- Jul 16, 2010
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Berzin said:
Contador said he didn't have good legs today and couldn't attack. But he had no problems following.
- Mar 11, 2009
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It feels like a mix of some people waiting and not wanting to show their hands and the fact that no one is really good enough or confident enough to really put the hammer down on the others.
I think Frank was only good enough to hang in .... And Andy isn't good enough to do more than he did. Evans only has to follow - he is waiting for the ITT. Basso did what he could. Contador is waiting for the Alps. Have I missed anyone...
It will be different in the alps because people will be more tired and because it will be at point where a number of people have nothing to lose.
Contador will go on the offensive - I think it will get more interesting
I think Frank was only good enough to hang in .... And Andy isn't good enough to do more than he did. Evans only has to follow - he is waiting for the ITT. Basso did what he could. Contador is waiting for the Alps. Have I missed anyone...
It will be different in the alps because people will be more tired and because it will be at point where a number of people have nothing to lose.
Contador will go on the offensive - I think it will get more interesting
Arnout said:
Hilarious. Whats next? Team car as a limo?
Obviously his fans has abadoned the idea with Andy himself ripping up a mountain-stage but "needs" Contador to do so (wheelsucking). So basically, he burn out his team, rejecting helping his team in the TT, gets stages neutralizes for him, whines and moans a little, obviously to comfortable to do the dirty work, and now a helicopter?
But hey, give the guy a break, he gained two seconds so after today he must be exhausted.
maybe andy will win the tour by 2 secs, and then this stage will look differently
so disappointed in the lack of fireworks and hoping for something great in the alps.
leopard strategy perplexing, unless they had other plans and andy didn't have the legs for it.
so disappointed in the lack of fireworks and hoping for something great in the alps.
leopard strategy perplexing, unless they had other plans and andy didn't have the legs for it.
- Jun 15, 2009
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Berzin said:
Why not? We already had the most bogus MTF ever...
I cheer for TV now... and everybody playing PCM must edit their databases. LMAO.
- Jun 15, 2009
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No_Balls said:
After a 2009 interview at ESP, "we won´t attack (in a big MT-Stage)" i had my first doubts about him (actually this stage became dull). Then came the crybaby stage last year topping it. A impudence was his complaining about AC not waiting. And now today was the hammer. I am tired of this guy. Let somebody with guts and heart win, please...
- Jun 14, 2010
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jobiwan said:Sounds like I missed absolutely nothing today.
Sorry Andy and Frank let you down, Hitch. Your preview really deserved better.
2 measly seconds...blah.
I think the Schlecks, Evans, Basso and Contador know that the Alps will decide this race, but it's made the Pyrenees a little disappointing.
The stages i write my little paragraphs and put my little pictures in all suck. Platteau de Beille, Colle delle Finnestre, and worst of all, CROSTIS Zoncolan
I did half preview Gardecia though which as a stage single handidly makes up for all 3.
Though personally i dont think today was that bad.
As a Samu fan i was very tense the whole way up that climb, and relieved that he hadnt lost any time once it finished, so i certainatly wasnt bored.
As an Andrew fan you would have also probably been a little tense and at least enjoyed his accelerations.
- Jun 14, 2010
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Jeanne said:ummm
Yeah, winner is. Before the stage The Great One was asked about it and said he remembered very well the helicopter after winning in 07.
Arnout said:
More proof of the ASO Schleck conspiracy
- Jun 10, 2010
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Andy is of course able to do it himself (see Tourmalet last year)... if he feels he has no choice. Otherwise, he's always like "meh, next stage". He's a real pro - a procrastinator.No_Balls said:
Problem is, he's not bright enough to realize he's not playing it safe at all by not eliminating Contador now. He thinks it's less risky if he waits till Alp d'Huez, but it's actually the opposite. And meanwhile, he's completely neglecting Evans. Sure, Evans might crack. Sure, Voeckler might crack, too. But why rely on mere probabilities when you're the strongest right now, but maybe not next week?
