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

[joeyrobbo]

Schleck, Contador and Voeckler are taking huge risks. They are riding without support, drafting. Evans, Basso and Frank Schleck will preserve their energy and ride with their teams, they will slowly reduce the gap and gradually set higher and higher tempos and it will even out somewhat.

I said the same yesterday about Schleck, but it didn't happen.. I wouldn't be surprised today if Contador finishes 10 minutes ahead of Andy, or 20 minutes behind..

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Voeckler takes time back every time AC is at the front. Voeckler?! Seriously?! Too good. Clinic.

It'll be interesting to see what the data says after the Tour. If they all went slower it might just explain how that could happen. Btw. it's not so surprinsing to see riders develope.

 

[lilyprotector]

Like many of you, I'm still not convinced AS should work here. On the other hand, if he somehow has enough in the tank after yesterday not to blow, he and AC have reason to help each other out. It becomes a win for AS and a podium spot for AC. Unless of course AS helps, then blows up on the final climb and AC takes a big chunk of time from him. That would be what we call backfiring.

i am PRAYING that andy feels great today and that's why he's helping bertie because he's not worried about blowing up. hope this is not return of leopard's perplexing strategy in previous weeks.

 

[BYOP88]

Well as was said by someone the other day, at least you know Contador isn't going to die wondering. I don't see how this will help Andy, A 60km solo yesterday and a 90km effort today, will he pay for it tomorrow?

 

[WindLessBreeze]

This ain't over 'till it's over. You'll have to reckon with Contí' today (&tomorrow)

 

[spalco]

Even Lance approves.

14:41:15 BST
Profile image for lancearmstrong

If you thought the Pyrenees were boring (I admit, so did I) then the boys are making up for it yesterday and today!

@lancearmstrong Fri, 22nd Jul 2011 14:37:59

 

[luckyboy]

But he will have no regrets!

Well he'd probably regret not dropping back to the Evans group so his teammates could help out.

 

[Chef_Vodnik]

That's what I am thinking, especially now in the chasse patat.

Yeah - he's going to hit a brick wall sooner or later, judging by the effort he made yesterday.

 

[Jeanne]

i am PRAYING that andy feels great today and that's why he's helping bertie because he's not worried about blowing up. hope this is not return of leopard's perplexing strategy in previous weeks.

that's my hope, too...

 

[No_Balls]

I am in aware. This is how racing used to look in the good old days. Amazing riders. AS and AC looks like a classic racing-competitors from before.

RESPECT.

 

[MartinGT]

My guess

Peloton will catch them up TV will bonk.

 

[mr. tibbs]

Only until next year when a fresh bertie re-establishes the order of things. But yes, today Bertie will be a model good loser. I am aware how ironic what I just said is.

Incidentally, a friend of mine on the alpe now just texted me - 'Can you let me know if anyone attacks before the Alpe'


Not sure how to respond to that.

Haha understatement.

RE Andy helping, you're all correct: if he rides hard, he may blow up. He also may win the Tour. That's how racing works. I don't understand why racing for the win is such a controversial thing, or when it became so.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

so who had the big re-fill last night?

 

[Climbing]

Tommy is gonna die...

 

[Ramira]

Somehow I feel Voeckler is going to get back to the front group and pretty much the second he does Contador will put in another acceleration and crack him for good.

Edit: Hmm the gap is growing a bit again, he might not get back at all.

 

[indurain666]

Schleck, Contador and Voeckler are taking huge risks. They are riding without support, drafting. Evans, Basso and Frank Schleck will preserve their energy and ride with their teams, they will slowly reduce the gap and gradually set higher and higher tempos and it will even out somewhat.

So?? Contador has absolutely nothing to lose! Schleck is pulling cause he knows Evans is in trouble and could win the Tour right here

I agree that Voeckler should get back to peloton

Its easy to criticize from here I never lose races from keyboard

And now gap to Voeckler stretches a bit, kudos to Voeckler, he is racing like a true champion

 

[Cerberus]

Well as was said by someone the other day, at least you know Contador isn't going to die wondering. I don't see how this will help Andy, A 60km solo yesterday and a 90km effort today, will he pay for it tomorrow?

If this works he'll have plenty of cash to pay with tomorrow, I think the problem is whether he can hold to the finish line.

 

[SarahDane]

Voeckler looking too funny. Now even more like Robin Williams?

Dennis Ritter: "It's like seeing Poul Richard (Danish actor from the old movies) on Ibrahim (A horse)."

 

[delbified]

Schleck, Contador and Voeckler are taking huge risks. They are riding without support, drafting. Evans, Basso and Frank Schleck will preserve their energy and ride with their teams, they will slowly reduce the gap and gradually set higher and higher tempos and it will even out somewhat.

this. contador and a.schleck are writing big cheques

 

[Sidbike]

Voeckler is a breakaway guy. Hopefully (for Voeckler fans anyway) he settles in and if the break slows maybe he catches. If the peleton catches him then like Evans/Basso/FS he can hope for AC/AS to crack on the Alpe and maybe hand on for dear life.

After all, he can stay with Evans/Basso better than the others and FS seems to be blown.

 

[Chef_Vodnik]

Remind me, the Galibier descent is pretty straightforward, good for high tempo, right?

 

[ChopperArris]

I think some serious kudos is due to the men who made these roads - just consider that, if you will, next time the commercials come on - how did they start? Monks trekking a original path to the highest local point, to be nearer to God (*other mythical deities are available)? Developed over time how? Wealthy merchants, expanding their territories? It's a story alright...

 

[GroupDK]

So is Contador coming to Leopard next year too?

yeah that very likely, the question is how many € Riis (the finance-speculater ) will have, to sell him before contract.

Damn Riis earns a lot of meony this way, bying riders and selling them before contract ends to big moneymens that dont care about the price...

was many mio € i remember he get for selling cancellara before contract

 

[RdBiker]

This ain't over 'till it's over. You'll have to reckon with Contí' today (&tomorrow)

Maybe Andy and Alberto are just slowly killing Voeckler by riding half a minute in front of him and then pulling a big gap on the top and riding away on the Alpe? Or are they both tired and simply can't go any faster?

 

[Zoncolan]

It'll be interesting to see what the data says after the Tour. If they all went slower it might just explain how that could happen. Btw. it's not so surprinsing to see riders develope.

At 31?! Come on...