TDF Stage 13 - Saturday, July 17 2010, Rodez - Revel, 195 km

[Hawkwood]

Did you also get the bit about how Bruyneel is relaxed not having to defend yellow every day and things are so laid back at the fraudioshack assisted living facility.

I heard that too, how the evening meal is now really chilled out as they're not having to go for anything too serious like winning a race or similar.

 

[rhubroma]

I don't think there was anything to make up about.

No there was considerable tension in the team last night, as Bepe Martinelli let us know on the Rai interview. Vino was ****ed at Conti for having passed him and not waited. Conti was thinking GC, but perhaps it was advisable to bring Astana the win by pulling Vino to the line. So with Vino there to outsprint their rival AC would have lost a couple of seconds he gained on Schleck, but satisfied the Kazak government sponsorship and fan base and, more importantly, the pride of the greatest ally he has on the team, which will be a great asset in the Pyrennes. 3 seconds that in the end would not cost him the Tour, but would have gained him tranquility within the team. In any case the race would not have been decided by those 3 seconds.

Obviously two ferocious competitors, but the team botched the arrival. Now things should be back to normal though.

 

[Big GMaC]

I'm really getting p|ssed about Phil the Shill. Normally he can't get his piehole open when it comes to doping, but between yesterday and today, he's yapping and yapping about Vino's suspension every time Vino's up front.

You should watch British Eurosport. Roche and Backstedt are laying into Armstrong.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

You should watch British Eurosport. Roche and Backstedt are laying into Armstrong.

What are they saying?

 

[skidmark]

***deleted by mod ****

That said, I have no idea what that very specific example has to do with Alexandre Vinokourov.

MOD NOTE: It had nothing to do with Vinokourov, therefore all mentions to it have been deleted.

 

[metaCYCLE]

No there was considerable tension in the team last night, as Bepe Martinelli let us know on the Rai interview. Vino was ****ed at Conti for having passed him and not waited. Conti was thinking GC, but perhaps it was advisable to bring Astana the win by pulling Vino to the line. So with Vino there to outsprint their rival AC would have lost a couple of seconds he gained on Schleck, but satisfied the Kazak government sponsorship and fan base and, more importantly, the pride of the greatest ally he has on the team, which will be a great asset in the Pyrennes. 3 seconds that in the end would not cost him the Tour, but would have gained him tranquility within the team. In any case the race would not have been decided by those 3 seconds.

Obviously two ferocious competitors, but the team botched the arrival. Now things should be back to normal though.

there was j. rodriguez there too. did anyone notice that?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Stupid analogy from The Barb. Quite possibly the dumbest analogy one could make, which is saying a lot.

 

[Hawkwood]

Did anyone spot Cavendish trying to use Hushovd for his final lead-out, and then thinking hang on he's going backwards and ditching him asap?

 

[Big GMaC]

What are they saying?

He is letting the team down.

He is letting Leipheimer down.

No excuse dropping at the end like that and taking a Domestique with him.

Hasn't done enought training this year etc.

No Dope stuff though

 

[joy118118]

Congrats Vino that was seriously impressive!!!

is tp ironic?

 

[reyan12]

Goddamn what a depressing result.

Sorry mate ...i think youll be depressed more come the Pyrenees.

 

[Ryaguas]

Did you see in the sprint when Ale-jet start his sprint? he had someone ahead him and he had to slow a little when Manxman saw that the start his sprint too... IMO if Ale-jet hasn't had to slow his velocity for that guy next to Thor he prolly would has won the sprint... I don't know Ale-jet was going like a bullet... and he had better line though...

 

[rhubroma]

there was j. rodriguez there too. did anyone notice that?

It was interesting to me how the Italian press (and from what I gather the Spanish and French press too) made a big deal of the psychological drama, the human side of the sport, between the two after yesterday's stage follow up.

Whereas absolutely nothing was made of it by CN. I would advise CN to pay more attention to the human-drama side of sport as the Latin cultures do.

This seems to be, also, why information is never complete in the Anglo-Saxon world, in its obsession with just "sticking to the facts." Often the subtleties, that may seem insignificant, "unprofessional" according to a culture of sobriety, or go simply unnoticed, may, in fact, be of real consequence.

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

is tp ironic?