- May 26, 2009
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jobiwan said:I think Andy was just saving his big Tour-clinching win for a day when I'm actually able to watch!!
Still Thursday, Friday (hopefully Wednesday too!) we should some good racing.
Andy and Frank are running out of time, though.
I'm hoping that on the way down to the finishes on Tuesday and Wednesday that Sammy goes on the attack, see how Basso and the Schlecks cope with that.
- Jul 28, 2010
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hrotha said:
Andy needs to go back to how he did it on Tourmalet. SUPER ATTACK EARLY.
If he drops Frank, that's fine. Frank can maybe cross to him by himself like the stage to Le Grand Bornand.
If Andy brings Contador along with him, that's fine too. I think his lead over Contador is barely enough, at the moment.
But by any means necessary, DROP CADEL EVANS.
If Andy and Frank are to lose this Tour (and of course I hope not), I would be fine if Contador, Basso, and especially Sammy Sanchez wins.
But if Evans wins the TOUR DE FRANCE due to slow riding in the mountains, and blasting away in the Time Trial, I may be sick.
So Andy, I BEG YOU, attack! Wednesday or Thursday would be ideal, too!
Arnout said:Stage 15 has the potential to be more defining for GC than the mountainstages we had. Echelons.
Not looking forward to it with Sanchez and Euskaltel
Do tell how it will define the GC?
- Mar 10, 2009
- 4,707
- 47
- 15,530
zamasailo said:
Well if one race favourite is in the second group the others will start riding with their whole team, second group can easily lose a minute. Andy thought his two second gain today was a good day, if we keep having this sort of mountainstages a day like tomorrow might shake up GC more.
Just like the first stage actually.
- Oct 26, 2009
- 654
- 0
- 0
Quote from AC after Stage 14:
“I don’t like that kind of racing, which is very different to mine. For one reason or another I’m unable to race the way I want to, but I feel I’m getting better every day.
“It’s been a difficult Tour for me. I hope things keep on improving and that I get myself into condition so that I can attack in the Alps.”
Let's hope that we see the old AC in the Alps!
“I don’t like that kind of racing, which is very different to mine. For one reason or another I’m unable to race the way I want to, but I feel I’m getting better every day.
“It’s been a difficult Tour for me. I hope things keep on improving and that I get myself into condition so that I can attack in the Alps.”
Let's hope that we see the old AC in the Alps!
- May 25, 2010
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- 0
- 0
I didn't find it a boring stage. The stalemate still meant something happened.
If you told Evans before the Pyrenees he'd lose only 20 seconds and 2 seconds to a Schleck brother each MTF he would surely have said you were joking. He must be pleased.
Some points to cover:
The Climb
People have said it was slow and crap but then why weren't there more staying up there? Europcar aside, it was all the heads of states and those showing who's got the legs. If the pace really was that slow, how come Danielson didn't make up time after being dropped a second time by the accelerations? Or how Cunego and Danielson weren't picked up by other guys still climbing up? The intensity was still there. It may not have been up to the doped-up expectations of fans but it must have been something. The were feeble but maybe that is all they can do before they get to their limit. Only GC contendor I've seen in a GT being able to sustain an attack and ride away is Contador. He's now fatigued/sapped from that ride and injured from crashes.
Thoughts on the 7 contendors,
Schlecks
Cockiness from the team and riders aside, there must be some headaches in the DS' room tonight. They had a decent enough strategy, certainly the strongest team but it doesn't seem to be working. Whether it because of the antics pre-last 15km or what happens on the last climb is debatable. They had O'Grady on the front for most of the climb dropping people, actually thought he did a better job than Fabian, damage wise and duration, Roche was dropped during his reign at the front (btw what happened to Nicolas?). Andy's attacks did nothing to cause any damage and whilst he certainly was the rider who attacked the most, it was all ineffective. To compare, Sanchez attacked once and gained 27 seconds, Andy attacked at least 5-6 times and only gained 2 seconds. Was Frank feeling it and he didn't want to damage him or did he just not have the legs to ride away? Either way, his post race statement show he borderline ***.
