2011 Tour de France Stage 11: Blaye-les-Mines Lavaur 167.5 km

[luckyboy]

Can't see past a Cav win for this.

 

[Passista]

Is it possible Omega Pharma will revert to working for Gilbert intommorrow's final? Or will they use the big guns for a probable field sprint?

 

[luckyboy]

Leave HTC to work to bring back the break as them helping won't benefit Lotto in any way.

Maybe Gilbert can attack on that final tiny bump about 5km out? Ain't gonna stay away. Either that or he'll be in the sprint finish.

If they're going to work for Greipel he should be given free reign to try and get points at the finish without having to lead Greipel out.

 

[hughmoore]

Loved the smile on Greipal's face crossing the line.

Looked like Wallace from Wallace & Grommit

Looking forwrad to tonights stage also.

Hugh

 

[auscyclefan94]

Greipel!!!!!! I am really jumping on the band wagon.

 

[Scirea]

Greipel!!!!!! I am really jumping on the band wagon.

1 stage too late. Cav for sure.

 

[dgodave]

I might have to get up early to see the Tour race along roads I toured on, through Cordes Sur Ciel, etc. Beautiful country, and no doubt we will get some great hilltown shots from the chopper.
.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I hope Andre strikes again.

 

[spanky wanderlust]

today was a master class in how to beat the htc boys. sadly it requires a difficult stage with some hilly obstacle or other in the last 10-15k.

tomorrow has nothing like this.

 

[patswana]

ABC!
Anyone But Cav. Please.
How about Feillu finally, even with his tendonitis?

 

[movingtarget]

Rojas for the win.

 

[Maxiton]

Hate to break up the party by pointing out the obvious, but for the win:

Cavendish

 

[rainman]

such a shame i will have to miss this stage due to an exam tomorrow

thats tough mate, I'm also missing a lot of this tour due to work, DAM IT!!
I could cheerfully watch every minute of it, even the so called boring bits.

 

[rainman]

Another lumpy stage, heavy roads, bad weather possible. I'll say at last a breakaway is going to make the difference today.

 

[metya77]

thats tough mate, I'm also missing a lot of this tour due to work, DAM IT!!
I could cheerfully watch every minute of it, even the so called boring bits.

I couldn’t watch stage 10 because my girlfriend's birthday.

 

[dlwssonic]

The last tiny climb in the stage could sap some of cav's energy. I hope greipel wins again, loved it when he owned cav yesterday

 

[dlwssonic]

Hope we see this today, just this time cav wont be lifting his arms

 

[auscyclefan94]

Smaller pictures please...

 

[BM1979]

Cav won't let this happen again. I think days like these motivate Cavendish so he will show us tomorrow who is the best again.

I know I sound like a fanboy now, but I'm not. It's just the way it is imo. Greipel beating Cav today was great, but tomorrow it won't happen.

You could put the shoe on the other foot though and say Yesterdays win has given Greipel the confidence that he can beat Cav.

I for one hope he does again.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Petacchi took the day off, yesterday.
The canny old guy will be all out for a result today.
I expect him to finish ahead of Greipel, at least.

A lot of hype about confidence being spouted.
It's no substitute for pure speed.

 

[BM1979]

Petacchi took the day off, yesterday.
The canny old guy will be all out for a result today.
I expect him to finish ahead of Greipel, at least.

A lot of hype about confidence being spouted.
It's no substitute for pure speed.

Cav 2
Greipel 1
Farrar 1

Speed isnt everything either though is it

 

[Cimber]

offtopic:

Flecha is mad at Voeckler for riding on hard after this crash the other day. Also he says he attacked on a decent after they let him go ahead to take the mountain points. In both cases Flecha thought he should have w8ed, but also adds that he would expect Voeckler to do that, cos he always rides like that (in a bad manner).

In that light it might be a bit ironic that the French cheer him like there is no tomorrow, after he won taking advantage of a crash, while they boo'ed Contator after chain-gate.

Source http://tour.tv2.dk/article.php/id-41668252:sviner-voeckler-efter-vanvidsstyrt.html
(translate it from Danish)

 

[Machu Picchu]

offtopic:

Flecha is mad at Voeckler for riding on hard after this crash the other day. Also he says he attacked on a decent after they let him go ahead to take the mountain points. In both cases Flecha thought he should have waited, but also adds that he would expect Voeckler to do that, cos he always rides like that (in a bad manner).

In that light it might be a bit ironic that the French cheer him like there is no tomorrow, after he won taking advantage of a crash, while they boo'ed Contator after chain-gate.

Source http://tour.tv2.dk/article.php/id-41668252:sviner-voeckler-efter-vanvidsstyrt.html
(translate it from Danish)

Old news but it seems that Flecha was just plain angry after that stage and who could blame him, I don't think Voeckler did anything wrong and he did wait on occasions besides he was chasing yellow

 

[Mellow Velo]

Cav 2
Greipel 1
Farrar 1

Speed isnt everything either though is it

I wasn't aware that I'd said it was.

Parcour is a very important factor.
Strategy also counts for a lot.
Goes without saying.
However Cav's GT record speaks for itself.
If he is so one dimensional, as many on here believe, then pure speed must top the list, no?
Dislike of an individual certainly isn't a factor.

 

[Midnightfright]

The only shot this stage has for excitement is if Jens is given free rein or Chavanel suddenly comes to life.

Thursday will be interesting though. I can't wait to watch such notable climbers as Jens and Cancellara inexplicably dropping guys like Gesink and Moncoutie in the mountains.

Well if he's just not in the mood I wouldnt be totally surprised to see Moncoutie "dropped" by those 2