 00"
12.
ROCHE Nicolas81
AG2R LA MONDIALE
5h 06' 55"
+ 03' 26"
13.
KLÖDEN Andréas24
TEAM RADIOSHACK
5h 06' 59"
+ 03' 30"
14.
GADRET John85
AG2R LA MONDIALE
5h 07' 04"
+ 03' 35"
15.
SIVTSOV Kanstantsin119
TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA
5h 07' 13"
+ 03' 44"
NEW GC:
1.
CONTADOR Alberto1
ASTANA
83h 32' 39"
2.
SCHLECK Andy11
TEAM SAXO BANK
83h 32' 47"
+ 00' 08"
3.
SANCHEZ Samuel181
EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI
83h 36' 11"
+ 03' 32"
4.
MENCHOV Denis191
RABOBANK
83h 36' 32"
+ 03' 53"
5.
VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen101
OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO
83h 38' 06"
+ 05' 27"
6.
GESINK Robert195
RABOBANK
83h 39' 20"
+ 06' 41"
7.
RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin77
KATUSHA TEAM
83h 39' 42"
+ 07' 03"
8.
HESJEDAL Ryder54
GARMIN - TRANSITIONS
83h 41' 57"
+ 09' 18"
9.
KREUZIGER Roman44
LIQUIGAS-DOIMO
83h 42' 51"
+ 10' 12"
10.
HORNER Christopher23
TEAM RADIOSHACK
83h 43' 16"
+ 10' 37"
460 comments
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Comments
I think the revenge wore off
when they reconciled. Conta took the vengeful spite out of him.
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
Wahoo! Luis has bumped up two places on GC to 11th
Very happy, proud me. Ruben in 12th too :D Roche up to 15th!
Venga Caisse d'Epargne!
52km flat tt? ah, nope.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Jul 22, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I think a Saxo billl have something to say about that...
by kcbottom9th on Jul 22, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Schumacher says he is coming back as a transparent rider next year
fml
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
if by transparent he means we'll never see him
i don’t have a problem with that.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Hopefull EVERY single semi-pro teams has the same view
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Contador beat him last year
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I don't think Cance is a lock, even though I'd like him to be..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
No, because I want to be wrong... but second TT in TdF isn't Cance's strong(est) point..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
So does that mean that EBH will win?
Or will it be another hero of mine, Tony Martin?
I think they should let him have a crack
his work in the train is usually in the late kms peeling back the break – and they will have a lot of help to do that.
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
It's amazing what Tony can do the day after wasting himself
Case in point – winning the ToC TT the day after dying a thousand deaths working for Mick Rogers on the stage to Big Bear.
I wouldn’t count him out.
by Douglas Ansel on Jul 22, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
That was probably the most impressive rider performance of the ToC.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Tony Martin could do it, but he's a young 'un and these last few weeks will have been tough on him...
EBh…if Cance wasn’t in the race, I’d gift him the stage ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
First or second in every late TT he's raced in the tour.
Avavtar in honour of #13, Fabian "I'm not superstitious" Cancellara
I'm happy to be wrong on this :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
10-20
11. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 83h 45’ 25" + 12’ 46"
12. PLAZA MOLINA Ruben 168 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 83h 45’ 40" + 13’ 01"
13. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 83h 47’ 03" + 14’ 24"
14. KLÖDEN Andréas 24 TEAM RADIOSHACK 83h 47’ 23" + 14’ 44"
15. ROCHE Nicolas 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 83h 48’ 39" + 16’ 00"
16. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 83h 50’ 36" + 17’ 57"
17. GADRET John 85 AG2R LA MONDIALE 83h 50’ 38" + 17’ 59"
18. LÖVKVIST Thomas 37 SKY PRO CYCLING 83h 51’ 09" + 18’ 30"
19. DE WEERT Kevin 133 QUICK STEP 83h 52’ 42" + 20’ 03"
20. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel 107 OMEGA PHARMA – LOTTO 83h 58’ 02" + 25’ 23
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 11:54 AM EDT reply actions
A 2 minute battle, fueled by hatred
for top rider on AG2R, coming up!
Jens Voigt doesn’t know where you live, but he knows exactly where you will die.
I thought he just looked shattered.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Finished ahead of Menchov too
very impressive
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
How much did Roche lose w/ his flat?
He could have been close to the top 10
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 11:55 AM EDT reply actions
Doubt it very much
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
If he had finsihed in the group he flatted out of, he'd be 11th I think
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
no real loss other than personal
team gets stage, top 15, top french rider
by Yossarian12 on Jul 22, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I think they said the stage average speed was 19mph
by billcicletta on Jul 22, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
34kmh average for stage
19mph for climb is impossible: no drunk fan can run alongside at 19 mph
19kph, possibly
somewhere short of 23 kph (14,2 mph)
Based on 49 minutes (reported by swedish ES) and length 18,6 km gives you 22,78 kph.
Roche i about 2 minutes up on Gadret...
That’s another duel to watch
andy seems quite relieved the stage is over
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
He also seems happy..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
No she said in an earlier live thread she was watching in a pub near her workplace
by ZoeRochelle on Jul 22, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeppers, that's me, with my head buried in my phone, probably reading the Cafe!
