2011 TDF: Stage 19 - Modane - Alpe-dÂ’Huez

[luckyboy]

Shouldn't Cadel be surrounded by his team of mountain riders to protect him in the mountains? They didn't do a Giro, so they should have been rested and ready to help him. Instead we have his fans complain that other teams didn't help him?

Surely he could've made some deals in the peloton. They used to do it in the old days, don't see why it couldn't be done now.

 

[thehog]

at least got a big bearhug from bjarne after the stage today for his beautiful effort.

http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/riis-erkender-nederlag-vi-kommer-tilbage

That's a full 120% embrace.

 

[thehog]

Alberto Contador from Spain, the best rider of our time . . .
Cadel Evans of Australia, the TDF 2011 winner! (BTW, a holiday is on the cards in his honour!)
Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, the TDF 2011 runner-up;
Mark Cavendish of the Isle of Man, the Sprinters Jersey Leader;
Rolland Pierre - Young riders champion;
Samuel Sanchez of Spain, The best Climber

Love it or hate it . . that's what it is and can only be changed 12Months from TODAY!

See you in July 2012!!

Thanks Jnr. God I'll be glad when you July-only posters go away and things go back to normal.

 

[Dedelou]

Interview after stage: Alberto Contador - why did you go away on first mountain Telegraph - this is not normal? For fun riding, he replied

I can believe it.. He has nothing to prove to his fans but his love for the ride. He said it clearly and that was sincere: He doesn't matter 2nd , 3rd, 4th, or tenth. Only winning interested him , failing to do that it becomes all for fun

 

[mewmewmew13]

I can believe it.. He has nothing to prove to his fans but his love for the ride. He said it clearly and that was sincere: He doesn't matter 2nd , 3rd, 4th, or tenth. Only winning interested him , failing to do that it becomes all for fun

Something that a true champion with a real love for the sport would say...that's what I think.

 

[Tuarts]

Wow, now that was an endorphin rush last night. Absolutely wrecked today though.

Questions, does someone have a link to the podium presentations? Also Sanchez/Voeckler anyone embracing/congratulating Pierre?

Thanks

 

[auscyclefan94]

Take a look at this...

TGBM and Evans...the greats going head to head. We better get use to this sight!

 

[hamperium]

surprising winner

still surprised that Rolland won the stage
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamperium_espana/5966342254/in/photostream/

maybe better to wait and help Voeckler

 

[frenchfry]

Wow, now that was an endorphin rush last night. Absolutely wrecked today though.

Questions, does someone have a link to the podium presentations? Also Sanchez/Voeckler anyone embracing/congratulating Pierre?

Thanks

Sanchez came over soon after the finish to congratulate him, and they gave each other a big hug.

 

[movingtarget]

still surprised that Rolland won the stage
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamperium_espana/5966342254/in/photostream/

maybe better to wait and help Voeckler

Contador had done so much work he had to slow down. Rolland is starting to live up to his potential. Voeckler was finished on the Galibier because he did not wait for the bunch. He rode a dumb race. He could have protected his fourth place by arriving at the final climb in better shape but it looks like Contador will get past him in the time trial now.

 

[greenedge]

great stage. I could write 2 whole pages just on each developement. It's funny how you think a rider looks strong then 10k later Boom they go. Contador nice break, Shleck seems confident, Evans seems confident. Heroic defense by Voeckler and great by Rolland. Pity Cadel had a mechanical.

 

[greenedge]

De Gendt was surprising and so was Hesjedal.

 

[El Pistolero]

It seems Contador has the record up Alpe Dhuez. He climbed faster than Pantani. But it was in the Dauphiné and not the Tour obviously. Strange lol. Today they were more than 4 minutes slower.

 

[El Pistolero]

great stage. I could write 2 whole pages just on each developement. It's funny how you think a rider looks strong then 10k later Boom they go. Contador nice break, Shleck seems confident, Evans seems confident. Heroic defense by Voeckler and great by Rolland. Pity Cadel had a mechanical.

It was surprising that he finally found his legs again(thomas), but he can climb, time trial and sprint a little bit. He's good in everything, but not super in everything.

 

[AussieGoddess]

What a stage!!!

Which one would you shag first?

None of them Gilbert is another story though




Thank you Alberto .... your fun was a true pleasure to watch

 

[Spider1964]

Hi Ryo... Welcome Back, so much has been happening since you went away... Just in case you hadn't heard... Cadel Evans won the Tour de France

I thought you'd be interested to know since your last post before Cadel triumphed on the Champs-Élysées was this rather unflattering description of the current Tour de France Champion -

evans showed class yesterday but, hey he will always be evans, the chickenhearted coward

Maybe you were taken out of context? FWIW most commentators agreed that that was the stage (Alpe d'Huez) where he did enough to allow himself to win the whole dang shootin' match. Haven't heard too many calling him a chickenhearted coward? Opinions hey.. they're like arseholes... everyones got one.

You completely missed the time trial too... Evans crushed it BTW.

Sorry to be so off topic... couldn't resist

So back on topic... Rujano... Not as good as some people around these parts think IMO. Mentally fragile even? Made some interesting career choices? Can climb though. Loses time (a lot), just when you don't expect it... similar to Evans in a lot of ways (if you reverse the climbing and TT skills)? Maybe this year could be his year at the Vuelta?