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

[taiwan]

Not quite on topic, but after criticising Katusha for sending a weak team, it's occurred to me that Tchmil simply wants his strongest squad with Rodriguez at both the Giro and Vuelta, which I can't argue with really.

 

[Anonymous]

Done.

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.

Thank you. Reading tweets of leopardtrek and team members can be amusing.
e.g.
leopardtrek LEOPARD TREK
Schlecks animate Plateau de Beille finale. Read what they have to say about the effort here: bit.ly/oz17dk

schleckfrank fränk schleck
Sorry to relay on cyclingnews @daniel benson,our team was awsome and we didnt lamed of support,boyz are comited and do anything for us.

schleckfrank fränk schleck
If daniel benson didnt see that you missed the race today

 

[Tuarts]

Done.

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.

I think the LT tactic was right, just either wrongly implemented or fell though in the end. I think its a misconception that Voigt was just there for just water bottles, maybe the quote has been taken too literally? I saw him go to the front and take over from Monfort or Fugslang, for a few km, then Gerdermann took over for a smaller turn.

Saying these 2 would have been better staying in the peloton is something I disagree with. We can't really know if they would have been fresher or if they'd have turned it on better. Linus, I thought actually setting tempo on the climb was already more than he did on stage 12.

Did they burn all their guys out on the flats? O'Grady and Cancellara were the only ones pre-Plateau that were used up though and Fuglsang or Posthuma brought them to the climb. Then Monfort took over and the other 2 came back. 3/4 climbers to help set pace is a luxury, so either they are all really suffering or something is fundamentally wrong with their implementation of the tactics.

Would have to watch the last 20km again to get a better and definitive understanding, didn't focus solely on the Leopard riders when watching tonight.

 

[davestoller]

Schlecks are whining no one wanted to play their way. Really? It was up to them to dislodge Voeckler, they took control of the race on the flats to make the race hard, but then couldnt do anything; they are sitting in #2 spot, they have to get time on the time trialists. so, how did Leopard Trek do?

FAIL

Basso complained no one wanted to race and he is dead right. Just like the pact he made with Lance on TOurmalet and PdBeille before--Lance said when I go, follow, and you will be allright.

So, who won today?

Evans

Voeckler

 

[goggalor]

Done.

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.

Totally agree. If Szmyd has better legs in the Alps I think we'll see a very different race.

 

[Bavarianrider]

bavarian don't forget that you betted with me many months ago that martin would top 10 the tour so next sunday i chose your avatar till the end of the vuelta

Sure!
Of course i didn't forget! On sunday you can decide my avatar!

 

[UlleGigo]

Sure!
I told him to go and when to wait and we had really good communication, but it's just a pity we couldn't take time out of anybody

This is it. Big brother is in charge. 'We' couldn't take time, not because everyone is not playing ball, but because Frank is not strong enough to take time. I don't know why Frank is including Cadel with those he's criticising. Cadel's one attack was ten times harder than Frank's weak 5 metre attack which he would have been dropped because of if Andy didn't get to the front and slow the pace down.

If the Schleck's want to criticise someone for not playing ball they should criticise Frank for not having the legs and forcing brother Andy to wait for him when he clearly did.

 

[UlleGigo]

Schlecks are whining no one wanted to play their way. Really? It was up to them to dislodge Voeckler, they took control of the race on the flats to make the race hard, but then couldnt do anything; they are sitting in #2 spot, they have to get time on the time trialists. so, how did Leopard Trek do?

FAIL

Basso complained no one wanted to race and he is dead right. Just like the pact he made with Lance on TOurmalet and PdBeille before--Lance said when I go, follow, and you will be allright.

So, who won today?

Evans

Voeckler

Yep, exactly right. Like I said earlier. If Cadel can avoid dropping Frank then he wins the tour because Andy, who I believe is the only one capable of potentially dropping Cuddles at this stage, will not attack full gas while Frank is in the group.

Frank will get dropped at some stage in the alps and when he does watch Andy blow the race to pieces.

Perfect tactics by Cadel. He is doing exactly what needs to be done. Close down the Schlecks and Basso, let the Schlecks close down everyone else, and Cadel wins the Tour in Grenoble.

 

[UlleGigo]

This whining about the TTT is....

On that day Tommy Voeckler's EuropCar was down 0:50, whereas all the big teams were down 0:10 or less. Who is leading now?

Yeah but Voeckler only gained time because he was in a breakaway that noone chased down. He doesn't deserve his lead blah blah blah, go Samu.

