Official thread TdF Stage 15 Pontarlier - Verbier - 207.5 km

[Futuroscope]

I really don't think Schleck will be able to make up the time he loses on the TT

thats what im thinking too (obviously just speculation on my part) thats why i put schleck in third.

i think contador and schleck are the two strongest climbers right now and they will be 1-2 on mount ventoux. sastre i think will be third on the mount ventoux stage, as i think sastre will get a bit stronger than he was today.

nibali will be in the top 5 overall i think.

 

[Wergeland]

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.


No, I am not a Lance fanboy.

Wiggins rode great today, but REAL 25kms -30kms mountains is a different thing. Don't know how well he'll handle a mountain like that.

 

[Anonymous]

Wiggins rode great today, but REAL 25kms -30kms mountains is a different thing. Don't know how well he'll handle a mountain like that.

Right now, all he has to do is TT well and follow wheels. Something it appears he is capable of doing.

 

[BroDeal]

😕To me it looked like Contador rode easy too.It did not look very easy for Lance, unless i was looking at someone else.

Sorry. Having a bit of fun. I should have included a 🙄

 

[Futuroscope]

in order to make it as interesting as possible, I think that andy on mount ventoux should make sure he attacks before contador does..but have frank attack even earlier so andy can join frank and they can work together for awhile.

 

[benpounder]

Contador and Schlecklet, Sastre, then Evans and Armstrong (and the rest).

I should be putting money down.😎

 

[rzombie1988]

I have totally given up trying to explain the sport to my friends and family. It's so infuriating explaining things to them 4 or 5 times and they still don't get it.

I've had problems trying to explain it myself, but I think it can be a little confusing for non-fans of the sport. Either few or no other American sports have a system like tour racing.

The tour was pretty good today. I know alot of people have hated the tour this year, but I've found it to be pretty entertaining. Today was probably the best stage so far, which really was no surprise.

I've been watching the tour for a few years now and I still say it's been one of the better ones so far. I also like that no one has been caught doping yet, and I hope it stays that way(even though when such great performances happen it usually means something is up, not that I think there is though).

 

[Darrylc]

Sorry. Having a bit of fun. I should have included a 🙄

🙄That would make more sense.🙂

 

[chairvelo]

Come on, guys. Don't be fooled. Armstrong rode easy today so he get get two rest days in a row. He will sock it to everyone hard in the last week. It is all part of Bruyneel's master plan. Just wait. That upstart Contador won't know what hit him.

Amen. Lance was putting up an Oscar-worthy performance today - I loved the way he pretended not to have the legs...

 

[Mellow Velo]

Seriously, all fanboy ribbing aside, it was a pretty good ride by a guy who most of us have realistically written off as way past his prime.

Like most boxers who try the impossible comeback, in ends in defeat; a battle too far.

As a stage, it wasn't great, but as a finish, it lifted much of the past fortnight's gloom.

There may be new players lining up, but, suddenly the Tour looks as if it might reach a more fitting climax, with a five day attack fest.

 

[objective skeptic]

Amen. Lance was putting up an Oscar-worthy performance today - I loved the way he pretended not to have the legs...

You gotta admit, Kloden draggin him along was a nice touch. Really helped sell it 🙄

 

[dadoorsron]

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).

Armstrong said he was good but not good enough he'll work for contador.

 

[benpounder]

it is hard to argue that lance can be that on form when he looks so damned ugly on the bike.

Only if you are predisposed to dislike the guy.

A couple of years ago I remember Liggett was lambasting Soler for being the ugglist bike rider ever... I think Lance has stolen that title away from poor mauricio

Still have to get over Mancebo to win that crown. Good thing Botero retired, else there would be another 'hurdle'.

 

[klodifan]

I think history--and his own admissions--have shown that what Klodi CAN do and what he wants to do may be two different things.

You're absolutely right.

 

[Wergeland]

Interesting twitter form Cadel: Sorry kids. I had my first 'bad day' in 5x #tdf's today. If I looked shocking, it was nothing compared to how I felt...

hmm.. I was thinking he was climbing at the best of his abilities.

 

[Futuroscope]

You're absolutely right.

personally i get frustrated by top riders such as klöden sacrificing themselves although i partly realize why they do it.

