Cadel Evans, I told you it was his year.

[movingtarget]

please cuddles-don't blow it tomorrow!!!

Yep, he does not want it to get worse but Voeckler looked exhausted yesterday. Frank Schleck will not only try to gap Evans but also see off TV. Voeckler has shown a lot of guts but tomorrow's stage might be too intense for him. Who knows.

 

[luckyboy]

Only just realised that if Evans wins, George Hincapie will have been a domestique to nine Tour wins.

I know its only him and some other rider (?) joint at eight at the moment.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

It's going to be a close thing between who left more on the road today.

This.

Evans still has a pretty decent chance. If only he would have had a teammate for half the chase. Too bad Basso did not give Evans respite from the wind. Voeckler and Roland were not strong enough to maintain the pace, but Basso might have been.

If I was Riis and Saxo's mountain domestiques have anything left in the tank, I would have them help Evans. He should attempt to settle the score with the Schlecks for stabbing him in the back.

 

[Nederick]

Who knows how this race might have played out with so many abandonments through crashes in the first week? However, this year is shaping up very nicely indeed. The podium far from certain and still two stages for things to happen for the riders who have managed their resources well.

Hoping for a C.E. win in Paris. I think he's in with a huge shot at it. Huge shot!

Big ups to T.V. too! How much of a boost to the crowds I wonder has it been having the local boy in yellow through the mountains?

 

[Marcuccio]

Cadel will blow it - I have this feeling..

Schleck 1-2

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Cadel will blow it - I have this feeling..

Schleck 1-2

Andy did not climb any faster than Evans, and he might pay for his efforts in stage 18. Frank needs a huge gap over Evans to survive the time trial. So Evans still has a pretty good chance, but I have this feeling that he will be the one to pay the price for stage 18.

 

[Tigerion]

Andy: Give up the yellow, frenchman!
Voeckler: If you want it, come and claim it


Huge respect for Tommy on that climb, didn't have the power to help out but managed to levi his way to the finish. When you consider the class of riders that Evans was able to ride off his wheel it is very impressive

Don't think that Andy is going to have much left tomorrow, I think Frank will be the big danger. The fact Bertie is out of the race for yellow could play to Cadel's benefit, if he has saxo-bank chase down attacks to get himself at least a stage win from this tour. Since he hasn't had on yet maybe that 2 cm that Cadel won the stage by could end up being very important after all.

 

[Kender]

Cadel will blow it - I have this feeling..

Schleck 1-2

change the record that ones broken. people have been saying that every day since july 2nd

 

[Marcuccio]

Who gives a f**k - I'm entitled to my opinion cornudo.

 

[mickkk]

Well the odds remain stacked against him, but he has had so much good fortune, all we can hope is that it continues and Cadel gives his best and that it is enough on the day.

All we need is an ally, someone with a grudge against the shreks. A fit Moo Moo would help too.

 

[Midnightfright]

Well the odds remain stacked against him, but he has had so much good fortune, all we can hope is that it continues and Cadel gives his best and that it is enough on the day.

All we need is an ally, someone with a grudge against the shreks. A fit Moo Moo would help too.

Well not really, he's still the favourite in my eyes.

 

[ILOVEMTB]

I don't think the tour is over for Cadel but I think it will be very difficult for him to pull it off from this position. My opinian if Cadel does not lose time today to Andy it will be 50/50 for the TT, if he gains time on Andy (unlikley) he should win and if He gives up more time to Andy its Race over.
The thought of a BMC/Saxo alliance is not to far fetched due to the Riis grudge against the Schlecks and the Australian connection with Porte and McGee.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I don't think the tour is over for Cadel but I think it will be very difficult for him to pull it off from this position. My opinian if Cadel does not lose time today to Andy it will be 50/50 for the TT, if he gains time on Andy (unlikley) he should win and if He gives up more time to Andy its Race over.
The thought of a BMC/Saxo alliance is not to far fetched due to the Riis grudge against the Schlecks and the Australian connection with Porte and McGee.

Riis could care less about cuddles GC hopes.
They wont help BMC, and even if they did what good can they do when it is just the leaders? The Frank + Andy tool is so very valuable tonight.

 

[auscyclefan94]

well if AC and samu want the stage today, then they could become allies in a sense to evans as they will work against schlecks in that sense.

 

[Cerberus]

well if AC and samu want the stage today, then they could become allies in a sense to evans as they will work against schlecks in that sense.

Or they could become allies with the Schlecks. AC gets the stage Team Schleck gets the GC - Everyone is happy.

ETA: This is assurming of cause that AC (or Samu) have the legs to help anyone with anything, they might just be to worn out for anything.

 

[El Pistolero]

well if AC and samu want the stage today, then they could become allies in a sense to evans as they will work against schlecks in that sense.

It matters not. If Contador is in good enough shape to win the stage then he'll be too explosive for Cuddles to follow.

 

[patterson_hood]

As only has 57 seconds on Cadel. depends how today goes but if Cadel sticks with AS then I think it's still wide open. Brilliant move by AS yesterday but will it tell today? Cadel knows all he has to do is stick with him if he can and he still has a good shot at yellow in Paris.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

This thread wins.

 

[movingtarget]

Andy is starting to sound confident again which means something unexpected will happen. Not sure if that is a positive for him.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Does anyone know where this Dermie guy is??(You know, the OP with that "Dog with glasses"-avatar.) Now Cadel is in pole position, he doesn't show up .

 

[kcbworth]

Consistent

First post...

Have been frustrated with the lack of repspect Cadel was getting prior to yesterday's stage... unfortunately took 2 days to activate my account so couldn't post this after stage 17, but really, this is very impressive imho

Put this together to try to get a visual of consistency of the various riders. Obviously doesn't show time gaps (in fact should do the same for this), however, is a great indicator of consistency:

 

[kcbworth]

Further to this, Cadel is:

* 4th in GC
* 5th in Green Jersey
* 5th in KoM

Can't help but be impressed.

 

[mickkk]

The sleeping giant has awoken.

The Shuttle landed, the moon rose at 12.30am local time, the pollen count was low, the radio played good music.

Troubles that would have been insurmountable 12 months ago were just challenges to overcome.

The luck, the positive attitude, the guts and determination came through. The mechanical was not an excuse like it has been in the past.

If it is to be it is up to me.

Roll on tomorrow.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

going to be a close thing, if evans wins he fully deserves it tho.

 

[Magic Spanner]

Cadel has ridden well every day on this tour and superbly on the 2 big alpine stages. There are no athletes on the planet more gutsy and honest. This his his year.

I was impressed with Andy on stage 18. A fabulous ride and a real gamble. I was impressed with Alberto today. both ignited the racing but both these moves were initiated through a little desperation. Even more impressive to me was the sacrifice and suffering cadel showed in clawing the moves back.