 

[Iker_Baqueiro]

The Schlecks are two very coward mother*uckers.

They are not worthy of being Tour de France champions.

Contador is hurt. He cannot do much.

Being things as they are, I'd rather see Evans or Voeckler wiinning the Tour de France. The Schlecks are two very scared and coward punks, they don't deserve to win.

 

[Sleimas]

the best way to answer your question is to suggest you stick around and read this forum for a few months - you will gain cycling knowledge and learn why and how it is possible for some to despise and others to love the same rider. some of the folks here may seem a bit gruff now and then - try not to take responses too personally.

as in any sport - on a forum or face to face, differences in opinion and levels of knowledge and favoritism can and do create some real barn-burning ****ing matches. this is a great forum for both learning AND pontificatin. one thing everyone here has in common: a passion for cycling. give yourself and this forum a chance..i am pretty sure if your skin is thicker than a few milimeters, you will not be disappointed AND can look forwart to the day when you can get enter into a well0-informed ****ing match!

personally, i don't hate either of the schlecks. i kinda' like andy because off his bike, he is a goofball. there is no doubt he has talent...if only he would actually *use* his talent. races are not won by constantly looking around, by being overly concerned about one's competition. races are won by knowing when and how to use those talents...and letting the competion try to match or surpass what you have.

self-doubt and/or seemingly obsessive fear/worry about everyone else can crush the most talented rider who lacks confidence...or lacks the will to take the battle to one's rivals.

in *my* opinion, of course.

I'm enjoying reading this forum and i'm certainly not taking anything personally because I don't have a favorite rider yet (altough i'm starting to like Schlecks). Just wanted to ask a questions because some of the comments looks completely irrational. Probably it's the same as in any other sport

 

[UlleGigo]

Cadel Evans: "The Schleck brothers were there and they've got the yellow jersey to gain and then they look at me to pull for them. I joke with them and say, 'I'm not here to tow you to Paris".

This shows how stupid this pair are. Cadel is riding a perfect race and has no reason to attack yet the two Schlecktards seem to think he should be compelled to push the pace while they sit on.

 

[The Hitch]

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

Oh why must you make me feel bad just before i go to bed

 

[BYOP88]

Just watching the highlights, when Schleck attacked with around 7km to go, Contador looked pretty good when he followed/closed down the "attack", although if he was in better form he probably would've then attacked Schleck. Hopefully nothing happens to Contador/Evans/Tommy V and Basso in tomorrow's stage regarding the cross winds.

 

[AussieGoddess]

they were NEVER going to blow him off in 2 races regarless of how everyone was feeling - they need to sustain it for the whole of next week

it takes 24 stages to win a tour a france, not 1

last time I looked it actually takes 21 stage to win a tour


- Fantastic ride by Vanendert ... I was sooo pleased he won

- great ride by Samu. I thought he was gone for a bit there, but he was just pacing himself

- great ride by Cadel. He did give it a go at one point, but in general rode comfortably and well just holding and doing what he had to. Its up to others to take time from him

- I still think AC will get there. He is getting better ....

Only down point is Gilbert

 

[No_Balls]

Cadel Evans: "The Schleck brothers were there and they've got the yellow jersey to gain and then they look at me to pull for them. I joke with them and say, 'I'm not here to tow you to Paris".

This shows how stupid this pair are. Cadel is riding a perfect race and has no reason to attack yet the two Schlecktards seem to think he should be compelled to push the pace while they sit on.

Well, basically Cadel is right, he has discovered the very chamber of Schlecks secret thoughts. Them two thinks it is the other riders mission to drag them in yellow and afterwards all the way back to Paris. They somehow think they deserve to win this obstacle with the least minimal efforts from themselves while all the other guys is doing their work.

I have never, since following cycling, seen such cyclists as those two. Are they for real?

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Does anyone remember the "Shame of Gijón" (WC 1982 Germany 1, Austria 0). This stage today reminds me of that. This far i had to go back in my memory to describe the farce i´ve seen today.

No Schleck ever deserves a single GT-Win. Not those cowards. I am still annoyed, even 10 hours after this shame.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Does anyone remember the "Shame of Gijón" (WC 1982 Germany 1, Austria 0). This stage today reminds me of that. This far i had to go back in my memory to describe the farce i´ve seen today.

No Schleck ever deserves a single GT-Win. Not those cowards. I am still annoyed, even 10 hours after this shame.

