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

[Sasquatch]

Have you tried listening to the Eurosport audio feed with the Versus picture?

Speaking of Eurosport, Kelly doesn't approve of Cofidis wasting energy chasing the break.

They aren't wasting their energy though as they are just behind the Europcar riders. They aren't helping the Europcar riders.

 

[Finn84]

He will be lucky to make top 20/25

Well, he was 18th in 2004, previous year he held maillot jaune. So definately top 20 is not out of cards.

 

[spalco]

I'm pretty damn certain that is not what's going to happen. Unless Andy is not on form that tactic would give him the win because at 100% there is no way Sanchez can keep up with Andy.

Neither Contador nor Andy will do this, but what if Sammy Sanchez attacks on the Tourmalet already? The descent could give him a nice lead if he puts his mind to it.

 

[Magnus]

Evans is a top ryder in my opinion, it's not about winning GTs, cycling is a lot more. By other hand I agree with you with AS, he has a lot to win to consider him a first class ryder , his palmares is still poor.

In what world is 1 monument, 3 gt podiums, 2 gt stage wins and 4 gt jerseys a poor palmares?

 

[ericthesportsman6]

Cofidis on the front. Moncoutie to bridge across on the climbs?

 

[b.broadhurst]

I'm pretty damn certain that is not what's going to happen. Unless Andy is not on form that tactic would give him the win because at 100% there is no way Sanchez can keep up with Andy.

I don't think he is on top form yet, still riding into form in my opinion!! Lets just wait and see.....

 

[just some guy]

Phil and Thor spend a lot of time chatting at the back of the group

 

[El Pistolero]

In what world is 1 monument, 3 gt podiums, 2 gt stage wins and 4 gt jerseys a poor palmares?

No one cares about podiums or youth jerseys. He has one GT stage win, one gifted stage win and 1 monument. It's bad for the so called second best stage racer in the world.

 

[Ramira]

Neither Contador nor Andy will do this, but what if Sammy Sanchez attacks on the Tourmalet already? The descent could give him a nice lead if he puts his mind to it.

Depends on the form of AC and AS. If they're on top form (or one of them is) I don't think it will be enough for SS. I think the only way it would get him a win (I think it could definitely help him jump up on the GC if he's on good form) would be if neither of the Schleck's can hang with AC and he rides up to SS on Luz Ardiden and lets him win.

 

[The Sheep]

No one cares about podiums or youth jerseys. He has one GT stage win, one gifted stage win and 1 monument. It's bad for the so called second best stage racer in the world.

gifted stage win?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

In what world is 1 monument, 3 gt podiums, 2 gt stage wins and 4 gt jerseys a poor palmares?

It's a poor palmares for a rider with his talent. He's a guy who is regularly touted as the second best stage racer in the world and he's never won a stage race!

Of course, most riders would kill for his palmares.

 

[b.broadhurst]

Well, he was 18th in 2004, previous year he held maillot jaune. So definately top 20 is not out of cards.

He will fall out of the top 20 today.

 

[Publicus]

In what world is 1 monument, 3 gt podiums, 2 gt stage wins and 4 gt jerseys a poor palmares?

When you are constantly touted as the 2nd best GT racer in the world and have never won a stage race. 9 Career wins!

 

[Ramira]

Considering his age (he's only 26) AS's palmares is good but not great. The problem is due to whatever reason (either motivation or his physical make-up) he doesn't peak more then twice a year and without any sort of an uphill sprint he's never going to win much. His palmares is going to be 100% dependent on his success in the tour. If he starts winning tours this year his palmares will be incredible. If he never beats AC and doesn't switch his focus his palmares will be incredibly disappointing for a rider of his talent (like Ullrich's palmares at the end of his career).

 

[Spaniard]

In what world is 1 monument, 3 gt podiums, 2 gt stage wins and 4 gt jerseys a poor palmares?

Maybe I understimated him, but I think there are several riders right now with a better palmares.

 

[Barrus]

Not common to see Moncoutie near the front of the peloton ... Cofidis clearly have ambitions for him today. Hope you're right, Sasquatch, about attacking on the first climb.

Nah, I think it has more to do with Taaramae

 

[b.broadhurst]

40km to intermediate sprint.

 

[Maxiton]

It's a poor palmares for a rider with his talent. He's a guy who is regularly touted as the second best stage racer in the world and he's never won a stage race!

Of course, most riders would kill for his palmares.

There's a nice fact. And let's keep it that way. Maybe he can retire as second best, having never won.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

They aren't wasting their energy though as they are just behind the Europcar riders. They aren't helping the Europcar riders.

and neither are europcar as the gap is over 7 minutes

 

[El Pistolero]

If Ratface Schleck is really as good as he keeps whining in his interviews he should take this stage under control and go for the win.

 

[Magnus]

It's a poor palmares for a rider with his talent. He's a guy who is regularly touted as the second best stage racer in the world and he's never won a stage race!

Of course, most riders would kill for his palmares.

He's touted as second best and he has been second. I fail to see how that is poor.

 

[Scirea]

Nah, I think it has more to do with Taaramae

+1 on that

 

[sublimit]

Bravado from Europcar, they'll crack when they hit the climb.. hopefully.

 

[Ramira]

There's a nice fact. And let's keep it that way. Maybe he can retire as second best, having never won.

Unless a new super talent arrives (I guess maybe TVG there's no-one else who's talent/age right now indicates he could be as good as AS) he's going to win a few TDF's before it's over. AC is going to be past his peak by the time AS hits his best years (28-32). That being said I think last year's AS wasn't the best he has to offer and he will start his winning streak this year.

 

[Woody22]

There's a nice fact. And let's keep it that way. Maybe he can retire as second best, having never won.

Second best at the end of this race may (and should) be first place depending on who he finishes behind.