 

[Zen Master]

Armstrong said he was good but not good enough he'll work for contador.

Lance will work for Contador, my @ss !??

 

[Futuroscope]

Interesting twitter form Cadel: Sorry kids. I had my first 'bad day' in 5x #tdf's today. If I looked shocking, it was nothing compared to how I felt...

hmm.. I was thinking he was climbing at the best of his abilities.

i think he will ride better on mount ventoux. i think he will be 4th on that stage...after contador, schleck and sastre.

 

[DavidT]

After returning from the woodshed I hope Armstrong has the class to apologize to Contador for his "he's got a lot to learn" comment, and to Sastre and the Schlecks for his "2008 tour was a joke".
Loved the stage - made my day.

 

[dadoorsron]

What have we learn from today!

Alberto Contador will win the tour. I think we can agree on that. Lance Armstrong over hyped his form a bit. 4 years from his last win and he's 2nd 1:37 down. I think a Podium spot is well in his reach. Next year if he really wants to win the tour I think he'll focus on it and will have a better chance at winning it. For right now Armstrong will have to settle for 2 or third. Bradley Wiggins is a super big surprise. His performance will open up many doors of speculation on his performance. Who knew losing weight would matter so much? Plus, what I can tell this will be his first Tour that he completed if he makes it to Paris. More Questions then answers. Andy Schleck has some good legs. He will lose time in the TT and will be even farther off the pace. Andy Schleck will be in the area of 3 plus minutes off the pace after the TT in Annecy. Unless, he can get away on Ventoux a podium is out of the question. Carlos Sastre, He was in trouble at the start but powered his way back to the front. He will be someone to watch on Ventoux, Second and thrid place positions will have to watch him closley. Evans, put a fork in him. He'll need monster performances in every stage to pull off the podium spot. His time to win the tour has passed him by. He should focus on the Giro or Vuelta to get that grand tour win. Menchov, form was for the Giro not for the tour. Top 40 finish for him at best. Frank Schleck, Has legs to but the TT will put him further back. Kloden has to mark Wiggins to get himself onto the podium. It can be done maybe. A good TT can pull him closer. Kloden may have to go on the attack on Ventoux to get the podium.

 

[dadoorsron]

Lance will work for Contador, my @ss !??

well thats what he said. I don't think he will work for contador but, Ventoux he can work for his spot on the podium.

 

[Ferminal]

Finally a great stage... Everyone got torn apart. As much as I dislike him, AC looked classy and deserves everything he achieves.

Maybe Tuesday will be interesting.

 

[Futuroscope]

What have we learn from today!

Alberto Contador will win the tour. I think we can agree on that. Lance Armstrong over hyped his form a bit. 4 years from his last win and he's 2nd 1:37 down. I think a Podium spot is well in his reach. Next year if he really wants to win the tour I think he'll focus on it and will have a better chance at winning it. For right now Armstrong will have to settle for 2 or third. Bradley Wiggins is a super big surprise. His performance will open up many doors of speculation on his performance. Who knew losing weight would matter so much? Plus, what I can tell this will be his first Tour that he completed if he makes it to Paris. More Questions then answers. Andy Schleck has some good legs. He will lose time in the TT and will be even farther off the pace. Andy Schleck will be in the area of 3 plus minutes off the pace after the TT in Annecy. Unless, he can get away on Ventoux a podium is out of the question. Carlos Sastre, He was in trouble at the start but powered his way back to the front. He will be someone to watch on Ventoux, Second and thrid place positions will have to watch him closley. Evans, put a fork in him. He'll need monster performances in every stage to pull off the podium spot. His time to win the tour has passed him by. He should focus on the Giro or Vuelta to get that grand tour win. Menchov, form was for the Giro not for the tour. Top 40 finish for him at best. Frank Schleck, Has legs to but the TT will put him further back. Kloden has to mark Wiggins to get himself onto the podium. It can be done maybe. A good TT can pull him closer. Kloden may have to go on the attack on Ventoux to get the podium.

i don't think klöden will attack on Ventoux, he will have to assist contador and lance.

 

[Delicato]

Does anybody have the information about Contador's VO2 Max value?

 

[dadoorsron]

i don't think klöden will attack on Ventoux, he will have to assist contador and lance.

attack to keep his chances for the podium is what I should of said.