Le Tour de France 2011 - the big one is coming

Page 9 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Aug 5, 2010
11,027
89
22,580
Timmy-loves-Rabo said:
What about barca destroying man utd with some beautiful football. :p

ofc every1 would prefer to see the big names going all out but the thing is doesn't happen a lot. almost never in the tours case
 
Jun 14, 2010
34,930
60
22,580
dabar85 said:
And one more thing, if gilbert decided to ride giro he would win all of this stages with final climb, gatto, strade bianche, gadret...and would win it very easily. In the tour there is much bigger chance that he won't win because of the class. Put contador out of giro, the margins were little but class of other riders is much lower. I adore giro parcours, and it's the best for fans, but there is lack of quality there and that's why tour is the biggest race. If zomegnan can have roster like tour that would be excellent and than giro can be measured with tour. Tour riders on giro parcours, that would be excellent.


Denis Menchov, Michelle Scarponi, Vincenszo Nibali, Joaquim Rodriguez, Igor Anton, Jose Rujano, Carlos Sastre, Roman Kreuziger.

Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans, Ivan Basso, Samuel Sanchez, Robert Gesink.

Last year we got to see Scarponi and Nibali compare to Evans and Basso and they finished between them.

Last year we got to see Menchov compare to Andy and Samu and he finished between them.

Add to that Igor Anton superclimber, a Tour winner and several other world class riders.

And the Giro even had its top contender taken out before hand.

So is the Tour lineup really a world better? I think Contador on that form could have put in about 3 minutes into junior and 6 minutes into the rest so only Schleck makes the Tour lineup slightly stronger to the Giro one


Parrulo said:
oh great post libertine

i much prefer watching great racing then a parade of big names riding has defensively as possible. if stage 15 of this years giro was in the tour it would most likely go as follows: summer rider to the foot of the last climb and then decided everything on the last k of that climb.


Actually im not so sure. In the Tour riders can be brought back going from far because the climbs arent that steep. Giau, Marmolada and Gardeccia all had 11% sections in the, so people would crack. THats why i get excited with Crostis or Zoncolan or Mortirolo or climbs at the Giro. Because they are so steep even if the riders dont want to race, the climb forces them too.

Bavarian rider of course believes otherwise.

ALso i was on the plane in the 09 queen stage so missed it but didnt the Schleck bros, Conti, Kloeden break form many ks from the finish?

What we learned from Rujano in the Giro though is you need Rujano/ Mosquera type characters who will go on the attack a few times on mountains forcing everyone else to attack.


Timmy-loves-Rabo said:
What about barca destroying man utd with some beautiful football. :p

---

lol el pickle will eat his words if gilbert fails.

El Pickle will just change the subject.

He should take a line from the DT line of argument though. - "wow you looked at my old posts. You are a loser. Pathetic":p

(not just mocking DT here, i thought it was a funny way to respond)

As for Barca well, a better example of what Libertine Seguros means is when they sans messi faced you guys just last year.

I missed that match and apaprently saved about 3 hours of my time.
 
Jun 22, 2009
10,644
2
0
whoa people I wasn't trying to make a comparison to cycling. I just wanted to mention that man u looked like amatures :p It was actually a good watch, watching barca like that doesn't get old.

although in a way barca did to man u what ac did to the peleton :p

----

Anyway back to cycling.
ANy ideas on the team line-ups (no need to post cycling fever, seen it also), and who will lead thier teams.

I feel pretty confident the rabo team will be:
Gesink
Mollema
LLS
Barredo
Garate
Boom
LTD
Tjallingi
Niermann

I'm curious as to who the leaders will be tho..
shack? Klodi, Horner, bottle, Braj?
Garmin? Hesj again? I hope they let Martin do his thing.
 
Libertine Seguros said:
And I'd rather watch small football teams play an exciting match than Manchester United and Real Madrid play out a 0-0 draw. Just because you have better players doesn't mean the match will be any better - just that more people will want to watch it, which means more is riding on it, which means more is at stake if you lose.

Not losing is more important than winning at the Tour. I'd rather see exciting racing between a few medium-sized names giving it their all, than a roll-call of the biggest names in the sport riding in formation. If you disagree, then fine, that's your call - but don't call us out for saying we think the race will be worse than others.

Parrulo said:
oh great post libertine

i much prefer watching great racing then a parade of big names riding has defensively as possible. if stage 15 of this years giro was in the tour it would most likely go as follows: summer rider to the foot of the last climb and then decided everything on the last k of that climb.

These are reasons why I like someone like Vino, who will stir up the pot and force some action. :D

Are there any real Vino protégées out there?
 
Apr 11, 2010
90
0
0
do you guys think evans will finnish above basso in the TDF, i dont think there are enough climbs for basso to take advantage of?
 
May 24, 2010
855
1
0
While the parcours is not boring it can always be better, unfortunately the commercialism that ASO prize more than anything else is the priority and that maybe rules out much in the way of "different" stages, you saw how many whinges and gripes we had last year in the Ardennes and on the cobbles.

