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

[53x11 in DC]

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[indurain666]

I don't see how on today's performace Andy Shleck can be considered the favorite for yellow in Paris.

He held on by the skin of his teeth to Evans and Basso at the finish.

He can't time trial so, Evans is the favorite now in my book.

Exactly, and personally, I think Leopard should be working for Frank as he seems to be strongest guy in the mountains this year.

Any was too worried about Alberto that he forgot about Evans.

Probability of wining this year's tour seems to be 50% Evans, 40 % Leopard, 5% Basso, 3% Cunego and 2% Alberto.

 

[Fatclimber]

Thanks for the commentary everyone, great for those of us who can't watch the race live. Except, of course, for the personal battle that would be nice if kept to pm's. No need for the rest of us to suffer through that ka-ka.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

My opinion is it stems from their pathological hate of Armstrong. Because of their hate of Armstrong they love Contador which of course makes them hate the Schleck's. If not for Armstong they would likely hate Contador just as much as they now hate the Schlecks.

Try coming up with another opinion, one that is not based on your pathalogical worhship of Armstrong and instead takes into account a lazy Lil' Orphan Andy who barely tries to race anything but the Tour and LBL.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Are you crazy? So, one of your favorite cyclists just won on Luz-Ardiden, some kind of holy place for the Basque supporters since Laiseka won there, one of the biggest wins of his career, one of the biggest wins of the team ever, and you still manage to be unhappy with his performance? Moreover, he will wear the polka dot jersey tomorrow, he jumped from 20th to 8th on GC, and now Contador doesn't look great, this Tour is far from over. As you might have noticed, Samu finished ahead of all other contenders today. Get a grip.

also lol at the energy wasting thing.
Most riders lost tons of energy. They all looked wrecked after crossing the line, GTs are as much about recuperation as climbing.
That comment only reveals one thing, a lack of faith in your rider.

 

[Maxiton]

1st stage in the pyrennees and people are writing riders off

anything can happen between now and Paris, anything. i am not writing a Riis rider off just yet. Contador could get a second wind for the Alps.

GC riders only need one bad day to lose the TdF. Imagine today was Contador's bad day. If so he did ok.

Lots more racing to go.

If so, you are right. But he doesn't appear to be faking as I'd thought.

 

[BYOP88]

It's never over till the Champs, but I think you'll agree that Contador is looking the weakest he has ever been since bonking in Paris-Nice.

Yeah, although to be fair to him, the others don't look that great if they only managed to drop him with 500m or whatever it was left to go.

 

[Sea The Stars]

jobiwan, do you still think Frank can't do a top 5?

 

[Dedelou]

Contador is 2.11 mins behind Frank Schleck now!! Tour over!!

1O stage to go and several mountains finish still.. Lots can happen for better or worse..

 

[trevim]

hmmmm . . ... he didn't impress me, at least Samu won the stage!

I'm happy for Sanchez. I'm just wondering if Contador can't handle the Giro-Tour or if this has more to do with his falls and knee troubles...

 

[Arnout]

I dont really care what makes Samu happy. Im a fan of the cyclist not his life partner. My hope was for GC contention.

He went full out from the start 100%, probably tired himself out for the remaining Pyraneen stages and got a grand total of 5 seconds on Frank and 27 seconds on Baso ANdy and Cuddles.

It looks like he wont even beat Cuddles this year, so a stage win - a relatively minor thing in the world of cycling in my opinion, isnt going to cheer me up.

You disappoint me here Hitch.

Every time Luz Ardiden will be climbed in future, we see Samuel Sanchez and Laiseka as the Euskaltel conquerers of this climb. You don't get that with a third place.

Samuel Sanchez played it perfectly and together with Basso and Voeckler the only guys in the first group I fully respect after today, the rest is a bunch of plants.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I too believe on Saturday the Schlecks will try to expose or bury AC. They'll test Evans as well.

Basso looking surprisingly dangerous.

 

[The Hitch]

Wow, i think i'll keep my opinion of you to myself but selfish sure comes to mind. You sound like you are 10. Sanchez hit out early and gave it 100% which is super impressive, not many riders would risk it like that. He's probably recognised GC isn't as realistic at the present time so he's going for stages and time is secondary. Stop whining like a ten year old and attempt to enjoy it

Im not saying other people cant enjoy Samus success, just that I dont get too much pleasure out of it myself.

If you think its selfish of me to hold my have my own opinion rather than take the one you suggest to me, then i suggest you take a look in the mirror.

How dare i hold my own opinion and not enjoy the stage result when woodie tells me to.

Yep, so selfish.

 

[Spare Tyre]

Ooops

What climb was that?

Alpe d'Huez. Sastre attacked then Frank & Andy disrupted the chase. Evans lost time. Sastre won the stage and the Tour.

 

[UlleGigo]

In 1999 The Schlecks were more busy attacking their Jr.High Prom dates than climbs haha... But yeah, you're right, in 2009 They both did a lot of 1-2 attacks!

Lol. I think he may have meant 2008. When Conti didn't ride and it was basically Cadel versus Andy, Frank, and Sastre.

 

[auscyclefan94]

very happy with cadel...gave it a good go!


Where is Timmy loves Rabo ?

 

[Anonymous]

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[Kwibus]

Hello guys, i'm quite new at the sport of cycling. Last years TDF was first that i followed closely so i wnat to ask a question. Why is there so much hate on Schleck brothers? Or am I imagining it ?

I don't know. Quite a few people find them arrogant.
Try to ignore the haters. It's usually a lot of bs.
Just create your own opinion about a rider. That´s all you need

 

[Dedelou]

Andy is too afraid of Contador... Well done Samu, well done Vanendert, and Frank was just great. We might have an epic battle in this Tour.

Yes Frank did make the right move.. good for him

 

[just some guy]

Are you crazy? So, one of your favorite cyclists just won on Luz-Ardiden, some kind of holy place for the Basque supporters since Laiseka won there, one of the biggest wins of his career, one of the biggest wins of the team ever, and you still manage to be unhappy with his performance? Moreover, he will wear the polka dot jersey tomorrow, he jumped from 20th to 8th on GC, and now Contador doesn't look great, this Tour is far from over. As you might have noticed, Samu finished ahead of all other contenders today. Get a grip.

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

 

[Carl0880]

I guess the Hog hasn't learnt from the 06 TdF, the last time he came in with 4 leaders and left with nothing.

THe ironic thing is the Hog had 4 leaders and the highest placed rider of the team is Haimer Zubeldia, none of those aforementioned 4 leaders

 

[ManInFull]

All of above

Yes, I think everything is. If he isn't near the front on big climbs, you know something is wrong. It took everything he had to only get dropped on the last big kick by the other GC contenders.

 

[MartinGT]

Quality stuff.

Suprises of the day for me was Tommy V and Basso.

 

[VeloCity]

eh, wouldn't give up on Contador just yet - after a rough first week and a most likely still sore knee, not too surprised that he struggled a bit on the first real mountain stage, and he still only lost 13 seconds.

Saturday's stage to Plateau de Beille will be the real decider, I think - if he loses more time there, then yeah, probably game over.

 

[Anonymous]

Phew..


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