Kids these days and their short attention span.
________
MARIJUANA CLINICS IN SOUTHGATE CA 90280

 

[Kwibus]

No there was considerable tension in the team last night, as Bepe Martinelli let us know on the Rai interview. Vino was ****ed at Conti for having passed him and not waited. Conti was thinking GC, but perhaps it was advisable to bring Astana the win by pulling Vino to the line. So with Vino there to outsprint their rival AC would have lost a couple of seconds he gained on Schleck, but satisfied the Kazak government sponsorship and fan base and, more importantly, the pride of the greatest ally he has on the team, which will be a great asset in the Pyrennes. 3 seconds that in the end would not cost him the Tour, but would have gained him tranquility within the team. In any case the race would not have been decided by those 3 seconds.

Obviously two ferocious competitors, but the team botched the arrival. Now things should be back to normal though.

Vino after yesterday stage: “But we are here to play for the overall and the main thing is that Alberto gained time on Andy [Schleck], after this remain four major stages in the Pyrenees, this is where the final victory will be played out, and I have complete trust in Alberto and his abilities, and in this team, to win this victory”.

 

[sublimit]

Lance is acting like a show pony. Once he went out the back he had no intention of racing to the finish..

A very lame and extremely annoying rider.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Lance has been utterly exposed for the complete fraud he is as a cyclist, a person and as a teammate.

His contributions to the team standings have been, well, minute to say the least.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Stupid analogy from The Barb. Quite possibly the dumbest analogy one could make, which is saying a lot.

I thought this might need an analogy fail pic. so I went looking for one. Unfortunately I failed but I did find this.
Apropos of nothing, but too funny not to post.

*** edited by mod ***

 

[Publicus]

I'm very confused by the teamwork being displayed by Lance. Wouldn't it help Levi for him to be pacing him at the front and shielding him from the wind, especially when the pace got hot toward the end? Maybe he is saving himself to be one of mountain domestiques tomorrow....

 

[Hugh Januss]

I'm very confused by the teamwork being displayed by Lance. Wouldn't it help Levi for him to be pacing him at the front and shielding him from the wind, especially when the pace got hot toward the end? Maybe he is saving himself to be one of mountain domestiques tomorrow....

Maybe he only knows how to have other riders shelter him from the wind at the end when the pace gets hot?

 

[Beech Mtn]

Lance has been utterly exposed for the complete fraud he is as a cyclist, a person and as a teammate.

His contributions to the team standings have been, well, minute to say the least.

+1. If RSH does win the team classification, LA will get to stand on the podium in Paris, acting like the team big shot, but in reality having done less than the domestiques to earn the win. On a day with terrain like today's stage, LA should be one of RSH's three big finishers, giving a break to Kloeden or Horner so they could be fresher to help Levi or to finish high for the team in the upcoming mountains stages.

We know LA isn't going to be one of the top three RSHers on the big climbing days. We also know he isn't bringing any bottles or food or rain vests or anything to help out the boys.

Not only that, but LA will likely continue to demand a dedicated domestique be at his service when he drops off at the back like he has been doing each day. He is a drain on the team.

At least Muraveyev does work for the team. He deserves to stand on the podium in Paris if RSH wins team classificiation, but LA - not so much.

 

[rhubroma]

Vino after yesterday stage: “But we are here to play for the overall and the main thing is that Alberto gained time on Andy [Schleck], after this remain four major stages in the Pyrenees, this is where the final victory will be played out, and I have complete trust in Alberto and his abilities, and in this team, to win this victory”.

Yea and that was the "official" statement he made (like any good politician), though we know from the team manager Martinelli (at least we do in Italy) that the two had a rather animated discussion in the hotel last night.

Are you trying to say I don't know what I'm talking about? Or that you have the only information that counts?

I'm not so confident in the thoroughness of your sources, though, Kiwi.

 

[hfer07]

Lance is acting like a show pony. Once he went out the back he had no intention of racing to the finish..

keep in mind he has lots of tough call to make back home to his lawyers on how his "problems" standso he really care less about the race-I dare to say that he's even making calls while riding...

At this point, he should call off this charade and get back to the states.. at least he needs to show some respect to the race that gave him fame, and not disgrace the team & the sponsors in that manner..

 

[hrotha]

I think LA must have plans for one of the upcoming stages. I just can't see a guy like him doing nothing at all and being such a disgrace. Isn't he supposed to be proud? Isn't this the guy who came last in his first San Sebastian Classic and swore he'd win it some day - which he did? Today's stage, like yesterday's, was perfect for his pre-cancer characteristics. He must be saving himself. If he isn't, I'll be very disappointed in him - and when you're disappointing even a hater, you know something must be very wrong.

 

[Four Winds]

I have just heard a rumour that Cav might be disqualified for thinking bad thoughts and giving a metaphorical two-fingers to his detractors