Bahahahahaha! How funny.
Nice marmotte
There were quite a few females in front of me as it happens, and a smattering elsewhere.
But yes, a very nice selection of males, and lots of smooooth legs on view ;)
Nice marmotte
ok theory 2
versus microphones custom fitted to hide boos
by Burgundy and Gold on Jul 22, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
didn't hear any on France 2,
which was good
by Bruce Suomi on Jul 22, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
No boos for Bert... good.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
are they booing conta again?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
nvm. you answered above.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Jul 22, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
What Alberto really gets from this result
slightly less booing
… no projectiles
Dude, I can see my house from here
in this case
he really couldn’t do anything right
Dude, I can see my house from here
It seems he did everything "right" today.
My opinion is that the guy has done very little wrong, still puplic opinion seems to be against him (sample size very small I admit, but chaingate seems to have tainted him (I’m not talking PdC opinion, but layman opinion)). I am not habitually a Conta fan, but I think he deserves better than this.
*shrug* someones gotta be the villan
I think history will smile on this reign
Dude, I can see my house from here
chaingate only brought out those who were predisposed to dislike him
There’s a large segment who will never give him a fair shake because he dethroned the King.
Or because he is the next guy dominating the tour.
Robert Gesink on the difference between football and cycling: "For us it's a lot harder to get yellow"
HA!
'When playing a game, the goal is to win, but it is the goal that is important, not the winning' - Dr. Reiner Knizia
by bought with blood on Jul 22, 2010 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
8 seconds is dominating?
I can see these two trading Tour wins for some years actually, Andy>>>>>Jan(oh I hate to say it but tis true).
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Andy needs to TT better and then yeah, I'd agree.
I’ve enjoyed seeing him become mentally tough this race. Not having Frank with him has made me think that perhaps he could punch a bear.
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 22, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
There wasn't any evidence of Bert having really been pushed this Tour.
I’d have to see today’s stage, but I think he only did what he had to.
I have to agree with this.
And while there was a lot of climbing this Tour, there was less than the usual amount of time trialing. Plus there was the cobbles. A more normal course favors Contador that much more.
But how much has Contador improved in 2 years?
Give Andy another year or two. I think a 28 year old Andy has a great chance over a 30 year old Contador.
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you've got a good point
As soon as someone becomes dominant, they’ll be people rooting for the underdog for no reason other than that they’re the underdog.
Shut your festering gob, you tit! Your type really makes me puke, you vacuous, coffee-nosed, malodorous, pervert!!!
moo
speaking of verbal abuse
i saw a movie called “in the loop” the other day. british film. it’s pretty much insults non-stop. hilarious.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
KOM girls are wearing
pajamas?
Dude, I can see my house from here
Polka dot culottes today... pyjamas..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
WTF happened to the polka dot dresses?
The pant suits are even worse if you can believe that
Eat rice, act nice, and let the good times roll
It rained earlier--maybe officials needed the umbrellas?
Dans le final, j'avais des jambes de feu--Sylvain Chavanel, after his win on Stage 7
Giro heroes:
Evans +12’
Sastre +16’48"
Basso +16’28"
I think Klodi tweeted that he had either bronchitis or some respitory issue as well
although I’m never 100% sure on his tweets :)
He did... and 'bad air'... that was the bit I didn't get. He's hilarious at times..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
So no Giro rider in the top 15 on GC
= Giro is not the optimal tour prep.
Not necessarily.
I think hardride in Giro = struggle in the TdF. But cruising for fitness still a possibility. Remember, Sastre pedaled Giro in 06, and challenged in Tour.
by Yossarian12 on Jul 22, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
it's not so much how hard the Giro is ridden
It’s the kind of form you come into the Giro with. Come into Giro in top form and there’s no way you hold it through the Tour. Coming in with lower form and building up can be very effective. Ullrich did it and had a strong Tour, as did Lance last year. It’s not ideal but if you’re behind schedule in your Tour buildup it can be a good option.
I think the Giro was a bad option this year
regardless of what form you came into it with. The race was simply so hard for everyone I think it was hard to just use it as a training ride. Of course you can’t know that beforehand.
or not this Giro for this Tour, anyway
both have been pretty tough this year
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
There are rumors of the Alpe next year....in the Giro
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
that would be fun
well, if you’re sitting on your sofa, anyway
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
Well in Giro standards the Alpe is a cakewalk!
OK not quite but I would love to see it. All I hope is Bert does indeed do it and if he can wrap up number 3 on Sunday then why not?
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
This year's Giro was especially brutal
Also can’t really know how Evans and Basso would have finished this Tour without injury and illness.
grupetto nearing summit
Dude, I can see my house from here
nice stage.
See you on Saturday….hum…maybe Sunday. The snow is looking POWDER!
