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

[RdBiker]

I think he wants to be sure that they'll stay away if he does though, he's already put in a mighty effort yesterday so he doesn't want to blow himself up. I expect him to help somewhere on the Galibier, but he might want to talk to Alberto first.

Schleck won't help as long as he fears Contador can drop him on the Alpe. Contador could easily make +2mins and then he would again be in the race (remember he can gain +1min in the TT)

 

[luckyboy]

You dont want Contador to make it?

If Contador makes it then Andy could be stuck on his wheel, and thus a Schleck wins the Tour.

Hoping AC + Andy tire themselves and are then caught, so it's only one Schleck vs Evans on the Alpe.

 

[dbrmuz]

Pedals were not going 'round and 'round fast enough.

I have the same Goddam problem up my local 11% climb!

 

[Bala Verde]

chain prehaps?

more like a blown engine

 

[Bumeington]

no there is no disagreement

Tried to fix the bike himself twice then gets a new one

Anyone who disagree isnt thinking or is s-stirring.....I will be kind and say its option a

needs to have a kickass decent right now

Evans did appear to be dropped before fiddling with his bike, can we agree on mechanical which is pretty bad luck, but was about to be dropped anyway?

 

[Cerberus]

Not unless Contador gives up, then it's a golden opportunity wasted.

I'm not sure this is a golden opportunity, this is even father out than yeasterday and the peoplot behind is far bigger. Granted helping COntador could give Andy one of the most epic Tour wins in histotr, but it could also exhaust him and get him caught at the bottom of the Alpe with no energy left. Even if he's not feeling yeasterday at all it's a huge risc. I'm inclined to say Andy is doing the smart thing, not the brave thing, but the smart.

 

[Sidbike]

Hoogie and Flecha together once again.. uiui.

And Voeckler....watch for traffic.

 

[indurain666]

what mechanical? lol you were probabky the same people who last year claimed andy had a mechanical when he didn't know how to shift. evans clearly blew up but he already has his excuse ready althouhg I'm curiouc what he will come up wiuth when he loses 10 minutes on alpe because he's been racing in the red

Exactly!! I saw it all, he lost the pace then blamed the wheel, when he finally got a new bike (mind you, after taking a nice 30 s break) he could not pick up the pace anymore, and Basso's group chased him down. We'll see what happen later on...

I just lost a lot of respect for him for doing that

 

[Sidbike]

Evans did appear to be dropped before fiddling with his bike, can we agree on mechanical which is pretty bad luck, but was about to be dropped anyway?

Cadel will answer the question for us on the next climb.

 

[Zoncolan]

He is going to let yellow in Paris go up the road if he lets others ride for him. He needs to be driving it with the others taking their turn when they can. Evans shouldn't rely on others to do the work for him.

No. Now he's in the peloton, he should have others do the riding. Save himself for the Alpe. No way he could bridge anyway. Would just blow up trying.

 

[Jamsque]

They need to keep this gap under 2 minutes by the summit or all is lost.

 

[RdBiker]

I'm an Evans "hater" but I agree he must have had a legitimate mechanical. It just looked weird because it happened exactly the same time TV was dropped.

Perhaps he had it all the time but couldn't change machines since the pace was so high? He might've just thought that "it's nothing" but it got worse and at the point Contador went for the n:th time he realised it. To me it looked like he went to the side to let Voeckler do the chasing but then he came to a halt.

 

[bicing]

Every time I hit the 'view post' button next to Ryo's name I immediately regret it. I hope he does something stupid and gets banned.

I agree with you. Ryo is in bad form today.

 

[indurain666]

Andy does not look very comfortable at the moment, and sprinting for mountain points was a bit weird...why is Andy Schleck not working??? This is another opportunity to finish the race once and for all! Alberto is not a factor he is like 4 minutes behind!!

 

[The Hitch]

lol Es showing the last time someone way down on GC went on this Galibier side.

Twas Vino.

Now tis Contador.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Andy copping a feel on the Movistar rider.

 

[spalco]

I'm so hungry but I can't go away from the tv, damn.

 

[Ney the Viking]

why on earth doesnt andy work? Is he waiting for frank again?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Andy's tactics today are weird

If he rides with Contador Andy can win the Tour

 

[The Hitch]

Voeckler is putting time into the peloton.

 

[Sofía_]

what Contador ate last night? yeeeeeeees STEAK!

 

[Parrulo]

andy should help bertie!!!!!

he can win the tour today in one of the most epic ways ever!!!!

p.s. keep helping him Rui!!!!

 

[sportzchick]

what people fail to realise (or ignore) is Evens is not esplosive but more a grider who will grind his way back rather than use quick explosive pace to counter quickly....

hes capable of pulling this back in the decent...if he can is another question

 

[Tuarts]

2012 transfer season in full flight

 

[Epicycle]

46 km from the top of Galibier to the bottom of the Alpe. Contador is going to need at least 4+ minutes at the top of Galibier, probably more, to gain anything significant at the end.