2011 Tour de France Stage 16 (18/7/2011): Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Gap, 162.5km

[Anonymous]

Cuddles certainly had a chin full of anger today.

 

[theyoungest]

Contador: the best rider in the world. Andy Schleck should shift his focus to a possible top-5.

 

[Ferminal]

At the time, posters were saying AC wasn't on form, he didn't have it, he hadn't recovered from the Giro, he'd crack on the Plateau the next day, that his Tour was essentially over. Now Andy has a bad day and people are jumping to the same conclusions about him.

Well, the time gaps are now serious. Contador has always been in TT range of Andy, this has blown way further in Contador's favour now.

 

[Descender]

Do we have a mad Norwegian commentators vid today?

 

[hatcher]

So Evans IS a better descender than Andy after all.

Has there even been a better timed, and more emphatic answer to such a ridiculous statement?

 

[kurtinsc]

I just want to state two thing:

1-) THANKS Mr CONTADOR FOR "REVIVING" THE RACE
2-) FROM NOW ON- IS ONLY ABOUT CONTADOR Vs EVANS 2.0

I disagree.

Everyone from Cunego up is close enough to possibly factor in the overall I think.

The stages are all different, and weather conditions also play a role. Andy and Frank being vulnerable here doesn't mean they can't excel later in a more traditional mountain stage. I still can imagine a scenario where going into stage 20 you have Frank in the lead, andy a minute back, then Evans/Contador/Sanchez/Basso/Cunego all about 30-60 seconds behind.

 

[python]

In my opinion Evans should have waited for Samu and Contador and work together to get a bigger gap on Voeckler and the Schleck. Now he wasted lots of energy for 3 seconds. The three of them working together on the last flat kilometers could have created a bigger gap than they did now. But still, great riding by Evans. And thanks Contador for bringing some life to the Tour.

no. imo evans did everything right. he couldn't have afforded to risk since he did not know if the two spaniards will work with him.

kudo to berto for riding with panache and congratulations to all evans' fans !

 

[Bala Verde]

On the other hand, Conti's accelerations really put the hurt on Evans. Perhaps, if he does that on the Alpe d'huex, or the Galibier, he could really take some time on everyone.

He's back. What a great finale, and Garmin's TdF can't get any better... They are riding phenomenally this year.

 

[sublimit]

I get the feeling Contador will massacre everybody on the Alp. But still needs a lot of time on Voekler so Cadel must be big favourite now for this.

Schlecks are useless - Franks descending is worse than mine on a bad day.

 

[theswordsman]

At the time, posters were saying AC wasn't on form, he didn't have it, he hadn't recovered from the Giro, he'd crack on the Plateau the next day, that his Tour was essentially over. Now Andy has a bad day and people are jumping to the same conclusions about him.[/QUOTE

Remember the other stage where Contador and Evans fought for the stage win (before Contador crashes). Schlecklet lost 8 seconds in a kilometer. Today it was a Cat 2 climb. Andy has lost enough time on Frank that he needs to work for him now - forget the podium.

 

[reyan12]

Everytime Contador attacks the tour becomes interesting and no one can bring excitement like he does!Viva Contador nobody can beat you now!!!

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Perhaps AC was thinking of the snow on the mountain tops denying later opportunity to regain time - so he took off today?

 

[Jan the Man]

This has played into Contador's hand. Schleck and Contador will put some serious hurt on evans on stage 18, 19- right now I am happy with my 10euro bet on Contador yesterday.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

i really hope ac wins.

from anti-ac I now want him to win lol. The schlecks just suck so much.

 

[luckyboy]

At the time, posters were saying AC wasn't on form, he didn't have it, he hadn't recovered from the Giro, he'd crack on the Plateau the next day, that his Tour was essentially over. Now Andy has a bad day and people are jumping to the same conclusions about him.

A minute is different to a few seconds though. Anyway, now he's only 29 seconds ahead of Contador, and Contador is improving. He needs to drop Evans by something like 3 minutes+ and drop Contador by 1 minute in the Alps.

I said in the Pyrenees that the Schlecks are losing this Tour, and now one of them has seemingly done that already.

 

[theyoungest]

Gesink is in bad shape. He won't do anything in the Alps I think.

I don't think he'll win a stage either, but not based on this. He wasn't in the breakaway, so why would he try to hold on.

 

[Anonymous]

The Wonder Twins better hope it isn't wet for the next 3 days.

 

[Amsterhammer]

Congratulations to Evans for winning the Tour today.

Big hats off to Contador for his unexpected attack on a Cat. 2 and to Evans for showing bottle for once and going through with the attack. Respect to TV too.

Of course, a major fail and embarrassment for the brothers. Maybe they don't like cold and wet?

 

[Mellow Velo]

In the Pyrenees, we had the Schlecks,
In the Alps, we have Contador.

That will be the unfortunate difference for courageous Thomas Voeckler.
(Maybe, Cadel too, although he's looking great at the mo)

 

[spalco]

I get the feeling Contador will massacre everybody on the Alp. But still needs a lot of time on Voekler so Cadel must be big favourite now for this.

Schlecks are useless - Franks descending is worse than mine on a bad day.

Frank did ok today.

 

[Kwibus]

Everything was great about this stage, but Hushovd winning his second stage after wearing the yellow jersey for so long is just too much for me.

Pity.

He earned it. Sure EBH deserved it more today, but that's cycling. Hushovd did what every rider would do in his position.
I'm incredibly impressed by Thor this tour.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

evans with a big fu to ryo

evans took 20 seconds on frank schleck of which 5 were in the downhil, nothing impressive but definetely a good downhil. andy really bad ppearantly he really sucks in wet downhils, look ast least years tour to see andy downhilling on contadors level.

still I couldn't be more happy. the schlecks exposed for the whiny p**** that they are and are now done for. can't wait for their interviews and uran in top ten

 

[Jamsque]

Gilbert and Rojas both failed to take any major points out of Cav today, they are running out of chances now.

 

[Descender]

Truth be told, this was a much harder climb than Plateau de Beille so it's understandable people got dropped.

 

[Bala Verde]

Riis says it was the plan this morning, if he felt good.

Conti put the hammer down, and showed he is still in the game.

Not surprised Voeckler is still in the game, as he has a good downhill and the climb was not too difficult.