Evans
As said at the start, must be very pleased with his situation. Has to be confident of his Time-Trialling ability over the Schlecks and they haven't put anything remotely consdering the time they need into him over these two stages. Still the Alpe to go but the Pyrenees has to be considered a success, he's in the box seat now. Can't find any complaint with his climb either, he may not have attacked until the last 2km but he closed a lot more moves than you'd expect him to before, chapeau. As for his luck, well he has had his share this tour but the fact he's kept relatively clean and avoiding crashes can also be testement to his team. To wish him bad luck so you can follow him is stupid, if you want to talk about balancing things up then what about riding with a broken arm last year? C'mon...
Basso
Great tempo riding from him, numerous times the attacks went and instead of countering, he just rides his own pace. He almost rode them all off his wheel when he got on front, maybe if he was in Giro '10 form he might've. Showed he's a strong climber and not one to discount, can only improve his form.
Sanchez
Has to be the strongest climber out of the GC contenders. 2 MTFs and 2 times he's put time into them. Sure he may be far down on GC but he's leapfrogged Contador, who knows what he can do in the Alpes. Not considering him a GC threat, before the Tour or right now is stupid.
Contador
Looked better than on Luz Ardiden, when he followed attacks his dancing on the bike style seemed a lot smoother as well. Can't be 100% or even at whatever level to be expected after the Giro but is looming ominously now the Shlecks have put time into him. Whether he dose improve remains to be seen.
Europcar
There ride i just...phenomenal. I actually feel like I'm in denial over it. How can a puncheur and breakaway specialist be so good to be able to keep up? You can't say it was the pace because then why didn't Cunego or Danielson last? He outclimbed them. He hasn't cracked yet and now surely must be cemented as a top 10 finish and even as the "7th Contendor". Rolland is going great too, what a talent, the only domestique still with his leader at the business end, seeing Europcar as a dominant player in the MOUNTAINS....it just feels all weird.
Others
Apart from Rolland, you have to say well done to Uran, those two have been the strongest young climber. Peraud is having a great breakout Tour. Roche was saying on his blog that Peraud was considered by the team as their 2nd option on GC and he can definitely time trial! Great riding. Vanendert is riding well out of the ashe of VDB. Expect him to be more than a super-dometique in both the Monuments and GC next year. Cunego is building on his TDS form and Danielson too his proving his hype on here,Taaramae is not that far off. Chapeau to them all.
If you told Evans before the Pyrenees he'd lose only 20 seconds and 2 seconds to a Schleck brother each MTF he would surely have said you were joking. He must be pleased.
Some points to cover:
The Climb
People have said it was slow and crap but then why weren't there more staying up there? Europcar aside, it was all the heads of states and those showing who's got the legs. If the pace really was that slow, how come Danielson didn't make up time after being dropped a second time by the accelerations? Or how Cunego and Danielson weren't picked up by other guys still climbing up? The intensity was still there. It may not have been up to the doped-up expectations of fans but it must have been something. The were feeble but maybe that is all they can do before they get to their limit. Only GC contendor I've seen in a GT being able to sustain an attack and ride away is Contador. He's now fatigued/sapped from that ride and injured from crashes.
Thoughts on the 7 contendors,
Schlecks
Cockiness from the team and riders aside, there must be some headaches in the DS' room tonight. They had a decent enough strategy, certainly the strongest team but it doesn't seem to be working. Whether it because of the antics pre-last 15km or what happens on the last climb is debatable. They had O'Grady on the front for most of the climb dropping people, actually thought he did a better job than Fabian, damage wise and duration, Roche was dropped during his reign at the front (btw what happened to Nicolas?). Andy's attacks did nothing to cause any damage and whilst he certainly was the rider who attacked the most, it was all ineffective. To compare, Sanchez attacked once and gained 27 seconds, Andy attacked at least 5-6 times and only gained 2 seconds. Was Frank feeling it and he didn't want to damage him or did he just not have the legs to ride away? Either way, his post race statement show he borderline ***.
