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

[hmronnow]

AC got motorbike pacing

When accelerating, AC benefitted several times for chunks of road from pacing behind the motorbikes. I'm not really blaming him for it - anyone would exploit that advantrage. I'm very dfisappointed at the clumsiness of the motorbikes though. In their eagerness to film the attack, they essentially created it. The way I saw it, schleck was about to bridge when ac caught another mb ride. I'd be furious if I were schleck.

(sorry if this was already posted - i haven't read through all the pages)

 

[wiggintona]

It was a good win for Contador, but I did not see LA, LL or AK suffering, It appeared that they just covered the rest quite easily and none of the contenders like Sastre, Evans or Schleck bros. could do anything. It would have been very bad teamwork for any Astana rider to try and bridge up to Contador. the writers who wrote off LA as finished must be watching a different race, do they realize their analog TV's no longer function!!

 

[byu123]

Baby Schleck couldn't match the acceleration.

Yeah . . . but Armstrong sure easily matched Schleck's attempt to do so and pulled him back. Evan's attempt also.

 

[hfer07]

As much as everybody was praying for an Attack, I believe that AC just couldn't take it anymore and just rebelled against JB to go ballistic the last 2km-- just looking at his face, he was definitely frustrated with the original plot of just tempo-ing LA up to the finish.. I'm certain that tonight is going to be a meeting at the Astana camp to straight things out....

 

[Carl0880]

After watching the race again...

When Evans first attacked, Kloden closed the gap quickly, Armstrong was about 1 1/2 lengths behind, but closed it relatively quick, he can't accelerate on the climbs, but at least for today, looks to be as strong as the other climbers.

When Schleck started chasing Contador, Armstrong was immediately on his wheel, with Evans behind him.

When Evans went again at the 1 k to go, it was Wiggins, directly behind by Levi then Lance directly in line.

I am befuddled by Wiggins still being there. I know it was a bigger then usual group together on a mountain finish, but a guy who is always in the autobus all of a sudden on the lead group on a Mountain Finish?? Talk about the what the he** moment.

Many chapeau to Feillu. BTW, it was cool to see his brother at the head of the autobus slapping hands with the fans and pumping his fist over the excitement of his brother winning.

 

[Anonymous]

I remember you saying Lance would be exposed today?

And what was your prediction fanboy? Oh wait, you were one of the fanboys that didn't have the balls to actually predict anything. Like most of them, you just attacked those people who don't sniff the same chamois as do you.

 

[Bala Verde]

Bruyneel wasn't happy with the outcome of the stage.

Apparently, the plan was to let an escape group go and manitain a distance between them and the peloton, so that one of the escapees would take yellow. That happened, but the margin between Nocentini and the Astana's is only 6s, which, to him, means that AST needs to control the race the next couple of weeks, as if they did have yellow. They wanted to shirk responsibilities till the end of the second/start 3rd week....

 

[Mellow Velo]

So, all the peloton were let in on this cunning plan and were happy to ride tranquilo for Uncle Lance?
No, I thought not.
JB/LA pact, which is no surprise to many of us, exposed for what it is.
All it needs to succeed is a younger pair of legs.

 

[issoisso]

To be fair, it's a no brainer. History shows us that it's the same every year: you don't want to have to control the race between the Pyrenees and the Alps or you will kill your team.

I'll be surprised if Nocentini gets to Monday with his jersey.

 

[Cobblestones]

I'm skeptical. They didn't have the MJ so far and still worked their behinds off since the TTT. They'll do the train tomorrow and Sunday with or w/o having yellow, never mind the gaps.

 

[dadoorsron]

After watching the race again...

When Evans first attacked, Kloden closed the gap quickly, Armstrong was about 1 1/2 lengths behind, but closed it relatively quick, he can't accelerate on the climbs, but at least for today, looks to be as strong as the other climbers.

When Schleck started chasing Contador, Armstrong was immediately on his wheel, with Evans behind him.

When Evans went again at the 1 k to go, it was Wiggins, directly behind by Levi then Lance directly in line.

I am befuddled by Wiggins still being there. I know it was a bigger then usual group together on a mountain finish, but a guy who is always in the autobus all of a sudden on the lead group on a Mountain Finish?? Talk about the what the he** moment.

Many chapeau to Feillu. BTW, it was cool to see his brother at the head of the autobus slapping hands with the fans and pumping his fist over the excitement of his brother winning.

It was a long climb but not a very hard climb. It will be different next week in the alps. harder finishes at the top of the world.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

And what was your prediction fanboy? Oh wait, you were one of the fanboys that didn't have the balls to actually predict anything. Like most of them, you just attacked those people who don't sniff the same chamois as do you.

I expect 1st or second depending on team politics

 

[DalyPeleton]

The only person who could possibly have matched AC's ability to accelerate in the mountains might have been a relatively untested Andy Schleck. If today is any indication, the race is AC's to win or loose. Either way, AC will learn a lot from his teammates this Tour. Knowledge that will serve him well for may years to come.

