TDF Stage 14: Saint-Gaudens - Plateau de Beille 168km

[Tuarts]

Voeckler being there...weell its just ridiculous. Sure the climbers may not have been going full steam but how the **** was he there?

Vanendert and Sanchez reversing the 1-2 from the other day. Amazing ride for Vanendert, is fascinating to see these domestiques excel, especially when they don't have to expend energy for their leaders.

Sanchez must be the strongest climber of the GC guys. Basso also looked impressive.

Rolland and Peraud. Just impressive and considering Coppel and Jeannasson are just back there, French cycling is suddenly looking so much healthier. Uran now must be favourite for the White.

No real questions answered from the big 5, Contador looked a bit strongers, Schlecks can hold an attack and Evans seemed to bridge back nearly everything effeciently enough.

 

[Pharazon]

Time limit going to be about 25 minutes - I expect 40-50 to miss.

if it;s a mountain stage.. ie 15%...

then they have 46 mins

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Completely agree.

Evans rode perfectly though, he's got this tour.

Ya, if this sort of thing keeps up it will come down to the TT

 

[Kwibus]

Typical Tour de France day.

We'll have to wait for the alps!

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Frank blaming everyone else for a lack of racing.

I have nothing to say about that which would get through the filter.

 

[cavfan11]

What did the Schlecks do wrong and what should they have done to be considered a "winner" on the day?

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Oh yeah they were stupid for the entire Giro.

Come on, millions of people are watching. Way to advertise your sport.

yep.

I mean at least andy tried I guess, but then it was like he was only testing cause he would just soft pedal at any gap.

I still think Andy will win.

Anyway conclusion.

The two riders I liked before this, I like more:
Samu and Basso.

 

[luckyboy]

Frank blaming everyone else for a lack of racing.

I have nothing to say about that which would get through the filter.

lol "we tried to race"

 

[thehog]

What is the clinic?

Is it possible to improve like Voeckler has? I find his performances in these mountain stages unbelievable.

I'd say there others that have been "restrained" back to normal levels.

 

[slim charles]

talk about anticlimax.
vanenderts, samu and voeckler, as well as great jens are worth mentioning.

voeckler is awesome, i don't care about clinic stuff [at least not until it's proven]

 

[More Strides than Rides]

That's what I was just saying to my wife. If it was Giro fatigue, you would think his form would continue to get worse. He's getting stronger which doesn't bode well for the Schlecks.

As it stands, I think Cuddles is the day's big winner.

Seriously, think this was a big blow to team Leopard Trek.

I agree on all three. Evans showed the high mountain form that was considered the kink in his Armour.

If the attacks of the Schleck's couldn't get rid of Rolland, Andy doesn't deserve even those two seconds. Sure, he's got the motivation of a yellow teammate, but really? This was their last opportunity to build their buffer to Contador's TT advantage, and they came up blank.

Evans on the other hand, while similarly without any knock out blows, does have that TT in his back pocket. Good stage by him

Gooo Vanendert! Goo Samu!

 

[The Hitch]

What has Vanenedert ever done?


Umm Eurosport, didnt he top 10 FW?

 

[yourwelcome]

this asian guy on sbs has no idea what he is talking about

I'm pretty sure 'the asian guy' has a name - Anthony Tan (?)

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Levi 'Bottle' Leipheimer at 9 minutes. Zubeldia is Shacks leader now?

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Voeckler being there...weell its just ridiculous. Sure the climbers may not have been going full steam but how the **** was he there?

Vanendert and Sanchez reversing the 1-2 from the other day. Amazing ride for Vanendert, is fascinating to see these domestiques excel, especially when they don't have to expend energy for their leaders.

Sanchez must be the strongest climber of the GC guys. Basso also looked impressive.

Rolland and Peraud. Just impressive and considering Coppel and Jeannasson are just back there, French cycling is suddenly looking so much healthier. Uran now must be favourite for the White.

No real questions answered from the big 5, Contador looked a bit strongers, Schlecks can hold an attack and Evans seemed to bridge back nearly everything effeciently enough.

as much as I like tommy V is is a testament to this lame stage.

 

[bicing]

Lance Armstrong was sitting on his couch today watching the stage and remembering his great moments on this mythical climb. As he saw the *** attacks from the Schlecks, Basso and Voeckler, he realised he had another chance at the top.

Lance Armstrong comeback #4. Starting with the Tour Down Under 2012.

 

[Maxiton]

I'd say there others that have been "restrained" back to normal levels.

Exactly. And that's all that needs be said here on the subject.

 

[its like that]

Contador is getting better!Cant wait for the Alps where we can see the best climber and TDF champion !!!

Contador is getting better based on what? Did he even attack once today?

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I'm pretty sure 'the asian guy' has a name - Anthony Tan.

How dare I not know every single SBS nitwit.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

GC guys not caring about the stage and letting fringe people take it, everybody watching everybody else and just riding tempo up all the climbs; a bunch of contenders taken out due to crashes in week 1, one of the biggest dramas on a mountain stage being if the green jersey wearer can make it inside the time limit...

I feel like I'm watching an even worse version of the 2009 Vuelta.

 

[Arnout]

- Vanendert, great stage, great win. Completely uninterested in him though, lacks charisma and much more than that.
- Samuel Sanchez, another good ride. I doubt he was the second best today, but at least he went for it.
- Basso. Good ride. I was hoping he would be better, but at least he continuously tried to gain an advantage, drop other riders and all that.
- Evans, tactical ride.
- Voeckler. My new hero. Hope he wins the Tour.
- Contador. Would have liked to see at least one attack. He didn't look to uncomfortable.
- The Schlecks. It seems like they didn't want to drop each other. Their attacks are a pain to watch as you know they will stop again after three seconds. Well good luck not winning the Tour.

 

[thehog]

Ya, if this sort of thing keeps up it will come down to the TT

Might come down to a sprint in Paris!

 

[dlwssonic]

WTF is andy thinking?!?! God stop thinking about your brother so much man! He lost his best oppurtunity to put time into evans and contador. like i said basso will not be able to drop the others on such steady climbs. contador is still a danger but he is still 2 min back. I gotta say im getting worried about Tommy V its hard to drop him. My god evans is in one heck of a position!!!! If he limits his losses in galiber and alpe d huez. there is your 34year old champion. GO EVANS!!!

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

- Vanendert, great stage, great win. Completely uninterested in him though, lacks charisma and much more than that.
- Samuel Sanchez, another good ride. I doubt he was the second best today, but at least he went for it.
- Basso. Good ride. I was hoping he would be better, but at least he continuously tried to gain an advantage, drop other riders and all that.
- Evans, tactical ride.
- Voeckler. My new hero. Hope he wins the Tour.
- Contador. Would have liked to see at least one attack. He didn't look to uncomfortable.
- The Schlecks. It seems like they didn't want to drop each other. Their attacks are a pain to watch as you know they will stop again after three seconds. Well good luck not winning the Tour.

lol this, I just do not understand Andy.

 

[Ferminal]

Might come down to a sprint in Paris!

If Cav makes the time limit they might as well give him Yellow.