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

[DenisMenchov]

If I were Andy I would be really, really afraid of tomorrow s stage. It has more descending than climbing, and I think this is where Tommy V is going to show us that he is here to win it, not only wear MJ. It is like 50km long descent from Sestrieres climb.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I still don't understand why Schleck is whining, he lost time because he dropped on the CLIMB. He blames it all on his (also woefull) descend.

 

[patrick767]

Gah... got in late to this one, but let me get this straight. The Schlecks, especially Andy, can't hang with Contador on a freaking Cat. 2 climb. Speaking of Andy, he can't hang with Voeckler on a Cat. 2 climb. Do I have that right? Voeckler climbs better than Andy Schleck and Ivan Basso? What is going on here?

What can we say? Schlecklet's form must be lousy. He and Frank were both timid in the Pyrenees when they had an opportunity to gap a struggling Contador. He was even more timid today, especially on the descent. Time to be super-domestique for your brother, Andy.

It was another fantastic ride by Thor though. Congrats to him!

 

[Kwibus]

Your a ****ing clown, go choke and die ******.

I don't agree with Hitch, but atleast he's civilised. Something you obviously are not. You are probably banned by the time I posted this though.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

edited by mod

Nice . Rather then reply with a feasible comment or facts just act like a cockroach that you are.

 

[Big Doopie]

i imagine no one will be doing the tour de suisse as prep for the tour after this year...

 

[Arnout]

I still don't understand why Schleck is whining, he lost time because he dropped on the CLIMB. He blames it all on his (also woefull) descend.

Well as long as he does that we are in for more fun, aren't we

 

[davis_123]

It's a f**king cycling forum, get some perspective.

Perspective, he is a keyboard warrior who has nothing to say in the real world, you put up with his **** for what reason? They guy is a tool

 

[Big Doopie]

What is going on here?

cyclisme a une vitesse et demi...?

 

[The Hitch]

Thats bullsh!t if sammy wins he still beat the 2 best ranked riders going into the tour same as Evans, Tommy V etc

That is cr@p whoever wins if its not. Andy or Contador was the best stage racer of the tour. If the other 2 win it was expected. No 2nd guesses

I have absolutely no idea what you are trying to say.

 

[skidmark]

Well, what a stage.

I've been (silently, because there's no appeal to me to getting mocked on message boards) defensive about the Schlecks, thinking people pick on them and their team a bit too much for a few select incidents (especially Canc's slowdown last year on stage 2), pick on Andy for not trying to win everything all the time, pick on them for speaking their minds to the media... but this Tour, they've just really lost me. If that quote after the stage is accurately reported, then yeesh. Just yeesh. Seriously, no class. I'm glad they got dropped today.

As for the rest of the Tour, it should be a bangup 4 days to come. I was doubtful about this parcours, but it's ended up being pretty exciting, lots of crazy turns of events in the first 10 days, a close GC and a slow-burning battle for yellow that seems to have been set ablaze today. Throw in a tired AC, an off-form AS and you've got an unpredictability level approaching 2008.

If Contador is riding back into form, it should be interesting to see if Cadel can keep up, or if Frank can for that matter, or Voeckler... If Andy just had an off-day and somehow finds last year's form (which I haven't seen yet), he should be killing himself with attacks from here on in, which will be very entertaining, especially since he can't just tow Contador along and be comfortable going into the TT... If Sammy continues to ride a smart race and chip away time here and there, he could podium (or if he drops Evans somehow, he could have a shot at winning)... and who knows what else is up guys' sleeves, the Alps are always a bit different from the Pyrenees, I wonder if we'll see anything from the likes of Basso or even Cunego on a stage like tomorrow.

So many possibilities, I know it's hard for year-long cycling fans to appreciate the Tour because it's so grossly overhyped that it can't possibly live up to it, but I'm enjoying this one.

 

[MKirilenko]

Originally Posted by trevim View Post
Perhaps Riis was laughing so loud that Alberto couldn't focus on the descent.

Haha, I sincerely lmao'd at this one.

I am a big fan of Alberto, not going to hide it, but Im not sure if I wouldnt want more for Evans to win... Contador had his huge share of wins recently all over the calendar and Evans is really doing a very smart race this year (unlike previously). 1. Evans 2. Conti that would be nice, Im sure Contador is not from those types that would look like a mad child NOT on the top of podium (like certain someone). And I certainly dont want Schlecks to fnish top3, they talk waaaay too much and do waaaay too few.

Oh, and Thor is the man. I started admiriing him since one of the last Tours, when he attacked solo in the mountains to catch points on the sprint mark. Big heart.

ps. Also adding... Schlecks just dont look like champions. When I look at Contador I see a champion, when I look at Evans I see potentially a champion (after all), same with Basso. Schleck(s) (yet?) dont have it.

 

[kurtinsc]

Contador has improved every day so far since the first mountain stage. He was the one attacking today and as we all know attacking costs more effort than sucking a wheel. Cuddles might have gapped him, but Contador was the strongest. And Contador is not stupid, he didn't want to gap Samu and Cuddles on the climb as he knows they're good descenders and could use them to gain more time on the Schlecks, Basso, Cunego, Voeckler, etc.

