2011 Tour De France Stage 17 (20/7/2011): Gap > Pinerolo, 179km

[slim charles]

huge respect to bertie. he didn't win anything today, but he attacked, at least. true champion.
feel sorry for voeckler, though
and basso

 

[SarahDane]

Contador speaking english in his interview, great!

 

[mr. tibbs]

Besides the Schlecks and Evans, who else was in the group that caught Contador?

I think Cunego.

 

[kurtinsc]

Evans has 2 minutes on Contador and 3 meaningful stages remaining.

If he can lose less then 1:30 on the next two stages prior to the ITT, I think he might have it. Contador is confident and looks good... but he doesn't look 2009 good. Evans looks capapble of defending 30 seconds in the ITT I think.

I think Contador really wanted to take a bit of time here. Getting nothing is a bit of a letdown.

 

[AussieGoddess]

Great riding by Samu and Alberto.

And greatnriding by cadel /schkecks to get bAck on.

At least we are racing now

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

The pathetic thing is, I bet the Schlecks will think of today as a victory.

Tells you everything you need to know about them.

 

[patrick767]

I hope that effort didn't burn up Sammy.

Eh, it was fairly short. I can't imagine it will have a big impact on Sammy's or Contador's performances tomorrow.

 

[sportzchick]

I'm not giving up yet...

 

[alberto.legstrong]

Contador speaking english in his interview, great!

he is feeling good. be scared. be very scared.

 

[HL2037]

Contador confirms that he indeed was caught in the crash at the start of the climb

 

[Magnus]

Interviewer: You look better and better.
AC: Yeah. I think.

 

[sulgpallur]

contador in english interview

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I think Contador really wanted to take a bit of time here. Getting nothing is a bit of a letdown.

You think?

 

[The Hitch]

Andy and AC will toast everyone in the next two days I reckon.

One can only hope.

 

[Finn84]

Besides the Schlecks and Evans, who else was in the group that caught Contador?

Cunego, Peraud, Taaramäe, Vanendert

 

[Mellow Velo]

Eurosport commentary a bit more scary than the actual descent.
Push too hard and you generally wind up off road.

Oooh, Bertie doing English interview.

Bertie thinks he's getting better and better....

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

That was a big effort from all the contenders. Chapeau!

 

[Dedelou]

contador in English for once.. LOL.. was delayed by the crash at the bottom , he says

 

[RdBiker]

The pathetic thing is, I bet the Schlecks will think of today as a victory.

Tells you everything you need to know about them.

Now they get bashed before they even open their mouths

 

[the asian]

Cunego in there at all??

He has overtaken Basso in the GC standings according to EuroSports

 

[SarahDane]

Andy's comment after the stage:

"The pacours today was much better than yesterday, I like Italian roads, I don't like Italian parking lots though, stupid of the frenchmen to stop there, they should learn how to handle their bikes."

 

[Bala Verde]

Pretty good finale! Great win by EBH, chose his moment carefully, hit the summit solo, and could throw himself downhill, which he does very well.

Shame on Mollema for not taking EBH's cue

Amazing downhill effort by Conti too, he outdescended Samu. Too bad they didn't take some more time on the other contenders.

Voeckler was out to look for a new parking place for his europcar/citroen in the Italian countryside. I think he found one, nice and spacious with a good view.

 

[patrick767]

Andy and AC will toast everyone in the next two days I reckon.

I'll believe it when I see it. AC seems to be finding his form and Andy has been disappointing so far. His golden opportunity was in the Pyrenees when AC appeared to be struggling. The Schlecks utterly failed to gain significant time. I've seen no evidence that Andy can do what he did last year in the mountains.

 

[The Hitch]

Interviewer: You look better and better.
AC: Yeah. I think.

Oh baby!!!

I cant wait for tomorow.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Hehehe....Lucky you got out of that one alive Cadel!