"Contador just gained a great chance to win, but he lost the chance to win greatly." - Gerard Vroomen
"hoa-nua" in the top ten!
couldn’t happen to a nicer guy
(that’s the way JB pronounced it in the Dan Coyne book)
Would love to see video of Sean Kelly riding the vintage bicycle yesterday
anyone seen such a thing? photos are fantastic
There's a link to the photos three threads back (or thereabouts. :-) I'm not doing too
well with numbers today, sorry to say…)
In the first thread
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
yeh, i saw the photos
and they are indeed fantastic.
by billcicletta on Jul 22, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Here you go
Care of David Harmon (Eurosport)
Sean’s ascent on single speed http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1385695681554
"He looked pretty good until he went over the side of that cliff." - thevaro
Have to love him :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
...anymore.
I have always liked him (even when he and LA had a tiff, at the time I was a Lance-bot).
by Yossarian12 on Jul 22, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Give his son, Ewan, some time.....there's going to be a doozy of a
conversation about that come adolescence, I’m thinking…
The cutoff time today was 36'
Anyone who hasn’t finished yet didn’t make it
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 12:07 PM EDT reply actions
169. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE – FARNESE 5h 36’ 01" + 32’ 32"
170. MILLAR David 57 GARMIN – TRANSITIONS 5h 36’ 16" + 32’ 47"
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Aha. I got it, now. Boy, did I get up too early, or what?
I’d better not drive anywhere before I take a nap! Cheers!
I'm up late, which is why I thught you were right...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
LOL! Speaking of the Drewd, have you guys seen
THIS? Scroll down for power output of riders on different stages…
Ale-Jet for green
Thor needed more than 6 points in the Pyrenees…not that it’s an easy task.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Unless he tests positive in this year's Tour, how can he be DQed due to an outside investigation?
Like saying Armstrong will be DQed if the feds nail him. Not gonna happen.
The UCI didn't do that--CAS did.
Dans le final, j'avais des jambes de feu--Sylvain Chavanel, after his win on Stage 7
Wasn't it the UCI who decided on the Jan 1st date?
I might be wrong, but my point was that the Valverde case was something of an anomaly when it came to suspensions. That’s not how it normally works.
Basso didn’t have any victories nullified.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaarrgggghhhh
Why is Valverde in the discussions of this great race? The man is like gum under your shoe.
letour only has 171 finishers today (posted). yesterday, 172 finished
No idea who was a DNS or DNF if anyone (may just be the results lagging)
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
That was some fun action
and true champs don’t care about some measly stage win, all about the GC. I am quite confused by people over-analysizing the little cheek slap and wink in the other thread. Just looking for drama if you ask me, these guys have become even better friends over the last few days and I think it’s nice to see. They still battled on the climb with all they had. Chapeau!
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Yes, I don't think the cheek slap was anything other than commiserations/well done
and honestly meant.
Chapeau to both. Makes a change from the slightly poisonous atmosphere of last year.
Plus I think it is something fairly common in Euro culture
I know in Germany it wouldn’t mean any disrespect.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Or a head butt
and they wonder why they have concussion problems
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
The TdF have nothing against head-butts...
Oh.
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 thought cheek=butt.
Thought we were talking about butt pat as they rode across line. Boy, 3:50 wakeup has me a little dull…
by Yossarian12 on Jul 22, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Most of us
were kidding. At least I was. Aren’t going too far to defend your beloved Alberto from all the attacks? Just saying.
If it was Ema Failing I would understand your behavior though. :)
"Contador just gained a great chance to win, but he lost the chance to win greatly." - Gerard Vroomen
It doesn't have anything to do with Bert
it has something to do with not liking drama being pulled out of the ass just to have drama.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
just let it go then
enjoy the race
"Contador just gained a great chance to win, but he lost the chance to win greatly." - Gerard Vroomen
I've loved the race
those that need some type of polemica who can’t.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
I liked also
almost Giro levels.
"Last time I had a broken chain nobody waited for me. I had to chase all the freaking way to the finish. It is race!!" Alexandre Perez
Last time ever for Robbie Mac?
Seems Aussie worlds nice retirement ride (unless he wins!)…
by Yossarian12 on Jul 22, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
In style, I like!
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
Thanks Ted!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Oh gosh! Sorry Zoe, and thank you :(
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Embarrassed salute morelike..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I know. It was the wrong two fingers.
Avavtar in honour of #13, Fabian "I'm not superstitious" Cancellara
It's a peace sign. Not naughty, just cool.
by ZoeRochelle on Jul 22, 2010 12:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) and the horses logo.
There used to be a lot of PMU horse farms in this area a few years ago. They were for the production of a hormone for birth control pills. PMU stood for pregnant mare urine in that case . I guffaw whenever I see the signs.
Avavtar in honour of #13, Fabian "I'm not superstitious" Cancellara
A few thing I learned today:
1. Things does lived up to expectations sometimes! We were expecting Judgment Day, we got Judgment Day!
2. When you a nervous on the verge of collapse, breathing technique helps! I was sort of blue, when they were 3 km from the summit, but then I remembered to inhale and exhale!
4. Next time I have to remember that over enthusiastic hug of coworker may lead to broken ribs or sexual harassment lawsuit. Stay, calm, Holmovka, No jumping over the office furniture! Lol.
Fun! Fun Fun! Have a nice one!
Alexander " Love him or not" Vinokurov is the Eighth Wonder of the World.