 

[Chomsky]

The race comes down to three stages. Stage 15 and 20 and stage 18's ITT. No contender will gain any time the next two days. Stage 16 and 17 are hard stages but the kind of stages where riders can come back. The ITT in stage 18 looks to be the sorting stage if Contador does not ride people off his wheel in stage 15.

 

[Greisty]

And what was your prediction fanboy? Oh wait, you were one of the fanboys that didn't have the balls to actually predict anything. Like most of them, you just attacked those people who don't sniff the same chamois as do you.

How is repeatedly calling people who always support Armstrong "fanboy" any different than categorically trashing Armstrong, no matter what he does?

I reiterate: your opinion is of no greater value than anyone else's here. You have yet to demonstrate your qualifications other than a truncated understanding of rudimentary bike racing tactics.

And come to think of it: you do spend an awful lot of time posting. Maybe you should consider going for an actual bike ride yourself. You might learn something.

 

[Mellow Velo]

I'm skeptical. They didn't have the MJ so far and still worked their behinds off since the TTT. They'll do the train tomorrow and Sunday with or w/o having yellow, never mind the gaps.

Exactly.
It's a bit like saying: "Oh we decided to ride a slow team trial, because we don't won't the yellow till it suits us."
Well, they went eyeballs out and missed it by 2 tenths.
Then, they rode on the front all day today, when they didn't have to.

Historically, once Lance gets his colour of preference, he doesn't like to give it away.
Fact is: They could have held it since Tuesday.

Bruyneel: The modern day definition of hogwash.

 

[afpm90]

I have one word for today's stage: BORING. Just three attacks from Cadel Evans, Van den Broeck and Contador. The others interested in the GC didn't move a finger. I expected a lot more: numerous attacks from the non-Astana trying to destroy the team of Contador. But we can't always have what we want. The big winner was Contador, attacked and distanced himself from the other GC threats and explained why he's considered the best climber in the world when on form.

 

[Delicato]

The race comes down to three stages. Stage 15 and 20 and stage 18's ITT. No contender will gain any time the next two days. Stage 16 and 17 are hard stages but the kind of stages where riders can come back. The ITT in stage 18 looks to be the sorting stage if Contador does not ride people off his wheel in stage 15.

The stage finishing in Grand Bornand (17th) is very hard and the kind of stage where nobody can come back. Remember that infamous Morzine stage which Landis won? How much time did Landis put to Sastre or Moreau on the descent from the Joux-Plane? Not even ten seconds.

 

[luckyboy]

Feillu

Nocentini

Contador

Wiggins


Great last 3km

 

[Oldman]

It was a boring, conservative stage. I think there were other possible attackers but they were hoping the Astana "politics" would encourage an LA counter. Here's how LA would play it if he is smart-let Contador move up and take the brunt of attention, see how he handles it. LA will still be protected, Contador will have to respond to serious attacks by Schleck and more while LA gets a counter attack opportunity. He'll try it somewhere along the line as he now has a license to operate beyond the team stategy in his mind.

 

[pmcg76]

The thing about all this posturing is that Lance is in a no-lose situation and I have always believed that since he returned. If Astana ride the rest of the Tour the way they planned today, Lance will stay in yellow and probably win.
Lance is a hero.

If Contador attacks and proves himself as superior, then Lance will be seen as being a good team-mate and Contador as the villian who ignored the team plan. Lance is still a hero at 38 coming back and capable of winning only for his selfish team-mate.

This is exactly what is happening and Lance is playing the media game as always. There has not been a situation like this in the Tour since so there is nothing most people can compare it to unless you have been following cycling for about 25/30 years plus.

Whoever is the strongest should win, regardless of team tactics because we know Bruyneel will always go with Lance.

 

[dadoorsron]

I have one word for today's stage: BORING. Just three attacks from Cadel Evans, Van den Broeck and Contador. The others interested in the GC didn't move a finger. I expected a lot more: numerous attacks from the non-Astana trying to destroy the team of Contador. But we can't always have what we want. The big winner was Contador, attacked and distanced himself from the other GC threats and explained why he's considered the best climber in the world when on form.

Why would you look for fireworks on the first mountians stage of the tour that comes so early? You have 13 more stages. any time gains that are made today can be earsed in the following much harder mountian top finishes.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

How is repeatedly calling people who always support Armstrong "fanboy" any different than categorically trashing Armstrong, no matter what he does?

I reiterate: your opinion is of no greater value than anyone else's here. You have yet to demonstrate your qualifications other than a truncated understanding of rudimentary bike racing tactics.

And come to think of it: you do spend an awful lot of time posting. Maybe you should consider going for an actual bike ride yourself. You might learn something.

Agreed
as I said before the guy is a cat 4 at best

 

[53x11 in DC]

Garmin wants one last hurrah before they totally fall apart on the final climb.

Wow - how right you were.

 

[Anonymous]

How is repeatedly calling people who always support Armstrong "fanboy" any different than categorically trashing Armstrong, no matter what he does?

I reiterate: your opinion is of no greater value than anyone else's here. You have yet to demonstrate your qualifications other than a truncated understanding of rudimentary bike racing tactics.

And come to think of it: you do spend an awful lot of time posting. Maybe you should consider going for an actual bike ride yourself. You might learn something.

Mirror mirror on the wall...