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

[oronet commander]

♠Perhaps you use a better autotranslate tool than I do, but what I get is at one point "The feeling was good. Sometimes I could hardly breathe" which doesn't make much sense. Seems to say both that he felt great and that he was at his limit in the space of 10 words. Can anyone who speaks Spanish clear up what he actually said?

Exactly what you say: "I had good feelings. Sometimes I had difficulty in breathing". I'm a Spaniard.

 

[Cobblestones]

I don't think 2009 Contador would have gotten dropped at the end like that. In fact if memory serves me correct AC choose the first mountain stage to make a surprise attack himself.

He is still the favourite but I don't think he will be breaking the power record or beating Canchellara in the ITT. He'll probably scrape a win like Paris Nice.

That's how it looks like.

 

[bobs nob]

I don't think 2009 Contador would have gotten dropped at the end like that. In fact if memory serves me correct AC choose the first mountain stage to make a surprise attack himself.

He is still the favourite but I don't think he will be breaking the power record or beating Canchellara in the ITT. He'll probably scrape a win like Paris Nice.

Tough comparison to make. Schleck doesn't have the team he had last year. No TTT and no Frank. He's gonna need every second. Still 2 weeks ago.

I can't lie, I was disappointed to not see a kick from AC on the tough part of the climb just for reasons of seeing who could go or would at least try to go with him. But the attack by AS was more advantageous to AS's strengths.

AC did look at the limit when AS went. Maybe one of the self professed oracles of racing can inform us newbs how you come into form over a 3 week period. Sounds a little counter intuitive.

As i have mentioned, AC has targeted the pyrenees for the location of where the winner will be decided.

 

[reubenr]

It's the end of the first week. Still 2 weeks to go. If you peaked for this stage, you are in trouble.

I am looking at the condition of the bodies and thinking that Schleck has about another week left in him, Cadel about two, and Contador about two. I'm revising my prediction to go with Contador 1st , Evans 2nd, and Schleck 3rd. Without Frank, Andy is in trouble all the way to Paris. I think Contador did what he had to do today and although he may not be ready yet to explode, and even if he was, it would probably not have been a smart thing to do. It would be better to leave everyone just guessing. The way I saw things today was that Andy "needs" to win for his psyche and his brother, and when Sanchez came up, Contador didn't think he needed to race his compatriot, so he was just simpatico with the way things were going to unfold. The Astana team did great today but maybe too much. This is one of those tours where I like all the current leaders. In the end, at this point (I can change my mind, right?), I don't think Andy has the horses, and I don't think that Evans does either but he is a little better with going it alone (I mean, he has about a gazillion years of experience doing it that way), and Contidor doesn't have all the horses, either, but he has a few and maybe one or two more to play. I think the surprise today, or the card for the future in the Pyrennes, was De La Fuente (who coincidentally finished near Hincapie and Ballan but are not true climbers). So one never knows, I think it will be Evans and Contador in the end, and if Contador has any magic, it will be him. One last note. Thank the Cycling God for the elimination of Armstrong. Hopefully, Liggett and Sherwin are next.

 

[Cerberus]

I am looking at the condition of the bodies and thinking that Schleck has about another week left in him, Cadel about two, and Contador about two.

What on Earth are you basing this on? Andy certainly didn't peak for the TdS.

Also the Enter key is your friend, it's really hard to read 20 lines with no breaks.

 

[DamonAlbarn]

I might get chucked out for saying this

What on Earth are you bassing this on?

Also the Enter key is your friend, it's really hard to read 20 lines with no breaks.

But the asylum is open and they are out in force.

 

[Publicus]

A fan caught Lance's crash on video. The baby is pretty annoying/distracting, but you can see him skid what looks like a good 15-20 feet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHBftK8okyA

 

[Publicus]

Tough comparison to make. Schleck doesn't have the team he had last year. No TTT and no Frank. He's gonna need every second. Still 2 weeks ago.

I can't lie, I was disappointed to not see a kick from AC on the tough part of the climb just for reasons of seeing who could go or would at least try to go with him. But the attack by AS was more advantageous to AS's strengths.

