Official thread - TdF Stage 4: Team Time Trial (Montpellier - Montpellier 38 km)

[Ibanez]

Quick estimation... (Roughly)

GC WATCH:

Armstrong ----
Contador + 20
Kloden + 25
Liephiemer + 30
Kruziger + 35
VdV - + 1.15
A. Schleck + 1.40
F. Schleck + 2.25
Sastre + 2.45
Evans + 3.10
Menchov + 4.10

Jesus. How exciting is that? Kreuziger, talented as he is, is not going to trouble Contador. Tour pretty much over on day 4.

 

[sportzchick]

You cant get any closer than that

Im happy with Fabian keeping yellow - he deserves it

Lotto are a disgrace I think cadel could of ridden that TT alone by himself

 

[yetanothergreenworld]

It's a team sport. Get over it.

Um, it's already a team sport WITHOUT the team time trial, and that's fine. But adding the time time trial on top of everything else basically eliminates everyone who's not on the two or three strongest team. That's not how to design an exciting race.

 

[Anonymous]

This is the closest Armstrong will ever be to yellow.

You underestimate LA, I think.

I doubt Contador is as certain as you.

 

[Ibanez]

where are we putting the cannot win the tour cuttoff?

I think 2 minutes back and it's all over. 1 minute is hard enough with Astana's strength.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Um, it's already a team sport WITHOUT the team time trial, and that's fine. But adding the time time trial on top of everything else basically eliminates everyone who's not on the two or three strongest team. That's not how to design an exciting race.

I agree the TTT is an unfair stage.

 

[Ten Percent Grade]

This is the closest Armstrong will ever be to yellow.

I don't understand how you can say this with such conviction when it is quite clear that Lance is in good form.

 

[Anonymous]

I think 2 minutes back and it's all over. 1 minute is hard enough with Astana's strength.

im gonna be generous and just write off cadel and menchov..

i can see cadel (well i cant, but lets imagine) attacking at putting three minutes into levi, or contador, or kloden, or armstrong.. but all four??? not a hope..

 

[luckyboy]

I don't understand how you can say this with such conviction when it is quite clear that Lance is in good form.

Well I said it, deal with it

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Schlecks/Sastre/Mencov and Evans all have to attack with full throttle. Especially considering there is another Time trial to come, and you can only assume all but Evans will lose at least a minute if not more to Conta (and maybe LA) there.

 

[clydesdale]

I agree the TTT is an unfair stage.

I know people ask this literally every year at this time, but does this mean Cadel will leave Lotto?

 

[dgodave]

Um, it's already a team sport WITHOUT the team time trial, and that's fine. But adding the time time trial on top of everything else basically eliminates everyone who's not on the two or three strongest team. That's not how to design an exciting race.

It is indeed a shame to see more contenders shut out this early.
.

 

[Anonymous]

You underestimate LA, I think.

I doubt Contador is as certain as you.

i think we could be watching history.. like it or not..

 

[luckyboy]

im gonna be generous and just write off cadel and menchov..

i can see cadel (well i cant, but lets imagine) attacking at putting three minutes into levi, or contador, or kloden, or armstrong.. but all four??? not a hope..

They should all be attacking hard though - by they I mean Sastre, Menchov & Evans

 

[Ten Percent Grade]

Well I said it, deal with it

I'm perfectly fine with what you said I just hope you're perfectly fine with being wrong.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

I don't understand how you can say this with such conviction when it is quite clear that Lance is in good form.

Yeah, but he didn't look half as strong as Klöden for example who to me looked exeptionally strong for me on the Astana squad....

He wasn't leading all to much as well.

 

[TibetT]

Astana have showed their hand. Feel sorry for Evans, Menchov and Sastre. TTT is great for a strong team - but for the rest of the GC - just proves the old theory that money can buy just about anything. Can only hope the long lost GC riderts can somehow? challenge in the mountains. Not holding my breath though.

 

[Anonymous]

i think there may be a few teams sharing hotel rooms and having discussions...

 

[RhodriM]

My bet on Menchov is looking more and more a poor choice

Wonder what odds you'd get on him now.

Edit: Bloody 66/1. He was 12/1 to begin with :'(

 

[luckyboy]

I'm perfectly fine with what you said I just hope you're perfectly fine with being wrong.

I will leave this forum is Lance wins the Tour

 

[Kennf1]

Lotto are a disgrace I think cadel could of ridden that TT alone by himself

Agreed. That's no team for a rider of Cadel's caliber. Horner couldn't have helped them today.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I know people ask this literally every year at this time, but does this mean Cadel will leave Lotto?

Well to be honest I don't see the stronger TTT teams wanting Evans. He is getting older, Astana and Saxo have stronger riders already. THR have upcoming riders, maybe Garmin, but i doubt it. Liquigas has talented youth. Where could he go that would really improve his situation and where he wouldn't just be a domestique??

Evans will never win the tour.

 

[dsut4392]

How about Ben Stiller presenting the yellow jersey! He looked more than a little disappointed he was putting it on Cancellara rather than Armstrong

 

[Amsterhammer]

Yeah, but he didn't look half as strong as Klöden for example who to me looked exeptionally strong for me on the Astana squad....

He wasn't leading all to much as well.

You either didn't watch or you're blind, or just blinded by your dislike of LA - he took longer turns than anyone else (as far as we could see from the pictures we saw) in the first half of the course, leading on many of the tricky bits. Lance worked his nut off today.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

My bet on Menchov is looking more and more a poor choice

Wonder what odds you'd get on him now.

mine too haha.