If you were Schleck, what would you do to win this TdF?

[Awolpe]

Improve my TT skills?

its a bit late for that now maybe next year

 

[Señor_Contador]

Judging by what happened at the prologue... methinks AS is going to lose more than 3 minutes in the TT.

He better pull some Landis-type (without the juice) performance at the Tourmalet... although I don't see him gaining > 1 minute on Contador IMO.

 

[scribe]

Judging by what happened at the prologue... methinks AS is going to lose more than 3 minutes in the TT.

He better pull some Landis-type (without the juice) performance at the Tourmalet... although I don't see him gaining > 1 minute on Contador IMO.

A 3 minute gain in the ITT would certainly be a victory of conscience.

 

[Señor_Contador]

A 3 minute gain in the ITT would certainly be a victory of conscience.

I don't know, it's just a hunch. I see Andy way, way too strong in the mountains and it looks as though he did not pay enough attention to his TT abilities. Again, this is a mere observation from what took place in the prologue and what is happening now in the mountains.

 

[scribe]

I don't know, it's just a hunch. I see Andy too, too strong in the mountains and it looks as though he did not pay enough attention to his TT abilities. Again, this is a mere observation from what took place in the prologue.

Some guys will never be TT animals. You can't really teach it. You can improve things here and there, but you can't make them.

 

[lstomsl]

Judging by what happened at the prologue... methinks AS is going to lose more than 3 minutes in the TT.

He better pull some Landis-type (without the juice) performance at the Tourmalet... although I don't see him gaining > 1 minute on Contador IMO.

Judging by how Schleck gained 28 seconds in one km when both were on the limit yesterday I expect he can pick up 10 minutes on the Tourmalet....

Extrapolation is fun, but they still have to ride their bikes.

 

[LargusMeans]

Andy's chance at victory was to do a full out attack on Ax-3 Domaines, not play some stupid macho I can track stand better then you Alberto, that was by far the most idiotic thing so far in his tour. Most people think that AC will get 2 min on the TT, and comparing this TT to last years TT is silly (extra 12k, no cat 3 climb) and Andy lost 1.45 on that one. He had to go balls out on that climb and by not doing so lost one of 2 chances to gain time.

 

[Cerberus]

Andy's chance at victory was to do a full out attack on Ax-3 Domaines, not play some stupid macho I can track stand better then you Alberto, that was by far the most idiotic thing so far in his tour. Most people think that AC will get 2 min on the TT, and comparing this TT to last years TT is silly (extra 12k, no cat 3 climb) and Andy lost 1.45 on that one. He had to go balls out on that climb and by not doing so lost one of 2 chances to gain time.

It did look really odd, it's possible he wasn't feeling very strong and was afraid that COntador would attack and gap him. That's the only (sensible) reason I can think of for attacking on Port de Bales rather than the more favourable Ax-3 finale.

 

[defunk]

Schleck v Contador

Yesterday, after 2 weeks of racing in the heat and at the end of a long climb on a long day, Schleck, mostly by himself, gained 28 seconds in one kilometer on Contador, Sanchez, and Menchov all working together. He lost time on the descent but that is to be expected. In another 1/2 km he would have caught Contador.

When the game is on and everyone is going balls to the wall Schleck showed that he has the ability to drop Contador like a blind roofer. Thursday is going to be interesting....

If he can do it again and keep it up he could potentially gain 10 minutes on Contador....

This ain't over people, it has just begun!

I love the Kool-Aid drinkers who think Schleck can drop Contador "like a blind roofer." Since when in the history of the TDF has anyone dropped Contador like that? Schlecks big move where he gained 10 seconds? Oooo weee, let the pigeons loose! Schleck is an awesome climber who has separated himself, along with Contador, as the best in the world, but anyone who thinks he can gain anymore than a few seconds on AC, even on his best day, is either stupid or naive. Go for the win, attack like crazy, hate Contador all you want, but the time to get on the podium or take down the champ has probably passed when you sat on the wheel of AC instead of marking Menchov and Sanchez. Menchov for sure can two minutes on Saturday and he'll come in after Contador. Time for the Contador haters to give a little bow to the Spaniard. If you can climb as good as the Schlecks and TT almost as good as Spartacus, not really much more to do.

