Cadel Evans, I told you it was his year.

[racing_like_scalded_cats]

Which day will be the bad day when all is lost?

 

[Havetts]

L'Alpe.

10chars

 

[movingtarget]

L'Alpe.

10chars

Evans has always said that L'Alpe is a climb he never does that well on. The advantage for him this year is that the climb does not come at the end of a long stage. The disadvantage if any, is that the climb will be superfast and it will be attacked from the bottom. But maybe the Schlecks in their wisdom will attack in the last 500 metres and wonder why Voeckler is still riding behind them ? Evans is riding smart and taking it day by day. He knows how important the last three stages before Paris are.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Evans has always said that L'Alpe is a climb he never does that well on. The advantage for him this year is that the climb does not come at the end of a long stage. The disadvantage if any, is that the climb will be superfast and it will be attacked from the bottom. But maybe the Schlecks in their wisdom will attack in the last 500 metres and wonder why Voeckler is still riding behind them ? Evans is riding smart and taking it day by day. He knows how important the last three stages before Paris are.

Actually this stage's length, although small, could be worse for evans.
I think the diesels will struggle here.

I certainly think this climb will be a matter of limiting the time loss.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Actually this stage's length, although small, could be worse for evans.
I think the diesels will struggle here.

I certainly think this climb will be a matter of limiting the time loss.

I agree that this shorter stage could result in a more explosive climb, which should suit the Schlecks and Contador (if he is recovered from Giro and crashes). It means that stage 18 is all the more critical for Basso. If Ivan can't take time there then his chances of victory are done, but stage 18 may suit him, with the high altidude. Smidt on the front for first half of galibier, setting a super pace on the low gradiants and putting everyone under pressure, then Ivan give it his all last 10 10kms. If Evans and lose less than a minute of stage 18 and 19 combinded then he can win Tour.

 

[Oldman]

I agree that this shorter stage could result in a more explosive climb, which should suit the Schlecks and Contador (if he is recovered from Giro and crashes). It means that stage 18 is all the more critical for Basso. If Ivan can't take time there then his chances of victory are done, but stage 18 may suit him, with the high altidude. Smidt on the front for first half of galibier, setting a super pace on the low gradiants and putting everyone under pressure, then Ivan give it his all last 10 10kms. If Evans and lose less than a minute of stage 18 and 19 combinded then he can win Tour.

All of that and this: what if Basso tries or does get clear earlier? Evans and Sammy won't chase although I'm not sure either would fare better if the Schlecks did the work. Alpe is steep, chatotic and distracting which doesn't play well to a solid-tempo defense. Evans is going to have to get creative in stages before this or during this stage since waiting for the inevitable doesn't help him.

 

[Dermie]

What a legend.
Don't tell me what he can't do like people have been doin all the time here.
It's Cadel year.
I told you so.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Oh man maybe I will be wearing a cuddles avatar at the end of july

he is looking better and better for the win, and andy looks not great... Umbelievable.

Unless AC continues to improve maybe he will win. I still think evans will crack in the mountains, but his position atm puts him at a very big tactical advantage and takes pressure off in regards to following everything.

Hiowever I still think he wont win despite everything. He will crack

 

[Spine Concept]

Very strong ride today by Cadel. He has a lot to be thankful though, had Contador not attacked I highly doubt Cadel would have taken the initiative. He can still lose time in the Alps, however, if he rides like he did today I don´t see it happening. Contador is the deciding factor in this Tour.

 

[hfer07]

After today's stage-it's officially stated: Evans vs Contador 2.0

 

[jens_attacks]

that's why i will always choose cadel over the schlecks.
great race by him so far but i doubt he will survive to those 21 blistering attacks launched by alberto.

 

[Archibald]

Oh man maybe I will be wearing a cuddles avatar at the end of july

he is looking better and better for the win, and andy looks not great... Umbelievable.

Unless AC continues to improve maybe he will win. I still think evans will crack in the mountains, but his position atm puts him at a very big tactical advantage and takes pressure off in regards to following everything.

Hiowever I still think he wont win despite everything. He will crack

someone always has a cr@p day after the rest day, and I was thinking it would be Cuddles. Instead it was the Schlecks.
I don't think he'll crack, but will limit his losses (maybe get a tow from Basso?) - you know the schlecks will need to attack, and attack properly in the alps now.

 

[Oldman]

All of that and this: what if Basso tries or does get clear earlier? Evans and Sammy won't chase although I'm not sure either would fare better if the Schlecks did the work. Alpe is steep, chatotic and distracting which doesn't play well to a solid-tempo defense. Evans is going to have to get creative in stages before this or during this stage since waiting for the inevitable doesn't help him.

Oh, it looks like Cadel did get creative. He also solidified his position....where? On the descent. Sanchez provided the gas to chase so I see 3 riders still after Voeckler.

 

[Kwibus]

Well this being Evans is year is starting to become more and more interesting.

Great stuff. I think the stage to the Galibier will be incredibly important for Evans. If he survives that stage... Then I actually think he will win the Tour. I'm afraid he's going to lose time to the Galibier though.

 

[Kender]

Andy has looked in trouble since the second stage. he's not got it this year. frank has better form this year.

it's all going to come down to if contador can crack evans. contrador has the better attack, but evans is a better grinder

tommy was on his limit today but he still has an outside chance of a podium in paris. certainly top 5 is not out of reach for him but will depend on his motivation once he loses yellow

 

[Cimber]

If Evans can stick with Bertie, or only lose a little, on Galibier its really starting to smell like victory for him.

However, those long climbs that go far above 2k meters will make him suffer hard tho.

 

[auscyclefan94]

ALL HAIL KING CADEL!!!!!!!

 

[The Falcon]

what a ride......and what a joy it was to see him put paid to Frandy today
what a wheel sucker

 

[Catty69]

The other members of the Australian public wont get it, but if Cadel can win(not trying to jinx him) this will be the biggest thing in Australian sport ever. Probably only to be eclipsed by winning the soccer world cup, which will never happen.

 

[WonderLance]

Phil Ligget told me that The Little Evens That Could is trying extra hard this year.


P.S Black socks = winner

 

[davestoller]

Black socks

George Hincapie

he's got all the right good luck charms

He rocks.
Even Sir Phil announced: now everyone who says he never attacks will have to eat their words.
He attacks when he CAN, and now that there is a level playing field, he DOES!

ROCK ON CADEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WonderLance]

He attacks when he CAN, and now that there is a level playing field, he DOES!

Dont meen to get in the way of your raging fan boy on. But the playing field is hardly level. We all saw the decent today.

 

[Magic Spanner]

Remember Contador beating Cancellara and Wiggins at the Annecy TT a couple of years ago? How much of a lead, if any, will Cadel need in Grenoble?

 

[Oldman]

Dont meen to get in the way of your raging fan boy on. But the playing field is hardly level. We all saw the decent today.

...and anyone that gets paid to be a team GC rider better learn how to ride them. The time lost by Voeckler and Basso was likely more tactical as he waited for the Schlecks to respond. It was too little too late for them.

 

[gerrans for the win]

The other members of the Australian public wont get it, but if Cadel can win(not trying to jinx him) this will be the biggest thing in Australian sport ever. Probably only to be eclipsed by winning the soccer world cup, which will never happen.

disagree collingwood loseing two grand finals in a row was the greatest moment in australia history