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

[ManInFull]

As it stands, I'm glad he lost time in the first week, I'm glad he was tired from the Giro, and I'm glad Andy lost that time on the descent. It's rare that the strongest riders are on the back foot in the Tour. I'd rather have the last 2 days of racing than have the 2 of them romp away from everyone on the first mountain stage and then trackstand duel with each other the rest of the way. I admire both of them alot more this year than I did last year, Contador for going for the Giro-Tour (and for today), Andy for yesterday.

Yes, the challenges that AC had in this Tour did make him aggressive when he had the legs. There are so many ifs...If he had had the legs yesterday, he would have gone with Andy and that would have forced Cadel and the others to do something instead of expecting to catch Andy in the valley.

 

[thehog]

I think i'm completely in love with cycling Andy, Cadel, Sanchez, Contador, Rolland - what a performances. Fantastic

Which one would you shag first?

 

[GroupDK]

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

 

[ManInFull]

This vegetarian stage is becoming quite entertaining:

Hope that Cadel wins tomorrow his been the strongest rider so far, and that the brothers will go separate teams next year

Oh, it would be great if the Schlecks would go to separate teams! However, I think it's more likely that I would win the Tour before those two go to different teams.

 

[ManInFull]

Oh, it would be great if the Schlecks would go to separate teams! However, I think it's more likely that I would win the Tour before those two go to different teams.

Which one would you shag first?

Andy has too much tooth for me.

 

[kurtinsc]

2010 Menchov would have won this Tour.

Not sure I agree.

In 2010 Andy finished 3:00 ahead of Sanchez. This year he sits 4:22 up on Sanchez (though some of that is from stage 1).

I think Andy is the same strength he was in 2010 to be honest. I think Evans is much stronger, Contador is much weaker, and Frank is present unlike 2010... I see Menchov in definite podium competition but I don't see why he'd be ahead of Schleck.

 

[SirLes]

Finally managed to work my way through most of the thread!

Great stage. Delighted for the French and Pierre particularly as he has worked so hard all Tour. Great riding by Sanchez. So good to have the KoM prize go to someone actually in the mix on the mountain stages and also to have it decided on the final mountain.

Great ride by Contador's. Half way up I thought the only way I could discuss this stage would be in the clinic but the fact he cracked near the top has changed that. He is a fine rider and I love the fact he as just gone for it today. Reminiscent of 25yrs ago and Hinault.

Evans and Andy have both proved themselves worthy winners, whoever takes it.

It definitely has a different feel from even a couple of years ago. No domestiques setting silly tempos at the start of climbs and still being their after a couple of mountains.
When it came down to it only the best riders had the legs to compete with each other.

I shall be sad when it's over.

Only disappointment was not spotting my parents and sister who were on the Alpe at about 3pm to go.

 

[hektoren]

I just love the suspense so evident this year. Who'll win? My favorite the last Years is Cadel, but I've got immense respect for Contador also. Clean cycling means narrower margins and more excitement for us, the viewers. Kudos to Voeckler, Hushovd, EBH, Rolland, for exceeding even their own expectations.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

So good to have the KoM prize go to someone actually in the mix on the mountain stages

Because Vanendert wasn't in the mix? Second behind Sanchez on Luz Ardiden. First before Sanchez on Plateau de Beille. Together with Contador and ahead of Sanchez on Galibier. Alpe d'Huez was the only day he was absent.

 

[frenchfry]

I doubt that, don't underestimate Menchovs ability to **** up, in the Tour de France.

He is a killer in the Giro and Vuelta but not in the Tour. He would lose time in the descents of Pinerolo and Gap, he would probably blow somewhere in the last 2 stages

Or crashed on the climb to l'Alpe d'Huez.

 

[musorowegudo]

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!!

 

[SirLes]

Because Vanendert wasn't in the mix? Second behind Sanchez on Luz Ardiden. First before Sanchez on Plateau de Beille. Together with Contador and ahead of Sanchez on Galibier. Alpe d'Huez was the only day he was absent.

I wasn't having a go at him. In recent years the KoM award has lost much of it's appeal as it the tactic to win it was lose lots of time on GC then go on a long break on the first mountain stage and from then on pick up points on the first climb or two of the day before disappearing on the last climb to have a rest.
This year has been much better imo

 

[Gingerale]

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

thanks for posting the picture...

he so earned that hug. biggest star of the stage, Alberto Contador

congrats to rolland on winning the stage and white jersey. very well done helping voeckler this tour! that had to hurt losing yellow. gotta feel for tommy V.

andy schleck in yellow and what a huge effort after his performance on stage 18! really didn't think he would be able to get yellow today. also didn't think contador could possibly go on such an attack! thanks to contador and aschleck for surprises! but it is all is feeling bittersweet atm.

samuel sanchez in polka dots. very happy for him

cadel evans ...i can be happy for cadel...if he wins the tour in grenoble... which i think he will.

but hoping andy schleck can scrape out the ITT win. can't believe i'm cheering for andy, ha! the last 2 stages did it...