 

[lstomsl]

Well they still have to ride on Thursday so we'll see. Predicting a 10 minute gain on the basis of yesterdays 1 km chase makes as much sense as all the know-it-all's here predicting exactly how much time Schleck will loose in the TT based on some other TT in some other time, in some other circumstances, at some other distance..... That was my point, smart ***.

Don't you think that pulling 28 seconds back on AC, SS, and DM in a single km was pretty impressive and probably the only tme we've seen them both going all out, head to head this year. Schleck clearly had Berties number.

I'm looking forward to Thursday.

 

[Big GMaC]

Well they still have to ride on Thursday so we'll see. Predicting a 10 minute gain on the basis of yesterdays 1 km chase makes as much sense as all the know-it-all's here predicting exactly how much time Schleck will loose in the TT based on some other TT in some other time, in some other circumstances, at some other distance..... That was my point, smart ***.

Don't you think that pulling 28 seconds back on AC, SS, and DM in a single km was pretty impressive and probably the only tme we've seen them both going all out, head to head this year. Schleck clearly had Berties number.

I'm looking forward to Thursday.

Lol, If AC was going flat out he would have dropped Sanchez and menchov


LIKE A BLIND ROOFER

Whatever that means

 

[lstomsl]

Yeah, AC was clearly holding back, waiting for the Schleklet. Thats why the cycling world has been honoring his amazing sportsmanship for the past 24 hours.....

 

[Anonymous]

ummmmm

Come all you armchair know it alls, not many chances left what's he gonna have to do get the jersey and time on AC before the final TT considering AC is a better TTer than AS...

End up at least one second faster than Bert's total at the finish line...?

 

[ridley]

AS can always 'borrow' a bike from his team mate FC .. the one with the motor and do a quick change before the final km ....

 

[Anonymous]

I'd give him the 'old Cinzano frame pump in the front spokes business.

 

[Publicus]

Yeah, AC was clearly holding back, waiting for the Schleklet. Thats why the cycling world has been honoring his amazing sportsmanship for the past 24 hours.....

Not for Schleck. He was making sure he tackled the descent WITH Sanchez and/or Menchov. Sanchez is one of the descenders in the sport and both would be motivated to put time into Andy.

 

[md2020]

It would be nice to see some fireworks on stage 17 but the way the Tour is ridden nowadays I'm not holding my breath. No top 10 rider is usually willing to take the risk with an early attack because if it fails their top 10 position is in danger. Schleck will need to go pretty close to the bottom to get enough time in the bank for the TT (like Sastre on L'Alpe d'Huez in 2008). I think he'll give it a go but I don't think it'll work.

 

[scribe]

Riis will 'door' Contador, just as Shrek attacks.

 

[Cerberus]

Riis will 'door' Contador, just as Shrek attacks.

Nice plan.

 

[lstomsl]

Or maybe he'll door Schleck since he's leaving Saxo anyway and they'll need a new GC rider for next year.....

 

[scribe]

Or maybe he'll door Schleck since he's leaving Saxo anyway and they'll need a new GC rider for next year.....

yeah. I can hear it now, "DS doors are part of the race, and should be watched for with careful attention." - riis

 

[llime76]

To win the TdF? If i am Schleck here are my plan.. IMHO

At the Tourmalet.

1. Review, Check my time difference with contador. ride & check the tourmalet (on rest day)
2. Fabian would do the fast pacing before the climb, On the start of the climb Stuart, Jakob would drive the pace; Chris Anker join the break away.. he could drive me on the top. Other teammate could monitor the other GC & AC, use them for blocking.
2. For sure, i would attack @ the Tourmalet... but where and how, i would do
the same way when AC attack me in one of stage where someday is blocking me or that perfect timing when AC is doing something.. (picking something on his pocket etc..) ... still the anger in the stomach is there.. that would be released on the legs.. we will see.
3. I would definitely try to gain some time at this stage.. or even it.. if i do that.. i could put time on the other (3rd and 4th) GC contender..

At the ITT.

1. There are surprises on the tour.. and i would surprise everyone.. this is what i am practicing for the whole year.. the ITT.. these is planed before
at least to lessen the time gap between me & AC.



Finally.. i can't win.. i'll be back again next year TdF 2011