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

[The Hitch]

Just a stupid question, but if Samu would crash and be forced to leave would someone else get the Polkadots?

Of course. Why you going to throw bottles at him like you did at Cancellara

 

[movingtarget]

Evans is really good on a hilly course because he is quite a puncheur, should suit him more than schleck.

Sastre never had much TT form either but I think Evans collapsed under the weight of expectation that year. I think the pressure got to him. Evans time was not too bad in 2008 but Sastre's was much better than expected.

 

[Maxiton]

Maybe he threatened to reveal the doped bike.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Evans said his brake was rubbing and the wheel was not quite in properley at the start.

 

[spalco]

I still think he didn't have a mechanical there. It just looked odd to me.
It's just wild guessing though and he proved me wrong anyways.

Maybe it was just psychological, who knows.

 

[TRDean]

I wish Cunego could time trial...that would be great!

 

[El Pistolero]

Of course. Why you going to throw bottles at him like you did at Cancellara

I'll need to take out Andy as well then. But seriously, I'm glad he finally won something big again after his olympic title. Polkadots are definitely more prestigious again now then before.

What's his fall season? Lombardia, Emilia, Canadian races?

 

[roundabout]

Look if I was Riis, I would've said to Cancellara you'll see out your contract and to quote Cavendish "you'll be riding the small sh*tty races".

Riis got money out of it instead of having to pay Cancellara to ride whatever you thought he should have rode.

Lucky you're not Riis as I'd fear for the team.

 

[TRDean]

I will be rooting for Cadel however! But please don't call me a fan boy...

 

[hrotha]

Evans is really good on a hilly course because he is quite a puncheur, should suit him more than schleck.

A hilly parcours favours Andy. Evans does better in hilly TTs in absolute terms, but his performance doesn't drop as much as Andy's in flat TTs.

 

[Zoncolan]

Evans said his brake was rubbing and the wheel was not quite in properley at the start.

Please, don't do this. I'm really starting to like the guy (as a rider, of course, his personality...).

 

[GroupDK]

And what could've Contador done if he had a real team around him - or even one guy good in the mountains...

Saxo bank have been a joke this tour, and that is what could have been expected.

I belive the reason why contador choosed Team Saxo and Riis was due to the fellowmanship and the strong friendship Riis also have succes in createting thrue all other then cycling and a lot of survival trips with danish navy seal aka. BS and a lot of that and contador wanted to belong truely at at good team in reagrds to time on astana.

But also made it to tight so everybody is leaving together.

But again of saxo banks team of all 50 men 2010 , 20 went to Leopard along with Riis 2 top guys (kim andersens head of tactics & dir. and Brian Nygård head of PR at Riis cycling)

didnt now if the tour was a possiblelity 2011 due to CAS and contador.

but still bring home the Giro (mainly due to contador alone)

The spanish armada Contador absolutely would have with him, and noval is only at the tour due to a friendship with contador..

 

[BYOP88]

Lol! +1 I'm sure he wanted to but apparently Canc had the leverage.

Well you see this is my issue with athletes, they sign contracts and they don't mean anything. If any of us signed a contract for a lease on an apartment or something, 6 months down the line we can't say, oh I'm moving out and the contract doesn't count anymore.

 

[Pharazon]

really hope cadel wins it tomorrow...

 

[movingtarget]

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.

Evans was stuggling I think but unlike Voeckler he was smart enough to wait for the bunch instead of banging away in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Zoncolan]

What's his fall season? Lombardia, Emilia, Canadian races?

San Sebastian, I would guess.

 

[El Pistolero]

A hilly parcours favours Andy. Evans does better in hilly TTs in absolute terms, but his performance doesn't drop as much as Andy's in flat TTs.

Don't know, but Andy lost a lot of time to Contador in 2009, so Cuddles should be able to take 57 seconds on him. Hope Contador pulls that stunt of 2009 off again.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Well, if Evans pulls the win off, this tour could finally eclipse the LeMond-Fignon record of 8 seconds, which would be quite something.
Maybe, right around now, the Schlecks are regretting swanning around in Switzerland, instead of being in Grenoble.
Here's hoping...........but doubting.

 

[Grand Tourist]

Bert (on leaving the arena of Alpe D'Huez) : Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?

We sure were, little fella. See you next year

 

[mr. tibbs]

A hilly parcours favours Andy. Evans does better in hilly TTs in absolute terms, but his performance doesn't drop as much as Andy's in flat TTs.

I don't think the climbs have favored Andy much this year. Evans looks great, and I'm more and more convinced that he's got this.

Still, it's the 2011 Tour, so... Who knows?

 

[El Pistolero]

Bert (on leaving the arena of Alpe D'Huez) : Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?

We sure were, little fella. See you next year

With an angry voice or?

 

[Escarabajo]

A hilly parcours favours Andy. Evans does better in hilly TTs in absolute terms, but his performance doesn't drop as much as Andy's in flat TTs.

Last TT is not about the course. It is about recuperation.

 

[hrotha]

Don't know, but Andy lost a lot of time to Contador in 2009, so Cuddles should be able to take 57 seconds on him. Hope Contador pulls that stunt of 2009 off again.

2009 is ages ago.

Last TT is not about the course. It is about recuperation.

Sure, but if the discussion is about the course, I guess talking about the course is warranted. And it's still a factor, just like recuperation and motivation.

 

[movingtarget]

Bert (on leaving the arena of Alpe D'Huez) : Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?

We sure were, little fella. See you next year

Looks like he found a new friend too with the guy running along beside him in the surgeon's gown. Just another idiot.

 

[Escarabajo]

Evans said his brake was rubbing and the wheel was not quite in properley at the start.

He is pulling a "Lance Armstrong" in 2003.