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

[superconfex]

Vino would NOT have let a more tired Rodriguez beat HIM in a sprint.

 

[Kamikaze]

There is more then one explanation for that hand gesture.

Frustration with "the outcome for Astana".
Frustration with "having come so close".
Frustration with "what Contador did to me".

The last one looks the least likely of the 3, to me. I suspect it is option two more than three.

Well, let me see if I am Vino.
When I was going up by myself, I see Contador pulling Rodriguez past me.
When I was crossing the line, I don't see Andy in front of me. So all explanation is correct. The outcome, having come so close and what Contador did to me. What Contador did to Andy, he did not know at that time since Andy was behind him.

 

[Califootman]

I think Contador's only tactical error today was not agreeing to gift Rodriguez the stage in exchange for sharing the work all out to the finish in order to put maximum time into Schleck. I believe he wavered and eased up somewhat because he wanted to see if Vinokourov could latch on and get the win.

And I think that tactical error says less about Contador's understanding of tactics and more about his desire to be a good teammate.

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

I guess... it just cracks me up that the guy's not even a factor in the race and yet there is still so much talk about him.

There are a certain rider who long past became into a joke, and he has much more less of impact in the race than Vino, yet he's still a subject of at least half of the messages here (as of now he has at least three to five different special threads just to discuss his antics) and something about a dozen about him in the clinic section.

While Vino being in the spotlight is actually a rare thing.
________
WENDIE 99

 

[Francois the Postman]

You really think so? I find it hard to believe there would be the same amount of defence for LA as AC as in other threads there is a similar notion of what I am talking about. Anyway, next...

You seriously find it hard to believe that if the shoe was on the other foot, in the time that Lance was the undisputed team leader and a serious candidate for the overall, and if he was still trailing his direct rival, people would not have attacked him for not slowing down out of consideration for a flailing team member and instead dealing out one hell of a hammer blow for overall?

Man, I would have slapped him silly myself if he would slow down in that situation.

So yeah, I really think so.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

I guess... it just cracks me up that the guy's not even a factor in the race and yet there is still so much talk about him.

For me, it's all about last year. That was despicable. Others may have different reasons.

 

[schnebit]

You seriously find it hard to believe that if the shoe was on the other foot, in the time that Lance was the undisputed team leader and a serious candidate for the overall, and if he was still trailing his direct rival, people would not have attacked him for not slowing down out of consideration for a flailing team member and instead dealing out one hell of a hammer blow for overall?

Man, I would have slapped him silly myself if he would slow down in that situation.

So yeah, I really think so.

I think that something similar did happen in '02 with LA and Roberto Herras... Not the exact same situation by any means, but same idea. You have the team leader in a fight for the overall and a team-mate the rightful 'winner'.

 

[schnebit]

For me, it's all about last year. That was despicable. Others may have different reasons.

Yup... I agree about last year. I liked Lance, but he should have stayed retired.

 

[Carl0880]

what I do find interesting is that Lance just sat up at the foot of the climb, this from a man talking about his team's goal is the Team classification. Does he now not consider himself one of the 3 best climbers on his own team now. Actions different from his words

 

[flicker]

Imagine how it would be if Levi did what AC did and Lance was in Vino's place. What sort of car would be at the hotel waiting for Levi at the time trial? How heavy would Iron TT wheels be?

Levi's body would be found with his Road I.D. up his @ss.

How is this pertinent when Levi is racing for fifth and Lance is riding support position. Those cartoons you are watching are making you halucinate

 

[Francois the Postman]

Well, let me see if I am Vino.
When I was going up by myself, I see Contador pulling Rodriguez past me.
When I was crossing the line, I don't see Andy in front of me. So all explanation is correct. The outcome, having come so close and what Contador did to me. What Contador did to Andy, he did not know at that time since Andy was behind him.

If you were Vino you would have had an earpiece for starters.

