Contador's "surprise" attack

[richwagmn]

And what if they would have gotten yellow after the TTT? I guess then it would have been tactically sound b/c it would be on Armstrong's shoulders and he'd be unquestioned captain of Astana, right?

Yep, that's where the LA fan club's argument completely falls down. Lance was clearly racing for yellow in the TTT.

I believe the plan for stage 7 was for LA to take the yellow there too. Look at the pace Astana was setting. This wasn't a pace to let another team get a couple of minutes. That was a pace to take yellow - for LA.

AC knew the plan and blew it up. Now he gets to ride behind LA in the ITT and know all the splits. Plus he can out climb LA.

LA knows the only way for him to beat AC is through tactics. He was hoping to get the yellow to force AC into a domestique role.

Guess AC isn't so dumb after all.

 

[richwagmn]

What utter twaddle. You are a complete podium girl for AC.

What does LA's saddle smell like?

 

[D-bagDetector]

What does LA's saddle smell like?

You have been detected, douchebag.

You're obviously drinking the ACballsweat kool aid.

 

[Anonymous]

You have been detected, douchebag.

You're obviously drinking the ACballsweat kool aid.

You want to find a douche bag, you hire a douche bag.

You want to find a Dunkin Doughnuts, you call a cop.

BTW Wheels, you should have kept your original name. This just makes you look even sadder. Kinda' like when you deleted your douche bag "I live on the edge because there is no room in the middle" quote.

 

[Publicus]

Yep, that's where the LA fan club's argument completely falls down. Lance was clearly racing for yellow in the TTT.

I believe the plan for stage 7 was for LA to take the yellow there too. Look at the pace Astana was setting. This wasn't a pace to let another team get a couple of minutes. That was a pace to take yellow - for LA.

AC knew the plan and blew it up. Now he gets to ride behind LA in the ITT and know all the splits. Plus he can out climb LA.

LA knows the only way for him to beat AC is through tactics. He was hoping to get the yellow to force AC into a domestique role.

Guess AC isn't so dumb after all.

I think this is why JB was telling them to slow down a bit. My guess is that LA wasn't listening and was pushing to get time and the jersey. Basically everybody was improvising and as Lance said, someone ended up with hurt feelings (him).

 

[BroDeal]

BTW Wheels, you should have kept your original name. This just makes you look even sadder. Kinda' like when you deleted your douche bag "I live on the edge because there is no room in the middle" quote.

What is funny about the quote is that Robert the Muppet appears to be so solidly in the middle that he cannot even see the edge. He would need a map to find it. Yeah, being an Armstrong robot is living on the edge. He's a real rebel.

 

[D-bagDetector]

You want to find a douche bag, you hire a douche bag.

I was hired to find the senior douchebag. It is you.

 

[richwagmn]

I think this is why JB was telling them to slow down a bit. My guess is that LA wasn't listening and was pushing to get time and the jersey. Basically everybody was improvising and as Lance said, someone ended up with hurt feelings (him).

Agree.

I think this was an excellent move by AC. He's really position well. Being able to get LA's and everyone else's time splits in the ITT will be a huge advantage.

It'll also be fun to see Caisse D Epargne go to bat for AC. Bob Roll's head'll explode over that one.

 

[Anonymous]

I was hired to find the senior douchebag. It is you.

...stunning reply, simply stunning.

You lose your charge because of being a weak, weak troll. You need at least 20 more IQ points to do this job, and unfortunately for you, that is impossible.

 

[TrapperJohn]

All this urine flying around here... are they dope testing forum members now?

There's a thought.

Attacking into the wind on a HC climb early in the Tour... burn off all sorts of precious energy doing that, and gain precious few seconds. Better that you let someone else cut the wind and preserve that strength for when it can yield greater returns. AC's attack strikes me more as an outburst for attention than sound strategy. That attack may well have been prompted by LA's 'grow a pair' remark.

Contador might be the strongest rider, but so far he hasn't been too bright. This is a GT, not a sprint finish in a classic. Yes, AC has won GT's before, but I get the feeling that someone else was doing all the thinking, someone who now has divided interests. Getting caught out by a crosswind was a pretty amateurish thing to do, in a race that is intolerant of mistakes.

I'm going to guess, in my uneducated way, about the outcome: LA will get back just enough time to goad AC into another ill considered expenditure of energy. AC will get that time back with a huge burst on the much longer TT.

Then, they hit Ventoux. The winner will be the one with the most fuel remaining in the tank, as cracking on Ventoux will cost one a huge amount of time.

It's LA's wise use of energy versus AC's larger reserve. Will be interesting to see which prevails. Could go either way.

 

[mr. tibbs]

All this urine flying around here... are they dope testing forum members now?

There's a thought.

