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

[il_pirata]

Andy saying he came out of the pedal

Still confident he can win, but says the course is bad because it's not racing in the mountains, more gaining time downhill.

 

[luckyboy]

Andy "It doesn't mean anything. I am still in good shape..The parcours is really badly chosen, a finish like this shouldn't be allowed."

 

[DenisMenchov]

The Time Trial is the problem.

Not really. He did good in Dauphine. And except for Evans, everyone that Timetrials better than him is more than 3 minutes down on GC.

 

[Pharazon]

schleck *****ing about the parcours..

what a ****ing tard

 

[El Pistolero]

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

Show me a time trial other than in 2007 where Cuddles beat Contador?

 

[sportzchick]

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.

no more dillusional than those who think Cadel is going to roll over and give up....

 

[kurtinsc]

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.

It wouldn't be enough if Contador is full steam.

But if Contador was full steam, he'd be 4 minutes ahead going into the last ITT.

In 2009, Contador won the ITT over Spartacus and put 1'14" into a very weak Cadel Evans.

This year Evans isn't weak. And Contador doesn't look nearly that strong. If Contador rides the equivalent of say... Brad Wiggins from 2009 instead of Spartacus... then that's a 30 second difference over Cadel.

I really do think that if Cadel has a 30 second lead going into stage 20, the result afterwards will be one or the other having a less then 10 second lead over the other.

 

[dlwssonic]

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.

wow happy to see evans willing to take the risk on the descent he could gain somemore time tomorrow as the descent after the last climb is more techinical

 

[thirteen]

One of the great side steps seen this tour - way to try and dodge a bullet

I think we have the Podium now

Contador, Evans, Sammy

what order ?

Evans will need to get used to Contador *** to win The next few days are going to be great.

The tour is alive

i would be really happy with that podium!

(but i don't want Evans on top... i still have a bee in my bonnet about BMC taking away Vino's last chance for maillot jaune )

 

[BYOP88]

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...

I guess the Schlecks talk the talk but don't walk the walk!! I so want both Schlecks not to make the final 1-2-3, I don't care who wins the race as long as the Shreks fail!!

 

[Barrus]

Great exciting stage, probably the best of the tour so far and perhaps one of the best stages in stage racing this year.

I did love this little statement by the Sporza guys when Evans took over from Contie on the climb:

And Evans is now doing something he never ever does, take the front

 

[jobiwan]

Andy "It doesn't mean anything. I am still in good shape..The parcours is really badly chosen, a finish like this shouldn't be allowed."

He said that??

I think I'm going to go sit in a dark room for a couple days. Maybe I'll reemerge for Stage 18.

Dear Andy,

You got beat today. Accept it.

Sincerely,
Your Fan(s)

 

[Winterfold]

A Schleck blaming the descent on ITV and saying people dont want to watch descents

Boardman gives him a real slagging and saying if you dont have the skills, you dont deserve to win

 

[Astana1]

I guess the Schlecks talk the talk but don't walk the walk!! I so want both Schlecks not to make the final 1-2-3, I don't care who wins the race as long as the Shreks fail!!

The Lay-Oh-Pard Boys obviously put too much gel in their hair this morning.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

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.

Let us hope AC brings it in the alps.
oh man it will be a beautiful sight.

no more dillusional than those who think Cadel is going to roll over and give up....

his ability to fight isn't in question. We know he will give it his all, but at top form lol. Contador would cream evans like he creams everyone else.

 

[sportzchick]

Great exciting stage, probably the best of the tour so far and perhaps one of the best stages in stage racing this year.

I did love this little statement by the Sporza guys when Evans took over from Contie on the climb:

he missed seeing 2009 world champs then.....

idiots!

 

[DenisMenchov]

Show me a time trial other than in 2007 where Cuddles beat Contador?

HE gained only 4 second in the Olympics. If it is this year s Tour Evans will win.

 

[Parrulo]

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

sorry you are delusional can't wait for contador to drop evans like a stone on the galibier so you can vanish never to be seen again

no more dillusional than those who think Cadel is going to roll over and give up....

no1 is saying he will give up. not being able to keep up=/= giving up

 

[sportzchick]

Let us hope AC brings it in the alps.
oh man it will be a beautiful sight.



his ability to fight isn't in question. We know he will give it his all, but at top form lol. Contador would cream evans like he creams everyone else.

we will see....

 

[funnytanlines]

Lame-O-Pard

 

[dlwssonic]

Thank you alberto for sort of helping evans today!

 

[davis_123]

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.

Cadel will flog contador (pe) in the TT, keep kidding yourself

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

andy schleck you pathetic soar loser.

 

[khardung la]

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.

+1 good analysis

 

[Sem Travões]

The Time Trial is the problem.

After all I've seen from Voeckler this year, men I won't even be surprised no more if he did top...er 10 in the TT