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

[No_Balls]

+1

when necessary he closed gaps with ease

Yes, but he still needs to bridge. Just hanging on and "closing gap" gives you nothing.

 

[spalco]

I dont think Andy was weak at all.

I'm not sure. He looked strong, I agree. But if he really was strong, why did Frank attack 3 times in a row and not Frank-Andy-Frank or at least Frank-Frank-Andy until an attack sticks?

 

[The Hitch]

Ride of the day Jelle Vanendert no doubt.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Yes, but he still needs to bridge. Just hanging on and "closing gap" gives you nothing.

if you think he was hanging on good for you.
hit was clear he was concerned with one thing today.

 

[Sleimas]

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

I just got interested because they are not looking very different from all other contenders, but somehow there is a lot of hate. Makes me like them

 

[Lanark]

Looked to me that Cadel rode very well in the TTT this year so why would he not ride real well in the ITT???

Because a TTT is a completely different kind of beast. Guys like Hushovd and Cavendish are great TTT riders, but in a long ITT they aren't worth much. I'm not saying he won't do well in the ITT, I just don't think he will take more than a minute on Andy Schleck in the last ITT.

 

[auscyclefan94]

if you think he was hanging on good for you.
hit was clear he was concerned with one thing today.

You might be right but it became kinda stupid the amount he was looking at AC.

 

[thirteen]

Agreed 100%.

Like I said before the start, interesting from an overall perspective, but unlikely that the stage would entertain. Hats off to Leopard though (the team, no the Schlecks).

i never expected anything more. typically, the stages that are hyped the most are the ones that let us down...

 

[No_Balls]

if you think he was hanging on good for you.
hit was clear he was concerned with one thing today.

Oh yeah? It was clear like the morning sun that AC wasn´t there. And then there was Cuddles.

To me, it didn´t exactly looked like he pulled of a rocket and took a minute out of the competition, but perhaps we watched a different race?

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Oh yeah? It was clear like the morning sun that AC wasn´t there. And then there was Cuddles.

To me, it didn´t exactly looked like he pulled of a rocket and took a minute out of the competition, but perhaps we watched a different race?

i've said countless times he rode like a loser today, learn to read maybe.
I just disagree taht he looked bad. He didn't, when ever needed he closed with ease and he had to do so because he rode like a loser.

 

[jobiwan]

Oh yeah? It was clear like the morning sun that AC wasn´t there. And then there was Cuddles.

To me, it didn´t exactly looked like he pulled of a rocket and took a minute out of the competition, but perhaps we watched a different race?

Hey, just because Andy Schleck is a tactical buffoon doesn't mean he's not capable of blowing everyone out of the water.

 

[kurtinsc]

I would say Andy needs about 1 minute on Cadel in the ITT. He 'only' lost 2 minutes to Cadel in the final ITT in the 2008 Tour, and he has gotten a lot better since then, while Cadel has become worse. Evans hasn't been really that great in the ITT's this year anyway, I think a minute on Evans or Contador will be a confortable lead for Andy Schleck.

Fränk has done some decent ITT's in his life, but on a bad day he can be really, really poor. I think he will lose a little bit more than your predicitions.

Cadel has been pretty good in ITT's this year I thought. He's not a Zabriskie/Martin/Spartacus/Wiggins type in the ITT, but he's generally at the lead of the "serious" GC guys.

Contador on form would gain some time on him. Wiggins would as well. But of the other GC types in a GT, at the worst he'd break even and on many he'd gain quite a bit.

He put 1:20 into JVDB in the Dauphine Libere over 42km. I think he'll at least put that much into Andy in the ITT this year.

 

[musorowegudo]

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

Basso looking surprisingly dangerous.

AC must just go home! Let him give the knee excuse and join the Retirement Shack on holiday!

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

lol @ anyoine who said voeckler would lose big time today and not even do top 30

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

lol @ anyoine who said voeckler would lose big time today and not even do top 30

good call, he has been climbing great this year.

 

[Finn84]

175/177 have finished with the autobus in. Galimzyanov is not there but who else?

 

[andy1234]

Basso was the strongest today. Followed everyone who would be a threat to his GC and looked fresh at the finish.
I think he's going to do some serious attacking as the race goes on.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

You might be right but it became kinda stupid the amount he was looking at AC.

I don't disagree, he was a total chump.
I assume he will learn his lesson.

 

[No_Balls]

i've said countless times he rode like a loser today, learn to read maybe.
I just disagree taht he looked bad. He didn't, when ever needed he closed with ease and he had to do so because he rode like a loser.

I am sorry. Never saw. But rode like a loser is not hard agreeing upon. He can´t be very confident if the guy he is about to attack is an attack he thinks might fail (despite the guy he is watching is not looking good at all).

Hey, just because Andy Schleck is a tactical buffoon doesn't mean he's not capable of blowing everyone out of the water.

Never doubt it. But it is plain stupid not to blow everyone out of the water when there is a moment for it. I just question if he really "had it" today.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

good call, he has been climbing great this year.

yes, it didn't surprise me at all that he did will, although he surprised me he did SO well. amazign ride

also after today I will bet my mo0ney even more on uran for white

 

[red_flanders]

I lost a bet.

 

[saganftw]

Velits fastest rider in last climb...

sauce anyone?

 

[TeoSheva]

175/177 have finished with the autobus in. Galimzyanov is not there but who else?

Feillu, that DNS

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

yes, it didn't surprise me at all that he did will, although he surprised me he did SO well. amazign ride

also after today I will bet my mo0ney even more on uran for white

I expected him to last pretty long, but what he did was amazing I agree.

Yeah uran is a good bet. Rein will crumble.

 

[lilyprotector]

I'm bummed about Klöden. He finally had the chance to show what he can do in the Tour and ride for his own GC. This sucks.

i'm in mourning about kloden and horner. i would have liked to see what both of them could do.

cav is bringing me all my joy this tour.

i'm rooting for the schlecks, but would have been much more excited about klodi or horner giving it their best at their best.