.
Laughing is hard for me at the moment, but you always make me laugh :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
You have to stay calm too! TDF is not over yet! lol
Alexander " Love him or not" Vinokurov is the Eighth Wonder of the World.
.
I blame you!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
By the way, I did intentionally miss #3, That is where Carlos cracked! Just didn’t want to spoil celebratory mood!
Alexander " Love him or not" Vinokurov is the Eighth Wonder of the World.
.
that was very sensitive... poor Carlos. He cut a lonely figure today.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Nerves suck
I could hardly sleep and then woke up at 4:40am. Time to nap for a bit
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Nap? What about your post?
Alexander " Love him or not" Vinokurov is the Eighth Wonder of the World.
.
3. There is no point number 3.
"He looked pretty good until he went over the side of that cliff." - thevaro
One small point
It’s only 8 seconds. Contador is sure sitting in a good position but it’s only a defect or crash between them. Conta needs to stay in the saddle.
That is still on the table
a time trial is such a dicey thing, we’ve even seen Cancellara go down in the Tour time trial before, and he’s arguably the best. Contador shouldn’t risk going for best time, that may increase the risk of a hiccup along the way.
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
If he catches Andy, he'll know he can layback at least
Maybe they can cross the line together again
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
just saying
It would be kind of nice, what are the gaps 3 minutes at that point, I doubt he’ll catch, but still.
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
And you have to say that, Jens! Can you give us at least a few hours to celebrate?
Alexander " Love him or not" Vinokurov is the Eighth Wonder of the World.
.
KOM
So that was a letdown today. The Spotty jersey was at stake and no one contested it.
But that leaves Charteau with the final KOM prize for the Tour. Moreau in 2nd and Andy Schleck with snuck into third for a few VDS points. (That’s why he raised his hand at the end-the VDS points.)
Schleck
"I’m satisfied with the stage win but I also wanted to turn white into yellow but unfortunately it wasn’t possible. I really tried hard, you have to believe me about that. I changed rhythm and I tried everything but I think we’re on the same level on the climbs. Alberto attacked and I could go with him – it was a quick response – but in the end he didn’t sprint to win the stage because I did the most work. I have a lot of respect for that, it shows that he’s a great champion.
"I tried to find out how he was feeling. You need to look at someone to see how he was coping. I think you can find out a lot if you look someone in the eyes. He didn’t have the sunglasses on today so it was possible to see, that’s why I looked so many times. But he always looked good and that’s kind of what killed me.
"El Pistolero is strong, huh? I could no drop him. He was always there. I wanted to find out if he was getting weak but he didn’t succumb. He even attacked me to show, ‘Hey, listen young boy, I’m still here! You better stop playing these games with me.’
"I’m super happy to win this stage today – it’s the Queen stage of this year’s Tour. To win on the Tourmalet is like a win on Alpe d’Huez.
"When I turned to talk to him, I said: ‘You pass?’ And he didn’t. I would have done the same. Why should he pass me? In the end, he let me win the stage and I’m super happy."
via http://www.letour.fr/2010/TDF/LIVE/us/1700/journal_etape.html
http://www.bah.net/
by dees ees en drama on Jul 22, 2010 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
classy
i’ve always had a good opinion of him, but this tour has made me like him even more.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Another rider in the weirdest ride of the Tour poll
Sastre.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
Another victim of Giro - Tour combination!
Alexander " Love him or not" Vinokurov is the Eighth Wonder of the World.
.
Yeppers
How many years of two GTs? Plus in 06 he did all three…
by Yossarian12 on Jul 22, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
weird decision, i agree
First, we hear he has a herniated disc. Ouch. Then, oh, well, he’s riding the Tour? Gah.
Or 80s style of climber attack
or last shot at glory..retirement on the horizon, make one last showing at an event you previously won, but now have no shot at by riding in today’s conventional style (shadow and attack on the last climb).
by Yossarian12 on Jul 22, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
He's had two of them - the attack the other day was pretty wierd as well
I think his days as a top rider or even a stage threat may be behind him.
Shame, because he is all class and I love watching him ride. At least he got his yellow jersey, though – on the Alpe, and in one of the most memorable stage battles. If this is basically a career, Chapeau sir
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
Can I add an extra 100?
Both those solo rides by Carlos were the only occasions I got wound up watching the TV. I so badly wanted him to do something special. Sure, a number of stages were exciting, but somehow Carlos engenders a degree of liking/respect I don’t quite muster for anyone else in the peloton. We heart you Sastre.
Not weird... He should have left a few kms earlier and he would have caught the others at the top of Marie-Blanque
He missed them by a minute and it was over by then… I think he could have challenged for stage win otherwise…
by FrenchKheldar on Jul 22, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Question about Ryder and Garmin:
I am excited about Ryder’s result, and I know the team is happy about it as well. It is the result of tough riding, and he is an admirable and likeable racer. As I have posted several times, though, I feel like despite the difficulty and competitiveness of this Tour, it would be a mistake for him to suddenly develop GT-GC aspirations, unless training and testing really shows something that I am missing. SO, is it to the team’s benefit to focus him in on the GC in the future? I feel a team should not focus on the GC unless they seriously can challenge for the win or podium. In my mind that makes anyone outside of the top five irrelevant (other than top French rider), other than personal satisfaction (which is why I don’t get the big deal about Roche’s top 15 for AG2R).
