TdF Stage 12 - Fri 16th - Bourg-de-Péage - Mende 210.5km

[sublimit]

if Vino gets to the last climb in the front break he gets the stage, The shack wheelsucker doesnt have the class.

 

[Cobblestones]

Fun stage, I would never have predicted that break composition. Kloden, Vino Hesjedal. Hushovd was the most obvious of the bunch.

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm... They quartet is on fire for now.

Do lazy bums like Rabobus and Leakygas now finally get going?

Certainly not Rabo. Let Saxo blow themselves up. Might be good for Menchov later.

Probably the same for Basso.

 

[Jamsque]

Shit just got real.

 

[Ryaguas]

wowow already 3.34

Vino is going to burn all saxo domestiques... Vinoooo Vinoooo! just look Spartacus' face

 

[Moondance]

Certainly not Rabo. Let Saxo blow themselves up. Might be good for Menchov later.

Probably the same for Basso.

Yawn... Boring DS logic like that make me vomit into my own mouth. Lose to Vino and Hesj now so you might not lose to Schleck later.

 

[Hairy Wheels]

I'm confused. This looks like real bike racing.

I'm so used to Tour de France snore-fests that this Tour seems more like...well...the Giro!

 

[sometriguy]

Lance just did a Versus interview where he admitted they are trying to win the Team Classification, and are in a heated fight with Caisse for this hugely important prize.

i took a cheap shot at team RS on facebook, and a friend of mine got all ****y and started talking about how they are the strongest team out there and will win the team competition...

i thought only forum trolls bought in to that BS

 

[Mellow Velo]

3'-50" while the peloton play, "After you, Claude".

 

[Cerberus]

Certainly not Rabo. Let Saxo blow themselves up. Might be good for Menchov later.

That depends in how much time Vino gets, Menchov's chance for third gets threatened before Andy's first or second place.

 

[Merckx]

Can't wait to see this on tv tonight. Vino was always good for some entertainment.

 

[ak-zaaf]

Yawn... Boring DS logic like that make me vomit into my own mouth. Lose to Vino and Hesj now so you might not lose to Schleck later.

Welcome to cycling? =/

Who cares about Vino and Hesjedal? Seriously?

 

[Anonymous]

Yawn... Boring DS logic like that make me vomit into my own mouth. Lose to Vino and Hesj now so you might not lose to Schleck later.

If you are Menchov are you worried about Vino? I didn't think so.

 

[crispy]

Interesting that Kloden is riding since he's potentially pulling Hesjedal and maybe even Vino past Levi on GC. Maybe RS is more interested in team GC.

 

[Moondance]

If you are Menchov are you worried about Vino? I didn't think so.

I'm sure noone was afraid of Perreiro in 2006, until he beat them all.

 

[Merckx]

Wonder if Saxo will pack things up and let this one get away? It's not like these guys will be with AS on the decisive climbs in a few days..

 

[ak-zaaf]

I'm sure noone was afraid of Perreiro in 2006, until he beat them all.

Oh come on, it's about 4 minutes now.
If they get 10, maybe they should help. Maybe.

 

[Carl0880]

That depends in how much time Vino gets, Menchov's chance for third gets threatened before Andy's first or second place.

the live report said it but it makes sense, Saxo maybe would like Garmin to take control by letting Hesjadel in Yellow, especially with the chase that has already been going on.

I agree, Rabo will have to soon get to the front because Vino is a better TT then Menchov and they can't chances he will blow in the Pyrennes. Only have to go back to Periero when he took back those 30 minutes in 06 and everyone thought he would fall by the wayside in the Alps, given his poor performance in the Pyrennes. he proved them wrong in the Alps.

 

[Francois the Postman]

phil and paul still playing the "can ac trust vino" card....

It's Vino vs Saxo at the moment, not Vino vs AC.

With the Pyrenees coming up, he couldn't do a better job for AC if he tried. Cooking the lot on his own.

That Cadel injury is hurting Saxo big time. I'm not sure if they had planned to be in yellow after that dig by Andy a couple of stages back.

I'm curious at which point the likes of Rabo are getting a bit nervous too. Right now this is perfect for them too, but you can't give Vino too much time and stay comfortable. You know he will attack and attack again for little net gain. The last thing you want to do is make him smell blood and making an attack actually really worth his (personal) while.

If Astana had this planned, it's almost perfect racing. Vino's personal ambitions and Contador's interest covered all at once.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm sure noone was afraid of Perreiro in 2006, until he beat them all.

I don't think the bunch is gonna let Vino go up the road by 20 odd minutes.

 

[Cerberus]

Liquigas taking the front.

ETA: Or at least they're helping Saxo, only seems to be one guy so far.

 

[Moondance]

Leaky is working now.... Cervelo too confused. Kudos

Rabobus still stinking up the joint.

 

[Anonymous]

the live report said it but it makes sense, Saxo maybe would like Garmin to take control by letting Hesjadel in Yellow, especially with the chase that has already been going on.

I agree, Rabo will have to soon get to the front because Vino is a better TT then Menchov and they can't chances he will blow in the Pyrennes. Only have to go back to Periero when he took back those 30 minutes in 06 and everyone thought he would fall by the wayside in the Alps, given his poor performance in the Pyrennes. he proved them wrong in the Alps.

but hesjedal in yellow would mean vino being 40 seconds off the lead with contador.. Why on earth would saxo be happy to have both contador and vino 40 seconds behind their man schleck. sheer stupidity

 

[Cyc81325]

I tell you what I have always been a fan of lance the athlete until this tour (I know let the berating begin) but the way he has ridden this tour is a joke. Turns out he is a quitter. Had he not thrown a little hissy fit the other day when the rider went down in front of him and he lost 13 minutes he could have simply limited his losses to 5 minutes MAX, that day and a couple minutes the next day and been in a similar position as hejidal today, and still at least compete for a podium or a top 10.

Instead he quit that day, road hard the next day and has ridden just to finish these past couple of days. Its a damn shame. I mean I understand he is old and he is worn out and really has nothing to prove (or a lot to prove however you look at it) but if you are just coming back to the tour and are going to quit the first time you run into some bad luck don't come back. This is turning out to be pretty pathetic for him and I am pretty sick of seeing his smilling face bringing up the rear. Either race or drop out lance, because what you are doing right now is no different than just dropping out.

 

[therhodeo]

Interesting that Kloden is riding since he's potentially pulling Hesjedal and maybe even Vino past Levi on GC. Maybe RS is more interested in team GC.

It didn't look like Ryder could hang on Levi's wheel when they were climbing the other day. They might not be worried about a few minutes on this stage.