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

[Anonymous]

All I wanted.

Confirmation that Andy is hot.
Confirmation that Contador is vulnerable.
Confirmation that Gesink and Menchov are able to follow.
Confirmation that the rest of the big names are also all up front.
Confirmation that Astana is more than strong enough.

And curtains to the Lance Show so heavy that we now all know "this is it", commentators and fans included. So we can spend 2 weeks looking at what actually happens on the road in the places that matter.

I had high hopes for this Tour. It often is, but doesn't have to be dull. I thought Contador showed vulnerable flashes in the run-up to this, but feared that Andy would not be there in time. Well, looks like he is. So we have a match up front. With plenty of other names in the top for added potential.

This Tour is shaping up as the entertaining one I thought it could become. Huzzah!

I have to say that the first week has produced some good racing. Much better than the snoozefest of last year.

 

[DamonAlbarn]

You really are on Planet Zork aren't you?

Actual racing?
Saxo race neutralization to stop Andy from getting dropped made a total mockery of that concept.

Great ride by Andy today, but he shouldn't be in contention. His tour was over except for Cancellara's bullsht move.

Get over it, people could have done what they wanted but everyone decided to call it a day after allegedly 80+ crashes.

 

[bobs nob]

This reminds me of Greg finishing his career in 1994. Maybe he was only a few stages off in his prediction of Armstrong.

Maybe Lance can blame his defeat on the rise of doping when he won clean???

 

[Parrot23]

Andy looks fresh in the interview. Very strong. Lot of gas in the tank still.

And winning the sprint at the end. Andy?????

Very strong.

 

[RdBiker]

Evans?? Oh, come on.

Conti will be worried about what Schleck can do on the harder mountains.

Why waste a lot of energy to close a 10 sec gap on a guy you can blow in the TT? I think he went after all the other attacks except Andy's. Maybe he couldn't maybe he didn't need to. As I see it, it was more important to keep Evans behind you than Andy on this stage.

 

[woodburn]

Horner finished four minutes back. So nice of Lance to let him ride solo.

 

[sportzchick]

Yes, Evans has worn leaders jerseys in last 3 GT's. Pretty impressive!

not bad for a wheel sucker

some have no idea........

 

[Cerberus]

I think that also. Evans is playing the mind games as usually he is stronger than AS in sprint finishes.

Considering that Evans has twice lost the Tour by less than 1 minute I really don't think he's going to deliberately toss away time if he doesn't need to. He couldn't follow the acceleration, it's as simple as that.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I was about to note that as well. Incredibly impressive.

That is because he is a champion!

 

[BroDeal]

The Versus night coverage with Bob Roll will be hilarious. Not to be missed I am sure.

 

[HL2037]

Navarro, wow, he is some teammate! Singlehandedly dropping everyone except the very favorites.

 

[sportzchick]

Considering that Evans has twice lost the Tour by less than 1 minute I really don't think he's going to deliberately toss away time if he doesn't need to. He couldn't follow the acceleration, it's as simple as that.

that he has so he needs to change tact - he is smarter than the forum gives him credit for

 

[hughmoore]

Evans happy to let AS go, he was more focused on Contador


Hugh

 

[auscyclefan94]

no cadel pics?

 

[Jamsque]

I think people are over-stating the importance of Contador getting gapped at the end there. Alberto is strongest on the longest steepest climbs, and the size of the group at the finish today shows that it wasn't super hard. Yes, he showed a little bit of vulnerability, but I still expect him to dance away from the field in the real mountains.

 

[armstrong]

They replayed the Schleck attack, and it was clear he dropped Conti.

 

[Francois the Postman]

I have to say that the first week has produced some good racing. Much better than the snoozefest of last year.

I feared they would be waiting for the Pyrenees. First part of this stage looked like that would be an option.

Maybe it was actually Lance dropping out of the front group that set it all off (Astana). Would be ironic if he brought the Tour totally alive by actually toppling out by 11 mins.

 

[Arnout]

Bad tactics (or rather no tactics) by Sanchez. Pulling 1k for Schleck for a 2nd place. I guess he seriously underestimated Schlecks final sprint.

 

[Parrot23]

Schleck already has 40 secs. on Bertie before the Pyrenees and last TT. Who would have thought?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Good on cuddles! Yellow!!!!

 

[kev0153]

When did the early crash happen that took out LA? Trying to find it in my DVR.

 

[BroDeal]

I expect LA will give a gracious interview accepting he is past it and it's time to handover to the younger guys for good this time.

That Leipheimer is a spring chicken.

 

[DamonAlbarn]

Breschel: "I didn't pay attention and went over Lance'

bike, and obviously told him how sorry I was, but he said, no offence taken, I'm too old for this and I'm really looking forward to pizza's and beers"

I kid you not. Looks like Lance has finally lighthen up a bit?

 

[Kwibus]

that he has so he needs to change tact - he is smarter than the forum gives him credit for

*facepalm*

 

[Anonymous]

I will only have a modicum of respect for Armstrong IF he stays in the race and rides for the team. If he quits, I will confirm everything I have said about him. He likes to talking about "quitting is forever." Well, not quitting when you are not winning shows real character. Quitting because you have no chance to win shows that you are a weak person.