2011 Tour in Review!

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Grade the 2011 Tour de France on a 1-10 Scale

  • 10

    Votes: 0 0.0%

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Mar 10, 2009
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Jun 9, 2011
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Where does this Tour rank among past Tours? Compared to the Giro?
The best in last years because the winners of the jerseys where not known for a long time, + the alpes were great. I normally like the Giro over the tour but this year I did like the Tour better.

Did the third week make up for the first two?
Yes, for sure.

What was your favorite stage?
18 and 19.

Were the parcours suitable to a GT?
Besides not having a prologue, the course was pretty standard for the Tour.

What was your favorite Non-GC Competition? Did the changes in these competitions work?
The battle for green, especially compared to previous years, I like the change made in the points system.

What riders made the Tour special?
A Schleck, Contador, Rojas, Voeckler.

Who surprised you?
Voeckler, Rolland, Vanendert, Roy.

Who disappointed?
Petacchi, Basso in the third week and Swift.

How many minutes would a fresh Contador have won by?
Bout three fiddy.

Who made the best stage preview??
Dont remember sorry :(
 
Jul 3, 2009
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>>Where does this Tour rank among past Tours? Compared to the Giro?
Best GT in years, perhaps since the Tour 2003. Better than this years' Giro because there was a better competition.

>>Did the third week make up for the first two?
They were not that bad. Lots of uphill-finishes and action in the wind. Nice sprints (and Cavendish got beaten at least once in a one-on-one-battle).

>> What was your favorite stage?
Hard question. I loved the stage when Andy attacked and Cadel kept thins under control all by himself. But unfortunately, the ride of AC to Alp d'Huez impressed me most. Plus, I am a fan of short and intense mountain stages...

>> Were the parcours suitable to a GT?
Absolutely. But there should have been another ITT in the second week, with 50+ km and flat profile.

>> What was your favorite Non-GC Competition? Did the changes in these
competitions work?
I think both the green jersey- and KOM-competition were improved by the new rules. Green jersey was rather boring because Cav was just super-strong. But the KOM got crowned after a serious fight. I would have loved to see Vanendert take the win, but Sanchez deserved it as well.

>> What riders made the Tour special?
Thomas Voeckler - crazy ride
Andre Greipel - Because he beat Cav at least once. Shoukd do better with a better train next year
Cadel Evans - Can't believe he finally did it

>> Who surprised you?
Jelle Vanendert. Never heard about this guy and he did great in the pyrenees

>> Who disappointed?
Levi Leipheimer. What happened after the TdS?

>> How many minutes would a fresh Contador have won by?
There's a good chance he would have lost as well. His opponents got stronger (Evans, Schlecks) and he never reached the heights of form from 2009 again. Maybe he'll return fresh nextx year - but I really hope that this is not going to happen. He got caught, remember?

Anyway:

This has been a wonderful Tour.
 
Sep 30, 2010
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Where does this tour rank amongst recent tours?
Thought this was a great tour. Mainly because a few different riders really were in with a shot and it wasn't decided till the very end. How much more could you ask for?

Did the third week make up for the first two?
Thought the flow of the tour was very good. A non-prologue gave a strong man or outside sprinter a shot at wearing yellow. Some technical stages leading to ho-hum pyrennes then it just continued to get better from there.

What was your favourite stage?
Stage 13, Hushovd v Roy. Edge of the seat stuff really. Marvelling at Hushovd setting off early from the breakaway to try and get over the top without too much time to pick up on any of the climbers. Roy's heartbreak, but how could you deny Hushovd that victory. If ever there was a case for a dead heat, this stage was it. Oh, and about the most interesting ITT for a while.

Were the parcours suitable to a GT?
Of course. It was I thought a great mix and great culmination through to the very end. As Prudhomme says, the course is there for the riders to use. I thought it was pretty well used this year.

What was your favorite Non-GC Competition? Did the changes in these competitions work?
Nice to see polka dot get a mini revival going to consistency across many MTF stages.

What riders made the Tour special?
Top 5-ish, plus special mention to the Norwegians, Roy, Phil at the start. Plenty of others. Evans of course for a very well measured tour. Shows what good prep and a level head can achieve. Lessons there for the up and coming riders in the peloton.

Who surprised you?
Voeckler. Not initially, but by his 9th day in yellow was pretty much gobsmacked by what he managed.

Who disappointed?
Schlecks. No, not hating. But they struck me as a bit underdone when they started, had to do too much in the Alps and were left wasted by the ITT.

