Stage 8: Station des Rousses - Morzine-Avoriaz 189km

[Ryaguas]

Yeah I thought that, just on steeper climbs

Basso is like a tank... he goes and goes and goes and you can't stop him but when the reaction is needed he doesn't have it... in La Col du Tourmalet et Madeleine is where I'm expecting the best from Basso with Kreuziger next to him...

 

[craig1985]

What is the matter with Jesus Hernandez, so far last on the GC, has he been pretty banged up in several crashes?

 

[Publicus]

What is the matter with Jesus Hernandez, so far last on the GC, has he been pretty banged up in several crashes?

He crashed on Stage 6 and then again on Stage 7 (on an uphill portion, don't know how or why). I think they just shut him down and told him to take it easy to help with the recuperation. But that's just conjecture on my part.

 

[Ferminal]

Struggling to get excited over this, I think Tuesday might actually be better.

 

[craig1985]

He crashed on Stage 6 and then again on Stage 7 (on an uphill portion, don't know how or why). I think they just shut him down and told him to take it easy to help with the recuperation. But that's just conjecture on my part.

He has lost time in the few days before that as well.

 

[BroDeal]

Woah! That is just sad. Can't the TdF find a steeper final climb. After the Giro this is a bit of a joke.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Basso is like a tank...La Col du Tourmalet et Madeleine is where I'm expecting the best from Basso with Kreuziger next to him...

I mostly agree. The Madeleine is very much to his liking. Long, fairly steep, and arguably the toughest single in the Tour. He's going to want to have a fast pace up it and try to shell everyone off the back. It may all depend on how much he peaked at the Giro and what's left in the tank, but he could be very dangerous on Tuesday...

 

[flicker]

I think Astana will use Vino to attack tomorrow, drawing out RadioShack and some of the other contenders.

Contador will try to bridge up. That's my theory.

Of course, my track record of accuracy in predicting how stages will go is mixed at best.

I like that hteory an Astana attack with Vino. Draw out those dumb Shack guys. Yeah go for it Vino. If I were the Shack I would put Horner right on Vinos wheel.

 

[Scirea]

This. Also, I predict that at least two out of the following four riders will lose enough time to put them completely out of contention: Sastre, Evans, Wiggins, Menchov.

That prediction will fail. (I mean, they are already out of contention because Contador will win if he won't crash. But they will stay in contention for the podium. Maybe not Carlos but the other 3 will.)

 

[sagard]

Small selection of Lance, Alberto, Schleck, Cadel, Menchov, and Hesjedal finish within twenty seconds, with Contador leading them in. Evans to yellow.

Basso drops time, hopefully allowing Kreuziger try leadership.

 

[Scirea]

guys around here wearing astana pj's should be very worried if contador doesn't put his stamp on the race tomorrow.

Radioshwck and liquigas will be very visible late in the stage, Saxo at the base. I think Evans will be in yellow.

Why would be we worried? If he gets the yellow in the Pyrenees, that's perfect.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I like that hteory an Astana attack with Vino. Draw out those dumb Shack guys. Yeah go for it Vino. If I were the Shack I would put Horner right on Vinos wheel.

Levi is apparently designated as the Shack's Vino Wheel Sucker.

I don't think Contador will come out and play until the Pyrenees.

 

[Scirea]

Small selection of Lance, Alberto, Schleck, Cadel, Menchov, and Hesjedal finish within twenty seconds, with Contador leading them in. Evans to yellow.

Basso drops time, hopefully allowing Kreuziger try leadership.

Kreuziger is already the leader of Liquigas imo. He has 1 minutes on Basso already plus he should be much more fresh.

 

[sportzchick]

Im not sure if I want Cadel in yellow to be honest - its way to early and you lose that underdog tag that us Aussies use so well, plus the team that has yellow is almost ablidged to do all the work in the stage...not good for BMC

problem is that the only ones to get yellow would be one of his main rivals

 

[Publicus]

Im not sure if I want Cadel in yellow to be honest - its way to early and you lose that underdog tag that us Aussies use so well, plus the team that has yellow is almost ablidged to do all the work in the stage...not good for BMC

problem is that the only ones to get yellow would be one of his main rivals

I'm sure he doesn't want it, but if I am Astana and Saxo, you try your best to take back enough time to force him into yellow. That means pushing the pace from La Ramaza on to drop Chavanel.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I'm not sure if Contador is going to put his stamp on the race this early, actually. He's already said that he expects the race to be decided in the Pyrenees.

True but it is Alberto Contador we are talking about here and he is very impulsive.

No hypocrisy. Levi said Lance LOOKED good. Lance said it was a hard day for everybody, but he also said he felt good. The pace was hard, but steady, and no one went for it. I wouldn't expect anyone who wants to win this race to have been in real trouble today (yesterday).

What did Cadel have to say?

Cadel post stage interview

Cadel diary entry on stage 7

 

[sportzchick]

Of course you would publicus - making Cadel a sitting duck for the next two weeks

 

[Cobblestones]

Of course you would publicus - making Cadel a sitting duck for the next two weeks

Well, if it quacks like one and pedals like one ...

 

[Publicus]

Of course you would publicus - making Cadel a sitting duck for the next two weeks

He's a threat to every GC candidate right now. Every one of them. It will be an interesting two weeks for him and his team.

 

[Ferminal]

If I was Cuddles I would be taking seconds anywhere I could before the Pyrenees. That includes Morzine, down the Madeleine and at Mende.

His team isn't going to help him up Ax3 or Tourmalet regardless of whether or not he gets yellow at some stage before then.

Better to wear yellow for a few days, consolation for the likely blow up in the final week.

 

[auscyclefan94]

If I was Cuddles I would be taking seconds anywhere I could before the Pyrenees. That includes Morzine, down the Madeleine and at Mende.

His team isn't going to help him up Ax3 or Tourmalet regardless of whether or not he gets yellow at some stage before then.

Better to wear yellow for a few days, consolation for the likely blow up in the final week.

He's not going to think je is going to blow up in the 3rd week. BMC will let a break go away on the stage to St jean de Maurienne and someone else can take yellow.

 

[richwagmn]

guys around here wearing astana pj's should be very worried if contador doesn't put his stamp on the race tomorrow.

Radioshwck and liquigas will be very visible late in the stage, Saxo at the base. I think Evans will be in yellow.

I can see Evans in yellow.

I don't see that AC has to do anything tomorrow. I think he's waiting for week3.

I predict this stage will be yawner. Maybe a few riders get unhitched, but none of the top contendors.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Who I see attacking: Kreuziger, Gesink, Rodriguez, Radiosack!

Who I am not sure of who will attack: Contador and Andy Schleck

Who will be marking: Evans and the rest as some of the rest will be on the limit.

 

[joy118118]

Wish Chavanel could keep yellow jersey for a week. dont want to put up with ACF for the next week

 

[scribe]

Calling bs on Astana not wanting the yellow jersey. He is the virtual yellow jersey guy all along as the race favorite. So what? Grab it and defend it against the favorites...they are riding that way now anyhow.

I cannot think of another race where one gc guy is happy to let another (much less couple) gc favorites with a decided lead, keep it, when he an opportunity to take and pad time on them.

I really hope Astana is arrogant enough to believe they can handle the field later.