Official thread TdF Stage 15 Pontarlier - Verbier - 207.5 km

[dwyatt]

seen rogers has just done a tweet of "Ouch, ouch, ouch". Wonder where he finished, wasn't in top 80.

 

[indurain666]

Phil described it best. "Andreas is looking after Lance, dragging him to the top." And that may just cost him a podium spot.

My thoughts exactly. He really sloweeed for the ol man and it only proves how biased JB's amazing tactics are. If you want two guys in the podium, he should have let Klodi go with the likes of F. Schleck.

 

[Azdak6]

He didn't seem that sour to me. More disappointed. Not sure what else to expect him to say. I mean, the writing is on the wall.

He might be able to hold on to a podium, simply because that TTT created such a nice cushion, and he is holding himself fairly well. I'm sure that's going to be a goal at this point.

Still, awesome, awesome ride by Contador. And great to see the riders finally attack each other.

+1 for at least one person to demonstrate an objective observation. It answered one question for me at least. Based on his performance at the Giro, I could not understand why Armstrong considered himself a serious contender. Until today, I think he really thought he had enough to be at least competitive with the top rank of riders. Today pretty much showed what I think most people expected. I am only surprised by Wiggins--and Kloden to some extent.

If you look at what's ahead, and the current overall, I would say that Armstrong faces an "uphill" battle even for a podium spot. Barring a "jure sans", Wiggins looks like a lock for #2, and Kloden, Schlecklet, and even Sastre are serious challengers for #3.

 

[dwyatt]

lancearmstrong :St15 done. Ouch! Verbier was as hard as I thought. Alberto - super and had great punch/power. A heartfelt congrats to him. Rest day 2morrow!

Doesn't seem like sour grapes to me

 

[Zen Master]

"I've got 7 (yellow jersey's) at home"

Now he can put all seven yellow jersey's in his doped @ss, maybe that make him feel a little better !?

 

[Anonymous]

+1 for at least one person to demonstrate an objective observation. It answered one question for me at least. Based on his performance at the Giro, I could not understand why Armstrong considered himself a serious contender. Until today, I think he really thought he had enough to be at least competitive with the top rank of riders. Today pretty much showed what I think most people expected. I am only surprised by Wiggins--and Kloden to some extent.

If you look at what's ahead, and the current overall, I would say that Armstrong faces an "uphill" battle even for a podium spot. Barring a "jure sans", Wiggins looks like a lock for #2, and Kloden, Schlecklet, and even Sastre are serious challengers for #3.

Again, showing humility after you have been humiliated is not really that hard to do. His tweety words and interviews up to this point have been classless.

 

[frizzlefry]

Why is it when someone has a good performance the 1st thing you think about is drugs??? Wiggo is defo a clean rider!

LOL, this sure does sound familiar since 1999. Fanboy?
What a twist of fate.LMFAO.

 

[Cobber]

No, I just don't understand how the guy became a TDF GT rider in just one year.

How do they do it then? Armstrong won in 1999 his first year back. Ullrich was 2nd in 1996 his first year. How could Wiggo perform this year that would not raise your suspicions?

 

[zprths]

I think AC could possibly equal LA's 7 TdF's if that is his goal and he choses very wisely what team to ride for.

I hope not. One person dominating for so long just gets kind of boring.

 

[Publicus]

Pretty gracious and honest interview by Lance. It looks like he was crying....

 

[Eva Maria]

Armstrong is such a jerk! Anyone just listen to his inteview with Frankie?

He should have thanked Kloden for towing his old slow A$$ up the climb

 

[dadoorsron]

Why is it when someone has a good performance the 1st thing you think about is drugs??? Wiggo is defo a clean rider!

Well, in all likely hood How many people on this board look at it. If one dopes they all dope.

 

[luckyboy]

How good is Nibali at TTing?

 

[IndyJoe]

It will be interesting to see what he will say when Contador has five Tours, four Vueltas, and a couple of Giros.

