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

[b.broadhurst]

Podium:

1. Evans
2. Contador
3. S.Sanchez

 

[Jamsque]

Evans didn't keep up with Alberto's accelerations... but he didn't try either.

This is a GOOD thing for Evans I think. Instead, he rode his pace... and his pace was enough that he caught up with Contador after the accelerations. Now this doesn't mean he'll be able to do that on the steeper inclines to come, but it suggests that he's finally learned not to try to hang with someone going faster then his level and instead ride his own race (something he hasn't done in past years where he's hung on as long as possible then bonked horribly and lost tons of time).

Even if he loses time to Contador on the bigger climbs to come... if he can ride smart and make that time a relatively small amount he can still win overall. He's got a 2 minute cushion. If he loses 1:30 over the next 3 stages and goes into the ITT with a 30 second edge... he's still got an excellent shot at winning.

30 seconds over Contador going in to the ITT is not enough. Cadel needs to protect as much of his advantage as possible because Contador is going to stomp the last time trial.

 

[kurtinsc]

If Evans doesn't win the Tour from this position then I can't see where he goes from here.

Simple... he enters whatever GT's that Contador doesn't ride. He could still pick up 2-3 GT's that way... kind of like Menchov has.

 

[trevim]

Evans didn't keep up with Alberto's accelerations... but he didn't try either.

This is a GOOD thing for Evans I think. Instead, he rode his pace... and his pace was enough that he caught up with Contador after the accelerations. Now this doesn't mean he'll be able to do that on the steeper inclines to come, but it suggests that he's finally learned not to try to hang with someone going faster then his level and instead ride his own race (something he hasn't done in past years where he's hung on as long as possible then bonked horribly and lost tons of time).

Even if he loses time to Contador on the bigger climbs to come... if he can ride smart and make that time a relatively small amount he can still win overall. He's got a 2 minute cushion. If he loses 1:30 over the next 3 stages and goes into the ITT with a 30 second edge... he's still got an excellent shot at winning.

There's no point in trying to follow an on fire Contador.

I agree with you, this is one of the best things in Cadel's performance. He was confident in his pace and that's what he has to do in the next stages.

 

[BYOP88]

Contador, Evans and Sanchez same again tomorrow please!!! Just stop Leotard shrek from putting a guy in the break who's task will be to help the Shreks descend or to call the stage off cos it's wet.

Great stage, well last 14.8km!!!

 

[Parrulo]

he wasnt suppose to stand a chance REGARDLESS.....

keep kidding yourself....this is gonna be a fun few days

answer honestly. you really believe evans can keep up with contador if contador reachs 90% of his giro form?

 

[Sylvester]

The climb was too long and steep for Andy to make a difference. Leopard's plan was most likely to put Jens and Linus in the breakaway, so they could give the Schlecks some bottles in the last few kilometres, and do some work on the descents to distance Voeckler and the others. As that did not work out exactly as planned, it all went wrong. Therefore, Fränk blamed the rest of the GC contenders, especially Evans, Sanchez and Contador: they rode a too conservative race and did not want to attack. Moreover, Andy criticized Contador's team for not helping him out in the crucial last ten kilometres: a GC candidate should be better positioned in the peloton. He also added Contador didn't look all that great.

 

[il_pirata]

After tomorrow it could be over for the Schlecks, but it's really not a Schleck climb!
Andy is such a terrible descender, but I wouldn't put it past him to go crazy on everyone except Bert's Burgers on Thursday and Friday.
Although I am by no means a Contador fan, the most important thing to me is that we see some real racing these last few days, and that's what he's made sure is going to happen, so thanks!

 

[thirteen]

For Garmin now the only thing missing is to farrar win in Paris

that would be really really sweet!

 

[Astana1]

I don't see how Garmin will be able to afford Thor next season. Dude turned his year around bigtime. I feel stupid for beginning to doubt him.

 

[DenisMenchov]

Why are everyone excluding Voeckler. He is doing exceptionally good.

 

[dlwssonic]

He looked like he was getting dropped at first, but quickly came back with a vengence and led the front group even.

thats the evans i know, he is looking great on these climbs in the tdf. and he got his gap on the descent?

 

[b.broadhurst]

Same again tomorrow with the descent to the finish, surprised Sanchez didn't descend better today. Tired?

 

[Sylvester]

The climb was too long and steep for Andy to make a difference. Leopard's plan was most likely to put Jens and Linus in the breakaway, so they could give the Schlecks some bottles in the last few kilometres, and do some work on the descents to distance Voeckler and the others. As that did not work out exactly as planned, it all went wrong. Therefore, Fränk blamed the rest of the GC contenders, especially Evans, Sanchez and Contador: they rode a too conservative race and did not want to attack. Moreover, Andy criticized Contador's team for not helping him out in the crucial last ten kilometres: a GC candidate should be better positioned in the peloton. He also added Contador didn't look all that great. .

 

[Escarabajo]

answer honestly. you really believe evans can keep up with contador if contador reachs 90% of his giro form?

You have to accept that Evans is in great form.

 

[BYOP88]

the climb was too long and steep for andy to make a difference. Leopard's plan was most likely to put jens and linus in the breakaway, so they could give the schlecks some bottles in the last few kilometres, and do some work on the descents to distance voeckler and the others. As that did not work out exactly as planned, it all went wrong. Therefore, fränk blamed the rest of the gc contenders, especially evans, sanchez and contador: They rode a too conservative race and did not want to attack. Moreover, andy criticized contador's team for not helping him out in the crucial last ten kilometres: A gc candidate should be better positioned in the peloton. He also added contador didn't look all that great. .

rofl!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sultanofhyd]

thats the evans i know, he is looking great on these climbs in the tdf. and he got his gap on the descent?

He went all in on the descent and the following flat, but when things were getting a little out of hand (gap went to 15 seconds at one stage) Samu became a super domestique for Contador and they managed to reduce the gap to 3 seconds.

Contador almost cracked Evans with his last attack though, it was too late and Evans got back and even led the group over the climb.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

The Schlecks should be shaking in their cleats right now. Contador and Evans looked real good on the climb. I think they lost most time because they can't descend, but Contador is getting in better form

 

[Escarabajo]

Why are everyone excluding Voeckler. He is doing exceptionally good.

The Time Trial is the problem.

 

[bicing]

For Garmin now the only thing missing is to farrar win in Paris

Dude it's Team Thor. When Thor moves on next year they'll be back to the same old no wins in a GT but a top 10 team.

 

[Parrulo]

You have to accept that Evans is in great form.

he is in great form. but if contador recovers his giro form its delusional to think that evans will be able to keep up.

btw its very different to climb this kind of mountains and mountains at 2k+ of altitude. thats were i expect evans to falter.

 

[El Pistolero]

depends on ac.
on top shape evans wouldn't stand a chance.

And then they still have the guts to think Cuddles is the only cleanish GT contender lol. Yeah, following the best of the best at age 34 after 2 years of sucking in the Tour... OK

Cuddles is definitely the biggest favorite now though.

 

[sportzchick]

answer honestly. you really believe evans can keep up with contador if contador reachs 90% of his giro form?

Yup

Cadel is calmer, and is riding his pace instead of trying to chase everything that breaths, is probally a better time trialer and the oppostions havent been able to isolate him like previous years.

This is a better Cadel Evens we are seeing

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

What did the Schlecks say on the rest day? Contador can follow us but he can't drop us?

All it took was a cat 2 climb...

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

You have to accept that Evans is in great form.

even so no way could he climb with ac.
Andy doesn't look as good as last year, so I'm starting to think he screwed up with his lead up.