This comes from my feeling that this is the hierarchy of performance value in a GT:
1- Overall
2- Podium
3- One of the other Jerseys/Stage Victory
4- Wear leader’s jersey during the race
5- Top five
6- Top Ten/Most Combative
7- TeamOverall
I think it is possible for Ryder to more often than not challenge for a stage victory. I think he could easily do that in his present condtion and still be top ten. I really don’t see him on the podium @ the TdF (although maybe @ Vuelta).
Ryder
It should be noted that every year he’s been better than the last. I am not sure that we’ve seen his best, thought at 30 he must be close to it. Last year’s Vuelta was his first mountain stage win. This Tour was another big leap in results. He could well be a top 10 and possible podium GT finisher for a couple years now. So, yes, he should target a GT or two a year, besides the early stage races and the Ardennes.
It looked to me like
he was trying to get a stage win – wasn’t he in two breaks earlier in the race? After a while, it gets harder to get in the breaks – either he’s too far up in the general or the stage doesn’t look likely to go all the way. Then, he just started riding to see how far he could go, I think.
Stage-chasing is a difficult business. That’s why a guy like Fédrigo, who has won from the break two years running is so remarkable.
On the day Fredrigo won the stage, he looked like the 'patron' of the breakaway, even with LA there...
He was animated and confident… that’s his natural element..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
and tommy v (also two years in a row)
but then, tommy you feel is like a guy who rolled double sixes twice in a row. Not much strategy to Kamikaze tom, methinks.
:)
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
1- Overall
2- Podium
3- Green Jersey
4- Stage victory
5- Wear yellow jersey
6- Top five
7- KOM
8- Top Ten/Combative
9- Team Overall
Of course your point stands, Hesjedal is not really worth developing into a GC rider.
http://www.bah.net/
by dees ees en drama on Jul 22, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
And here is a related question
What do Garmin know that no-one else does?
That is three years in a row that they have taken a nobody (in GC terms) and turned them into a more than respectable GC result. CVV, Wiggins, now Ryder. That’s more than luck, folks. There also seems to be a pattern that all three are sort of “diesel” types that they find climbing wings for.
Am I overreading this?
Just imagine what they could do with a Menchov, say.
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
I think it has to do with the team structure
more than any magic transformation. For pretty much his entire career before Garmin, Vandevelde rode in a supporting role. That’s often what solid, consistent, deisel style riders end up doing on teams with a bigger star. Garmin is more the ensemble cast, and I think the management encourages them to have a go and there is more space for them to race for themselves. I’m not sure the team would really be able to take an established rider and make him better. But maybe.
I think it is team culture.
Unlike a great many teams, I really don’t perceive any personality conflicts. Seems like everyone at least on a “work together” level likes one another, and is happy with their role. Say what you want about Vaughters, but I think he knows how to keep his riders happy and motivated, and he keeps the team chemistry upbeat.
Would like to see what he could do with Gesink, VDB2, or even Roche (although I question Roche’s affect on team chemistry). Garmin does not seem like a team that can handle arrogant superstars. Think they are more in line with the subdued personalities of Tyler, VDV, and Ryder.
Yeah - it's clever isnt it?
I think you and Gav are onto something – clearly there is some preparation, but motivation and cohesion is counting for a lot.
Well run team. Would be fascinating to see what they could do with a genuine GC type rider. Perhaps they would screw it up. But they seem to be brainy and know exactly what they can do.
Sort of like I was expecting Sky to be (and aren’t)
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
Though, if we're going to compare them to Sky
We should perhaps use Garmin’s first year.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 22, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
true - but didnt CVV ride to 8th that year?
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
CVV was fourth
Also their first year Garmin was a lower budget Pro Conti team not a highly founded Pro Tour team.
In the Tour, yes
But if you look at wins and podium spots overall, Team Sky’s season so far is pretty much comparable to Garmin’s entire first year on this level.
And I don’t know if I would say that Garmin were on top of things that year, there was a learning curve for them as well.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 22, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
ah - if that is what you mean, definitely, got you
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
Sky started as a pro tour team
with lots of backing. Garmin was a pro conti team with less funding. Garmin’s second year and first year as a Pro Tour team saw them enter and win more races.
Learning curve
I believe Magnus addressed that when he retired and started commentar for the ISTSNBN (Internet Site That Shall Not Be Named).
More on Vaughters- I don’t know about his calls from the car (seems like he has largely turned that over), but more on his team chemistry…On the documentary that came out about their first year, I was impressed by how upset it shoed Farrar at not being named to the Tour squad, but Vaughters talked him away from the ledge. Ended up being a great move because Tyler really progressed in 09, and Tour participation or insult could have derailed that.
Last note….Garmin REALLY needs a stage win…probably no shot left this year, but must grab one next year!
