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

[Libertine Seguros]

What is the clinic?

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

The clinic is a subforum here, where we discuss doping, so that it doesn't permeate and derail threads where we're talking about the races.

PS Voeckler won a mountain stage of last year's race too.

 

[sublimit]

I reckon Voekler has been underestimated, he can climb and surprised they let him get a 2 minute lead, Rolland has really been excellent for him also.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

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

No, but he didn't get dropped which is an improvement.

 

[sportzchick]

Im not counting my chickens YET but I couldnt be happier with where Cadel is placed at the moment......looking as calm and as in control as I have ever seen him.

I can only hope at this stage

 

[Parrulo]

yeah they really want to lose the tour de france on one stage just to keep a hanfull of idiots happy......

i can only see one idiot here and it is some chick that didn't watch the giro

all the guys that made it to the podium on the giro made it by being aggressive and attacking actually all top 5 did. the guys that rode defensive just like they rode today ended up on the bottum part of the top 10.

 

[The Hitch]

Looking at GC, if we can crack Evans who is clearly weaker, get say 30 seconds on either 16 or 17 descent, then thats 1.10 to Andy and 1.30 to Frank for the Alps and time trial.

Limit losses there, so maybe 2 minutes to get back in tt.

Still probably got to hope for Schlecks and Cuddles to get some of the bad luck they deserve somewhere, but maybe just maybe.

 

[spalco]

I'm ****ed off at Eurosport for cutting off the ceremonies today and I can't find a stream to replace them.

 

[hfer07]

I must recognized I should have acknowledged those guys--my frustrations is of the GC riders-specially the Schleck bros-and I'd say Evans too- how long are they going to wait until they put a serious attack?-- aren't they realizing that the closer they get to the 3rd week & the ITT with those tactics, the greater the risk is they loose the race in a bad day? -- honestly Contador must be laughing know...

 

[thehog]

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.

....and you guys say you want a drug free Tour?

 

[For The World]

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

So? He's still got no idea.

 

[saganftw]

its really sad when the most exciting moment of pyrenean uphill stages was hushovds downhill

 

[Publicus]

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

Nope but he handled everything that was dished out by guys who didn't ride the Giro and focused their entire season around this one race. I'd say his ride was promising.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Well done Cadel...looked excellent!

 

[Jukebox]

It almost looked like Andy was working for Frank today. I wonder if the plan has changed.

Contador should be good by the time the Alps come.

 

[dlwssonic]

No, but he didn't get dropped which is an improvement.

The difference is they raced harder on tuesday, so it cant be confirmed that he is stronger. Im not sure how evans is gonna get 2 min on tommy V in the mountains.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Frank blaming everyone else for a lack of racing.

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

Well he did say Ivan was trying to race.
The stakes are just too high.
Everybody more terrified of blowing up, than winning the race.
It's the Tour's achilles heel.

Very disappointed to see Cuddles revert to his negative side.
Was hoping he'd be his less restrained half.

 

[The Hitch]

All of the panelists and people getting interviewed still not naming Samu as a contender despite being best climber in the Pyranees.

Maybe hes not in Omerta or something.

 

[mr. tibbs]

Might come down to a sprint in Paris!

In that case, VIno for the wi--wait, that's right. Dammit. No more Kazhak heroics.

 

[guncha]

It seems Tommy might be a real threat to everyone. He lost just 1min 58sec to Evans in this year's Dauphine's ITT. If they don't drop him in Alpes then...

 

[For The World]

Haha Bernard Hinault with the dark glasses and a gold chain. Pimpin'.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Great ride Andy, three seconds!

Yeah. He should have attacked after the finish line. Boring and annoying this Schlecks. What a waste of time.

The good thing, this "italian defense soccer tactic" will bring them exact ZERO TdF-Wins.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm ****ed off at Eurosport for cutting off the ceremonies today and I can't find a stream to replace them.

http://www.teamskyfans.com/live.html

the france2 stream

 

[kjetilraknerud]

One thing to remember; Basso is a third week rider, and he allowed Szmyd to rest today.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Looking at GC, if we can crack Evans who is clearly weaker, get say 30 seconds on either 16 or 17 descent, then thats 1.10 to Andy and 1.30 to Frank for the Alps and time trial.

Limit losses there, so maybe 2 minutes to get back in tt.

Still probably got to hope for Schlecks and Cuddles to get some of the bad luck they deserve somewhere, but maybe just maybe.

Evans will crack. Like I said if Evans win this tour I a will take a Cadel avatar forever !

depending on his IIT he should beat evans imho.

 

[Anonymous]

Well done Cadel...looked excellent!

I completely agree.