 

[Badeend]

Does someone know the fastest ascent time of Contador on Alpe D'Huez? Maybe in the Dauphiné of 2010 with Brajkovic?

 

[jobiwan]

LTD was giving the Dutch crowds some love!

 

[hamperium]

wow great race today
Evans is the winner i think
and Thomas Voeckler is finally lost his yellow
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamperium_espana/5965074702/in/photostream

 

[The Hitch]

wow great race today
Evans is the winner i think
and Thomas Voeckler is finally lost his yellow
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamperium_espana/5965074702/in/photostream

Wow.

Thats not from the Rotterdam tt.

 

[SlantParallelogram]

Alberto Contador from Spain, the best rider of our time . . .

You must be shrooming...

 

[BillytheKid]

I never said it but I do think Evans was dropped before he got the mechanical.

When Contador turns the heat on Evans is following Voeckler and he stays with Voeckler (who doesnt have a mechanical) for about 15 seconds. Only then does his pedaling start to decrease and 5 seconds later he looks at his bike, then gets off.

There didnt seem to be a problem initially.

Maybe he had a motor in that second bike then? Most likely a cracked frame and rubbing wheel?

Final GC: Evans, A. Schleck, Contador.

 

[Mellow Velo]

You must be shrooming...

Your comment puts you in the shroom wagon.

 

[Bala Verde]

LTD was giving the Dutch crowds some love!

Was that before or after he had his beer on the go?

 

[rides like a girl]

Which one would you shag first?

For me a toss up between Samu and AC...

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

Bjarne is wearing the watch AC gave the team before the race...

 

[rides like a girl]

Ehm you might have noticed Samu lost a lot of time yesterday? And even let his teammates work despite him already knowing he had a bad day?

That is what I saw too.

Say what? I watched the whole stage live, and none of the three Euskaltel riders worked for more than a few moments in the entire 60ish km pursuit from the end of the descent. It certainly didn't reduce the amount of time he lost (vs AS) on the stage by not using his team to help bring the break back on the flat, regardless of how bad he was feeling. Ditto Conti, Basso, Voeckler.

The feed I saw had Samu's carrots try and AC and his guys tried. AC got in front himself at 16 k to go on Thursday. He didn't last long, but he took a couple turns with Cadel. Clearly neither AC and Samu were doing well yesterday but they had the remaining teammates they had up in the group try to take a turn. Those teammates should have been used to protect the lead riders from their team. Why should they be used to help Cadel close the gap? Why didn't Cadel use his own teammates to close the gap?

I am not sure why Cadel's fans are asking other teams to do what BMC should have been doing anyway. Why should Cadel have to use anyone else's team to close a gap to Andy that he played a part in letting get that big. If he had a problem with the gap that was being created, he could have left the group and gone up the road. His bike was not chained to someone else's bike, he could have left the group. He chose to stay and have the gap get big.

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?

 

[leon993]

Epic stage... Bertie did a magnificient attempt to win it all, but failed. Samu chose to catch Bertie with Rolland at his wheel. Did him nothing as Rolland won stage. Suppose all cooperation between Bertie and Samu is off now. Samu could have waited to go after Rolland if he moved - instead he gave win away to Rolland, and ruined everything for his friend (?) Bertie.

I think Bertie will forgive him, but this won't be forgotten.

Cancellara will win stage tomorrow - he has done nothing in this tour and have his eyes on this stage. Andy will probably win tour - don't think he will loose one minute to Evans.

 

[leon993]

Epic stage... Bertie did a magnificient attempt to win it all, but failed. Samu chose to catch Bertie with Rolland at his wheel. Did him nothing as Rolland won stage. Suppose all cooperation between Bertie and Samu is off now. Samu could have waited to go after Rolland if he moved - instead he gave win away to Rolland, and ruined everything for his friend (?) Bertie.

I think Bertie will forgive him, but this won't be forgotten.

Cancellara will win stage tomorrow - he has done nothing in this tour and have his eyes on this stage. Andy will probably win tour - don't think he will loose one minute to Evans.

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