Well SKY plucked up guys under contract
and has money growing out of trees in their team bus. Looking at their squad this Tour has been a failure for them. They also just spent 1 million pounds per year on someone who in the end is still a TT specialist.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
can we wait to see if that is still what he is...his "mountain training" mught have f'd that up too
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 22, 2010 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I have been proclaiming one hit wonder since last year
so I feel quite cocky right now, maybe he has some better GC results in him.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
guess he could do a good TT and feel marginally good about the tour...
I just don’t think that will happen.
Cance has got to be the favorite, with T-mart and then who? Maybe wiggins…but I gotta think he’s wasted.
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 22, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Plus they've not been shy in saying their team goal
is a UK champion of the TdF in 5 years. If they said their goal was to develop cycling in the UK and build a steady base of wins, they achievements might be viewed differently.
well, either Roche or Gadret are likely to be on the transfer market...
:)
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
do not underestimate the power of the evil sideburns.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
I reckon if you had te possibilitty of a top 5,
even a top 10, you’d take that over the points or mountains jersey. Wearing the Yellow Jersey isn’t taht big a deal if you can’t keep it- less so that a top 10, I would say.
Can I just have a little Euskie moment here and say how immensely proud I am of Samu?
I thought it was curtains after the crash and thought Menchov was going to drop him at any moment, but then to actually put time into Menchov, even if it was only a few seconds, was quite a performance. He must have been hurting. He’ll probably still be overtaken in the TT, but I’m proud :-)
Nice marmotte
Ok Euskie moment is over!
Yes, Samu was heroic today, for sure! Performed like he did today after that nasty crash!
But, you have to agree with me that with only 21 sec. between of them, Denis has a bigger smile right now.
Alexander " Love him or not" Vinokurov is the Eighth Wonder of the World.
.
INDEPENDENCE!
and yes Sammu was awesome, will he do the Vuelta with Anton? Do you know?
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
I don't know actually...I haven't heard anything on that.
They could be an awesome trio if they’re all on form. ASKATASUNA! ;-)
Nice marmotte
I assume Mench will do it
so he could battle for the win maybe, depending on if Bert does it and how serious Andy takes it. I am impatient I am looking forward to a great mountain battle in Spain now.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Well Menchov has had some great Vuelta success so tough luck for Robert I feel
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Samu, Igor and Bena!
WOW! What you going to do?! This is lethal, Albertina! Lethal! They going to brake your hart on pieces!
Hey! Calendar! Don’t lie to me. It is only July,3
.
The yeti is not so sure
His hair is standing on end at the very thought
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
Just how skinny is Schlecklet?
Contador is at least vaguely in proportion
AS looks like his nickname should be “twiglet” for the shape of his legs
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
What about the odds on Hesjedal as best placed North America dude?
Or just the odds on Canada beating the US on GC.
http://www.bah.net/
by dees ees en drama on Jul 22, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I wondered after Pais Vasco if that wasn't going to be RS' best result of the year
EIther that or Jani’s Dauphine were. RS’ season is largely over.
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
would have been my guess at start of tour . . . actually
but really surprised it turned out that way.
it's something i hoped for
he’s by far my favorite RS rider, but i would have never predicted it. i assumed he would work his ass off, and very effectively, but would lose tons of time once his pacemaking work was done.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
So, it looks like we finally got a GC rider with VDB.
Maybe he isn’t the most aimable person, but i’m still very proud to be a belgian.
Unless he has a very bad tt, he will hold his 5th position. How long is that ago?
I think you were the only one who still had doubt...
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Where the hell was Seeldrayers?
haven’t see him once so far
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
1986
Claude Criquielion.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 22, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
The Tour made headlines on Sweden's biggest news-website today
Or rather , the Tourmalet sheep did. Fårskallar.
That's predictable
Since the top 4 reasons to report anything about cycling in Sweden is
1. Doping
2. Lance
3. Crashes
4. Weird stuff
Actual results is number 6.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 22, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
why like that in sweden
can understand the US, but Sweden?
Warning... not everything I say should be taken entirely seriously
1. Because, according to the Swedish meda, one can’t think about cycling without thinking of doping, and the other way around.
2. Because, according to the Swedish media, he’s the epicececest ever.
3 and 4: Because it’s fun! And Swedish media knows very little about cycling, as shown by 1 and 2.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 22, 2010 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Barely
They mostly write gossip about the Swedish royal family. Just like the German media.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 22, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah good
the German royal family is gossip worthy.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
I didn't know they had one
That’s why they keep writing about the Swedish.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 22, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh sure
Kaiser Franz…you aren’t telling me he isn’t actually royal right?
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
They can have them back...
if they like.
And you mean British, not English.
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'll give old Liz one thing though...
at least she saves us from President Tony Blair.
Shudder
Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here. This stuff will make you a god damned sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me - Jens! Voigt, Predator (1987)
no emilia fahlin on the list?
weak sweden, weak.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Emma Johansson is no 5 on that list.
But sadly the coverage about Emilia is poor.
Not really
There is no number 5 on that list. Emma is, at best, number 6 together with the rest.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 22, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Top four reasons to care about Swedish cyclists:
1. Emillia Fahlin
2. Emillia Fahlin
3. Emillia Fahlin
4. Emillia Fahlin
yep
BBC News showed 2 seconds of Schleck/Contador, 5 seconds of the mankiki men & 10 seconds of the sheep.