I think this is a really good point. What I never understood with Armstrong is why he never "went for it". The guy is so competitive, and wants to be seen as one of the greatest riders of all time. Why he never went for the double, or rode really hard in the classics. What would it have meant if he had won Milan, Paris-Roubaix, and/or Amstel, then won the Giro and the TdF in the same year? There's no doubt he could've done it, but wouldn't put himself at risk.


That's such a letdown for cycling in general, and a huge hole in is resume. IMO.

 

[Anonymous]

lancearmstrong :St15 done. Ouch! Verbier was as hard as I thought. Alberto - super and had great punch/power. A heartfelt congrats to him. Rest day 2morrow!

Doesn't seem like sour grapes to me

It was his quote about his 7 jerseys at home during his interview to wit I refer. Also note all of the shit talking up to this point and again, you will have to excuse me if his new found humility doesn't warm my cockles.

 

[BroDeal]

Again, showing humility after you have been humiliated is not really that hard to do. His tweety words and interviews up to this point have been classless.

That is the thing. He must have looked at the numbers and known that he could not produce the power to weight ratio required. So why all the pretending and dissing of Contador? It must have been a pure ego trip causing him to lead people on as long as possible.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

How good is Nibali at TTing?

Nibali is a pretty decent TTr. Not fair from Kruziger standards I would say. I'd say he will top ten on stage 18
I know he has won stages in the disclipline before - of course in smaller races, against weaker fields, and a shorter course. but still...

 

[Amsterhammer]

The number of posts has nearly doubled since I last looked in.

Well, we got action at last and some questions got answered. Contador went away like a only a great champion can, all credit to him. Barring some unforeseeable disaster, the Tour is his.

Schleklet is good, but not (yet) in the same class. LA's legs showed their age today. he was well beaten on merit and I don't expect him to make any excuses (have not seen an interview with him yet).

 

[IndyJoe]

Lance sucks, and I hate his attitude.

Listen, this is all you really need to post. Just start a new thread each day, and post the above quote, and you'll be good for the rest of the day. No need to post 50 different variations of the above every single day. It's so tiresome and boring.


thanks

 

[Carl0880]

How good is Nibali at TTing?

He is an excellent TT, I believe he was an U23 Italian Champion. I remember noticing him I believe it was the Giro del Trentino about 2-3 years ago where he finished Top 5 when he was 21-22 yrs old. I watch a few clips and I have been keeping an eye on his progression expecting him to develop into a GC contender. So far, he hasn't disappoint.

 

[frizzlefry]

Why is it when someone has a good performance the 1st thing you think about is drugs??? Wiggo is defo a clean rider!

Out with the old in with the new. The next generation has definitely arrived.

 

[Jacques Tati]

It is pretty painful seeing Wiggins dropping Armstrong, it was OK when Wiggins was with all the favorites at the Arcalis stage, but with today's pace seeing him at the front really amazes me. Maybe it is only because of motivation and the fact that he is now 100% focused on the road racing, but it is very suspicious. I hope that Garmin is still the cleanest team in the peloton.


Hope Wiggo's not on the 'David Millar performance plan'

 

[Azdak6]

Again, showing humility after you have been humiliated is not really that hard to do. His tweety words and interviews up to this point have been classless.

Only in your clubhouse.

Nothing defines "ironic" like you trying to talk about "class".

 

[luckyboy]

Nibali is a pretty decent TTr. Not fair from Kruziger standards I would say. I'd say he will top ten on stage 18
I know he has won stages in the disclipline before - of course in smaller races, against weaker fields, and a shorter course. but still...

He is an excellent TT, I believe he was an U23 Italian Champion. I remember noticing him I believe it was the Giro del Trentino about 2-3 years ago where he finished Top 5 when he was 21-22 yrs old. I watch a few clips and I have been keeping an eye on his progression expecting him to develop into a GC contender. So far, he hasn't disappoint.

Oh right - he's good enough to get 3rd then. Ahead of Andy in the TT anyway

 

[IndyJoe]

Again, showing humility after you have been humiliated is not really that hard to do. His tweety words and interviews up to this point have been classless.

lancearmstrongSt15 done. Ouch! Verbier was as hard as I thought. Alberto - super and had great punch/power. A heartfelt congrats to him. Rest day 2morrow!


This was his tweet for today, btw.