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

[Bennyl]

thanks Moose.
I just remember him being so strong a few years ago with T-Mobile. A real machine, both as a climber and in the TT. I always have wondered why after that result he preferred to play domestique rather than chase his own GC ambitions. he must be on a mint, money wise, because I couldn't think of any other reasons.

 

[hrotha]

I don't think he's the ambitious type. Back in 2000 when he won Paris-Nice and Basque Country everybody expected him to be another Ullrich, but he wasn't able to deliver until many years later. I don't think he takes the pressure too well. He seems to be perfectly content to ride either as a domestique or just as another card in the deck. I can respect that.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

thanks Moose.
I just remember him being so strong a few years ago with T-Mobile. A real machine, both as a climber and in the TT. I always have wondered why after that result he preferred to play domestique rather than chase his own GC ambitions. he must be on a mint, money wise, because I couldn't think of any other reasons.

Money. Plus, nobody else would really take him, considering the uncertainty surrounding him with regard to the Kohl allegations.

I always liked Kloden, a quiet guy who just did his job.

 

[hfer07]

Money. Plus, nobody else would really take him, considering the uncertainty surrounding him with regard to the Kohl allegations.

I always liked Kloden, a quiet guy who just did his job.

He's a classy rider- I've always liked him -& I thought he had a fair go in 07 after Vino's crash & busting-- he really got f*cked up that year, and after that matter he acknowledged his days as a GT contender were over.... still has the courage and professionalism to cope to LA's nonsense.... I just can't imagine him phoning Jan with the inside **** going on in Bruyneel;s camp & why he couldn't had been able to out ride LA..

 

[Publicus]

I know he should be confident about winning, but I have to say comments like this from Andy always make me wince:

Now I know I am the strongest on the climbs and I'm looking for another battle in the mountains.

He launched an attack with less than 1K to go. It's not like he laid down an attack with 5KM to go. Maybe he proves to be the best climber at the end of the Tour, but gaining 10 seconds is not proof of anything at this point.

 

[BroDeal]

Versus has turned its broadcst into an Armstrong eulogy. The way they have played up the crashes is ridiculous, especially the last "crash" when he simply stepped off his bike.

 

[Bennyl]

I know he should be confident about winning, but I have to say comments like this from Andy always make me wince:



He launched an attack with less than 1K to go. It's not like he laid down an attack with 5KM to go. Maybe he proves to be the best climber at the end of the Tour, but gaining 10 seconds is not proof of anything at this point.

i agree. 10 seconds for an attack at 2% incline over 1 kilometre does not confirm a lot really.

still how about Ivan's comments:

"I expected a battle and there was: Contador, Evans, Schleck and I were particularly impressive.....The Tour will be decided on account of the Pyrenees and there I can be a major protagonist"

Particularly impressive hey Ivan, if you don't say so yourself. This is not the Giro, and teams and riders have targeted this unlike himself who has completed a grueling Giro.

I think Ivan should wait a little longer than after the first mountain stage in the first week to make comments like this especially with the risk of him tiring majorly in the 3rd week.

 

[richwagmn]

Versus has turned its broadcst into an Armstrong eulogy. The way they have played up the crashes is ridiculous, especially the last "crash" when he simply stepped off his bike.

The last commentary by Roll was simply silly.

Basically, now that LA is so far down he's free attack and other teams will have to respond. Huh? Respond to an injured buy 12 minutes down on GC?

And then Roll went on and on about what a bad day AC had. Yep, AC couldn't respond to one final acceleration by AS. But that's a bad day? To lose 10 seconds?

I can't take much more of Roll's commentary. He's so anti AC and over the top LA that he's a complete embarrassment to Versus.

 

[MacRoadie]

I can't take much more of Roll's commentary. He's so anti AC and over the top LA that he's a complete embarrassment to Versus.

I'm trying to figure out what stage wins the Versus team thinks thinks he can go for. He's not shown anything to suggest he has the fitness to attack in the mountains, he isn't going to win any sprints, and his TT'ing hasn't set the world on fire either.

His only chance MIGHT be sneaking off on a mountain stage while no one cares to chase him down. Of course, that assumes that none of the GC men have plans of their own for that stage, and we can safely assume EVERY uphill stage will be hotly contested.

 

[marquac]

Wow, this really messes up Bob Roll's idiotic "This is a two man race" commentary. Freaking moron.

I can only assume that they allow that clown to be on Versus because there is only about 10 of us that seem to watch the channel. Getting angry just thinking about the stupid uber pro Armstrong drivel he spouts off about.

Kind of angry for my first post. Sorry about that.

 

[Cobblestones]

I'm trying to figure out what stage wins the Versus team thinks thinks he can go for. He's not shown anything to suggest he has the fitness to attack in the mountains, he isn't going to win any sprints, and his TT'ing hasn't set the world on fire either.

His only chance MIGHT be sneaking off on a mountain stage while no one cares to chase him down. Of course, that assumes that none of the GC men have plans of their own for that stage, and we can safely assume EVERY uphill stage will be hotly contested.

