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

[BYOP88]

Where was Cancellera to neutralise the stage?

Also don't rememeber Andy complaining about the cobbles last year - or is that different?

I know the 2nd one is a rhetorical question, but yes If Andy gains from it then it's ok, if he suffers for it then it's not ok. I just hope they(AC/CE/SS) put the hammer down again tomorrow on the way to the finish.

 

[Spine Concept]

That's your truth. Again, you express your opinion as if it were a fact.

Nope, it's an opinion based on simple observations really. What you do with it is your problem, not mine. You are the one who wants everyone to see things your way. That doesn't fly with me buddy.

 

[Scirea]

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 !

Sorry, why Contador wouldn't work with Evans? He was way back in the GC before today and he had to eliminate a lot of guys. Today was the day to eliminate Andy and Basso, of course he would have worked with Evans. He'll want to break him in the Alps.

 

[ManInFull]

Exactly! Failure on Leopard treks, (and Cancellara's) part.

Just a pathetic excuse by Baby Schleck. He does not deserve to be on the podium, especially the top podium.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Nope, it's a simple opinion. What you do with it is your problem, not mine. You are the one who wants everyone to see things your way. That doesn't fly with me buddy.

You're the one saying "maybe it's time you come to terms with it as well"

eg: you are the one saying I should see it your way.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I would like to see him ride the Giro or the Vuelta. I'm not sure why he's so

Please not. That would spoil the last two GT´s too.

 

[MrRoboto]

Also don't rememeber Andy complaining about the cobbles last year - or is that different?

Fränk wasn't too happy with that stage at least ;---)

 

[Spine Concept]

You're the one saying "maybe it's time you come to terms with it as well"

eg: you are the one saying I should see it your way.

Have I compelled you in any way? Am I holding your arm behind your back? Holding you at gunpoint? Of course not, this is a cycling forum where opinions are expressed and discussed. Aside from that ''maybe'' is the operative word here, google it. You will find that it is a suggestion, not a coercion. Please pay more attention.

 

[HL2037]

I must say, Fränk is a MUCH more gracious looser than Andy, wouldn't mind him winning at all, except for the fact that he is Andy's brother, and then his team. But that shouldn't mean too much. RESPECT Fränk.

Yes I agree. Fränk has worked his way up in cycling, where Andy has had everything handed to him on a silver platter. It shows.

 

[trevim]

Frank views on the stage:

“We were a bit surprised that Contador went on the climb,” said Fränk Schleck. “We didn’t count out the possibility. of course. We know that he is a rider that attacks when he has good legs, but we had anticipated he would wait for the Alps.”

“Contador knows all too well that the Schlecks don’t perform at their best in the cold and rainy conditions,” Fränk said. “It’s all part of the game -- knowing your opponents and knowing their weaknesses. He knows the conditions today, coupled with the dangerous descent, were not our strong point.”

Source: http://www.leopardtrek.lu/news/schlecks-lose-time-rainy-day-gap

 

[MKirilenko]

It always occured to me that Andy talked to much, having in mind he's not a champion, but this whining now... come on. She(sic) is such child. True that, if Schlecks to win, then better be that Frank. Andy "has a lot of to learn".

 

[Benotti69]

If you thought that was a hard descent, wait for tomorrow...

hard due to the weather and yep i hope the weather continues to throw the cat amongst the pidgeons

 

[TourOfSardinia]

andy schlek very angry on danish TV !

"Is this what people wanne see, a tour there is being decided on a downhill where people has to take chances, the riders have familys at home".

I thought Andy was too young to have a wife & kids yet.

 

[Parrulo]

I thought Andy was too young to have a wife & kids yet.

according to his facebook he is in a "open relationship" with all the podium girls in the world of cycling

 

[Trofinios]

Andy can complain all he wants, fact is that Contador already dropped him on the climb, Andy just couldn't follow. That's a great confidence booster for Contador and he has the mental advantage over Andy now.

 

[Kwibus]

He dropped Wiggins, Evans and JvdB in the Allevard stay. Please pay attention.

Ofcourse it's a matter of opinion but I don't buy the whole not in shape thing. I firmly believe he left his entire form on the road to Cap Frehel.

I have to agree with you. The more I think about it, the more I think this is simply the truth.
Look at Evans. The last 2 years he had an injury due to a fall and both times I wasn't too sure if I believed him yes or no, but look at him now. He didn't fall this time.

It's easy to underestimate these hard crashes, because we are almost used to see these guys get up their bike again and race on. That is incredibly impressive, but it certainly isn't odd if someone crashes hard with 70km/h and lands on his back that it kept him from riding with the best riders up the mountains. It would be odd if he could..... really (no roling with the eyes here!)

 

[Kwibus]

He ''dropped'' them in one stage. Factor in the fact that Wiggins and the others had no reason to chase him - if they could - and it wasn't that impressive at all. In the other one he attacked with 1 km or less to the finish. That hardly attests to having great form. An another note, you are one to talk about paying attention, let's not get into that.

It is indeed a matter of opinion, I have based mine on observations since the start of the season. He's just not the same Gesink this year. The truth hurts but I have come to terms with it, maybe you should too.

