Andreas Kloden's Final Bid For Another Coveted Top 10 Tour Finish, 'Official' Thread

[webvan]

Darn, Horner went down today? Need to catch up on the stage.

I like Klöden, but he showed his limits in 2006 when he was in charge. On the plus side he's not left to decide of the stategy with Kessler these days.

 

[Eric8-A]

So now Klodi will have total freedom since he's the only one that hasn't crashed out that came in as a GC hopeful for Radioshack. Unless for some reason they decide to go with Popovych.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Although it is still very early days, Kloden clearly has a genuine shot at the podium now. There are no excuses. Hoping for another strong showing in tonights stage.

 

[gregrowlerson]

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/8685/Kloden-considers-Tour-de-France-podium-is-possible.aspx

 

[Eric8-A]

‘I don’t have to attack you, but if you don’t drop me guys, I can show you something in Grenoble.’” -Andreas Kloden

I think that says it all right there.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/8685/Kloden-considers-Tour-de-France-podium-is-possible.aspx

So is this interview a year old or do these guys live in an alternative dimension?

The German finished second in the 2004 and 2006 Tours de France. He was sixth overall last year, but appears to be in better shape this time round.

 

[Eric8-A]

I noticed that as well

 

[webvan]

‘I don’t have to attack you, but if you don’t drop me guys, I can show you something in Grenoble.’” -Andreas Kloden

I think that says it all right there.

Not terribly ambitious but he's playing to his strengths. In 2006 he went on the attack with his buddy Kessler, or at least they pulled like crazy, Ulle style, and Klodi paid for it on the way up to Plat de Beret (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSZC42oLx-M - amazingly Leppy attacked just after Klodi got dropped!).

He could probably put 2+ minutes on the Schlecks and Contador if he races the ITT like he did last year. Not sure it would be enough...

 

[Parrulo]

Not terribly ambitious but he's playing to his strengths. In 2006 he went on the attack with his buddy Kessler, or at least they pulled like crazy, Ulle style, and Klodi paid for it on the way up to Plat de Beret (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSZC42oLx-M - amazingly Leppy attacked just after Klodi got dropped!).

He could probably put 2+ minutes on the Schlecks and Contador if he races the ITT like he did last year. Not sure it would be enough...

kloden can't even put time on to contador in a itt let alone put 2 minutes into him, he would actually lose time on contador. you are forgetting that while kloden rode last year's time trial in normal conditions the last guys rode with a very strong head wind

 

[hrotha]

kloden can't even put time on to contador in a itt let alone put 2 minutes into him, he would actually lose time on contador. you are forgetting that while kloden rode last year's time trial in normal conditions the last guys rode with a very strong head wind

In a longish ITT for pure specialists, Klöden should beat Contador 75% of the time.

 

[webvan]

Especially since Contador will likely be exhausted at the end of the TDFafter that strenous Giro...especially since he's become a veggie now!

 

[jens_attacks]

was klodi injured too in that horrific crash?i saw him not calm at all in this finish looking in pain....

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

was klodi injured too in that horrific crash?i saw him not calm at all in this finish looking in pain....

Yes.... I think so.

 

[Mambo95]

was klodi injured too in that horrific crash?i saw him not calm at all in this finish looking in pain....

According to @inrng he's gone to hospital for an x-ray.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Jebus christ, Klöden as well?

Radioshack have 0 leaders left then

 

[Liquigas]

Jebus christ, Klöden as well?

Radioshack have 0 leaders left then

They still have Zubeldia

 

[jens_attacks]

let's face it.it's over for klodi too.there is no hope in this tour
i've just watched again the images after the crash,klodi came from the forrest too,he even sat up on the grass like ready to abandon,seemed like a pretty serious injury...

http://video.eurosport.ru/cycling/tour-de-france/2011/video_vid187963.shtml

 

[hrotha]

Don't be so melodramatic yet, until the results of the x-rays come out. What we know is that he crashed but he still managed to stay with the favourites. That's reassuring.

 

[Moondance]

Damn. If Kloden is out as well the they might as well just call it quits on this Tour. At this rate there'll be noone left by the time they reach the mountains, where a few other contenders will eliminate themselves by not being any good. This Tour is a downright catastrophe.

 

[Parrulo]

i hope kloden is ok i like the guy and the tour can't afford any more people crashing out

 

[hrotha]

Nothing broken, apparently, according to Bruyneel. Just bruises.

 

[cineteq]

"This year’s Tour has seen an unusual number of serious crashes. “This is so hard riding on such small roads,” commented Klöden . “Also today the last 30k had bad roads, bumpy, up and down. Every rider wants to be in front and every director is pushing their riders to get to the front. The cars try to go too fast in the descent. When 200 riders are all there at the same time, you have crashes like this.”

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/teamradioshack/news_kl-den-suffers-back-injury-stage-9/#ixzz1RjJJ1e5v

 

[Moondance]

Nothing broken, apparently, according to Bruyneel. Just bruises.

Yesss.... And he has tomorrow to properly recover. Hopefully he'll be fine by Thursday. No way we can afford to lose another GC man.

 

[BillytheKid]

Hope he can recover, but I doubt he'll be back at top level which is a huge disapointment.

 

[Jan the Man]

Hope he can recover, but I doubt he'll be back at top level which is a huge disapointment.

Hope he will recover- he has 4 nights. Hopefully the swelling will be down enough by Thursday that he can ride out of saddle. If not he will struggle to stay with the best in the mountains.