2011 Tour de France, Stage 12: Cugnaux - Luz-Ardiden, 209 km

[El Pistolero]

3rd in Vuelta in 2009 and 5th in Giro in 2010 - this isn't second rate!!

Yes, it is. Mosquera is second rate as well.

 

[AussieGoddess]

Gerrans said yesterday he would be cheering for his not so good friend Evans, because Schleks and Leopard are acting like a bunch of cnuts without having any results to back it up.

Also Samuel Sanchez when asked this morning, admitted with a smile on his face that he would help Contador today.

not to mention Astana who dont have a contender and after AC's efforts in the Giro.

Leopard on the other hand havent exactly been setting about making friends

 

[b.broadhurst]

Evans is just unlucky to be born in this era of cyclists, he would of won many grand tours if it wasn't for Armstrong and then Contador.

 

[Sørensen]

Did Gerrans really say that?

According to danish tv2 reporter. yes.

 

[sultanofhyd]

Don't know if this has been posted somewhere before, but Riis says Contador is going to win today.

Is the Danish media behind Contador? Just curious.

 

[Sørensen]

do you have the exact quote -

No quotes no. was said by a reporter live on danish telly

 

[Contre la montre]

3rd in Vuelta in 2009 and 5th in Giro in 2010 - this isn't second rate!!

agreed. Evans is first rate.

 

[b.broadhurst]

Yes, it is. Mosquera is second rate as well.

He beat Rodriguez and Gesink in 09 and these guys are not second rate.

 

[just some guy]

Evans is just unlucky to be born in this era of cyclists, he would of won many grand tours if it wasn't for Armstrong and then Contador.

blah blah blah blah

Evans is not 2nd rate but stupid comments like this -................

way over hyped

 

[El Pistolero]

Evans is just unlucky to be born in this era of cyclists, he would of won many grand tours if it wasn't for Armstrong and then Contador.

He never got top 5 in the era of Armstrong.

 

[spalco]

Who do you claim are 1st rate of the current riders then ?

As far as GTs are concerned Contador alone. Then nothing, and then anone else who's won a GT recently like Basso or who's come close and looks like he's getting better like Andy Schleck and maybe Samuel Sanchez. If you want you can put Evans in that category for all I care, but imo that's far removed from having a real chance of winning.

 

[Delicato]

Is the Danish media behind Contador? Just curious.

They are behind his team manager.

 

[Ferminal]

He's 34 and has never won a GT. For a rider who aims at winning big stage races that's not a winner. I'm also very dubious about putting Andy in the "first rate" category yet, until he actually starts winning stuff.

Maybe it's a misunderstanding. To me, calling someone "second rate" is quite insulting to their abilities, and different to them being "second best" or "second tier". Overall he is obviously "first rate", again, unless this is reserved to a master of every discipline in cycling, of which we do not have one amongst ourselves at present.

He has the best stage race record behind Contador this year, previous results at the Tour, perfect first half of the race, uninterrupted preparation and race so far, large fan base on these forums. It's understandable why he is the center of discussion, even though his chances here are lesser than Ivan's.

 

[El Pistolero]

He beat Rodriguez and Gesink in 09 and these guys are not second rate.

Yes they are. Especially in 2009, Gesink is on an age that he will improve year by year.

Rodriguez is very much second rate as far as GC goes.

 

[just some guy]

Contador alone. Then nothing, and then anone else who's won a GT recently like Basso or who's come close and looks like he's getting better like Andy Schleck. If you want you can put Evans in that category for all I care, but imo that's far removed from having a real chance of winning.

Fair enough I agree it is Contador then the rest

 

[b.broadhurst]

Seems Contador has assembled a super army for the Tourmalet by all the reports this morning.

 

[Cimber]

Gerrans said yesterday he would be cheering for his not so good friend Evans, because Schleks and Leopard are acting like a bunch of cnuts without having any results to back it up.

If Gerrans really said that he just earned alot of points in my book

 

[theyoungest]

He beat Rodriguez and Gesink in 09 and these guys are not second rate.

Rodriguez was a domestique for Valverde, and Gesink was simply stronger than him, until...

 

[manafana]

really like my velits bet at 120, and danielson 160, basso 40 dark horses for today.

 

[Sasquatch]

I can't believe how much attention a second-rate-at-best rider like Evans gets in this forum. Hopefully that topic is finished in approximately 6 hours.

Do you know who Greg Norman is?

Evans is going to mirror his career of blatent chokes.

 

[Anonymous]

Anyone but Schleck
Anyone but Schleck
Anyone but Schleck
Anyone but Schleck

This....................

 

[Cimber]

Is the Danish media behind Contador? Just curious.

Ye most of them are. And they have been very forgiving regarding his Clenbuterol case tbh (not really typical for Danish media).

But they have also been very critical about the teams ability to protect Contador the first week.

 

[sportzchick]

agreed. Evans is first rate.

and he is so second rate that he won the world championship in 09

99% of anti cadel sediment on the forum are just s-stirrers anyway........

 

[AussieGoddess]

Eurosport comentator just mentioned that as well (that Samu and AC might work together)

 

[just some guy]

5.24 to the peloton

Coppel getting the Dr to look at his knee - not a great sign