I agree that we haven't seen the same Gesink, but that doesn't mean he gets dropped on the Tourmalet with one more mountain to go. He would've been there with the best on the last climb, but probably end as nr.10-15 or something. Considering he really isn't the same as last year.

 

[The Hitch]

Where was Cancellera to neutralise the stage?

Also don't rememeber Andy complaining about the cobbles last year - or is that different?

Actually i do remember Andy saying cobbles shouldnt be part of the TDF after he got a gap on everyone.

The hypocricy was that he never waited for Contador, then expected Contador to do the same on 15.

 

[SarahDane]

Frank views on the stage:

“We were a bit surprised that Contador went on the climb,” said Fränk Schleck. “We didn’t count out the possibility. of course. We know that he is a rider that attacks when he has good legs, but we had anticipated he would wait for the Alps.”

“Contador knows all too well that the Schlecks don’t perform at their best in the cold and rainy conditions,” Fränk said. “It’s all part of the game -- knowing your opponents and knowing their weaknesses. He knows the conditions today, coupled with the dangerous descent, were not our strong point.”

Source: http://www.leopardtrek.lu/news/schlecks-lose-time-rainy-day-gap

I like that he refers to him and his brother as "The Schlecks"

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

evans is a guy that holds on and bites in your wheel but once dropped loses lots of time, that will happen the next stages

That's certainly his record when the chips are down. But that has nothing to do with whether he's a climber or not. If he rides with the best four days in the mountains and then pops and loses a ton of time on a fifth day, the fact that he was able to ride with the best on four days in and of itself makes him an excellent climber.

Just not one at the same level as an in form Contador or Andy Schleck. And not one who has previously shown the sense to ride his own race rather than destroy himself clinging on too long. Evans is one of the ten best climbers in cycling.

 

[Scirea]

http://www.as.com/ciclismo/articulo/contador-estoy-contento-ventaja-grande/20110719dasdascic_4/Tes

Some quotes:

"I planned to attack since this morning without caring who could follow my wheel"

"I told Samu I was going to attack"

"My senstations wasn't the best"

What he could do if he had good sensations

We saw that before. If he is anywhere near 100% he is going to win every single GT he starts.

 

[Kwibus]

Gesink has a lot of talent but doesn't seem to have the guts and legs for a 3 week race but If he had 50% of his countryman Hoogerlands fighting spirit he would be very good.
I thought he would do well for a couple of weeks and then blow - but he got injured and tired so we will never know what he was capable of.

This is bs. Last year he finished 6 without blowing up in any stage. He wasn't impressive and he was mostly hanging on with the favourites, but it's bs to say he doesn't have the legs for a 3 week race.
The guts.. that's something else. Or the 'cool', if you know what I mean.
He certainly has the legs though.

 

[Delicato]

Frank views on the stage:

“We were a bit surprised that Contador went on the climb,” said Fränk Schleck. “We didn’t count out the possibility. of course. We know that he is a rider that attacks when he has good legs, but we had anticipated he would wait for the Alps.”

“Contador knows all too well that the Schlecks don’t perform at their best in the cold and rainy conditions,” Fränk said. “It’s all part of the game -- knowing your opponents and knowing their weaknesses. He knows the conditions today, coupled with the dangerous descent, were not our strong point.”

Source: http://www.leopardtrek.lu/news/schlecks-lose-time-rainy-day-gap

I am sure Schlecks know that it won't be especially hot when they hit the Galibier. So,are they already doomed?

 

[Spine Concept]

I have to agree with you. The more I think about it, the more I think this is simply the truth.
Look at Evans. The last 2 years he had an injury due to a fall and both times I wasn't too sure if I believed him yes or no, but look at him now. He didn't fall this time.

It's easy to underestimate these hard crashes, because we are almost used to see these guys get up their bike again and race on. That is incredibly impressive, but it certainly isn't odd if someone crashes hard with 70km/h and lands on his back that it kept him from riding with the best riders up the mountains. It would be odd if he could..... really (no roling with the eyes here!)

Evans also changed as a rider, I hear it everywhere, ''Evans is a different rider post WC''. I have seen that change as well. Thus, I do not think it is only his luck that has taken a turn for the better. I am not underestimating the crash, I never did. I was just pointing out that he hasn't been up to his normal standards all year up to this point - and with good reason. He's just dealing with the psychological ramifications of the sad occurrence we know all to well and maybe just needed some more time off to get through it. I know what he is capable of, which is why I'm a fan. However, I refuse to share the delusions that certain people want to use as an excuse in my opinion. I really hope he could one day show his true potential without anything holding him back.

 

[Kwibus]

Frank views on the stage:

“We were a bit surprised that Contador went on the climb,” said Fränk Schleck. “We didn’t count out the possibility. of course. We know that he is a rider that attacks when he has good legs, but we had anticipated he would wait for the Alps.”

“Contador knows all too well that the Schlecks don’t perform at their best in the cold and rainy conditions,” Fränk said. “It’s all part of the game -- knowing your opponents and knowing their weaknesses. He knows the conditions today, coupled with the dangerous descent, were not our strong point.”

Source: http://www.leopardtrek.lu/news/schlecks-lose-time-rainy-day-gap

Frank gets my respect. No bull****, just honest stuff.