Official thread- TDF Stage 7 Barcelone - Andorre Arcalis 224km

[Ten Percent Grade]

I think the Contador attack was in the plans. I think the plan was for one or the other to attack. Armstrong didn't because he couldn't...Contador did and got time. I don't care what LA says...if he can't win the Tour he will make himself out into the greatest teamate that anyone has ever seen.. The PR machine is already in overdrive. Paul Sherwin "And Lance Armstrong is being the ultimate teammate by siting on the wheels". What about the other Astana guys? Are they not ultimate teammates too? Just so everyone knows I will admit to being a self proclaimed HATER!!

Disappointing that some of the younger riders couldn't make a mark...but just happy that it shows their age. Bad days do happen and it is to be expected.

What the heck is he supposed to do?? The guy can't win with some of you.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Just so everyone knows I will admit to being a self proclaimed HATER!!

You might as well say it, for if you don't swear total allegiance to the Lance, others will label you that anyway it seems.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

And fanboys have a very hard time seeing the elephant in the room. I have to admit though elephants aren't the easiest animals to spot They do tend to blend in.

LOL... well the proof is at the top of the leader board... pretty hard to deny

what other 37yr old rider is sitting there?

I'll give you a hint.... the GREATEST TDF rider who has ever lived

 

[dgodave]

Oh jeez.... "Lance would have chased down AC if only he could"... (this is getting silly).
.

 

[Chomsky]

What's funny is that anyone who says anything critical of Armstrong even in the slightest is a "hater" using a double standard.

It goes beyond the sheer number of anti-Lance posts but because that many of the Lance haters have spent the last week making juvenile post after post calling the Lance lovers names, telling them they have no right to post in this forum, telling them they are stupid, not real cycling fans and asking them to go away. I can't defend the Lance lovers but the haters posts went far beyond simple juvenile temper tantrums but went into an obsessive disturbing hatred. I do find it quite funny that after spending the last week predicting the doom of their anti-christ that he is still around and might have actually been able to obtain yellow today if he had played the role of good teamate.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Anyone that thinks that Lance can't accelerate should watch any TdF from 1999 - 2005.

But that's just the point!
It isn't 1999, but 2009.
Otherwise Erik Zabel and Cipo would still be around, wupping Cavendish's *ss.
Or Carl Lewis, going head to head with Usain Bolt.

He's game, I'll give him that, but unless he's found the secret elixir of youth, he's not going to match Contador for speed, on the climbs.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

It could be because that many of the Lance haters have spent the last week making juvenile posts calling the Lance lovers names, telling them they have no right to post in this forum, telling them they are stupid, not real cycling fans and telling them to go away. I can't defend the Lance lovers but the haters posts went far beyond simple juvenile temper tantrums but into an obsessive disturbing hatred. I do find it quite funny that after spending the last week predicting the doom of their anti-christ that he is still around and might have actually been able to obtain yellow today if he had not supported his teammate.

thank you

another well rounded post

 

[dgodave]

Nothing would have made a lot of people here happier than LA going all out to chase down AC.... then failing.
.

 

[TRDean]

As was said earlier..he is game..but can't match the speed anymore.

 

[Zen Master]

I'll give you a hint.... the GREATEST TDF rider who has ever lived

Yes of course greatest TdF rider but for dummies, did you ever hear for a some guy from Belgium nickname Cannibal and other from France nickname Badger ?!!

 

[Mellow Velo]

haters have a very hard time seeing through the hate haze

Actually, I don't hate Armstrong. I think his ride is remarkable for a man of his age and with 3 years out of competition.

I hate the clueless tw*ts that surround him, like flies on a horse turd.

 

[TRDean]

Nothing would have made a lot of people here happier than LA going all out to chase down AC.... then failing.
.

I would have laughed yes!! That would have been really funny.

 

[vrusimov]

...don't bury the old man just yet...Contador burnt more matches than the other favorites today and he has to be careful not to end up like he did in 2007 and the Vuelta last year because if Armstrong is going to climb like he did today at Verbier then the 40 km TT looms large...and Armstrong ain't Leipheimer...if his form improves like it did during the Giro then i'm excited to see where the whole thing ends up...it would'nt be bad for him to finish on the podium and not necessarily win, but if he's going to lose to anyone, it better be Contador...i can accept that and it would be one of the better endings to all the drama...two seconds difference is'nt much and the tour certainly was'nt won today...the third week is where we'll see the podium frame...

...Contador's accelerations are unmatched but in 2007 and 2008 could'nt prevent Leipheimer from nearly stealing those victories from him...

...Armstrong is VERY thin and i don't know what this means for the third week but if Armstrong can control the likes of Evans on the first climbing stage then i would'nt bet against him in the final week...he's proven to only get stronger as the race goes on...

...a two second gap is nothing and therefore Contador will have to go again on Verbier, although it's shorter than Arcalis and his time gains will determine how much drama we will have in the run up to the time trial in Annecy...i have the feeling that whomever is leading after that will be the protected rider for Mont Ventoux...