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
Oh, you had to go there.
Dans le final, j'avais des jambes de feu--Sylvain Chavanel, after his win on Stage 7
Did you see my retweet of @dnelissen?
(Dutch language commentator for Eurosport.) According to him, it was a protest of a local shepherd against the reintroduction of bears into the Pyrenees. Haven’t seen anything supporting that, though.
Ceci n'est pas une signature.
Never waste a good story with facts
Especially in cycling
Robert Gesink on the difference between football and cycling: "For us it's a lot harder to get yellow"
I'd imagine all the bears were making themselves scarce...
as they’d have heard Bert and Andy would be in the area.
Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here. This stuff will make you a god damned sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me - Jens! Voigt, Predator (1987)
Damn we could have seen bears too?
now that would have made things go faster
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
That makes me laugh.
Top speed of a brown bear: 35 kph. Let’s hope they can’t maintain that uphill.
Dans le final, j'avais des jambes de feu--Sylvain Chavanel, after his win on Stage 7
Last time they introduced bears
near Col du Menté …. some got shot. Frankly, don’t see the point
moo
No, really.
Is Climate Change Leading to Super Marmots?
(And that’s National Public Radio, not the Onion!)
Ha ha ha...you couldn't make it up!
I now have something to do at work tomorrow…nab that new copy of Nature from the shelf before the fellows swoop on it!
Nice marmotte
Gesink was disappointed at the finish
When J-Rod and Ryder accelerated Samu and Menchov were right before him looking at each other. He couldn’t pass them because there was no room between them and the fans. He ended up losing valuable seconds.
He did have a great ride though. Paced the chase group almost the whole way.
Robert Gesink on the difference between football and cycling: "For us it's a lot harder to get yellow"
Never waste a good story with facts
Especially in cycling
Robert Gesink on the difference between football and cycling: "For us it's a lot harder to get yellow"
The guy will get his chance
he should have been shepherding Menchov up the entire climb anyway.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Perhaps he did
Just saw this, supposedly 200 m from the line:
(click for larger)
Ceci n'est pas une signature.
Yep he was a good teammate today
just saying that countering J-Rod may not have been the best plan seeing Mechov seemed weaker than Sammy(looking at how he was gapped at the end).
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Sarko predicts an Andy win next year
Who knows? Albert is strong enough this year to win without difficulty. Next year Andy will be older, stronger and more motivated. Will he have caught up with Albert? Should be a great race next year — especially with the young talent rounding into form.
Dat was echt een schwalbe!
I assume there will be a TTT
so depends how strong the Lux team is and how strong Bert’s team will be. The TTT decided the entire GC already last year. Also if Bert does do the Giro(and I find it unlikely but he has crushed Lance and beaten Andy twice in a row so not much to prove so maybe) then Andy could be fresher.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Bert will do just fine
Now that Vino will be directing instead of splintering the team’s TTT
by Douglas Ansel on Jul 22, 2010 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions
course Bert could decide to go for Giro/Vuelta too....
would that ever happen or is that ridiculous?
by JustJoshinYa on Jul 22, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
He said he would do 2 GT's next year
but both plans included the Tour.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
no Tour
yes, that ridiculous
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
A word for Saxo-the domestiques
They really came thru today; really buried themselves. They had belief and purpose.
Indeed.
And one of the most extraordinary things in the Tour is the face that CAS pulls when he’s working hard…the poor dude looks in agony all the time! In contrast, Fooooogleschlang looks serene.
Nice marmotte
And I think Andy used them as well as he could
He let all of them ride as hard as they could and launched when they had none left to give. CAS killed Vino and Foogerlschlang sent Navarro packing to make sure Andy was mano a mano with Bert. Riis said they had some hope to send a man ahead in the break but they knew it was unlikely.
And a word for my Astanii
now that the climbs are over I can confidently say that they did a brilliant job this year. We all thought they would be a weak spot and RS so great but RS has a 10th going for them while Astana busted it up all the mountain days, beautiful! Also Vino stayed faithful as I thought.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
If Bert does not do the Vuelta maybe Dani gets a chance to ride for GC
not sure he is built for GT overall success personally but he could give it a crack.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
anyone know anything about his TT skills?
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Wasn't Navarro the Astana lead last year the Vuelta?
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions
yes
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Oh please!
It was Vino, Navarro and AC. Jesus H., what a joke he is, another one of those guys LA touted that I’m afraid is going to do nothing. And RS winning best team shows they’re a little better than the “10th” you give them.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
And the team competition cost them Levi's GC place.
And that’s the pro-RS scenario. The other scenario is that Horner, Kloeden and Lance just didn’t give a shit about supporting Levi.
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Levi didn't really seem to have it in him for a GC place.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Levi fucking cracked dude
How many times do i have to say, towlines are not legal. I’m pretty damn sure Levi got on the wire andsaid “I’m dead, leave me for the vultures.”
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
yep, one of Horner's vid interviews
made it pretty clear that he was less-than-psyched about the prospect of riding for Leipheimer.
