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

[Alberto Attack]

To me frank should attack early, evans chases him, Andy sits on evans wheel and attacks him when is best and trys to gain more time on him, and TV, well he has hanged on to evans on every big climb so far. I just cant make me mind up about it. P.S., the contador that evans cracked today was a well below conti, you know this wouldnt happen if conti was at even 90%.

 

[Barrus]

Please Voeckler don't lose any time

And please Evans don't lose any time

Those are my two wishes for the stage of tommorow. And although I know Voeckler will lose a truckload of time in the TT, I still hope he will win the tour, if not him than Evans, who does seem to have the best position at the moment

 

[Sidbike]

Hitch, thank you for an excellent set up.

The Schlecks might be handcuffed. Voeckler has to follow any attack by Schleck, Schleck, or Evans. It's the only way to keep yellow so do or die.

If a Schleck attacks (like today) and brings TV with them then he's damaging the non-attacking Schleck.

So if they attack, Voeckler has to work to drag it back, and since he's not explosive Evans can easily follow.

Pretty much sets up the need for the Schleck 1-2 punch until one attack finally cracks the others, and that threatens Cadel.

For those reasons I fear a conservative stage with the Schlecks waiting for the final few Ks of the Alpe for an attack. And that suits Voeckler!

I can't wait for tomorrow.

 

[Duartista]

I disagree.

AC isn't at his best. Schleck more or less is.
Schleck has great recuperation. And evans if anything rode out of his limits today also. He will be feeling it big time.

And the shortness of this stage I think benefits the schlecks.

That certainly isn't the case - the Schlecks' have said in the past they don't like short, explosive stages like this. However, the fact that it comes as the last mountain stage of a tough Tour probably cancels out any disadvantage they might have.

 

[Squire]

Anyone with a rough time estimate for when they will finish (CET)?

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

That certainly isn't the case - the Schlecks' have said in the past they don't like short, explosive stages like this. However, the fact that it comes as the last mountain stage of a tough Tour probably cancels out any disadvantage they might have.

I don't think they refer to a stage like this, as much as a short steep climb near the end. For example like stage 16.

I'm sure they like this stage.

 

[Duartista]

I don't think they refer to a stage like this, as much as a short steep climb near the end. For example like stage 16.

I'm sure they like this stage.

No, they were talking specifically about this stage.

 

[The Hitch]

pop quiz. If Voeckler keeps yellow tomorow (probaby not) but if he does, who wins in a tt between Schleck and Voeckler?

This taking into account Voecklers new found form and his wearing of the yellow and the fact that hes probably never taken a tt seriously.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

No, they were talking specifically about this stage.

link?
apologies for the skeptical response.

@hitch, I think andy.

 

[just some guy]

Cadel will be having nightmares

Schleck sanwitch on the Alpe.

Can anyone say 2008.

 

[Fus087]

Hitch, thank you for an excellent set up.

The Schlecks might be handcuffed. Voeckler has to follow any attack by Schleck, Schleck, or Evans. It's the only way to keep yellow so do or die.

If a Schleck attacks (like today) and brings TV with them then he's damaging the non-attacking Schleck.

So if they attack, Voeckler has to work to drag it back, and since he's not explosive Evans can easily follow.

Pretty much sets up the need for the Schleck 1-2 punch until one attack finally cracks the others, and that threatens Cadel.

For those reasons I fear a conservative stage with the Schlecks waiting for the final few Ks of the Alpe for an attack. And that suits Voeckler!

I can't wait for tomorrow.

Yes please.

pop quiz. If Voeckler keeps yellow tomorow (probaby not) but if he does, who wins in a tt between Schleck and Voeckler?

This taking into account Voecklers new found form and his wearing of the yellow and the fact that hes probably never taken a tt seriously.

Voeckler has been called to crack on Luz-Ardiden, on Plateau de Beille, and today.
He didn't.
If he goes into the ITT in yellow I'm positive he'll win.

 

[Duartista]

link?
apologies for the skeptical response.

@hitch, I think andy.

I don't have a link, its in print, in the Velo magazine Tour preview. I'll see if I can find anything online.

Edit: Can't find anything online.

 

[The Hitch]

Yes please.



Voeckler has been called to crack on Luz-Ardiden, on Plateau de Beille, and today.
He didn't.
If he goes into the ITT in yellow I'm positive he'll win.

Well hell probably lose at least 30 to Cadel tomorow and even if he doesnt id expect Cadel to take 2 minutes from him on tt.

 

[jobiwan]

I think Frank is obviously the favorite for the stage tomorrow, but I think he'll work to keep Andy with Evans and Voeckler, and if Andy can, they'll start the 1-2 attacks.

I can't see any of the favorites having the strength to catch a break, so tomorrow's the day for Gesink, Leipheimer, Vanendert, maybe Sanchez and Zubeldia to go. I could also see Contador taking the stage.

The Brothers Schleck VS. Cuddles VS. Tommy V

It's gonna be good!

 

[LaFlorecita]

I think Frank is obviously the favorite for the stage tomorrow, but I think he'll work to keep Andy with Evans and Voeckler, and if Andy can, they'll start the 1-2 attacks.

I can't see any of the favorites having the strength to catch a break, so tomorrow's the day for Gesink, Leipheimer, Vanendert, maybe Sanchez and Zubeldia to go. I could also see Contador taking the stage.