How many minutes would a fresh Contador have won by?
Not sure. A win for sure, but by the looks of it, he would have been doing it on his own in the mountains much like Evans. Where were his team this year?

Who made the best stage preview??
Didn't really keep up with this, sorry.:eek:
 
Aug 1, 2009
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SiAp1984 said:
>> How many minutes would a fresh Contador have won by?
There's a good chance he would have lost as well. His opponents got stronger (Evans, Schlecks) and he never reached the heights of form from 2009 again. Maybe he'll return fresh nextx year - but I really hope that this is not going to happen. He got caught, remember?

Schlecks stronger this year ? maybe Frank, no way Andy was stronger than last year, excluding Contador's crashes and TTT Andy barely put a minute into a tired and injured Contador, by other hand Contador's form in Giro could match his perfomances in 2009 TDF or even better, it seemed that he was toying with Nibali a guy who has beaten Evans twice in GTs.
 
Mar 27, 2011
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10 because Cadel won and the racing had ATTACKING rides. I thought all the stage previews were good thx everyone who went to the effort.
 
Jul 16, 2011
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Where does this Tour rank among past Tours?
Certainly one of the better ones, could have been more GC action in the first couple of weeks, although many of the stage finishes were good, especially Hushovd vs. Roy. The final week was awesome, like the final week in '87 (the first I followed) and '89,but more happened in the GC throughout those tours, so 8/10

Compared to the Giro?
Better than this year's Giro, but last year's Giro was just in a different league.

Did the third week make up for the first two?
Definitely. The first two weeks were not that bad (apart from the crashes) as a range of riders had chances, aso Cav sprinting head to head against Gilbert is not something you see every day. It's just that not a lot happened on GC. Week 3 was awesome

What was your favorite stage?
It has to be the Alpe d'Huez stage. I thought that Bertie might try something if he had the legs, but I didn't think that he would go so early and Andy follow. The rest was just a complete ad lib. Cuddles fight back from the mechanical just showed how good he was this year and determined to win.

Were the parcours suitable to a GT?
Generally yes, but some of the roads used early on were too narrow, especially as there was no ITT early on leading to tension due to loads of riders being in contention for the yellow jersey.

Did the changes in these competitions work?
The changes to the polka dot jersey seemed to work. It would be great if both GC riders and breakaway artists had a reasonable chance of winning. However, seeing as the likeliest breakaway artist contender (Hoogerland) was involved in the car accident towards the end of the main Massif Central stage, it is difficult to say whether this balance has been attained.

What riders made the Tour special?
Bertie, Hoogie, Roy, Thor, Cuddles, Andy (more or less in that order)

Who surprised you?
Vanandent, Voeckler



Who made the best stage preview??
The Hitch's "preview" of the stage to Montpelier was awesome (how to make something out of nothing). Of course his and Tuart's previews of the mountain stages were great.
 
Aug 5, 2010
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SiAp1984 said:
>> How many minutes would a fresh Contador have won by?
There's a good chance he would have lost as well. His opponents got stronger (Evans, Schlecks) and he never reached the heights of form from 2009 again. Maybe he'll return fresh nextx year - but I really hope that this is not going to happen. He got caught, remember?

talk about being a blind hater.

giro contador would have won this tour as easily as he won the giro.

andy was nowhere near his form last year and contador was 10 times better then he was on last years tour. i reckon if he was in top shape the tour would be over on luz ardiden much like the giro was over on monte etna.
 
Jul 3, 2009
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Again: I don't hate this guy. I'm just not convinced that everytime he does not win a race by 6 min+ over the 2nd-placed rider, it has to do with a lack of form...
 
Apr 4, 2010
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Parrulo said:
giro contador would have won this tour as easily as he won the giro.

Talk about being delusional.

Cadel (I think) would have destroyed the likes of Scarponi and Nibbles if they raced le Tour. Please, don't be such a fanboy all the time.
 
Dec 30, 2009
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Walkman said:
Talk about being delusional.

Cadel (I think) would have destroyed the likes of Scarponi and Nibbles if they raced le Tour. Please, don't be such a fanboy all the time.

Rational rather than delusional I would say.

Talking of fanboys, Evans the destroyer all of a sudden. Contador without the Giro in his legs and body would have won this year's Tour easily. Unless of course you are going to subscribe to the, this is the cleanest Tour ever theory for your boy.
 
