SHACK ATTACK: Radioshack fail dismally!

[gjdavis60]

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

In the middle of a field in Pennsylvania on the first day of deer season ... wearing a deer suit.

 

[kurtinsc]

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.

There's no strategy that would be a lock to work... but we can all think of things they could try.

They might only have a 5% (or less) chance of success... but we'd all benefit if they actually tried those things rather then what they'll likely do... ride conservatively, take advantage of others trying to do things to put time on them and end up with Lance in 5th and 2-3 others in the top 20 somewhere.

They could try to launch attacks with riders like Brajkovic or Horner early in some mountain stages to see if Contador can handle multiple climbs (some have said he's weaker if you make him work early in a mountain stage). Perhaps the peak 60K from the finish on stage 7, or the Columbiere on stage 9, or right off the bat on stage 16. RS has the riders to constantly send dangerous guys up the road... then send another after Astana pulls them back. If Astana burns off enough guys... perhaps one might stay away.

It probably wouldn't work... but there'd be an outside chance of success.

 

[sometriguy]

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 how many times has a GC candidate lost a race because of bad luck... it happens all the time.

This is funny because

1. Lance has always had luck on his side
2. He has been a complete **** and claimed his luck was skill and nobody else had skill and they all had "a lot to learn"

Really what happened here is lance had a racing incident, that he is lucky hasn't happened to him more times in his career. Mr. Holier than thou 6 hours a day on a bike has a lot to learn

 

[Mellow Velo]

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.

I agree with just about everything you have posted, today. Chapeau!

ALL the contenders rode a great stage. Exemplary effort and well done to all.

The net result, as you point out above, is the likelyhood of a less predictable race, tactics wise.
That can't be a bad thing for we, the viewers.

 

[Publicus]

There's no strategy that would be a lock to work... but we can all think of things they could try.

They might only have a 5% (or less) chance of success... but we'd all benefit if they actually tried those things rather then what they'll likely do... ride conservatively, take advantage of others trying to do things to put time on them and end up with Lance in 5th and 2-3 others in the top 20 somewhere.

They could try to launch attacks with riders like Brajkovic or Horner early in some mountain stages to see if Contador can handle multiple climbs (some have said he's weaker if you make him work early in a mountain stage). Perhaps the peak 60K from the finish on stage 7, or the Columbiere on stage 9, or right off the bat on stage 16. RS has the riders to constantly send dangerous guys up the road... then send another after Astana pulls them back. If Astana burns off enough guys... perhaps one might stay away.

It probably wouldn't work... but there'd be an outside chance of success.

The great thing is that Astana is not in yellow. So they can send guys in the break with Radio Shack. Moreover, Saxo Bank and BMC have an interest in keeping Radio Shack and Armstrong down the leaderboard. So I can see them doing what they can to reel back any long range attacks. And finally, I think just as much as they try to wear down Astana, they wear down themselves. They aren't spring chickens.

But as you say, it's not much of an option at this point.

 

[Publicus]

I agree with just about everything you have posted, today. Chapeau!

ALL the contenders rode a great stage. Exemplary effort and well done to all.

The net result, as you point out above, is the likelyhood of a less predictable race, tactics wise.
That can't be a bad thing for we, the viewers.

Thanks. I better stop posting while I am ahead then!

 

[hrotha]

some have said he's weaker if you make him work early in a mountain stage

I bet we'll never find out. Not if it's up to the likes of Riis and Bruyneel anyway.

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

As I have said in other discussions for some time now whenever this stage was touted as being full of doom and gloom, Contador ain't Mayo. Simple as that.

 

[ManInFull]

Hehehe. He certainly has had a lot of luck. Just think about the stage in the 2003 TdF where Beloki crashes in front of him and LA goes offroad!


What do you think the chances are that Landis' claims will bear fruit this time?

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

Hehehe. He certainly has had a lot of luck. Just think about the stage in the 2003 TdF where Beloki crashes in front of him and LA goes offroad!

You mean the time he cheated by cutting the course, but was excused for his transgression by the race jury?

 

[alberto.legstrong]

I wonder how the Fraudioshack bus was after today?

I'll bet he's a real foul pr1ck when things go wrong.

The sea was angry that day my friends!

