2011 Tour de France Stage 18 - Pinerolo - Galibier Serre-Chevalier 200.5km

[ManInFull]

I'm pretty certain 1 minute will be too much, despite the resurgent idea of Cadel's TT greatness.

I know now isn't a great time to use Bertie as a benchmark, but he only put 30 seconds in to Andy on a longer, flatter course last year when the race was on the line.

When Cadel rode this course last month he lost 1 minute to Bradley.

I just don't believe he will put a full minute in to Schleck when hes riding for a tour win. Especially not when the course has 2 very sharp climbs.

That's my take, too. Evans' needs to get it within 30 seconds to be safe and I doubt that he can accomplish that tomorrow.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

LOL @ all the people losing respect for Voeckler... The guy is punching well above his weight, the guy should really be in a grupetto somewhere...

exactly.

from non-contender to a guy who should be pulling the so called favorites.

get a grip.

no matter what happens the rider of the tour.

 

[Pharazon]

Where's Cav?

who the hell knows..

time cut btw?

 

[Ramira]

Fun to hear some commentators applauding for Andy in the background. And Eddy Merckx behind him in the car was beautiful too.

 

[MKirilenko]

Can someone with a practical knowledge of cycling can explain me, how in the name of God, Schleck gained so much time on descent and flat(minor ascent) against 40 guys, including some top domestiques?

ps. This Tour should be named "Where is Contador". If Contador isnt (counter)attacking, its ok to let Andy go. Wake up Evans. Deja vu from Sastre 2008?

 

[LukeSchmid]

Just for the record, in 2008 Evans took 1 minute 57 on Andy who had nothing to ride for. In 2009 he took 31 seconds on Andy. Considering Andy got at least a minute or so better from 2008 till now and the result in 2009, I say 1 minute is probably the max Evans can take on Andy, probably less if Andy is in yellow (just go and watch Sastre win the tour in 2008)

It is hard to judge Evans 2009 TT, I remember he went out in the first section very, very slowly, then was quickest up the climb, quicker even than Contador, anddid a decent 3rd section.

 

[spanky wanderlust]

bye bye, bertie!

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Mr Tan would you should the hell up you ignorant fool.

 

[Richeypen]

Is there an up to date live ticker for the riders as they come in?

 

[labratty]

who the hell knows..

time cut btw?

I have seen one quote it at +33:06 (twitter, so good luck with that), not seen another estimate yet.

 

[Anonymous]

I can't stand Andy Schleck, but I have respect for anyone who takes a risk like that. Good on him. And good on Voecker too. Way to ride and defend.

I think Cuddles expected to have to weather an attack from Contador, and rode to save himself until he realized it was up to him...which he realized too late maybe. Still, if he can hang tomorrow (because Andy is going to be tired, he was tired on the last stretch today), he may take it in the TT. Good race.

Have to say that I am not upset that Contador dropped either. Might keep ASO from having to give the win away in a month or so anyway.

 

[kurtinsc]

Remember, Frank is actually in great position. He is very likely to attack tomorrow and try to force Evans to chase him. Can he do it?

I don't think Evans needs to chase to catch Frank though... just chase enough to limit.

Today he clawed back a couple of minutes on Andy on the final climb.

Tomorrow, he just has to not lose time to Andy or Voeckler, and limit Frank's gain to 1:30 or so.

 

[MartinGT]

I am not a "hater" of any number one cyclist on here like some are (either Bertie or AS, or FS).

I have money on Evans so I am rooting for him, but I must say, Im gutted to see Bertie dropping like that. He is poetry in motion when at full belt.

 

[marioni]

Can someone with a practical knowledge of cycling can explain me, how in the name of God, Schleck gained so much time on descent and flat(minor ascent) against 40 guys, including some top domestiques?

I dont understand why did Evans let him go like that? As soon as Andy took off, I thought "game over" for everyone else.

 

[Ramira]

Can someone with a practical knowledge of cycling can explain me, how in the name of God, Schleck gained so much time on descent and flat(minor ascent) against 40 guys, including some top domestiques?

The guys pulling where all dropped on the climb before, they were pretty much cooked from the start. Monfort on the other hand had been saving himself in the escape and by the time Andy caught up with him he was rested enough to go all out like crazy.

 

[TimChristy]

About 10 teams with no GC guy should be looking at Rolland. Where the heck did he come from?

 

[Magnus]

Well unless someone in the top five cracks tomorrow it's all going to come down to the ITT Saturday. It hasn't been this close since 2003. But back in 2003 you knew LA wasn't going to lose time to Ulrich in the ITT. Who knows what happens this Saturday.

Should be a GREAT finish this weekend.

2010 was closer than 2003...

 

[patrick767]

Well unless someone in the top five cracks tomorrow it's all going to come down to the ITT Saturday. It hasn't been this close since 2003. But back in 2003 you knew LA wasn't going to lose time to Ulrich in the ITT. Who knows what happens this Saturday.

Should be a GREAT finish this weekend.

Agreed. There's a huge amount of uncertainty with the ITT. Even after tomorrow it's likely that the gaps will be closer enough among the top 3 (four if we count Frank which maybe we should) that the yellow could be lost on the time trial.

 

[Pharazon]

I have seen one quote it at +33:06 (twitter, so good luck with that), not seen another estimate yet.

wow.... don't see any way him making it in that then considering where he was dropped

 

[Escarabajo]

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

What a ride by Andy!!!! Poosthuma, Voigt, O'Grady, Frank, and The Great Belgian Maxime Monfort get bonuses!

Evans, what more can you say? Superb!

Voeckler, fantastic!

It's a shame about Contador and Sanchez.

Garmin did very well today!

Evans, Andy, and Voeckler are going to be two tired men tomorrow! Frank will work to get rid of Evans, but it'll be a tough task!

I think a break will win tomorrow, but hey, IT DID TODAY!!!

chapeau to Andy!

You see I was partially wrong and you were partially right.

The partially refers to Andy not winning the Tour de France yet. But we'll see tomorrow.

 

[Jamsque]

Remember the last time Cadel Evans went in to the final ITT of a Tour needing less than a minute on a climber to win?

 

[DamonAlbarn]

LOL @ all the people losing respect for Voeckler... The guy is punching well above his weight, the guy should really be in a grupetto somewhere...

Voeckler has been immense and he deserves a potium spot, bloody well done!
Top marks for the Schleck brother and in particular Cadel Evans.
As for the rest of the lot competing for the overall, you weren't very good (swearing isn't allowed

 

[spalco]

Where's Cav?

Not there yet. Last one to finish seems to be

42. VELITS Peter 179 HTC - HIGHROAD 6h 26' 21" + 18' 25"

 

[therhodeo]

Anyone else get the feeling Frank and Andy are trying to create a brand with "the Schlecks"??

 

[VoidSix]

THOMAS MF'ING VOECKLER.

Dang man. He is legit.