Spain and Portugal played out a match just as depressing as the Shame of Gijón at the last world cup, but we're supposed to pretend that Spain weren't boring at the WC (1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 in the knockout stages...), you're not allowed to say that actually, they were a bit dull.

And if you want to describe a farce like you've seen today, maybe the 2009 Tour de Suisse can be of help.

 

[The Hitch]

Spain and Portugal played out a match just as depressing as the Shame of Gijón at the last world cup, but we're supposed to pretend that Spain weren't boring at the WC (1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 in the knockout stages...), you're not allowed to say that actually, they were a bit dull.

And if you want to describe a farce like you've seen today, maybe the 2009 Tour de Suisse can be of help.

Taking in the crashes, the ttt the stage 1 madness from the organisers, and the lack of attacks from all contenders sans Samu, this can be called the Tour de Farce.

 

[No_Balls]

Spain and Portugal played out a match just as depressing as the Shame of Gijón at the last world cup, but we're supposed to pretend that Spain weren't boring at the WC (1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 in the knockout stages...), you're not allowed to say that actually, they were a bit dull.

How come its Spains mission to entertain? It is not like Portugal set the world on fire in that game with their 0-0-10 lineup and defensive agenda.

Hint: Your game can be affected depending in how the other team are coached.

 

[BYOP88]

Spain and Portugal played out a match just as depressing as the Shame of Gijón at the last world cup, but we're supposed to pretend that Spain weren't boring at the WC (1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 in the knockout stages...), you're not allowed to say that actually, they were a bit dull.

And if you want to describe a farce like you've seen today, maybe the 2009 Tour de Suisse can be of help.

Remind me, I'm far too lazy to check, '09 TdS 7 flat stages and 2 ITT's and a overall win for Cance?

 

[The Hitch]

How come its Spains mission to entertain? It is not like Portugal set the world on fire in that game with their 0-0-10 lineup and defensive agenda.

Hint: Your game can be affected depending in how the other team are coached.

Well Spain act as if winning that thing was the greatest feat in the history of mankind.

Just a few days ago there were articles marking the 1 year anniversary of it saying its the most important event in Spains history.

Shouldnt be too long now before Madrid is renamed Cuidad iker casillias.

So some of us just like to remind you that it was one of the weaker world cup winning teams. Probably the weakest ever.

Really off topic though.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

How come its Spains mission to entertain? It is not like Portugal set the world on fire in that game with their 0-0-10 lineup and defensive agenda.

Hint: Your game can be affected depending in how the other team are coached.

Oh, Portugal were just as bad. But both teams knew a draw was enough for them and played out 0-0 without much fuss. It isn't Spain's mission to entertain, but the press does kind of push it down your throat that they play amazing, flowing football. They've always played flowing attacking football but fouled up their chances of winning, when they finally did win it was by playing dire 1-0 football à la Mourinho. A bit like Alejandro Valverde - only when he rode a boring race did he finally win a GT.

Remind me, I'm far too lazy to check, '09 TdS 7 flat stages and 2 ITT's and a overall win for Cance?

5 flat stages, 2 MTFs that weren't very selective and ended with 15-20 man sprints and 2 ITTs, one of which was very long.

 

[No_Balls]

Well Spain act as if winning that thing was the greatest feat in the history of mankind.

I know but the press aside, can you do more then playing that game and win?

Just a few days ago there were articles marking the 1 year anniversary of it saying its the most important event in Spains history.

Laughable but its the spanish press in a nutshell. I have no doubt, though, that other media wouldnt behaved differently (put aside Brazil, Germany et.al)

Shouldnt be too long now before Madrid is renamed Cuidad iker casillias.

So some of us just like to remind you that it was one of the weaker world cup winning teams. Probably the weakest ever.

And of course you compares this with world cup teams from the thirties when you could put down an aircraft between the defenders? I strongly disagree with this statement.

Really off topic though.

 

[davestoller]

Well, basically Cadel is right, he has discovered the very chamber of Schlecks secret thoughts. Them two thinks it is the other riders mission to drag them in yellow and afterwards all the way back to Paris. They somehow think they deserve to win this obstacle with the least minimal efforts from themselves while all the other guys is doing their work.

I have never, since following cycling, seen such cyclists as those two. Are they for real?

I sense a Cipollini intervew coming in which he talks about how the Schlecks are cycling trannies, the Winklevoss twins od grand tours.

Everyone from LA to Basso to Evans to Riis are sying these guys blow in the aggression department.