2012 Tour de France: Stage 16: Pau → Bagnères-de-Luchon, 197 km

[Parrot23]

I think Bertie's either:

1) rolling on the floor laughing

2) on his TACX trainer, with the route profile entered, and 20 minutes ahead.

 

[Bala Verde]

haha sporza just reminded us that domestique sivtsov isn't even here....

 

[vcampbell]

Sheep says: LOL!

 

[richwagmn]

At least Voekler has some balls. Which is far more than can be said for Wiggins. Wiggins will be the most forgettable TDF winner in years.

 

[Dutchsmurf]

So Nibali & Evans are settling on a head to head in the ITT to decide the last step of the podium and VdB is settling for... I have no idea what.

VdB started the Tour hoping to be top 5. After he lost time he almost gave up on that. He is there now, he won't risk anything anymore.

 

[For The World]

SAGAN ATTACKS!!

Just wanted to make sure everyone was awake...

 

[Fergoose]

evans didnt do to well the last time he attacked from 40+ km out, what made everyone think he'd attack more than 70km out?

It didn't need to be a mad solo effort. Lotto, BMC & Liquigas are weak. But they at least have some cards to play in the shape of Vanendert, TJVG & Basso. They aren't even willing to sacrifice one of these cards to at least see if they can shake off EBH & Knees and see what condition Porte & Rogers are in. Grim.

 

[Parrot23]

sagan attacks!!

just wanted to make sure everyone was awake...

lol, +1

 

[el chava]

Maybe there is something not okay with me, but I just can't stand Voecklers faces, and what he is doing on the bike.

at least he rides with panache in contrast to 99% of the computer-controlled peloton.

 

[ClappinCheeks]

Maybe there is something not okay with me, but I just can't stand Voecklers faces, and what he is doing on the bike.

he seems to have the mind of a 10 year old, pulling faces and shaking his head around, seems so phony and the type of behavior you'd expect from a child looking for attention

also, he always seems to suddenly feel the urge to constantly check who's behind him when a camera man is behind him

he's hateful

 

[goggalor]

Nobody has the balls to attack. Poor going from Cadel and Nibali.

Nibali, VdB and Evans are riding for third, some of them have been doing it for a few stages already.

 

[stazzy]

holy phuck this is actually a borefest

 

[mr. tibbs]

I think Bertie's either:

1) rolling on the floor laughing

2) on his TACX trainer, with the route profile entered, and 20 minutes ahead.

Lol'd. Time to use those green guys, Nibs. Gotta burn off Darth Wigguhns's black shield. I doubt we'll see anything till the last few kms of the last climb, though. Waah.

 

[TomasC]

Nibali, VdB and Evans are riding for third, some of them have been doing it for a few stages already.

In that case VdB and Evans should attack Nibali, especially VdB.

 

[FellOff]

Here's a question for all of you:

What is Alberto thinking (or doing) when he's watching this at home right now?

"why is Robin Williams leading the race? Is this a dead poets society?"

 

[The Hitch]

VdB started the Tour hoping to be top 5. After he lost time he almost gave up on that. He is there now, he won't risk anything anymore.

lol wut. A guy who already once finished top 5 in the Tour, focusing his whole life on getting another top 5 in the Tour at the expense of all other races or goals?

If that is true, is there any more pathetic cyclist?

 

[richwagmn]

Nibali, VdB and Evans are riding for third, some of them have been doing it for a few stages already.

I like Contador's statement from last year's TDF when someone asked him if he thought he could get a podium position. Basically, he said who gives a f*ck about being on the podium. You win or you don't.

 

[Steinar]

Troll..... I just don't think the stages that where interesting when the riders for some reason had a better ability to get rid of lactate acid, are the same stages that are going to light up the fireworks today.

Remember the alp d'huez stage one year a go? 109K... That was something!

 

[Carl0880]

Nibali, VdB and Evans are riding for third, some of them have been doing it for a few stages already.

The Problem is the riders themselves may want to win, but due to the World TOur Point System they are not willing to sacrifice the points they would lose with finishing 7th or 8th instead of 3rd. That is definately the case with RSNT, because the team classification is worth a ton of points, and having 4 guys in the Top 20, they got to have a good performance here or else they will be looking at relegation. THat is why I think there needs to be a more significant gap between 3rd and 4th in the pts system to make it orth the sacrifice to the team owners/sponsors/managers.

 

[bubblegum]

can anyone explain the green band around Christian Knees' stomach?

 

[Climbing]

Lol'd. Time to use those green guys, Nibs. Gotta burn off Darth Wigguhns's black shield. I doubt we'll see anything till the last few kms of the last climb, though. Waah.

Like they are of any help... apart Sagan ofc.

 

[Gloin22]

lol wut. A guy who already once finished top 5 in the Tour, focusing his whole life on getting another top 5 in the Tour at the expense of all other races or goals?

If that is true, is there any more pathetic cyclist?

That's not actually true.

JVB actually stated a podium was his goal all year long. After the crash and puncture he stated that he revised his goal and top 5 would be his goal for rest of the Tour.

 

[maltiv]

I like Contador's statement from last year's TDF when someone asked him if he thought he could get a podium position. Basically, he said who gives a f*ck about being on the podium. You win or you don't.

Problem is that a lot of the guys in top 5 (4 of them) have never been on the podium. Those guys obviously value a podium position a lot more than a previous winner would. Sadly.

 

[Apollonius]

At least Voekler has some balls. Which is far more than can be said for Wiggins. Wiggins will be the most forgettable TDF winner in years.

What exactly do you want Wiggins to do? Attack fresh air?
Don't blame him - he'd done a fantastic job to take the lead, blame his rivals for doing absolutely nothing about it.

 

[S2Sturges]

At least Voekler has some balls. Which is far more than can be said for Wiggins. Wiggins will be the most forgettable TDF winner in years.

Totally agree, Tommy's made the race, along with several other French riders, esp Pinot and the younger guys.
I wonder what goes through Wiggan's head, if he feels like a dork being pulled all over France by his high priced help, a couple of times, he looked pretty bored, he's definitely not been challenged except maybe for the last pastry at the breakfast buffet.
Having 5-6 guys sitting with you at any given time makes for negative and uninspiring racing... Next year, toss out the radios and car televisions and maximum team size of 7 riders..