Contador about to leave the tour?

[Red Lobster]

Pfft, Thomas is so unconcerned, he doesn't even lift his head.

Unless I'm seeing things . . . .

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Agree with this.

Fair enough, perhaps I'm taking you up wrong.

I don´t want to discuss doping-related issues here but people really need to realize that it is still under trial and that he has not been banned yet. What are we saying? Not guilty unless... Sure, it is not an ideal (or comfortable) situation but these are the rules we must cope with. I emphasize on blaming the rules instead of the rider until he is proven guilty

That's a reasonable point of view, although not one I agree with. I think it's fair enough to draw your own assessment independently of the conclusions of various sanctioning bodies, particularly given the low esteem in which many of us hold some of those bodies. My point however isn't to have an argument here about the rights and wrongs of the decision by the Spanish federation, but simply to point out that many people strongly disagree with that decision and that strongly disagreement isn't evidence of "Anglophone" prejudice.

I also think (and this isn't really in response to you but a wider point) that sometimes those idiots on US TV are taken as representative of "anglophone" attitudes in a way that they simply should not be. One of the two main commentators on Eurosport, for instance, is Sean Kelly and it doesn't take very much reading between the lines to see that he has much more time for Contador as a bike racer than he does for Andy Schleck.

 

[Bag_O_Wallet]

thats geraint thomas. . . . just sayin

Drats, and double drats.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

Have you seen pics from that stage? Something tells me you haven't

Yup just a still shot of everyone gritting their teeth

I saw the video also. I DVR all the stages, and all I've seen is Andy riding and keeping pace, no response to AC's attack from about 1.3km out. Like I said, maybe he knew he didn't have legs for such a steep climb, but he didn't seem to react at all.

EDIT: OK I concede. After watching again, maybe Andy was too far back to react, but you'd think he'd try to limit his losses and at least go after him. I just remember him being a little closer to AC at the time he attacked.

 

[musorowegudo]

exactly. also add spain, belgium and netherlands to that list of country's that don't mind too much for doping athletes

They always forget that in Africa too there are a lot more people who follow cycling, and who care not about doping allegations, and because Alberto is more down to earth than the talkative Schlecks, he has a considerable following. This year is the second year Supersport broadcasting the tour in HD and we were really looking forward to this year's tour . . save for the crashes!

 

[jens_attacks]

They always forget that in Africa too there are a lot more people who follow cycling, and who care not about doping allegations, and because Alberto is more down to earth than the talkative Schlecks, he has a considerable following.

really great to know

does anyone know the weather predictions for tomorrow?if it rains,it will be worse for alberto...

 

[just some guy]

really great to know

does anyone know the weather predictions for tomorrow?if it rains,it will be worse for alberto...

mainly sunny in the morning. Partly cloudy by afternoon with bright intervals. Mostly cloudy by late afternoon with a light chance of thunderstorm. Risk of severe thunderstorms through the night. Winds : Moderate south-westerly winds between 20 and 30kph. Temperatures : Lowest temperatures between 18 and 20°C. 27°C at the start of the stage. Highest between 29 and 31°C.

 

[Cimber]

really great to know

does anyone know the weather predictions for tomorrow?if it rains,it will be worse for alberto...

As far as I can see the weather should be fine and relatively warn tomorrow, but wednesday should be quite rainy.

For thursday it looks sunny again, though the forecast in the mountains can be quite unpredictable.

 

[jens_attacks]

ok thanks..

 

[Frihed89]

What's the difference? He will likely be banned. Fate has a way of rewarding those who deserve it. I don't think Evans can make up the time he is sure to lose on the big climbs to Schleck.

 

[Cimber]

Fate has a way of rewarding those who deserve it.

So you are saying the Schlecks will lose alot of time in the coming days?

 

[Frihed89]

So you are saying the Schlecks will lose alot of time in the coming days?

Ha. No, Evans won't be able to make up the time he's lost to Andy Schleck in the coming big climbs, as in stage 12 to start with. I think.

 

[Cimber]

Ha. No, Evans won't be able to make up the time he's lost to Andy Schleck in the coming big climbs, as in stage 12 to start with. I think.

In that case, sadly fate doesnt reward those who deserve it But maybe TGBM will, hehe

 

[No_Balls]

I think it's fair enough to draw your own assessment independently of the conclusions of various sanctioning bodies, particularly given the low esteem in which many of us hold some of those bodies. My point however isn't to have an argument here about the rights and wrongs of the decision by the Spanish federation, but simply to point out that many people strongly disagree with that decision and that strongly disagreement isn't evidence of "Anglophone" prejudice.

Fair enough. I also helds minimal or none esteem to the rules which says your own National Federation can free one of their own riders but that could hardly be Albertos fault. Given his reputation and that he is the dominant force that was pretty expected. But i also think that it would happen pretty much everywhere.