I've never thought Leipheimer as not likable
is there backstory? Yeesh, Radio Shack seems like a poorly construed team in reality.
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
Maybe they didn't want to ride for someone as easy going.
To get that edge you need killer instincts and a mind of steel. Levi is not that.
Interesting thought...
Thinking back up to earlier posts in this thread, would Levi’s attitude work better with Garmin?
"He looked pretty good until he went over the side of that cliff." - thevaro
Seemed to me that JB didn't give a sh*t about supporting Levi.
"He looked pretty good until he went over the side of that cliff." - thevaro
Haha
nice way to sugarcoat things. The other guys did their work in the flatter stages or earlier climbs. Astana had full control of this race from start to finish and many doubted they could. Yeah the Shack will win the team classification, I’m sure you can’t tell me who won that last year and I doubt you cared much. I give them credit for going for it but they came in with much bigger ambitions.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Astana dominated it last year
But yeah, this team competition thing has a “moving the goalposts so that RS can score” feel to me.
Someone on Twitter called the team competition the shittiest teammates award.
by lieutenantmudd on Jul 22, 2010 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea I do pay attention
And Bruyneel’s teams have always faired quite well in that competition. I think it’s a good PR move to put your whole team on the podium in Paris, and a pretty cool feeling for the riders too I’m sure.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Sure it is
but it’s a secondary competition for a team with such high GC goals. My original comment refers to discussions pre-Tour when many(myself included) thought the Shack would have the ability to blow the race apart because several GC threats would be in place. As it turned out they were able to get guys in the break in the mountains but it caused no one stress seeing they weren’t GC threats anymore.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
It's a secondary goal?... you don't say.
I never debated that Astana’s team would be weak. I figured AC would have been fine with almost any team there. I also never debated that RS would overpower things with their GC threats. They had bad luck, not sure the lack of it would have helped, but t sure takes the wind out of your sails.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I never even mentioned your name before you responded. It was general consensus from many.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
I know you didn't
I was just pointing out that my prognostications weren’t a complete failure. Also forgot to mention Noval, think he did some nice contribution to the team as well.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Oh upping the self-esteem huh?
you need to bring back your post and see how many people did indeed fail miserably.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Are you sure you two aren't related? You bicker like brothers...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I just keep thinking of all the RS buildup all year.
Certainly not the performance they predicted with all their trash-talking and innuendo.
"He looked pretty good until he went over the side of that cliff." - thevaro
Any team with a serious GC threat *ought* to suck at it...
…because they’re burning matches too many times to protect that GC rider.
Yes.
Notice how the two contenders this year – RS and CdE – have best-placed riders at 10 and 11, respectively.
And yet in 2008, Sastre took the prize and Saxo were first in the team classification..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Well, their whole plan was to pretend to have 3 GC contenders!
That helps when it comes to the team classification :)
Almost 15 minutes
The stage he won
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 23, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I'd say that was likely an aberration....
…but I’m doing this on reason, not data. If the facts don’t bear up what I think should happen, I’ll gladly revise.
I'd have believed all this more if RS had said they wanted the Team Classification in the first place.
Now it seems like an afterthought.
"He looked pretty good until he went over the side of that cliff." - thevaro
Full control from start to finish?
I don’t recall them doing as much pace making as Saxo, who held yellow for the longest stretch so far. They came to do work when it was advantageous, and its easy to say Contador wasn’t shaken, but without Contador that team is mid pack and less dominant. Without one of their leaders, Saxo is very much in the competition. They did great work at times, held yellow valiantly for 2 stages, but I still feel like Saxo had the better race control, Astana had destiny control more or less.
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
"who held yellow for the longest stretch so far"
I think that answers why they didn’t do as much pace making on flatter stages. The team is entirely focused around one man so of course if you take away Contador you don’t have much, two entirely different team builds. Saxo left Andy isolated on several mountain stages.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Saxo is a very strong team
Most versatile team who could deliver him from start to finish with results, especially if Frank was there. I guess this time Astana was stronger, but i don’t buy that either team’s pace making and race control affected their adversary too much.
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
Saxo was strong for the cobbles and pulling on the flat
Astana was strong in the mountains. I’m not even trying compare the two but I think Astana overachieved at the Tour and that was my initial point.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Astana pretty much sucked today
Today was pretty much all Contador in the final.
Saxo controlled things today.
Astana controlled most of the race up to Tourmalet
Navarro and Vino did weaken today but it was always going to man on man on the climb.
Vamos Alberto!
Quitter's People United member # 42
It didn't matter
Astana’s mountain riding hasn’t broken anybody, only Schleck and Contador have actually pushed the tempo to any extent, their teams have been nullified to some extent by the very nature of events so far.
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
Jesus Hernandez
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Andy Breitbart?
Love him, I could listen to him for hours. He would never shop me.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I thought you might all like to see a picture of my pie
What a really awesome afternoon at Look Mum No Hands….great atmosphere, great food and drink, nice people, friendly staff, bike porn all over the place. If you’re ever in London do go.
Nice marmotte
And of course
Here’s Mont Ventoux in the very same square hat.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 22, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
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