Aug 5, 2010
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Walkman said:
Talk about being delusional.

Cadel (I think) would have destroyed the likes of Scarponi and Nibbles if they raced le Tour. Please, don't be such a fanboy all the time.

just like he did in the 2010 giro . . .
 
Oct 9, 2009
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Rate this tour

Ive been watching since 98 and this was the one I enjoyed the most, with all the unexpected turn of events. Newer faces rather than the same old generation. an epic attack though much too late. final tt ripping apart the plan of the schlecks who I do admire. And no LANCE talk. Isnt it amazing there is a sport outside of LA ?
 
Apr 4, 2010
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ferryman said:
Rational rather than delusional I would say.

Talking of fanboys, Evans the destroyer all of a sudden. Contador without the Giro in his legs and body would have won this year's Tour easily. Unless of course you are going to subscribe to the, this is the cleanest Tour ever theory for your boy.

I honestly think it's delusional to think that AC would win the Tour by 7 minutes if he had not raced the Giro. You say "easily" he said and I quote "contador would have won this tour as easily as he won the giro" and I can only assume that he meant by the same time differences as he had in the Giro. If you mean, by saying "easily", 2 minutes, then it's another question.
 
Oct 14, 2009
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Where does this Tour rank among past Tours? Compared to the Giro?

I've been following GTs since 2000. This one was the best I've seen.

Did the third week make up for the first two?

Sure! But I disagree that first two weeks were senseless because it still created time gaps, TTT, Mur De Bretagne, Tommy got MJ, tactical battles in Pyrenees (IMO AS and FS were not good enough in second week to drop other contenders)

What was your favorite stage?

Stage to Galibier

Were the parcours suitable to a GT?

Absolutely. Very well made GT route, profiles of high mountain and medium mountain stages were excellent.
Only small things could be changed - as in 2008 Super Besse could have been climbed from Lompart (11km with 4,7%, 2nd cat.) and have Croix Mornard instead of Sain Robert.


What was your favorite Non-GC Competition? Did the changes in these competitions work?

I don't think MTF should be have double points. Green Jersey competition was interesting, I enjoyed it more than usual.

What riders made the Tour special?

Cadel Evans

Who surprised you?

Cadel Evans


Who disappointed?
Radio Shack

How many minutes would a fresh Contador have won by?

I am not sure he would have won because riders in Giro were less strong, during hardest Giro stages AC suffered less than his opponents. Maybe fresh Nibali or super-strong Menchov could challenge him in Tour.

IMO AC made mistake when he attacked in medium mountains and in first week. He should have waited for big mountains in last week and save everything for one attack there.
 
Aug 5, 2010
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Walkman said:
I honestly think it's delusional to think that AC would win the Tour by 7 minutes if he had not raced the Giro. You say "easily" he said and I quote "contador would have won this tour as easily as he won the giro" and I can only assume that he meant by the same time differences as he had in the Giro. If you mean, by saying "easily", 2 minutes, then it's another question.

did i mention 7 minutes? contador could have won the giro by more then 10 minutes. he played defensive after stage 13 when he had 3 minutes on nibali. just like i said giro contador would have ended the tour on lulz ardiden.

Walkman said:
Would you say the Giro 2010 Evans is as good as the Tour 2011 Evans?

do you think giro 2010 nibali is as good as giro 2011 nibali?

lol at people implying nibali, scarponi and menchov are second tier GC riders.

giro nibali would have made it to the podium on this years tour no doubt about that. he is 10 times the rider he was at last years giro and at the start of the vuelta.
 
Jan 27, 2011
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Where does this Tour rank among past Tours? Compared to the Giro?Around the same as the 2008 Tour, great race in the last week, waste of the first two.. It also missed alot of top ten contenders, even podium contenders in Gesink, VDB2, etc. So the top 7/8 were basically secure after the stage to Plateau De Beille.

Atleast there was more tension than there was in the Giro, it wasnt over by the first mountain stage at all..

Did the third week make up for the first two?
Yes, but that was too because of the exciting downhill finishes and not just the mountain top finishes, I would have loved to see those kinds of stages in the first two weeks which invite and reward an attacking style of riding.

What was your favorite stage?
The stage to the Galibier, mainly cause of the brutal profile with 3 HC climbs in and then the great attack by Schleck when everyone thought that Contador was the one to do the impossible and attack with 60 kms before the finish.