Evans
As said at the start, must be very pleased with his situation. Has to be confident of his Time-Trialling ability over the Schlecks and they haven't put anything remotely consdering the time they need into him over these two stages. Still the Alpe to go but the Pyrenees has to be considered a success, he's in the box seat now. Can't find any complaint with his climb either, he may not have attacked until the last 2km but he closed a lot more moves than you'd expect him to before, chapeau. As for his luck, well he has had his share this tour but the fact he's kept relatively clean and avoiding crashes can also be testement to his team. To wish him bad luck so you can follow him is stupid, if you want to talk about balancing things up then what about riding with a broken arm last year? C'mon...
Basso
Great tempo riding from him, numerous times the attacks went and instead of countering, he just rides his own pace. He almost rode them all off his wheel when he got on front, maybe if he was in Giro '10 form he might've. Showed he's a strong climber and not one to discount, can only improve his form.
Sanchez
Has to be the strongest climber out of the GC contenders. 2 MTFs and 2 times he's put time into them. Sure he may be far down on GC but he's leapfrogged Contador, who knows what he can do in the Alpes. Not considering him a GC threat, before the Tour or right now is stupid.
Contador
Looked better than on Luz Ardiden, when he followed attacks his dancing on the bike style seemed a lot smoother as well. Can't be 100% or even at whatever level to be expected after the Giro but is looming ominously now the Shlecks have put time into him. Whether he dose improve remains to be seen.
Europcar
There ride i just...phenomenal. I actually feel like I'm in denial over it. How can a puncheur and breakaway specialist be so good to be able to keep up? You can't say it was the pace because then why didn't Cunego or Danielson last? He outclimbed them. He hasn't cracked yet and now surely must be cemented as a top 10 finish and even as the "7th Contendor". Rolland is going great too, what a talent, the only domestique still with his leader at the business end, seeing Europcar as a dominant player in the MOUNTAINS....it just feels all weird.
Others
Apart from Rolland, you have to say well done to Uran, those two have been the strongest young climber. Peraud is having a great breakout Tour. Roche was saying on his blog that Peraud was considered by the team as their 2nd option on GC and he can definitely time trial! Great riding. Vanendert is riding well out of the ashe of VDB. Expect him to be more than a super-dometique in both the Monuments and GC next year. Cunego is building on his TDS form and Danielson too his proving his hype on here,Taaramae is not that far off. Chapeau to them all.
- Mar 13, 2009
- 29,400
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Andy claiming the climb wasn't hard enough, what a total moron.
Fränk was at his limit today and even had to let go near the end, but lucky for him they started to softpedal again
Fränk was at his limit today and even had to let go near the end, but lucky for him they started to softpedal again
- Mar 11, 2009
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- 28,180
Done.zamasailo said:So, who's gonna do the preview for stage 15?
Tuarts - I don't know that people were as bored by it as they were puzzled by the way some riders rode, or didn't ride. Most of us are baffled by Leopard/Trek's strategy and don't find it decent enough, as you noted. It just puzzles us that they would burn all their guys out on the flats leading up to the final climb to the Plateau, not on the climb itself, and saving Jens and Linus to carry water bottles. This in essence did nothing more than give a lot of rivals a free ride to the climb, and not have to worry about a quick pace up the first half of the climb.
While no one really knows, it's speculated by many, and punctuated by Basso's comments, that had a faster pace been ridden up the climb Voekler probably would have been dropped, and perhaps Evans and Contador, others as well, and Andy could have taken a minute out of his rivals, instead of all that work for a measly two seconds.
I do have to agree that both Voeckler and Evans have to be loving this, and hoping this type of strategy, and riding by everyone, continues in the Alps.
- Mar 11, 2009
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- 4
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@TUARTS
Great summary.
@Alpe
I don't think Evans would have been dropped. Voekler yes but not Evans. I don't think the schlecks had much more to give.
IMHO
T
Great summary.
@Alpe
I don't think Evans would have been dropped. Voekler yes but not Evans. I don't think the schlecks had much more to give.
IMHO
T
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