 

[dancing on pedals]

not read all this thread - but a couple of comments on equipment.
I believe that the Trek boys think that paris roubaix is held in the velodrome only - they sure scuppered george hincapies chances of a victory over the years with high tech machines with wheels more suited to a coffee table etc etc and they still haven't learnt the lesson!
Contador seemed to be riding a longer wheel base than usual (just a guess - he looked like Coppi at times in terms of position)
Specialised 10 Trek minus 50
sometimes it is about the bike
er so buy a Bianchi!
thanks

 

[Arnout]

and how many times has a GC candidate lost a race because of bad luck... it happens all the time.

This is funny because

1. Lance has always had luck on his side
2. He has been a complete **** and claimed his luck was skill and nobody else had skill and they all had "a lot to learn"

Really what happened here is lance had a racing incident, that he is lucky hasn't happened to him more times in his career. Mr. Holier than thou 6 hours a day on a bike has a lot to learn

I know, I know. But that's no reason to say getting a flat is a RadioShack fail.

 

[scribe]

In the middle of a field in Pennsylvania on the first day of deer season ... wearing a deer suit.

Let's leave the tasteless Lemond jokes out of this discussion.

 

[Publicus]

I know, I know. But that's no reason to say getting a flat is a RadioShack fail.

The day was a failure for Radio Shack based on what they expected to happen. It is that simple. Punctures happen. It is a part of racing, especially over cobblestones.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

The day was a failure for Radio Shack based on what they expected to happen. It is that simple. Punctures happen. It is a part of racing, especially over cobblestones.

already got the new avatar up, huh?

 

[Arnout]

The day was a failure for Radio Shack based on what they expected to happen. It is that simple. Punctures happen. It is a part of racing, especially over cobblestones.

Once again, I know. But that's bad luck and - in my eyes - no reason to laugh at Radioshack.

 

[BYOP88]

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.

I think tomorrow Cavendish will have his team working to pull back any breaks.

 

[montagna lunga]

ANY of you clowns ever ride pave'?

 

[alberto.legstrong]

ANY of you clowns ever ride pave'?

Did a whale write moby ****? It's a forum. Deal.

 

[rhubroma]

Once again, I know. But that's bad luck and - in my eyes - no reason to laugh at Radioshack.

And, so, were laughin all the way!!!

 

[cody_57]

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.

Hehehe! Made my day!

 

[131313]

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?

I totally agree with you.

That said, if the roles were slightly reversed, could you imagine the narrative in the US cycling press, or by Versus?:

"While the insular Spaniard did survey the cobbles, the Master of Preparation again showed why he's a true champion, enlisting the help of long-time cobble specialist Peter van Petegam. This superior preparation came to fruition on Stage 3, where Armstrong stuck to the crown of the cobbled sections, while the less-experienced Spaniard took the smoother, but more dangerous dirt section. The Spaniard then flatted, losing valuable time.

The Spaniard was also isolated while attempting to chase back on, while the American's powerful team still had a faithful lieutenant at his side until the end......"

After a decade of reading and hearing crap like this, some people have simply grown weary. You'll have to forgive them.

 

[SpartacusRox]

What a failure radioshack are! They failed badly today.

I realise that you are a cadel fanboy and I have no problems with that, we all have our favourite riders.

Having said that you have done yourself a disservice with the stupidity of your comments. Anyone who has ever watched thr PR race over the years should know that once you hit the pave it becomes a bit of a lottery, ask Frank Schleck. All of the GC contenders were doing their best to stay at the front and Armstrong did that as well as any of the others until he punctured with the exception of Andy and Cadel who were in the front group.

Obviously Saxo had a great ride today and Andy rode phenomenally well after his crash yesterday. He certainly went up in my estimation. cadel did what he always does, position himself well. His team did little to assist him.

Turning to Radioshack. They did not "fail badly" as you put it. The end result for the team with Armstrong losing time to other GC contenders was not what they would have wanted obviously ,but that was more as a result of bad luck than bad riding. At the time he punctured RS had two riders in the second group, LA and Popo, hardly a "fail badly" and a situation that was no different to that of AC, Wiggins and Menchov. So by your reasoning those teams must have "failed badly" as well. The puncture that Armstrong got could have happened to any of that group and it happened at a bad time in the race for him. I thought that he and Popo worked well to limit the damage.

I am all for barraking for favourite riders and LA is always a target for some, but starting a thread like this does nothing for your credibility.

 

[Arnout]

Oh yeah, absolutely. But because many presenters, pundits and media is saying so much bull**** and I find them annoying most of the time, I try to keep a balanced and realistic view myself, so that I don't make the same mistake the other way around