The Brothers Schleck VS. Cuddles VS. Tommy V

It's gonna be good!

I think Contador is worn out after today's stage.

 

[Anonymous]

I hope evans lose a huge chunk of time tomm, which will probably not happen.

 

[Ferminal]

This will be a huge test of Evans, to see if he's learned anything in the last 3 years. Today he was amazing on the Galibier because he sat on the front and rode his ideal tempo.

All he needs to do is repeat it tomorrow, Frank is not 90 seconds quicker up the Alpe a better climber than Evans.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

This will be a huge test of Evans, to see if he's learned anything in the last 3 years. Today he was amazing on the Galibier because he sat on the front and rode his ideal tempo.

All he needs to do is repeat it tomorrow, Frank is not a better 90second up the Alpe better climber than Evans.

problem is today's situation forced him to do so.

If schleck attacks and gets a decent gap you can bet your money cadel will try to follow, if he cracks in the process schleck will win le tour. I see no reason why andy wouldn't give it a huge go tomorrow, he should leave it all on the road and I think he'll benefit.

 

[just some guy]

This will be a huge test of Evans, to see if he's learned anything in the last 3 years. Today he was amazing on the Galibier because he sat on the front and rode his ideal tempo.

All he needs to do is repeat it tomorrow, Frank is not 90 seconds quicker up the Alpe a better climber than Evans.

That must be his go. Hit the bottom of the climb and ride against the clock. Grind it out and hope people drop like they did today.

 

[nslckevin]

I think that the favorites will hit the bottom of Alpe d'Huez tomorrow en mass. The Telegraphe/Galibier is a hard climb, but it is a looong ride down the valley to Bourg d'Oisans. I envision the pack of favorites hitting the bottom of the climb at full gas with guys like O'Grady and Cancellara driving on the front like they are about to enter the Arrenberg Forrest in Paris-Roubaix. Teams will be fighting to keep their GC guy at the front and when they make the left turn onto the steep lower section of the climb the race will explode and anybody not at the front will get caught in traffic. Then the climber domestiques will take over until the favorites start attacking each other.

For the Schlecks, there is no tomorrow. One or both of them gets a comfortable gap on Evans before the TT or it's over. Tommy V will lose the jersey and Andy or maybe Frank takes yellow. It's just a question of whether it's just a one night stand or not...

 

[Sidbike]

pop quiz. If Voeckler keeps yellow tomorow (probaby not) but if he does, who wins in a tt between Schleck and Voeckler?

This taking into account Voecklers new found form and his wearing of the yellow and the fact that hes probably never taken a tt seriously.

Great question! I suffer from "bet with your heart disease" so my judgement is probably clouded.

I go with Voeckler in this hypothetcal scenario because:

1. Although Voeckler has expressed his desire to redefine himself as a GC man for future tours he has to realize he's unlikely to ever have a chance like this again. He'll never be allowed to gain big minutes on a break (his specialty) for the rest of his career. And the as yet unexplained lack of explosiveness on the climbs has allowed him to minimize losses. Add in Contador's lack of form and the expulsion of other GC contenders early in the race and he's got a once in a lifetime opportunity. His entire life's work will boil down to that TT.

Andy on the other hand is within striking distance every year for the next 10 years.

2. As a breakaway guy Voeckler knows how to dig in and grind while also dosing his efforts.

3. Home team advantage. Fans and national pride.

None of the above references pure riding ability....it's all pretty much mental but I think when the margin is so small mental edge is what wins the day.

Now that I think of it, I like the above scenario even if Voeckler is behind by less than 35 seconds of Schleck.

 

[Sidbike]

Great question! I suffer from "bet with your heart disease" so my judgement is probably clouded.

I go with Voeckler in this hypothetcal scenario because:

1. Although Voeckler has expressed his desire to redefine himself as a GC man for future tours he has to realize he's unlikely to ever have a chance like this again. He'll never be allowed to gain big minutes on a break (his specialty) for the rest of his career. And the as yet unexplained lack of explosiveness on the climbs has allowed him to minimize losses. Add in Contador's lack of form and the expulsion of other GC contenders early in the race and he's got a once in a lifetime opportunity. His entire life's work will boil down to that TT.

Andy on the other hand is within striking distance every year for the next 10 years.

2. As a breakaway guy Voeckler knows how to dig in and grind while also dosing his efforts.

3. Home team advantage. Fans and national pride.

None of the above references pure riding ability....it's all pretty much mental but I think when the margin is so small mental edge is what wins the day.

now that I think of it, I like the above scenario even if Voeckler is behind by less than 35 seconds of Schleck.

 

[Parrulo]

i hope frankie boy takes this stage and wins the tour. i have always liked him so it would be epic.

if not that i hope andy takes enough time on evans to make sure he doesn't blow it in the ITT

 

[Fus087]

Well hell probably lose at least 30 to Cadel tomorow and even if he doesnt id expect Cadel to take 2 minutes from him on tt.

That may be true.
But you asked who'd win in a TT Voeckler vs. Schleck, with Voeckler in yellow.

 

[jobiwan]

i hope frankie boy takes this stage and wins the tour. i have always liked him so it would be epic.

if not that i hope andy takes enough time on evans to make sure he doesn't blow it in the ITT

I could see Frank doing that, doing in '11 what killed him in '08. It's quite possible.