Contador's "surprise" attack

[Izoard]

FWIW, I think LA is going to take back more than those 2 seconds from AC on the TT. Of course, there are Stages 15 and 17 to get through first, and both could yield some interesting outcomes. Verbier looks to be a tough little beast, and Stage 17 will really sap the legs (although it may or may not lead to a big change). I think AC will being going on the attack again ..

 

[croix_de_fer]

The first casualty of war is the plan.

 

[Angliru]

I think if anyone could have followed Alberto, they would have. Where was Sastre? Evans? Sitting back in the bunch. I expected more from both of those guys and when the opportunity came, they didn't answer the door.

As for the climb being easy, well, the grade wasn't as steep as some but if the climb was easy, everyone would have followed Contador, right? 20 seconds in 2km is a lot of time.

In Evans' defense (and I rarely defend Evans in the past though I have more so recently) he had just mounted a failed attack before Contador's. Plus Van Den Broeck was up the road when Contador attacked. Evans did mount another attack afterwards but that one too was reeled in.

 

[Angliru]

Actually, I don't know if 20 seconds on a climb like that is much of a stamp. The attacks following him were half-hearted.

You state this as if he started his attack from the base of the climb. He began his attack with 2 km left in the climb into a headwind. Likely the attacks following Contador's were half-hearted due to the wind which makes the 20 seconds in 2km into the wind all the more impressive. Its 20 seconds he wouldn't have had he sat in with the peloton.

 

[Angliru]

Contador attacking and taking Yellow would put the team in the hurt locker for a week or more when they don't have to be.

Why would a smart DS like Bruyneel hang on to the Yellow jersey for a week if he didn't have to? If they did get it as there are conflicting statements that say they wanted Armstrong briefly in yellow, they would have quickly given it away to the next lucky rider in a break that was non-threatening.

Several teams would have jumped at the opportunity. If other teams wanted Astana to keep the jersey or wanted to bring back the break because its success was contrary to their goals, those teams would've had to do the work. Considering the amount of time Astana has spent on front while not even having the yellow jersey, I really don't see too much difference in how the 2 scenario's would have and did play out.

 

[Sheltowee]

I think if A Schleck could have went with Contador he would have sat on his wheel. He didn't because he can't match AC's explosiveness. And I don't think anyone can.

 

[mambo#5]

You state this as if he started his attack from the base of the climb. He began his attack with 2 km left in the climb into a headwind. Likely the attacks following Contador's were half-hearted due to the wind which makes the 20 seconds in 2km into the wind all the more impressive. Its 20 seconds he wouldn't have had he sat in with the peloton.

even more impressive was the motorcycle with the TV camera breaking the wind for him. That had baby Schleck's panties in a bunch.

 

[Publicus]

even more impressive was the motorcycle with the TV camera breaking the wind for him. That had baby Schleck's panties in a bunch.

Unfortunately Baby Schleck's allegation isn't supported by video. Contador actually blasted past one moto and the second accelerated away before he had a chance to sit in his slipstream for a material amount of time. Schleck couldn't hold his wheel. He just can't admit that but as I said, the video doesn't lie.

 

[Walshworld]

COnador's Surprise attack not a surprise

All you have to know about Contador is that he is young, Spanish and a climber. You can't hold a guy like that back. He sees a mountain and others suffering, he simply has to attack. It's his nature. Armstrong was the same way when he was young--fiery and aggressive. I'm blogging every stage of the tour and going for comedy. Check it out if you like: http://walshworld.wordpress.com/

 

[onepostfanboy]

What's your take on this?

Didn't see this discussed or dissed by anyone here so I thought I would throw it out. If AC is sincere with his thoughts, it certainly plays into Lance's hands. From Velonews:

Alberto Contador said Monday if the tables are turned in the Alps, he would not chase down an attacking Lance Armstrong in a solo move.

The Spanish climber suggested he would adhere to the cycling code that says never chase down an attacking teammate on a summit finish, opening the door for the next round in the struggle for team leadership at the Astana squad.

“If we arrive to a mountain stage and Lance attacks, I will not follow him,” Contador said when asked by VeloNews at a rest-day press conference. “There are other riders who have to chase him down.”

So . . . strategy by LA to let AC attack first, set the precedent that "we" are going to follow protocol, which, if LA picks appropriate time, could equate to minutes gained vs. AC's 20 on Arcalis.

 

[The Falcon]

^ you are assuming nobody else will be able to follow old tex's wheel.......something i doubt.

 

[racerralph]

Any idea why Armstrong, Contador, and Leipheimer were all wearing different (Giro?) helmets?

Lance ALWAYS wears a different paint scheme on his helmet's, than his teammates. It seems to be the one piece of equipment that doesn't have to conform to a "Team" standard. (besides those really gorgeous black socks he wears thanks to Geo Hincapie, back in the day)However, you did observe them all wearing a different model helmet by Giro. It is next years "Superlight" model(175 gms.). Just go on Giro's site and you'll see it as the page opens.

 

[S2Sturges]

Any idea why Armstrong, Contador, and Leipheimer were all wearing different (Giro?) helmets?

Possibly has something to do with personal sponsors, or ahem... money

 

[Animal]

Didn't see this discussed or dissed by anyone here so I thought I would throw it out. If AC is sincere with his thoughts, it certainly plays into Lance's hands. From Velonews:



So . . . strategy by LA to let AC attack first, set the precedent that "we" are going to follow protocol, which, if LA picks appropriate time, could equate to minutes gained vs. AC's 20 on Arcalis.

Or that when Schleck goes after LA, AC will sit on him until the junction is made and then counterattack. Schleck isn't going to let LA get away.

 

[Angliru]

Or that when Schleck goes after LA, AC will sit on him until the junction is made and then counterattack. Schleck isn't going to let LA get away.

I'm thinking that Armstrong is betting that Contador will be the first to answer any attacks, giving him the chance to follow wheels and counter once he's brought up to Contador. That will likely be the successful attack, leaving Contador having to play defense and Armstrong to gain time. Not how I hope things transpire but....

 

[Parrot23]

Contador's rest day interview:

http://www.roadcycling.com/intervie...2009_Tour_de_France_-_Rest_Day_1_002875.shtml

 

[Animal]

I'm thinking that Armstrong is betting that Contador will be the first to answer any attacks, giving him the chance to follow wheels and counter once he's brought up to Contador. That will likely be the successful attack, leaving Contador having to play defense and Armstrong to gain time. Not how I hope things transpire but....

Contador has to finesse it then. Attack as Bjarne Riis so eloquently put it "not one hundred percently"

 

[Zen Master]

Contador's rest day interview:

http://www.roadcycling.com/intervie...2009_Tour_de_France_-_Rest_Day_1_002875.shtml

Good interview. Bertie is cool as a cucumber