Were the parcours suitable to a GT?
As has been said the first two weeks weren't really exciting, unless you'd like to see gc contenders and domestiques fall at speeds of 60+ km/hour.


What was your favorite Non-GC Competition? Did the changes in these competitions work?
Green jersey, I kept on hoping Rojas would beat Cavendish on it, but then Cavendish was saved on the Galibier stage. Hopefully we won't see a trend coming up that riders will go in a bus iwth 80+ riders every mountain stage so they cant send all the riders home. Shame ASO didnt have the guts to throw out all the people who came outside of the timelimit.


What riders made the Tour special?

EBH, Thor Hushovd, Alberto Contador, Jeremy Roy, Andy Schleck.

Who surprised you?
Andy Schleck by attacking 60 kms out, Voeckler by holding on so long, Rolland for being the best mountain domestique and winning on L'Alpe.

Who disappointed?
I wouldnt call it disappointed, but it was disappointing that so many contenders had to leave the Tour due to falling in the first week. That was the only thing the first week was 'good' for.

Katusha was nowhere to be found besides the Doping positive.
 
Jun 15, 2009
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Where does this Tour rank among past Tours? Compared to the Giro?
one of the better ones over the past few years.
I still preferred the Giro this year, but there wasn't too much in it between them.

Did the third week make up for the first two?
Definately, altough I don't think the first two were that bad.

What was your favorite stage?
20, but more for where I was to see it and the result. I didn't get to see much of 18 or 19 though... I did enjoy 16 and 17's mad descents.

Were the parcours suitable to a GT?
I guess - the way things panned out kinda got them there.

What was your favorite Non-GC Competition? Did the changes in these competitions work?I enjoyed the green jersey playing out over the first two weeks. Was really gunning for Rojas, and good to see the non-sprinters in the mix

What riders made the Tour special?
Evans, Contador, Voeckler, Rolland, Hoogerland, Rojas, Hushovd, Thomas

Who surprised you?
Hushovd, Voeckler, Rolland, - some epic rides
Contador - just as he seemed to be coming good he folded
Schleck(s) - how could you f*ck up a Tour made for you?
Evans - nothing going wrong, and his attacks in the early stages

leaving it there
 
Apr 15, 2010
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plus points TV, TH, PG and epic performance from johnny hoogerland

minus points. ending on the TT gave the whole thing an anticlimactic feel. also (cav x5, ebh x2, TH x2, AG, TF) 11 stages won by sprinters is incredibly high (i know many weren't pure sprinters stages, breaks etc, but still..)
 
May 14, 2010
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My first impulse is to give this Tour a 10. But if we compare it to the Giro of 2010 it arguably is not quite as dramatic. So we have to knock it down one notch.

Then, if we consider that "10" is a perfect score, we can't very well mark the '10 Giro as a 10 because (obviously) some GT could come along that's even better. So that means "9" for that Giro, and since we've already established this Tour as being just a notch below that Giro, that makes this Tour an "8." :)

In truth, though, I'd like to rate that Giro a 9.5, and this Tour a 9.25. :D

Honestly, it was a fantastic, dramatic Tour, and even the parts some people claimed to find boring were exciting and interesting. I liked the way the dramatic tension built over three weeks, just like in a good stage play, as the Tour came to a climax in the alps (and, as it turned out, in the time trial). And I liked also the way the riders looked human. If most grand tours were this good, cycling would be huge the world over.
 
Jun 16, 2009
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Where does this Tour rank among past Tours? Compared to the Giro?
Much better than this years Giro but won't touch the 2010 Giro. Was a great GT.



Did the third week make up for the first two?
the 1st 2 weeks were quite entertaining and exciting. So much drama.


What was your favorite stage?
I have so many. From an objective point of view itwould be Stage 18. From a subjective point of view it would be the stage 20 itt. Evans smoked that.

Were the parcours suitable to a GT?
Never been a fan of the TTT or the lack of ITT k's but it still was an exciting race.

What was your favorite Non-GC Competition? Did the changes in these competitions work?
White jersey. Exciting to see the battles between the young french riders and Uran.


What riders made the Tour special?
Evans, A Schleck, Gilbert and Thor.


Who surprised you?
Voeckler

Who disappointed?
From how he was looking in the pyreness, I'd say basso.

How many minutes would a fresh Contador have won by?
On last years tour form he wouldn't of won. I don't like to make such statements tbh.

Who made the best stage preview?? The Hitch is the preview man. He knows how to build the drama. He could make me excited for the sprint stages.