SHACK ATTACK: Radioshack fail dismally!

[ManInFull]

Who said that AC had a mechanical? It looked like he just got dropped. I think people are forgetting that AC had to ride like crazy just to catch the LA group just before LA punctured. That probably took a lot out of him.

 

[Barrus]

Who said that AC had a mechanical? It looked like he just got dropped. I think people are forgetting that AC had to ride like crazy just to catch the LA group just before LA punctured. That probably took a lot out of him.

Bertie said so himself: From an article on the front page of this site:

Contador wasn't spared of mechanicals, either. The Spaniard rode the last 30 kilometres with a broken spoke in his front wheel. "It was a shame that this spoke was broken, as it made me lose a bit of time in the end," he said. "But I think I would have lost more time if I had changed bikes so I decided just to finish the stage like that, even if the wheel braked a bit. But I'm still happy with how the day went."

 

[Squares]

Who said that AC had a mechanical? It looked like he just got dropped. I think people are forgetting that AC had to ride like crazy just to catch the LA group just before LA punctured. That probably took a lot out of him.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-makes-up-time-on-rivals-on-arenberg-pave

That is who...

 

[Oldman]

Who said that AC had a mechanical? It looked like he just got dropped. I think people are forgetting that AC had to ride like crazy just to catch the LA group just before LA punctured. That probably took a lot out of him.

He rode in on a rear flat. He did ride powerfully to get to LA's group and then left it. LA's effort to move up appeared to occur after he'd exhausted his troops. As for AC dropping a group on a big climb; that group may not include a well-raced Evans or LA. It'll likely be Andy, Basso and maybe Wiggo until the real sh*t hit's the fan. I think we may get a view of everything Andy is capable of by himself.

 

[woodburn]

Bertie said so himself: From an article on the front page of this site:
-
Contador wasn't spared of mechanicals, either. The Spaniard rode the last 30 kilometres with a broken spoke in his front wheel. "It was a shame that this spoke was broken, as it made me lose a bit of time in the end," he said. "But I think I would have lost more time if I had changed bikes so I decided just to finish the stage like that, even if the wheel braked a bit. But I'm still happy with how the day went."

I don't understand not switching bikes. Maybe you lose 20-30 seconds in the change but you could have Vino pace you back to the group.

 

[woodburn]

He rode in on a rear flat. He did ride powerfully to get to LA's group and then left it. LA's effort to move up appeared to occur after he'd exhausted his troops. As for AC dropping a group on a big climb; that group may not include a well-raced Evans or LA. It'll likely be Andy, Basso and maybe Wiggo until the real sh*t hit's the fan. I think we may get a view of everything Andy is capable of by himself.

He has only rode solo in a GT in the 2007 Giro. Would have loved to see him go on Alpe d'Huez in 2008. Obviously, he couldn't due to team tactics. Now we will know.

 

[Rupert]

???

But shouldn't Vino have waited for him or worked with him to make sure he gets to the finish line safely?

This assumes Vino knew AC was dropped. Things were pretty confused, it's possible/likely Vino thought AC was in the group, not dropped...

 

[Publicus]

Who said that AC had a mechanical? It looked like he just got dropped. I think people are forgetting that AC had to ride like crazy just to catch the LA group just before LA punctured. That probably took a lot out of him.

he caught on before that, but I don't think any GC candidate rode easy today. Not even Andy Schleck.

 

[Publicus]

I don't understand not switching bikes. Maybe you lose 20-30 seconds in the change but you could have Vino pace you back to the group.

Not where it occurred. Remember the cars were behind the dropped group. He would have lost some time if he had waited for a new bike.

 

[Barrus]

I don't understand not switching bikes. Maybe you lose 20-30 seconds in the change but you could have Vino pace you back to the group.

Not really, during these pave sections you would first need to get to the car, something which can ensure you lose more than 1 or 2 minutes. this is also the reason that LA got a wheel from a neutral car, at least his wheel appeared to have come from a neutral car. In the case of a bike change you would need to wait until you get to your own team car and that can take even longer

 

[Arnout]

Lance was very unlucky to puncture at that particular moment. Nothing you can do about that, even the most passionate Lance hater has to concede that.

 

[Publicus]

Lance was very unlucky to puncture at that particular moment. Nothing you can do about that, even the most passionate Lance hater has to concede that.

I don't think anyone is suggesting otherwise. For me, the real damage here was the psychological blow to Radio Shack. They made no bones about laying the smack down on AC and that this was the stage where they would extract time from him in advance of the mountains. They didn't (for whatever reason (but 4 flats suggests it was possibly the equipment). They had a lot (mentally) riding on this stage. It will be interesting watching them now try to get time from AC in the mountains.

 

[Anonymous]

Lance was very unlucky to puncture at that particular moment. Nothing you can do about that, even the most passionate Lance hater has to concede that.

Then you misunderstand the passion with which we hate.

It might have been "unlucky" but everyone knew going in that there was a bullet like that out there for someone. Lance caught it. He spent years dodging bullets. For him to take one is simply the equilibrium of the world catching up to him. There are very few tears in the world because of it.

 

[ManInFull]

I don't think switching bikes would have been so easy. Was the team car around? I just read that AC had a broken spoke on his front wheel. I've never had one. What does that feel like?