Or if the info feed got lost in the heat of the battle, you might be blessed with the awareness that you probably won't know in full what happened behind you, but that something must have spurred your team mate to fly past in the first place.

I don't think Vino is so clueless about cycling that he would just forget that.

 

[teamcresthuffy]

I think Contador's only tactical error today was not agreeing to gift Rodriguez the stage in exchange for sharing the work all out to the finish in order to put maximum time into Schleck. I believe he wavered and eased up somewhat because he wanted to see if Vinokourov could latch on and get the win.

And I think that tactical error says less about Contador's understanding of tactics and more about his desire to be a good teammate.

I agree...

 

[flicker]

It looks more than likely he'll be doing that anyway, as it is now the traditional gift from the Tour winner to his team mates.

And I agree, planned or not, Vino in the break has made Saxo suffer on a physical level. Contador's last minute dig hit the team leader's morale.

Good day for the Astana team. Really really bad one for the (leading) challengers.

Finally, someone in the forum who understands cycling.

 

[schnebit]

what I do find interesting is that Lance just sat up at the foot of the climb, this from a man talking about his team's goal is the Team classification. Does he now not consider himself one of the 3 best climbers on his own team now. Actions different from his words

This really annoys me... So you're out of the overall... still put up a fight! If you're the champ that you want everyone to think you are, go out fighting, not sitting up!

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

How is this pertinent when Levi is racing for fifth and Lance is riding support position. Those cartoons you are watching are making you halucinate

How exactly is Lance supporting Levi by getting dropped at the foot of the climb? Kloden was up the road. It was Armstrong's job to pace Leipheimer.

 

[goggalor]

So, anyone know wtf is up with Andy's white shorts/yellow jersey combination? It's hideous! He should go with black shorts like Fabian, way classier.

 

[flicker]

This really annoys me... So you're out of the overall... still put up a fight! If you're the champ that you want everyone to think you are, go out fighting, not sitting up!

Lance is not Merckx, never was. On the other hand if Lance was in his prime I think he would have put 30-40 seconds into his rivals. I believe Lance will put in a show in the next few days.

 

[theyoungest]

Lance is not Merckx, never was. On the other hand if Lance was in his prime I think he would have put 30-40 seconds into his rivals. I believe Lance will put in a show in the next few days.

Lance in his prime actually did this finish, and finished in the same time as his rivals.

 

[flicker]

How exactly is Lance supporting Levi by getting dropped at the foot of the climb? Kloden was up the road. It was Armstrong's job to pace Leipheimer.

Levi is a big boy. I think Kloeden was his pacer. Lance dropped back to give the anidrone makers another reason to make computer voiced gibberish. Levi is racing for fifth!

 

[dlwssonic]

i personally think AS could not follow AC in such a short climb as he is not as explosive as AS. Maybe vino could have won the stage if Rodriguez attacked alone but contador gained seconds. vino might be selfish and start to complain. im excited to see his reaction after todays stage

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Lance is not Merckx, never was. On the other hand if Lance was in his prime I think he would have put 30-40 seconds into his rivals. I believe Lance will put in a show in the next few days.

A show of what? You just said he's here to support Levi now.

 

[theyoungest]

Levi is a big boy. I think Kloeden was his pacer. Lance dropped back to give the anidrone makers another reason to make computer voiced gibberish. Levi is racing for fifth!

Kloeden didn't do much pacing either. None, actually, as he finished with Schleck and friends.

 

[Deagol]

......I believe Lance will put in a show in the next few days.

there are so many ways this could be twisted

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Levi is a big boy. I think Kloeden was his pacer. Lance dropped back to give the anidrone makers another reason to make computer voiced gibberish. Levi is racing for fifth!

Kloden was up the road. Did you watch this stage?

 

[schnebit]

Kloeden didn't do much pacing either. None, actually, as he finished with Schleck and friends.

Horner said it the other day... they're not going to burry themselves for a guy who is in 8th place (which Levi was in at that time Horner said this).