Attacking into the wind on a HC climb early in the Tour... burn off all sorts of precious energy doing that, and gain precious few seconds. Better that you let someone else cut the wind and preserve that strength for when it can yield greater returns. AC's attack strikes me more as an outburst for attention than sound strategy. That attack may well have been prompted by LA's 'grow a pair' remark.

Contador might be the strongest rider, but so far he hasn't been too bright. This is a GT, not a sprint finish in a classic. Yes, AC has won GT's before, but I get the feeling that someone else was doing all the thinking, someone who now has divided interests. Getting caught out by a crosswind was a pretty amateurish thing to do, in a race that is intolerant of mistakes.

I'm going to guess, in my uneducated way, about the outcome: LA will get back just enough time to goad AC into another ill considered expenditure of energy. AC will get that time back with a huge burst on the much longer TT.

Then, they hit Ventoux. The winner will be the one with the most fuel remaining in the tank, as cracking on Ventoux will cost one a huge amount of time.

It's LA's wise use of energy versus AC's larger reserve. Will be interesting to see which prevails. Could go either way.

When do you think Armstrong will be able to make up time on Contador? Another random surprise split on a flat stage? Not trying to goad, I really just can't see a stage where Armstrong will be able to take time on Contador.

 

[whiteboytrash]

I remember the surprise attack. Those were the days when GC riders would attack. Ahhh memories.....

 

[Publicus]

When do you think Armstrong will be able to make up time on Contador? Another random surprise split on a flat stage? Not trying to goad, I really just can't see a stage where Armstrong will be able to take time on Contador.

I think Lance is eyeing Verbier and the ITT. The problem of course are the stages immediately following and preceding those two stages. I fully expect Andy to want to come out and play on a couple of those days. Maybe Evans and Sastre too. I may seriously consider taking the last week of the Tour off because I know I won't be sleeping or working until after Ventoux.

 

[Publicus]

All this urine flying around here... are they dope testing forum members now?

There's a thought.

Attacking into the wind on a HC climb early in the Tour... burn off all sorts of precious energy doing that, and gain precious few seconds. Better that you let someone else cut the wind and preserve that strength for when it can yield greater returns. AC's attack strikes me more as an outburst for attention than sound strategy. That attack may well have been prompted by LA's 'grow a pair' remark.

Contador might be the strongest rider, but so far he hasn't been too bright. This is a GT, not a sprint finish in a classic. Yes, AC has won GT's before, but I get the feeling that someone else was doing all the thinking, someone who now has divided interests. Getting caught out by a crosswind was a pretty amateurish thing to do, in a race that is intolerant of mistakes.

I'm going to guess, in my uneducated way, about the outcome: LA will get back just enough time to goad AC into another ill considered expenditure of energy. AC will get that time back with a huge burst on the much longer TT.

Then, they hit Ventoux. The winner will be the one with the most fuel remaining in the tank, as cracking on Ventoux will cost one a huge amount of time.

It's LA's wise use of energy versus AC's larger reserve. Will be interesting to see which prevails. Could go either way.

It's possible that Lance picks up the time on the ITT and AC conserves his energy for Ventoux. If it comes down to Ventoux, then LA is toast in my opinion unless he is wearing the yellow jersey. So I expect him to try and grab it just before Ventoux at the ITT.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Sanchez hopes that his Spanish buddy Alberto Contador can win the race. “I would be delighted if Alberto won the Tour, he really is a great friend of mine,” said the Caisse d’Epargne team leader.

 

[VeloFidelis]

Yep, that's where the LA fan club's argument completely falls down. Lance was clearly racing for yellow in the TTT.

I believe the plan for stage 7 was for LA to take the yellow there too. Look at the pace Astana was setting. This wasn't a pace to let another team get a couple of minutes. That was a pace to take yellow - for LA.

AC knew the plan and blew it up. Now he gets to ride behind LA in the ITT and know all the splits. Plus he can out climb LA.

LA knows the only way for him to beat AC is through tactics. He was hoping to get the yellow to force AC into a domestique role.

Guess AC isn't so dumb after all.

Interesting observations; you and Alberto seem to share the same gift of tactical nuance.

 

[VeloFidelis]

It's possible that Lance picks up the time on the ITT and AC conserves his energy for Ventoux. If it comes down to Ventoux, then LA is toast in my opinion unless he is wearing the yellow jersey. So I expect him to try and grab it just before Ventoux at the ITT.

Any predictions about what will happen on the Ventoux after 19 stages is folly and idle (or is that idol) conjecture. This monster has the ability to kill (both figuratively and literally) the hopes and schemes of the very best. This Tour is more likely to be decided there than anywhere else

 

[Futuroscope]

All this urine flying around here... are they dope testing forum members now?

There's a thought.

Attacking into the wind on a HC climb early in the Tour... burn off all sorts of precious energy doing that, and gain precious few seconds. Better that you let someone else cut the wind and preserve that strength for when it can yield greater returns. AC's attack strikes me more as an outburst for attention than sound strategy. That attack may well have been prompted by LA's 'grow a pair' remark.

