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

[msjett]

Oh i doubt they'd let them get yellow, that would be a mistake to let them back in the race. but im sure they would let them get about a minute or two up the road.

I'm gonna be optimistic, and say mennchov for the win.
I also expect to see someone like Astarloza in the break today

Well, it's good to be optimistic, and it makes a change from all the "blah, blah won't win" etc.

I am hopeful for time to be made up for Evans...I would like to think his young riders are going to be there if he needs them...

 

[jonjungel]

There are three interdiate sprints today. If I were directing Cervelo, I would try to get Thor in position to sprint for the two final ones with Cav in the autobus. If Thor isn't dropped over Serra-Seca, there is a good chance for the green to change hands today.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

well Jurgen Van Den Broeck is capable, hopefully he can hit the form he had at last years giro. (think he came 7th?) And matty Lloyd will work his *** off for evans im sure.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

There are three interdiate sprints today. If I were directing Cervelo, I would try to get Thor in position to sprint for the two final ones with Cav in the autobus. If Thor isn't dropped over Serra-Seca, there is a good chance for the green to change hands today.

no way. i expect one of the temas, probably Saxo or astana to ride at a hard tempo. He'll be long gone after serra-seca

 

[jonjungel]

no way. i expect one of the temas, probably Saxo or astana to ride at a hard tempo. He'll be long gone after serra-seca

Yeah, it's a big if.

 

[mickkk]

Evans to take 1 minute off Drugstrong.

 

[subzro]

I would like to see Evans win this one, he deserves a bit of a break for have such a crap team. My heart tells me we will see something special from Contador though.

 

[jaylew]

There are three interdiate sprints today. If I were directing Cervelo, I would try to get Thor in position to sprint for the two final ones with Cav in the autobus. If Thor isn't dropped over Serra-Seca, there is a good chance for the green to change hands today.

He's only one point down. I think his best chance would be to get it at that 1st intermediate sprint. It's just at the top of one of the early rises, so the pack probably won't be hammering yet and he's better than Cav on the climbs right now. Good chance they will both be dropped before the final two.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

He's only one point down. I think his best chance would be to get it at that 1st intermediate sprint. It's just at the top of one of the early rises, so the pack probably won't be hammering yet and he's better than Cav on the climbs right now. Good chance they will both be dropped before the final two.

The break is soon 15 minutes ahead, there's no chance Thor will get points today.

 

[jaylew]

I would like to see Evans win this one, he deserves a bit of a break for have such a crap team. My heart tells me we will see something special from Contador though.

Wouldn't be surprised at all to see Cadel take it. In fact, I picked him for this stage. He seems to be in really good form and the climb likely isn't hard enough for AC or anyone else to drop him. Plus, he's a got a good uphill finishing kick.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see a strong climber hang in from an early break and take it, say Moncoutié or the like.

 

[Parrot23]

Evans to take 1 minute off Drugstrong.

Just realized one thing: not only do we have the race within Astana for team leadership, but we also have the race to get more than one Astana guy on the podium (meaning Lance with Bertie, or some are hoping the other way round).

Is Astana going to defend both Bertie and Lance's position (i.e., if Bertie is up the road, are they going to be defending Lance come hell or high water to maintain his position versus people like Evans, Sastre)?

This could get complicated...and they're gonna be very busy, if so.

Lance: "If he [Alberto] goes, and nobody can hang onto him, then I'll just stay with the other leaders". What if he can't--and he has his eye on the podium? What will Astana do? Didn't work well at Giro.

Alberto: ""Even though we are well-placed on the overall, after the mountains we might see that others may be stronger than some of our team."

 

[jaylew]

The break is soon 15 minutes ahead, there's no chance Thor will get points today.

Damn, it's started already?

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Wouldn't be surprised at all to see Cadel take it. In fact, I picked him for this stage. He seems to be in really good form and the climb likely isn't hard enough for AC or anyone else to drop him. Plus, he's a got a good uphill finishing kick.

I think you are going to get disappointed. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Evans has never won a mountain top finish. Today he's going to get dropped when Contador and Schleck accelerate. I don't think he's going to lose much time though, something like 45 seconds.

 

[Wergeland]

The break is soon 15 minutes ahead, there's no chance Thor will get points today.

Looks like Astana have started to reel them in now.

 

[Juan Pelota]

Can anyone find Ullrich's time up Arcalis? That would be an interesting comparison. Since he slaughtered Virenque and Pantani up the climb, it would seem that this hill favors a more power climber. Perhaps Levi will be ok , or Klodi and Lance and less of an advantage of Contador.

 

[subzro]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Evans has never won a mountain top finish..

Well, he has, just not in a grand tour.

But, neither has A Schleck but that doesn't stop people picking him

 

[Parrot23]

Ullrich riding everyone off his back wheel on Arcalis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yGEa39oH80

 

[msjett]

Evans to take 1 minute off Drugstrong.

I'd be happy if he stays upright and doesn't lose anymore time...but a minute tonight would be good.

 

[msjett]

BTW...astana have started the chase, break away down to 13.30..

 

[mickkk]

Justintv got banned so theres no video I can find streaming into oz.

 

[msjett]

Justintv got banned so theres no video I can find streaming into oz.

http://www.justin.tv/oleolep2p1

Mickkk this seems to be working - but probably half an hour of crap before you see nay action.

 

[Mellow Velo]

No French pictures until 13-50CET, so awhile, yet, I suspect....

 

[uphillstruggle]

anyone got a uk english language link?

 

[sportzchick]

Well, it's good to be optimistic, and it makes a change from all the "blah, blah won't win" etc.

I am hopeful for time to be made up for Evans...I would like to think his young riders are going to be there if he needs them...

same here jett - looks like we are the only cadel here lol but I like punching above my weight

 

[53x11 in DC]

Okay - just back after riding the last 28k. Well, 27.9k, since the Tour stops you at 100m to go.

Thoughts - the ramp coming out of Andorra-la-Vella is a beeyatch. Comparable to the 1st two lacets on the AdH, IMO. I wouldn't be surprised to see an attack there by someone needing time. The only problem is, it flattens (and I mean pan flat) for a good 2k afterwards, and then is fairly gentle until La Serrat. I was NOT looking forward to the first few k's after Serrat, but in general, aside from a few good pitches, it was a climb that got easier, save for a little ramp after 5k to go. Even a few short downhills (that weren't fun as uphills on the way back). Road surface was STELLAR!

Found the Devil, alone at about 8k to go - got a pic with him holding my team bike. If someone can explain to me how to paste in, I'll put it up when I get back to the Alps.

Back at the hotel in ALV now. Couldn't bear the 3-hour delay getting over the Envalira tonight to get to my hotel in Foix, so I'll catch them as they come thru here, watch the rest on TV, and get the he ll out of dodge.

Pizza time.

Conti from ASch, with Klodi/Sastre/Evans at 20-30, Lance at 45-50 secs with Levi.