 

[ManInFull]

I agree 100%. He won 7 TdFs. That requires great skill, talent, and a ton of luck. He is bound to have some bad luck at some point.

 

[Race Radio]

Lance was very unlucky to puncture at that particular moment. Nothing you can do about that, even the most passionate Lance hater has to concede that.

riding the right wheels and not riding in the gutter can change a lot of "Luck"

That Armstrong boy has a lot to learn about riding the cobbles.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

Fraudioshack has a lot to learn

I don't think anyone is suggesting otherwise. For me, the real damage here was the psychological blow to Radio Shack. They made no bones about laying the smack down on AC and that this was the stage where they would extract time from him in advance of the mountains. They didn't (for whatever reason (but 4 flats suggests it was possibly the equipment). They had a lot (mentally) riding on this stage. It will be interesting watching them now try to get time from AC in the mountains.

4 flats? What were they running? 23's at full pressure?

I don't understand when the greatest cyclist ever and the greatest DS in the world can't at least hold the wheel of a 140 pound guy with a broken wheel bouncing all over the cobbles. Something is not right. I call shenanigans. Maybe AC gave Lance inferior wheels and stole the assisted living courtesy bus from the parking lot?

It's a great day for those of us who have waited to watch RS eat siht.

 

[richwagmn]

I don't think anyone is suggesting otherwise. For me, the real damage here was the psychological blow to Radio Shack. They made no bones about laying the smack down on AC and that this was the stage where they would extract time from him in advance of the mountains. They didn't (for whatever reason (but 4 flats suggests it was possibly the equipment). They had a lot (mentally) riding on this stage. It will be interesting watching them now try to get time from AC in the mountains.

RS was certainly targeting this stage knowing that LA needed minutes on AC going into the mountains. Now that LA is behind, he has to be deflated.

I can't think of a strategy for RS now. Not a single RS rider can go fast enough to drop AC. They're going to need AS and AC to have some bad luck and then be in the right place to take advantage of it.

 

[Benotti69]

the shack will have to call in their 10th member to help them out in this years TdF.....




step up Paddy McQuacker.....

 

[Polish]

Lance was very unlucky to puncture at that particular moment. Nothing you can do about that, even the most passionate Lance hater has to concede that.

The most passionate Lance haters would think that was a GREAT place to get a flat. One of the better places. Train tracks with the gates down might have been a bit better, but can't complain. Can't complain teehee

 

[Publicus]

RS was certainly targeting this stage knowing that LA needed minutes on AC going into the mountains. Now that LA is behind, he has to be deflated.

I can't think of a strategy for RS now. Not a single RS rider can go fast enough to drop AC. They're going to need AS and AC to have some bad luck and then be in the right place to take advantage of it.

I honestly don't know what their plan B is right now. Try to make the race hard? Though that punishes them as well. Put guys into the break and hope that they stay away for the victory maybe? Catch the peloton sleeping tomorrow (or the next couple of days)--you know they all want to take it easy tomorrow?

I was always curious how this would play out for Radio Shack and others if the significant losses didn't happen today as projected. I hadn't really thought about what happens if AC actually gained time. Luckily Armstrong and JB are the greatest tactical minds in the pro peloton. Surely THEY will figure something out.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

I don't think switching bikes would have been so easy. Was the team car around? I just read that AC had a broken spoke on his front wheel. I've never had one. What does that feel like?

Short answer, it feels like you need to pull over and call your wife. (I have only had rear drive side spokes go.)

Sometimes you can release the rear brake caliper so the wheel won't rub as it is out of true. That also means that a 2nd spoke is more likely to go which has happened to me. If a 2nd one goes you pretty much are farked.

I also understand that there would be no bike changes allowed aftert he last pave. Did they back off that rule at the last minute? It was on cn yesterday or this morning.

the stage was a risky choice to include. It turned out exciting from what I hear(except for Frank S) but it could have been a GC disaster and really caused a huge backlash if a bunch of contenders suddenly wound up 20 minutes down. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be a regular thing, but it was risky.

 

[Arnout]

riding the right wheels and not riding in the gutter can change a lot of "Luck"

That Armstrong boy has a lot to learn about riding the cobbles.

I'm not a Lance supporter by any means, but come on, this **** happens randomly. How many times in the past have we seen a front runner in PR ruled out because of bad luck?

 

[sometriguy]

I don't think switching bikes would have been so easy. Was the team car around? I just read that AC had a broken spoke on his front wheel. I've never had one. What does that feel like?

I've had about 3 of them. It is kind of strange, you hear a pop and usually the spoke cuts off and ends up on the ground.

You don't necessarily feel it, but when you see that your wheel is wobbling about 1/4 of an inch each direction you get really paranoid, which I think makes you feel out of control. There is also concern that the wheel will buckle and take you down.

I always ride with my brakes a little loose since it is flat with almost no traffic where I live. So the brake rub was minimal and I've always been able to ride straight home slowly (18mph).

I couldn't imagine having one on cobbles, under full pressure....

Granted I weight about 25lbs more than contador and he was riding some wheels of steel

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not a Lance supporter by any means, but come on, this **** happens randomly. How many times in the past have we seen a front runner in PR ruled out because of bad luck?

"And these are the breaks"
Kurtis Blow