The route means little, if Contador rides in ever 95% of his Giro form he'll win hands down, the rest will be fighting for the scraps. Andy Schleck will never beat Berto in a GT. Looking forward to the tour this year as I'll get to see a couple of stages, the depart in Cugnaux the crash on down to Luz Ardiden, then hopefully Plateau de Bielle a couple of days later.....deep joy!
 
Jul 3, 2009
18,948
5
22,485
No times bonuses is so sad. 1, 4, 8, 9 = definite puncheurs sprints. 6, Gilbert might be an outside chance (a bit like Toledo?).

If they are going to have a TTT to distort the "true GC times" then why not have time bonuses too. We could have seen quite a few GC shakeups in the first week with a clear spread of GC favourites across a 30" - 1'30" (counting the TTT time). Instead we will have the TTT difference, and the 2, 5, 3 seconds lost here and there on these climbs, maybe. Without time bonuses I'm not sure people will genuinely try and challenge Gilbert for the win.

The theory behind lots of uphill finishes is good, because it's needed when your first mountain stage is 13 days away. But, without time bonuses they are far less relevant to the GC contest.

The finish of the first stage is actually quite easy, a strong sprinter might think they are a chance. It should be enough for Gilbert though. The Bretagne finish is the toughest, 1km @ 9.7% then 1km @ 4.0%.
 
May 27, 2010
5,376
0
0
BMC team that im guessing
Cadel Evans
Amael Moinard
Ivan Santamorita
George Hincapie
Steve Morabito
Greg Van Avermaet?
Taylor Phinney?
Karsten Kroon?
Alessandro Ballan?
Mauro Santambrogio?
Marcus Burghardt?
 
Jun 28, 2009
568
0
0
I wonder how the other American teams are going to play this race?

Radioshack I would guess will be
Matthew Busche
Chris Horner
Andreas Klöden
Levi Leipheimer
Janez Brajkovič
Yaroslav Popovych
Sérgio Paulinho
Haimar Zubeldia
Robert Hunter or Robbie McEwen

Garmin-Cervelo I would guess will be
Tyler Farrar
Heinrich Haussler
Thor Hushovd
David Millar
Christian Vande Velde
David Zabriskie
Tom Danielson
Johan Vansummeren
Ryder Hesjedal
 
Jul 28, 2010
2,274
0
0
Pretty sure Haussler isn't riding the Tour, not enough room.
They might bring Dean for another leadout man, or Martin for another mountain man (and maybe this year's Garmin special)

As for Radioshack, if they bring a sprinter it should be McEwen.
 
Jul 12, 2010
147
0
0
I think I'll be watching this years Tour like I did when I started following - enjoy the race for the spectacle it is and enjoy the scenery of a beautiful country. Celebrate the climbers and sprinters applying their craft and hope that the breakaway can survive... and cheer for the Aussies of course.

...If Alberto races (and more so if this question mark remains over his head) then the race will most probably be very boring (as he is clearly in a league of his own), and will leave a bad taste in my mouth with the inpending decision due... not to mention the issue being constantly brought up by the media over and over again.

Love watching Contador tackle Andy on the climbs, but the time trial will always play into his hands in that duel.

Apart from them 2, no-one else has shown they can get close to the GC.
 
Jul 12, 2010
147
0
0
I will mention, i hope Australia finds another good sprinter one day. McEwen in his prime was the most excitement I ever had watching the tour. Either with a lead out man or by himself, the man was absolutely amazing and a great thinker on the bike with wicked speed. what a gun - i miss him already and he hasn't even retired.
 
Jun 22, 2009
10,644
2
0
Clemson Cycling said:
I wonder how the other American teams are going to play this race?

Radioshack I would guess will be
Matthew Busche
Chris Horner
Andreas Klöden
Levi Leipheimer
Janez Brajkovič
Yaroslav Popovych
Sérgio Paulinho
Haimar Zubeldia
Robert Hunter or Robbie McEwen

Garmin-Cervelo I would guess will be
Tyler Farrar
Heinrich Haussler
Thor Hushovd
David Millar
Christian Vande Velde
David Zabriskie
Tom Danielson
Johan Vansummeren
Ryder Hesjedal

radioshack: I don't see the point of even sending a sprinter. Thier both gonna struggle to get amongst it, even less so without support. Another reason we saw them at Giro.

for shack I suspect something like this:
braj.
horner
kloden
Leipheimer
Pauliniho
Zubeldia
Rast
Popo
Rosseler

Busche would be great, but i have my doubts. Maybe instead of rast or rosseler.

and for garmin I'm 95% certain Martin will be in the team.
Danielson probably not.
 
Apr 9, 2011
3,034
2
0
dlwssonic said:
BMC team that im guessing
Cadel Evans
Amael Moinard
Ivan Santamorita
George Hincapie
Steve Morabito
Greg Van Avermaet?
Taylor Phinney?
Karsten Kroon?
Alessandro Ballan?
Mauro Santambrogio?
Marcus Burghardt?

more likely IMO

Cadel Evans
Amael Moinard
Ivan Santamorita
George Hincapie
Steve Morabito
Greg Van Avermaet
Brent Bookwalter
Manuel Quinziato
Burghardt/Ballen
 
Jul 3, 2009
18,948
5
22,485
Radioshack:

Klöden
Brajkovic
Leipheimer
Horner
Zubeldia
Paulinho
Rast

And 2 of: Muravyev/Rosseler/Hunter/McEwen

I think Muravyev will be in, and probably McEwen, just as someone to show off (would prefer Rosseler though).

