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

[luckyboy]

This seems to be the key issue. Also vis Evans.

Yeah, I'll be surprised if Evans keeps up for the rest of the mountains though.

 

[DamonAlbarn]

Or perhaps Cuddles (sic)

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

and others didn't have the legs?

 

[Francois the Postman]

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!

 

[auscyclefan94]

loving the hate for Cadel - makes him in yellow too sweet

Cadel was going to be yellow regardless......could he be foxing as well

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

 

[Parrot23]

Parrot 23, conti just was not that good today. AC still a better climber.

Maybe. Not sure this year, because his climbing seemed a little shakier in the spring races too. Just a small bit. Maybe the Hog noticed this.

 

[Publicus]

Parrot 23, conti just was not that good today. AC still a better climber.

Maybe not. I thought Andy wasn't on form yet, but he looked good on the lesser grades. I could see that AS caught him off guard, but that is racing in the mountains (and that is what AC did last year). Nice ride by Andy.

Wow Armstrong lost 11+ minutes Make that 11'44".

 

[Kwibus]

loving the hate for Cadel - makes him in yellow too sweet

Cadel was going to be yellow regardless......could he be foxing as well

I'm really happy for Cadel that he has the yellow now, but I don't think he will have it at the end of the tour. If he will... well then that would be awesome for the guy

 

[turtlesoup]

so where did levi come in. WHere did Roman Kreuziger come in? where did ivan basso come in?

with conto group

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

okay people, at the next stage we're gonna see BMC defending maillot jaune?

Aint it gonna be a grand view?
________
Family guy forums

 

[Mellow Velo]

Armstrong loses a mere 11 and a half minutes. 'Tis nothing.
Get out the Jack Daniels and patches.

okay people, at the next stage we're gonna see BMC defending maillot jaune?

Aint it gonna be a grand view?

The first train to push the peloton, rather than pull?

 

[ak-zaaf]

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

Yeah, right....

 

[superconfex]

chapeau lance...

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

How far down is that wild boar?

Finished just ahead of the Armstrong group.

 

[auscyclefan94]

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

 

[woodburn]

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

 

[turtlesoup]

I'm really happy for Cadel that he has the yellow now, but I don't think he will have it at the end of the tour. If he will... well then that would be awesome for the guy

he needed to get it at least once to make a show for BMC, they put in alot of money. Show in the Giro and the TDF only thing they could ask for more is a win.

 

[The Hitch]

Chavanel came back on armstrong.

Wonder if twhen they show the favourites now they will show

1 c evans
2 a schleck 20
3 a contador 1 min
.....

....

78 l armstrong 13 minutes.

 

[luckyboy]

Sylvain finishes ahead of Lance

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

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

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

 

[bobs nob]

I think it recovered on the lower slopes and beat Armstrong to the top.

It went back to get some bottles for Lance and Vino saw it and is now shipping a ham back to Kazakhstan.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Yell For Cadel! I guess Andy was wrong about Cadel then.

 

[sportzchick]

I'm really happy for Cadel that he has the yellow now, but I don't think he will have it at the end of the tour. If he will... well then that would be awesome for the guy

oh I agree but anything can happen in sport

Im going to enjoy it whilest it lasts

 

[Race Radio]

Sad to see Brad get dropped but JV is patting himself on the back for his good "Investment". He bought low and sold high with Wiggans.

 

[turtlesoup]

who's gonna give an interview i wonder

 

[Francois the Postman]

I wouldn't worry about AC, it wasn't very steep at that point in time.

He is at his best on steeper sections, I'm not surprised andy could pull away

He will have his day(s) too.

I thought it was interesting to see why it isn't that important to have Astana riders still with him towards the end, for when Andy does "his thing".

Two Rabo riders also didn't want to see a gap with Andy, Cantador has allies in strange places, as some of their objectives overlap.