Just watch the morning predictions. Bob is picking Armstrong for basically any stage. In other words: delusional

 

[marquac]

so, vinokourov not actually dropped, but fetching bottles? that should answer some questions about his loyalty to contador.

I think Vino doing this and destroying himself for AC will do his image and rep a lot of good. He still doesn't seem to be the most popular person out there. I think that this kind of showing from him will hopefully get people to start to think about him like they did pre-suspension.

 

[La Vie Claire]

His only chance MIGHT be sneaking off on a mountain stage while no one cares to chase him down. Of course, that assumes that none of the GC men have plans of their own for that stage, and we can safely assume EVERY uphill stage will be hotly contested.

Maybe Astana won't let a break with LA in it go -- it'll be Vino's call. Or Vino will just go with the break which of course will immediately doom it. Payback is a b!tch.

LA might have an outside shot at the TT if he rides very conservatively in the last week. But Cance, Martin & Wigans (once he realizes a podium isn't possible) might be thinking the same thing.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Just for the record, Lance only crashed ONCE today. And it was HIS fault.

The first crash was nothing. The second crash was caused by his own clipping a pedal. The third crash was basically LA coming to a standstill. By the third crash, the race was long since over anyway.

 

[delbified]

given how hard the mountains are this year, maybe Contador is just planning to sit back and win by attrition. the best shots are from the camera bike at the rear of the lead group, watching who drops off.

 

[Publicus]

Just for the record, Lance only crashed ONCE today. And it was HIS fault.

The first crash was nothing. The second crash was caused by his own clipping a pedal. The third crash was basically LA coming to a standstill. By the third crash, the race was long since over anyway.

I couldn't understand where they were getting 3 crashes from. He didn't go down during the first crash or the third crash. He was caught up (so to speak) in both, but that's not the same as crashing. That being said, that second crash was pretty bad.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I couldn't understand where they were getting 3 crashes from. He didn't go down during the first crash or the third crash. He was caught up (so to speak) in both, but that's not the same as crashing. That being said, that second crash was pretty bad.

Yep. Those Twreks have sh!tty ground clearance.

 

[Dedelou]

I thought it quite clear that Contador could not follow Schleck's attack.

Indeed clear. We all saw it on the tele. What some people have been speculating and arguing right here is why that happened. Listening to many it, was a case of not been capable to physically match the power of Andy attack. Others have said that strategically it was no longer worth the extra effort after covering a few previous attacks. In the end Andy moves is for the stage win and AC being an experienced TDF winner knew that no significant time was involved. We don't know those things for sure and probably we will have to wait for the book when it is written. However we are able to say , the racing got more interesting . It is only the 8th stage and so much has happened and we get the feeling more will happen in the second week. Not to mention the famous showdown in the third week in the Pyrenees. There, if things have not changed by then, Contador will be the challenger instead of the hated favorite. On the french roadsides, the challenger is always the one that is cheered the loudest. This Tour is getting epic.

 

[BroDeal]

I think Vino doing this and destroying himself for AC will do his image and rep a lot of good. He still doesn't seem to be the most popular person out there. I think that this kind of showing from him will hopefully get people to start to think about him like they did pre-suspension.

I think Roll could be a decent commentator if he would stop pimping Armstrong and be himself. I did not mind it when he used to do the Giro on OLN. It seems rather obvious that the Versus management has given the order to make the TdF broadcast mostly about Armstrong, and all the talking heads have to toe the line. They have overdone the Armstrong thing so much that the broadcast is a bit of a joke; it is like everything that makes the Olympics on TV horrible amped up ten times.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

In the end Andy moves is for the stage win and AC being an experienced TDF winner knew that no significant time was involved. .

I seriously doubt it. This is the same Contador who doesn't ride with his head. He just didn't have it........

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I seriously doubt it. This is the same Contador who doesn't ride with his head. He just didn't have it........

Ah, it's a bitter, bitter day for you fanboys. I love it.

 

[BroDeal]

I seriously doubt it. This is the same Contador who doesn't ride with his head. He just didn't have it........

Maybe if Contador was as smart as Armstrong then he could have lost 10 minutes instead of 10 seconds.

 

[HokieJoe]

LA is certainly one of the bigger (former) GC contenders.

I wouldn't say that at all. EDIT: I was rash in my comment. LA is a bit larger than average. He's on the upper boundary for elite Tour winners. He's in quite good stead though.

Merckx was no small man (he rode a 6ocm frame). Indurain was 6'2".

The point is biomechanical advantage can come in different size packages. Top that with high anaerobic threshold, superior recovery ability, etc...Those are some of the most prominent physical traits that make a great rider.

 

[marquac]

I think Roll could be a decent commentator if he would stop pimping Armstrong and be himself. I did not mind it when he used to do the Giro on OLN. It seems rather obvious that the Versus management has given the order to make the TdF broadcast mostly about Armstrong, and all the talking heads have to toe the line. They have overdone the Armstrong thing so much that the broadcast is a bit of a joke; it is like everything that makes the Olympics on TV horrible amped up ten times.

I'll give you the point. It's just that some of the things he says gets me so bloody riled up.

 

[BroDeal]

I'll give you the point. It's just that some of the things he says gets me so bloody riled up.

I use the mute button a lot.