Contador might be the strongest rider, but so far he hasn't been too bright. This is a GT, not a sprint finish in a classic. Yes, AC has won GT's before, but I get the feeling that someone else was doing all the thinking, someone who now has divided interests. Getting caught out by a crosswind was a pretty amateurish thing to do, in a race that is intolerant of mistakes.

I'm going to guess, in my uneducated way, about the outcome: LA will get back just enough time to goad AC into another ill considered expenditure of energy. AC will get that time back with a huge burst on the much longer TT.

Then, they hit Ventoux. The winner will be the one with the most fuel remaining in the tank, as cracking on Ventoux will cost one a huge amount of time.

It's LA's wise use of energy versus AC's larger reserve. Will be interesting to see which prevails. Could go either way.

sometimes you have to take the opportunity when it arises, contador did just that. everything you say can be looked at from the reverse view: what if contador didnt attack on this stage and ends up losing the Tour by just a few seconds.

the energy conservation thing can be taken too far. there is a balance between being too careful and too aggressive.

 

[Azdak6]

All this urine flying around here... are they dope testing forum members now?

There's a thought.

Attacking into the wind on a HC climb early in the Tour... burn off all sorts of precious energy doing that, and gain precious few seconds. Better that you let someone else cut the wind and preserve that strength for when it can yield greater returns. AC's attack strikes me more as an outburst for attention than sound strategy. That attack may well have been prompted by LA's 'grow a pair' remark.

Contador might be the strongest rider, but so far he hasn't been too bright. This is a GT, not a sprint finish in a classic. Yes, AC has won GT's before, but I get the feeling that someone else was doing all the thinking, someone who now has divided interests. Getting caught out by a crosswind was a pretty amateurish thing to do, in a race that is intolerant of mistakes.

I'm going to guess, in my uneducated way, about the outcome: LA will get back just enough time to goad AC into another ill considered expenditure of energy. AC will get that time back with a huge burst on the much longer TT.

Then, they hit Ventoux. The winner will be the one with the most fuel remaining in the tank, as cracking on Ventoux will cost one a huge amount of time.

It's LA's wise use of energy versus AC's larger reserve. Will be interesting to see which prevails. Could go either way.

It was 2-friggin' Ks. On stage 7.

 

[Parrot23]

Yep, that's where the LA fan club's argument completely falls down. Lance was clearly racing for yellow in the TTT.

I believe the plan for stage 7 was for LA to take the yellow there too. Look at the pace Astana was setting. This wasn't a pace to let another team get a couple of minutes. That was a pace to take yellow - for LA.

AC knew the plan and blew it up. Now he gets to ride behind LA in the ITT and know all the splits. Plus he can out climb LA.

LA knows the only way for him to beat AC is through tactics. He was hoping to get the yellow to force AC into a domestique role.

Guess AC isn't so dumb after all.

+1 The first dibs competition is crucial so Alberto is not forced into becoming a domestique: Contador landed the first blow and needs to do so again, or if necessary take Lance's wheel whenever he goes (they can do a "dual attack", LOL). The other Astanas can block/follow (there are plenty of them ). Makes no sense to have the world's best climber block--unless they only want Lance to win.

 

[embankmentlb]

I hope Contidor is smart enough not to fall for Armstrong's school master games & rides his own race. Armstrong knows his only weapon is to keep Contidor under wraps & take advantage if Contidor has a bit of bad luck, like say missing a break in a cross wind. Armstrong can win in the upcoming TT, It's flat & not good for pure climbers. If he can keep Conti from attacking until the Alp on the final Sat. then he has a shot at victory. If Conti plays it smart & takes advantage of all the mountain top finishes he can afford time lost in the TT.

 

[ScottMasil]

Also agree - I'm a Lance fan as much as anyone, but he's supremely arrogant to think he's the better rider than Contador and thus the team leader.

Only chance LA has is a better tactical brain .........

SM

 

[BroDeal]

Only chance LA has is a better tactical brain .........

...plus an incredibly crappy course that only offers AC one chance to shine.

 

[karlboss]

Bigger question...why wasn't this the plan?

By which I mean, once a selection is made AC attack and armstrong or other astana to cover...to his credit armstrong played the perfect teammate unlike Tmobile of years past. In a course that offers 3? climbing finishes, take time when you can. Be nice to sew it up before ventoux right?

 

[Publicus]

Bigger question...why wasn't this the plan?

By which I mean, once a selection is made AC attack and armstrong or other astana to cover...to his credit armstrong played the perfect teammate unlike Tmobile of years past. In a course that offers 3? climbing finishes, take time when you can. Be nice to sew it up before ventoux right?

Good question. My guess is that JB is still trying to manage Lance's ego. So he's ambivalent about what he wants to happen, knowing that one of the two will assert themselves in a given situation. But that's just a guess.