AC did look at the limit when AS went. Maybe one of the self professed oracles of racing can inform us newbs how you come into form over a 3 week period. Sounds a little counter intuitive.

As i have mentioned, AC has targeted the pyrenees for the location of where the winner will be decided.

Andy went with less than 1KM to go. The gradient was only 2.1%. It was not the toughest part of the climb.

 

[Anonymous]

Tough comparison to make. Schleck doesn't have the team he had last year. No TTT and no Frank. He's gonna need every second. Still 2 weeks ago.

I can't lie, I was disappointed to not see a kick from AC on the tough part of the climb just for reasons of seeing who could go or would at least try to go with him. But the attack by AS was more advantageous to AS's strengths.

AC did look at the limit when AS went. Maybe one of the self professed oracles of racing can inform us newbs how you come into form over a 3 week period. Sounds a little counter intuitive.

As i have mentioned, AC has targeted the pyrenees for the location of where the winner will be decided.

I have no idea what was going through AC's mind when Andy went, but chasing him down and using the energy would, in my view, have been pointless.

I wonder if he didn't get a pretty sharp " sit the hell down" over his earpiece.

Just no need to do it, all he has to do is keep Andy in the margin of TT comfort and look to gain some seconds back here and there between now and then.

With the added benefit that no everyone is whispering that AC doesn't have it.

I just don't see the benefit of chasing from AC's perspective.

 

[sometriguy]

I just rewatched the end of the stage and I was wondering if anyone else thought that Phil and Paul were almost relieved that Lance got his **** pushed in.

Phil always kind of laughs things off so it isn't really a surprise, but sherwin almost seemed giddy that armstrong was cooked. Maybe he/they are sick of being lance's sock puppets?

I am going on the record saying that they will find a new love for contador and schleck as a means of gaining viewers for the future

 

[bobs nob]

Andy went with less than 1KM to go. The gradient was only 2.1%. It was not the toughest part of the climb.

Yes, I know that, I meant that I wanted to see him kick on the hard part of the climb to just test others. Sorry, my reading comprehension is second only to the clarity of my prose.

 

[ulrikmm]

I have no idea what was going through AC's mind when Andy went, but chasing him down and using the energy would, in my view, have been pointless.

I wonder if he didn't get a pretty sharp " sit the hell down" over his earpiece.

Just no need to do it, all he has to do is keep Andy in the margin of TT comfort and look to gain some seconds back here and there between now and then.

With the added benefit that no everyone is whispering that AC doesn't have it.

I just don't see the benefit of chasing from AC's perspective.

This is extremely entertaining - YOU could become a DS for a team trying to win the reverse GC (who can finish last?). A good suggestion for Contador will be to go very slow in the ITT also - to save energy. ROTFL

 

[bobs nob]

I just rewatched the end of the stage and I was wondering if anyone else thought that Phil and Paul were almost relieved that Lance got his **** pushed in.

Phil always kind of laughs things off so it isn't really a surprise, but sherwin almost seemed giddy that armstrong was cooked. Maybe he/they are sick of being lance's sock puppets?

I am going on the record saying that they will find a new love for contador and schleck as a means of gaining viewers for the future

I am watching this again on VS and Phil is by far the most clear-headed of the two. It seemed that once LA was out of it, he felt free to tell the truth. Paul kept with party line right to the bitter end. Way to go down with a ship based on a fraud.

 

[Publicus]

Yes, I know that, I meant that I wanted to see him kick on the hard part of the climb to just test others. Sorry, my reading comprehension is second only to the clarity of my prose.

I realized that's what you meant after thinking about it. He said he wanted to go earlier, but Andy was always right on his wheel. I really think he didn't want to expend TOO much energy on this stage for what amounts to only a few seconds advantage (something he mentioned even before the Tour (the Alps would be about fitness level, but that the gaps amongst the leaders would not be great)).

 

[reubenr]

What on Earth are you basing this on? Andy certainly didn't peak for the TdS.

Also the Enter key is your friend, it's really hard to read 20 lines with no breaks.