...finally, given his post race comments, he did'nt seem particularly happy about being distanced today and hinted that there are times when there will be only a few riders in the final selection...this ain't over yet folks...

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

Yes of course greatest TdF rider but for dummies, did you ever hear for a some guy from Belgium nickname Cannibal and other from France nickname Badger ?!!

lol.. come on man

I SAID TDF rider

Eddy was the greatest all around bike racer ever.

Eddy even said Lance was the best TDF rider

Hinault.... I won't even go there

 

[TRDean]

Actually, I don't hate Armstrong. I think his ride is remarkable for a man of his age and with 3 years out of competition.

I hate the clueless tw*ts that surround him, like flies on a horse turd.

Now that last comment makes me laugh. And I completely agree with your post!!

 

[Anonymous]

Funny, except for a couple of brave souls, all of the fanboys waited until AFTER the race to come comment. I guess everyone has to come make an excuse?

 

[Ten Percent Grade]

Nothing would have made a lot of people here happier than LA going all out to chase down AC.... then failing.
.

I would have conceded that his chances of winning the tour are nil. As it stands now it's anybody's boxing match.

 

[Ten Percent Grade]

...don't bury the old man just yet...Contador burnt more matches than the other favorites today and he has to be careful not to end up like he did in 2007 and the Vuelta last year because if Armstrong is going to climb like he did today at Verbier then the 40 km TT looms large...and Armstrong ain't Leipheimer...if his form improves like it did during the Giro then i'm excited to see where the whole thing ends up...it would'nt be bad for him to finish on the podium and not necessarily win, but if he's going to lose to anyone, it better be Contador...i can accept that and it would be one of the better endings to all the drama...two seconds difference is'nt much and the tour certainly was'nt won today...the third week is where we'll see the podium frame...

...Contador's accelerations are unmatched but in 2007 and 2008 could'nt prevent Leipheimer from nearly stealing those victories from him...

...Armstrong is VERY thin and i don't know what this means for the third week but if Armstrong can control the likes of Evans on the first climbing stage then i would'nt bet against him in the final week...he's proven to only get stronger as the race goes on...

...a two second gap is nothing and therefore Contador will have to go again on Verbier, although it's shorter than Arcalis and his time gains will determine how much drama we will have in the run up to the time trial in Annecy...i have the feeling that whomever is leading after that will be the protected rider for Mont Ventoux...

...finally, given his post race comments, he did'nt seem particularly happy about being distanced today and hinted that there are times when there will be only a few riders in the final selection...this ain't over yet folks...

Excellent thoughts, thanks for sharing.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

Funny, except for a couple of brave souls, all of the fanboys waited until AFTER the race to come comment. I guess everyone has to come make an excuse?

I remember you saying Lance would be exposed today?

 

[Padeiro]

But that's just the point!
It isn't 1999, but 2009.
Otherwise Erik Zabel and Cipo would still be around, wupping Cavendish's *ss.
Or Carl Lewis, going head to head with Usain Bolt.

He's game, I'll give him that, but unless he's found the secret elixir of youth, he's not going to match Contador for speed, on the climbs.

I think the original issue was that the poster intimated that he could NEVER accelerate back in the day, which is crock (Sestriere 99, Hautacam '00, Alpe' d'Huez '01, the Beloki spanking on PdB and La Mongie in '02). Obviously, he's 37 now and doesn't have that same kick, but he had it in the past.

 

[frizzlefry]

Actually, I don't hate Armstrong. I think his ride is remarkable for a man of his age and with 3 years out of competition.

I hate the clueless tw*ts that surround him, like flies on a horse turd.

dont forget a broken collar bone to go with his age and 3 years off.

 

[grimpeur]

Actually, I don't hate Armstrong. I think his ride is remarkable for a man of his age and with 3 years out of competition.

I hate the clueless tw*ts that surround him, like flies on a horse turd.

Mello was that tw*ts with an i or an a ?+1

 

[slowoldman]

What I want to know is what happened to A Schleck? He had a fine opportunity to ride across to Contador and gain time, however little, on the other contenders. Was it that he couldn't? Or were there other reasons?

Good on Cadel, he tried, however little, however late. He at least gave it a go. The rest of the "contenders" deserve a failing grade for animating the race.

This stage went almost exactly as I expected.

 

[frizzlefry]

I think the original issue was that the poster intimated that he could NEVER accelerate back in the day, which is crock (Sestriere 99, Hautacam '00, Alpe' d'Huez '01, the Beloki spanking on PdB and La Mongie in '02). Obviously, he's 37 now and doesn't have that same kick, but he had it in the past.

Dont forget Luz Ardiden after eating pavement.

 

[dgodave]

I would have laughed yes!! That would have been really funny.

Thats what I mean. People want him to behave like a complete ***.
.