I would be surprised if Busche is considered, JB would have to see something very special in him and be very satisfied with his preparation. Most likely 8 of the 9 spots were already locked in by January.
 
Jun 16, 2009
19,654
2
0
just some guy said:
more likely IMO

Cadel Evans
Amael Moinard
Ivan Santamorita
George Hincapie
Steve Morabito
Greg Van Avermaet
Brent Bookwalter
Manuel Quinziato
Burghardt/Ballen

Van Avermaet is definetly not doing the tour and ballan originally had the plan to do the giro though I think he might do la vuelta.

Anyway the definites are

Evans
Moinard
Morabito
Quinziato
Santaromita
Hincapie
Bookwalter

and two from Schaer, Kroon and Burghardt. Ballan also might be included in the 'maybe pile'
 
Jun 22, 2009
10,644
2
0
Ferminal said:
Radioshack:

Klöden
Brajkovic
Leipheimer
Horner
Zubeldia
Paulinho
Rast

And 2 of: Muravyev/Rosseler/Hunter/McEwen

I think Muravyev will be in, and probably McEwen, just as someone to show off (would prefer Rosseler though).

I would be surprised if Busche is considered, JB would have to see something very special in him and be very satisfied with his preparation. Most likely 8 of the 9 spots were already locked in by January.

Yeah I was thinking popo might miss it also, probabaly wont be great come july anyway.

I'm really sure Rosseler will be in there.
 
Apr 9, 2011
3,034
2
0
just some guy said:
more likely IMO

Cadel Evans
Amael Moinard
Ivan Santamorita
George Hincapie
Steve Morabito
Greg Van Avermaet
Brent Bookwalter
Manuel Quinziato
Burghardt/Ballen

auscyclefan94 said:
Van Avermaet is definetly not doing the tour and ballan originally had the plan to do the giro though I think he might do la vuelta.

Anyway the definites are

Evans
Moinard
Morabito
Quinziato
Santaromita
Hincapie
Bookwalter

and two from Schaer, Kroon and Burghardt. Ballan also might be included in the 'maybe pile'

Thinking on the way to work I was going to change to

Cadel Evans
Amael Moinard
Ivan Santamorita
George Hincapie
Steve Morabito
Greg Van Avermaet\ Micky Schär
Brent Bookwalter
Manuel Quinziato
Burghardt/Ballen
 
Aug 29, 2009
7,894
7,104
23,180
Lanark said:
No, 2008:

finish.jpg


2011:

Much easier this year.

I think they did the same climb in 1996, but the run up to the climb was a lot more difficult.

I think that this profile is just wrong, I've just had a look at that profile and the stage finish a couple of months ago (when the route was anounced), there is no way that last 1,5k had an average gradient of 10%. Schumacher could even have kept yellow that day if he didn't crash.

if you have a look at the profile you can see that it is not even possible mathematically, the road is slighty uphill on from Carrefour so we might have an altitude of ~1170-1175m at the 1,5km mark, which makes it 7-8% for the last 1,5km

the roadbook isn't very detailled but I think it's the same finish they do this year:

2008:

BESSE-ET-SAINT-ANASTAISE(D.978-D.149) 7.0 188.5
Carrefour D.149-D.978D.149 2.5 193.0
Carrefour D.978-D.149D.978 2.0 193.5
SUPER-BESSED.149Finish 0.0 195.5

2011:

BESSE-ET-SAINT-ANASTAISE (D36-VC-D978-D36-D149) 6.5 182.5
Carrefour D149-D978 D149 2.5 186.5
Carrefour D978-D149 D978 2.0 187.0
Super-Besse D149 0.0 189.0
 
Jul 15, 2009
284
0
0
Yeah, that stage wasn't that steep; It was more of a faux-plat all the way up with a small "ramp" on the finish. It was quite the drag race up the top and resulted in a sprint to the finish out of an enormously big group with lots of favourites and puncheur type riders.
 
Jun 16, 2009
19,654
2
0
just some guy said:
Thinking on the way to work I was going to change to

Cadel Evans
Amael Moinard
Ivan Santamorita
George Hincapie
Steve Morabito
Greg Van Avermaet\ Micky Schär
Brent Bookwalter
Manuel Quinziato
Burghardt/Ballen

I am not certain, but I am pretty sure Greg ain't riding. Either way, Schaer is a strong rider and should be good for the ttt.
 
Apr 9, 2011
3,034
2
0
auscyclefan94 said:
I am not certain, but I am pretty sure Greg ain't riding. Either way, Schaer is a strong rider and should be good for the ttt.

AND Mr BMC who misses if Matt Lloyd signs ?
 

TRENDING THREADS