Yes he's improving. But I simply don't expect a 2009 form Contador to ever emerge in this TDF. And in reality, I'm betting you don't either.

In Annecy in 2009, Contador was about 1:15 faster then Evans in a similar ITT. Evans was not in good form at the time and Contador was in superb form (he beat Cancellera... come on).

I maintain that even with Contadors improving form, he's looking at 30-35 seconds gain on the ITT at a max. That may be enough... he may have a couple of minutes advantage at that point. But if Evans is able to ride his own race and maintain 30 seconds of his current 2 minute advantage by the time trial, we'll be looking at a tour decided by single digit seconds.

 

[davis_123]

Nice . Rather then reply with a feasible comment or facts just act like a cockroach that you are.

His whole post was laughable, he basically said Nadal should try and beat Federer by standing still. He has no clue as to the strength of each rider and is just a glorified troll.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

andy is a fine descender

........

 

[BM1979]

Haha love the nervous energy from both sides , It's all up for grabs still but I would much rather be Cade'ls position and he is also alot fresher than he ever has been before.

Whether he wins or not he has been fantastic all Tour , Chasing victories and so far surprising in the mountains, hopefully it continues.

He may only have to finish 2nd anyway. Jokes

 

[Dead Star]

I still don't understand why Schleck is whining, he lost time because he dropped on the CLIMB. He blames it all on his (also woefull) descend.

Blaming the 'dangerous parcours' too . MTFU Andy.

 

[just some guy]

I have absolutely no idea what you are trying to say.

By claiming that rider A would have won because rider B won, but rider A crashed out agruement. Is dumb and pointless.

Ie If Evans wins Gesink would have but he crashed arguement .

Going into the tour
Contador
Andy were ranked 1 and 2 if they dont win then who ever wins deserves the win no if or buts.

It is cr@p to say otherwise - my point

 

[Scirea]

Yes he's improving. But I simply don't expect a 2009 form Contador to ever emerge in this TDF. And in reality, I'm betting you don't either.

In Annecy in 2009, Contador was about 1:15 faster then Evans in a similar ITT. Evans was not in good form at the time and Contador was in superb form (he beat Cancellera... come on).

I maintain that even with Contadors improving form, he's looking at 30-35 seconds gain on the ITT at a max. That may be enough... he may have a couple of minutes advantage at that point. But if Evans is able to ride his own race and maintain 30 seconds of his current 2 minute advantage by the time trial, we'll be looking at a tour decided by single digit seconds.

I think we all know Contador won't beat Cadel by 1:15 in the ITT. (although it would be great ) Alps should be great fun with Contador's form coming back.

 

[thirteen]

What is he saying by the way? Mocking Andy perhaps?

i'll be honest. i had reached my limit of french and didn't pay much attention. (actually turned off w/Fränk -- who, btw, seemed a bit more respectful and less whiney than his little bro)... but, non. Riis was not mocking.

France 2 then had a very nice piece on Evans.

and, lol, Tommy had to catch the eye of the interviewer to get in a little face time...

was that Hinault predicting Contador for the win???

damn! i need to pay attention!

(and work on my french more since i've given up ever learning dutch )

 

[BM1979]

Yes he's improving. But I simply don't expect a 2009 form Contador to ever emerge in this TDF. And in reality, I'm betting you don't either.

In Annecy in 2009, Contador was about 1:15 faster then Evans in a similar ITT. Evans was not in good form at the time and Contador was in superb form (he beat Cancellera... come on).

I maintain that even with Contadors improving form, he's looking at 30-35 seconds gain on the ITT at a max. That may be enough... he may have a couple of minutes advantage at that point. But if Evans is able to ride his own race and maintain 30 seconds of his current 2 minute advantage by the time trial, we'll be looking at a tour decided by single digit seconds.

Is the time trial flat or hilly , I have not even checked that far ahead, if its flat my money is on Cadel , if hilly AC

 

[Desperate Moments]

Really missed Vino on today's stage. That said, in his spirit, thanks to Alberto for redeeming this year's Tour for me. Awesome racing.

 

[patrick767]

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.

And yet Vaughters decided that Thor wasn't to go for green. The green jersey race might look different if he hadn't done something that foolish. Oh, Cav would still be in the lead, but Thor would be better placed.

 

[jobiwan]

And yet Vaughters decided that Thor wasn't to go for green. The green jersey race might look different if he hadn't done something that foolish. Oh, Cav would still be in the lead, but Thor would be better placed.

But if Thor were going for green, HTC wouldn't have let him get in breaks.

I'd say wearing yellow for a week, TTT win, and 2 stage wins for Thor > Green Jersey

 

[Escarabajo]

If Cadel Evans wins then you know that Gesink could have won this Tour had he not crashed, and with Andys gt skills and Contador unlikely to target the Giro next year, this would have been the chance of a lifetime.

Same reason why i am hating on Cadel so much (though obviously not with Gesink in mind)

Wow Hitch. I think you have never been so wrong before. Maybe you are just being sarcastic and I did not see it.