I'm looking at their faces and their arms. Schleck has peaked and Contador has not, physically. Their builds are some what different and one has to allow for that, but Schleck's face seems too gaunt, even for him, given other pictures and video. Wiggins, for example, was in much better shape last year. He had some muscle to draw on as he went. This year he seems to look leaner but doesn't necessarily have the power. Schleck seems similar and will run out of gas. It is much easier to lose weight than it is to gain muscle, so whereas Schleck didn't look like he peaked for the TDS, he tried to make up the difference in some other way. Since he doesn't have much muscle, he has very little stores, so under real stress he will not have it. He's a great climber but strength will be required later on in the TDF. Evans is always there because of his body traits and training. Contador is still a question mark but he looks like he has a little to burn. Schleck will fade and he will definitely not have the power to do a good time trial, in spite of what he says now.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Contador below par

Both today and on the last day of mountain day of the Dauphin Contador did not need to conserve energy and he was unable to respond to show his expected dominance.

I can't see him responding in the 3rd week either - he has serious lost it, some how some where long the way since last Tour.

Should make for a good tactical race!

 

[Ryaguas]

Was that Vino bringing bottles to Dani/AC/Paolo?

Hell yeah mate!!! now who said that Vino is not a teamplayer???????? I always had faith in Vino and there is my response... He is not a back stabber!!! What images ah??? Seeing Vino looking for water like a real domestique... I'm so proud of him... he is really focus on the team...

Vino just went back for bottles for the Astana team. Take that Vino haters.

+1 In their faces!!!!!

Even Footon guys are with leaders.

LMAO.

Those guys are doing a good Tour... Valls is already in the Top 20!

astana is weak

Yeah soooo weak ah??? Dani navarro and Tiralongo pffff those are a burden for the team

samuel sanchez stage win

Almost!!!! I was so mad when Andy stole the victory to Samu ufffff....

Cuddles looks good to me. He always looks like he is working harder than everyone else, but he seems fine as far as position and breathing.

I am telling you, Basso hanging around is a good sign.

Cuddles did it great... specially after having a crash!! Now lets see how BMC is going to defend the Maillot jaune in La Col de la Madeleine et La Colombiere... I think that BMC is going to do a great job, now with the yellow jersey they are going to be inspirated!

About Basso... He was on his limit but Kreuziger was doing great... also this climb didn't fit his style... I'm looking forward to see what is going to do Basso in La Madeleine, that is way longer than Avoriaz and steeper... we can expect what happen in Grappa when Basso and Nibali OWNED the stage with Scarponi...

I think conti and others were caught off guard a bit also.

Totally! also El Pistolero was in his limit... He didn't have the punch and the legs to go for Andy... AC is still looking to get this peak before or in the Pyrenees... also today's climb fitted way better to Andy...

Great (GREAT) ride by two Footon boys...so there not the worse team ever to enter tdf... i make it ANC

They did it great! I was so happy for them... specially for Valls that could hang there and now is in the Top 20

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

Now who was saying that Astana was a weak team?? seems that those days resting in the arriére of the peloton payed quite well!

Andy picked the absolute perfect time to attack. AC had just covered a couple of attacks, including a particularly brutal one from Gesink. That said, he certainly doesn't seem to be on his top form.

All in all, almost a perfect day for me:

AC strong but Andy and Cadel looking like they are going to make him work for it.
The WC in the yellow jersey.
Armstrong and Wiggins out / Menchov, Gesink, Levi, Kreuz, Sastre still in.
4 of my fantasy guys finish at the front.
Sammy looking strong.

I just wish Horner had been able to ride his own race.

Also Basso! I'm pretty sure that he is getting his form and he can do what he did in Grappa and Zoncolan!

Krueziger was way stronger than Basso.

And there comes a point in everyone's life when it's probably a good idea to stay home and drink a beer...

Kreuziger is way fresh than Basso that's why he showed a GREAT form today... Check out Basso in the last week in the Pyrenees that is a terrain that suits him perfectly!

UUUUUFFFFF what stage!!!!!!!!

 

[bobs nob]

A fan caught Lance's crash on video. The baby is pretty annoying/distracting, but you can see him skid what looks like a good 15-20 feet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHBftK8okyA

Ouuuucchhhhh. OK, gotta respect that he got back up and finished.