What's the difference? He will likely be banned. Fate has a way of rewarding those who deserve it. I don't think Evans can make up the time he is sure to lose on the big climbs to Schleck.

Nice way to introduce yourself. Register yourself to jump on a rider, it really is July after all.

 

[Angliru]

Pfft, Wigans is so unconcerned, he doesn't even lift his head.

Apparently you don't realize that that isn't Wiggins.

 

[wmneff]

Fair enough, perhaps I'm taking you up wrong.



That's a reasonable point of view, although not one I agree with. I think it's fair enough to draw your own assessment independently of the conclusions of various sanctioning bodies, particularly given the low esteem in which many of us hold some of those bodies. My point however isn't to have an argument here about the rights and wrongs of the decision by the Spanish federation, but simply to point out that many people strongly disagree with that decision and that strongly disagreement isn't evidence of "Anglophone" prejudice.

I also think (and this isn't really in response to you but a wider point) that sometimes those idiots on US TV are taken as representative of "anglophone" attitudes in a way that they simply should not be. One of the two main commentators on Eurosport, for instance, is Sean Kelly and it doesn't take very much reading between the lines to see that he has much more time for Contador as a bike racer than he does for Andy Schleck.

I have learned that zero tolerance means....zero tolerance,UNLESS you win all the time,and you are SPECIAL. It sucks(the current zero level for clenbuterol),but the law IS the law.

 

[greenedge]

I want Contador to fight on just like Hinault. He can gift the victory to Andy the perienial runner up just like JZ.

Jks. It must hurt him quite badly.

 

[Spider1964]

No Needles Policy?

Is the no needles policy in vogue for this tour?

From Alberto's latest twitter post -

"Today1:30riding&relax,acupuncture for my knee"

 

[Parrulo]

the no needle policy is for injections of substances. acupuncture doesn't do that.

 

[Spider1964]

Cheers. Knew it would be quicker to post than Google.

 

[Dedelou]

TBH I'm surprised Contador would even say that he has knee issues, as it will mean Leopard will now test him out. It's like Robbie McEwen riding the '04 Tour with a cracked vertebrae (IIRC) and now telling anybody because he didn't want his rivals for the green jersey to make life hard for him.

I don't imagine he could hide the fact that his knee was hurting him. It was evident saturday and sunday's crash made it worse. I don't hear him speaking about quitting before "he test himself " in the Pyrenees. AC is a very proud man. i can see fighting on Thursday. He has never being dropped yet in the high mountain on any tour. So Thursday even if he doesn't plan on attacking i expect that " testing himself " will means keeping up with Andy and the other top climbers

 

[Dedelou]

Well he's about a 1:30 up and hasn't spent anytime on the floor. He's also answered every move Contador has made, save for about 8 seconds, when he wasn't even concerned with chasing. After a week, having over a minute advantage with no knee injuries, I'd say that's riding better.

hey. you can say what you want. But the 1 42 Andy had over AC was not his acheivement. He owes that to ASO/UCI ruling and to Cancellera effort in a TTT while he was sh*&t hooking at the back of the line. Now the 1:34 advantage he finds himself today is due to AC taking 8 second form him on an extremely short uphill finish mano a mano. Now none of this is even relevant if due to crashes and injuries, AC follows several others and leaves the tour because his knee's condition prevents honest competition from then on

 

[Dedelou]

Luck does have something to do with it, but he's been riding smarter because he's better placed in the peloton (his team has done an excellent job protecting him). Contador doesn't seem to be focused at all (not like recent years), and his team looks worn out too.

Andy doesn't have to drop Contador, he can ride defensively. I do think he will try to take advantage, as dlwssonic said, of his fatigue and knee pain. He will want a cushion in the TT, but he doesn't need to actually drop Contador, not with his time advantage. If Contador can only take 31 seconds from Andy on a 52km TT, he will take less on a 42.5km TT. If anything Contador has to drop Andy. I hope Andy's mechanic installed a chain watcher

And they both have to watch Evans...

"indeed at this point Andy does not have to drop Contador to win , as you said a few times. On the other hand Contador has already dropped andy once so the only thing he need to do is doing it again, and again, and again. Barring injuries or new crashes, there is a good chance he will do it. He is that type of winner

 

[Dedelou]

Little confused here. You seem to support my point. Did you intend to say it is not a suitable method?

on the contrary since you implied that contador 2011 is on par with the Contador 2010 , his 2010 ITT performance is the "best " reference to project this year ITT and therefore expect him to win over Andy by more than the 1:45 time

 

[Galic Ho]

So you are saying the Schlecks will lose alot of time in the coming days?

Yes. Karma still needs to one up Andy and then some. Franck copped his share at last years Tour and then the Vuelta where baby bro and Stuey partied like it was 1999 instead of hitting the sack at the end of each stage. Actually, for the Universe to get Even Steven, neither Scheck needs to make the podium. That would be rich!