 

[roundabout]

I have no idea what was going through AC's mind when Andy went, but chasing him down and using the energy would, in my view, have been pointless.

I wonder if he didn't get a pretty sharp " sit the hell down" over his earpiece.

Just no need to do it, all he has to do is keep Andy in the margin of TT comfort and look to gain some seconds back here and there between now and then.

With the added benefit that no everyone is whispering that AC doesn't have it.

I just don't see the benefit of chasing from AC's perspective.

Pass the dope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6ptt2tu86c

Contador accelerates when Schleck goes but can't close the gap. He sits up, then Sanchez attacks from behind, Contador tries to respond again and fails.

 

[Publicus]

This is extremely entertaining - YOU could become a DS for a team trying to win the reverse GC (who can finish last?). A good suggestion for Contador will be to go very slow in the ITT also - to save energy. ROTFL

I don't know if it's intentional, but you are grossly misconstruing why myra is saying in that post.

 

[bobs nob]

Both today and on the last day of mountain day of the Dauphin Contador did not need to conserve energy and he was unable to respond to show his expected dominance.

I can't see him responding in the 3rd week either - he has serious lost it, some how some where long the way since last Tour.

Should make for a good tactical race!

Can you help me understand why he did not need to conserve energy today with 2 weeks to go?

 

[Boardslide]

yeah, mick showed grit today, shame he hasn't got a team.

38 Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux 0:06:30
39 Johan Van Summeren (Bel) Garmin - Transitions
40 Juan Manuel Gárate Cepa (Spa) Rabobank
41 Julien El Farès (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne
42 Mathieu Perget (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne
43 Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team HTC - Columbia
44 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Team HTC - Columbia
45 Grischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank
46 Gorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
47 Sylvester Szmyd (Pol) Liquigas-Doimo
48 Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française des Jeux
49 Charles Wegelius (GBr) Omega Pharma-Lotto

What you on about Monfort & Siutsou were with him for most of the final climb and did a really good job especially after the work they did earlier in the week.

 

[Publicus]

Both today and on the last day of mountain day of the Dauphin Contador did not need to conserve energy and he was unable to respond to show his expected dominance.

I can't see him responding in the 3rd week either - he has serious lost it, some how some where long the way since last Tour.

Should make for a good tactical race!

He rode the Dauphine correctly. And he admitted he didn't have the kick in his legs to respond today. Andy got the jump on him and that was that. I don't think one has anything to do with the other frankly.

If he can't respond in the 3rd week, you might have a point. But I feel like everyone is expecting a Verbier-like performance on EVERY MTF. Verbier was Stage 15 at last year's Tour. Not Stage 8.

 

[reubenr]

I just rewatched the end of the stage and I was wondering if anyone else thought that Phil and Paul were almost relieved that Lance got his **** pushed in.

Phil always kind of laughs things off so it isn't really a surprise, but sherwin almost seemed giddy that armstrong was cooked. Maybe he/they are sick of being lance's sock puppets?

I am going on the record saying that they will find a new love for contador and schleck as a means of gaining viewers for the future

Once a sock puppet, always a sock puppet! The commentator for the online service is much better. They should give him a chance. My prediction is that L and S will go Evans or Schleck, since if they went Contador they would still have to deal with the Puppet Master and they would prefer not to deal with that. They may have been giddy for a minute but the strings were pulled in quite quickly. It will soon become, "Armstrong is leading Leipheimer up the mountain," on and on, said in 42 different ways until they all fall off the mountain or we all throw up.

 

[La Vie Claire]

I have no idea what was going through AC's mind when Andy went, but chasing him down and using the energy would, in my view, have been pointless.

I wonder if he didn't get a pretty sharp " sit the hell down" over his earpiece.

Just no need to do it, all he has to do is keep Andy in the margin of TT comfort and look to gain some seconds back here and there between now and then.

With the added benefit that no everyone is whispering that AC doesn't have it.

I just don't see the benefit of chasing from AC's perspective.

Yeah, but all AC had to do was stick with Andy for 2 minutes tops. It's not like AC risks blowing and losing any time. Why give up the seconds when you don't have to? Plus, Monday is a rest day so if he had any gas left at the end of today, why save it?