TDF Stage 16 - Tuesday, July 20 2010, Bagnères-de-Luchon - Pau, 196 km

[Publicus]

Yep. I'd love to see Gesink or Basso come out swinging. Levi will do absolutely nothing but desperately fight to find a wheel to suck while working to defend his 8th place or whatever. I wish I were wrong and suddenly Levi finds some cajones.

That ship has long sailed. He has absolutely zero fight in him.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

That ship has long sailed. He has absolutely zero fight in him.

Don't underestimate Levi. He'll wheelsuck the dimples off a set of Zipps in no time flat.

 

[BroDeal]

Radio Shack should blow the race apart on the Aubisque after setting a hard pace on the previous climbs. They don't have anything to lose, and maybe Leipheimer could hang on over the top and gain a position or two on GC. They should show themselves in the race and get a little publicity.

 

[skidmark]

You know what I'd like to see? Armstrong up the road in a break, Schleck trying desperation attacks until one sticks, then catching the break. Just to see what would happen. I would not be surprised if the idea of sticking it to Contador would be enough to motivate Armstrong to do what he hasn't been able to do for his own team since he's given up this tour, namely pull like crazy for 70km.

Of course that's in a ridiculous fantasy world where stages like this end up being cool.

ETA: and it would be nice if there was at least one stage where the camera focusing on his Lanceness wasn't serving the sole purpose of distracting from the race.

 

[Iker_Baqueiro]

I think Contador will ride defensively. Waiting for the others to make their moves. When apprentice Scheck makes another mistake (and whine why they don't wait for him), Alberto Contador will finish crushing him.

 

[oevkride]

Cervelo should really push today and try to get some of the sprinters outside the time limit. That would be just perfect. Ale-jet, Cav and McEwen loosing the mv due to time limit.

Seriously I think some of the sprinters might struggle big time with the time if the pace stays high over the mountains.

 

[Carl0880]

Cervelo should really push today and try to get some of the sprinters outside the time limit. That would be just perfect. Ale-jet, Cav and McEwen loosing the mv due to time limit.

Seriously I think some of the sprinters might struggle big time with the time if the pace stays high over the mountains.

That is a very interesting perspective there, and I have thought about it for a minute and I like the line of thinking. IMO, I don't think Petacchi will be caught out, he seems to be riding well. Cav on the other hand its interesting since he has lost both Hanson and Renshaw to help guide him through the mountains. McEwen is too far behind in the Green Jersey to really matter.

 

[Galic Ho]

Cervelo should really push today and try to get some of the sprinters outside the time limit. That would be just perfect. Ale-jet, Cav and McEwen loosing the mv due to time limit.

Seriously I think some of the sprinters might struggle big time with the time if the pace stays high over the mountains.

I like that thinking.

Hope it happens. That would be awesome. Cav eliminated from the race.

 

[Straßenrennen]

Normal cav just wheel sucks eisel over the mountains.... so as long as eisel can drag his *** around fast enough, but i think this is thors best plan to win something. And ale-jet is famous for throwing his toys away in the mountains.

 

[auscyclefan94]

No attacks all the way. Cavendish wins.

Yeah... If it is a sprinter it will be freire but will Rabobank want to chase the breakaway?

I think some guys who have lost time on gc such as wiggins may go in the break. I think it will stay away as nobody will organise the chase.

 

[Barrus]

Normal cav just wheel sucks eisel over the mountains.... so as long as eisel can drag his *** around fast enough, but i think this is thors best plan to win something. And ale-jet is famous for throwing his toys away in the mountains.

He is quite decent in the mountains actually and has stated that this time he will reach Paris.

And I hope McEwen makes it to Paris, if one person deserves it this tour it's him

 

[search]

Normal cav just wheel sucks eisel over the mountains.... so as long as eisel can drag his *** around fast enough, but i think this is thors best plan to win something. And ale-jet is famous for throwing his toys away in the mountains.

Hushovd has catched a cold and can't really breath properly, so I'm not sure if he won't struggle himself

 

[theyoungest]

Yeah... If it is a sprinter it will be freire but will Rabobank want to chase the breakaway?

I think some guys who have lost time on gc such as wiggins may go in the break. I think it will stay away as nobody will organise the chase.

Freire isn't completely fit. Rabo isn't going to work for him. They have other things on their mind, like trying to get someone on the podium.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Freire isn't completely fit. Rabo isn't going to work for him. They have other things on their mind, like trying to get someone on the podium.

That's my point. Maybe LLS may try today?

 

[Sasquatch]

Evans will get in the break, Cancellara will be there. Cancellara will try and force Evans to retreat. Evans gives him the bird, attacks, Luis Leon Sanchez and Christophe Moreau go with him. Cancellara can't keep up the speed. A couple other no names tag along for the ride. Evans gives him the bird as he rides away from Cancellara. Moreau picks up all the KOM points and gives Sanchez the stage as Cadel can't outfox the two team-mates.

 

[Roland Rat]

Cervelo should really push today and try to get some of the sprinters outside the time limit. That would be just perfect. Ale-jet, Cav and McEwen loosing the mv due to time limit.

Seriously I think some of the sprinters might struggle big time with the time if the pace stays high over the mountains.

It wouldn't matter, there'd still be an autobus of about 50 riders, and when there's a bus that large outside the time limit the Tour organisers don't (or very rarely) enforce it.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Evans will get in the break, Cancellara will be there. Cancellara will try to force Evans to retreat. Evans gives Cancellara a 3million dollar contract to BMC for 2011 if he goes back to the peleton, Evans attacks, Luis Leon Sanchez and Christophe Moreau can't go with him. Cancellara can't keep up the speed. Evans gives him the bird as he rides away from Cancellara. Cadel wins by going solo for 190km and wins KOM jersey. Gendarme (spelling) is waiting for a rider....(you can finish the story)

Do you mind if edit your post?

tell me off if you do mind!

 

[Straßenrennen]

Hushovd has catched a cold and can't really breath properly, so I'm not sure if he won't struggle himself

Argh can anything else go wrong for thor... broken collarbone, bullied by his team to try for the green jersey because his goal for a stage win was not enough... poor sod.

 

[oevkride]

It wouldn't matter, there'd still be an autobus of about 50 riders, and when there's a bus that large outside the time limit the Tour organisers don't (or very rarely) enforce it.

I think there where an similar case a few years ago. As I recall there where talk about taking points from those who finished outside the limit. Was this ever followed through?

 

[Roland Rat]

I think there where an similar case a few years ago. As I recall there where talk about taking points from those who finished outside the limit. Was this ever followed through?

Don't remember that incident, but then I didn't watch much during the USPS/Disco years. I remember the bus consistently finishing outside the limit during the '90's though, and nothing ever happening.

 

[Jan the Man]

People expecting fireworks will, I think be disappointed.

A group of reasonable climbers, to include the likes of Le Mevel, Chavanel, Kirienka, Brajkovic, Svistov, Barredo etc will get away on the Perysouade.

The main contenders will ride tempo and are unlikely to attach each other at all, instead preferring to wait until stage 17. I can possibly see Gesink going on the Tourmalet provided menchov is feeling ok. Someone like Basso may also go.

If Saxo get Jens and Canc up in a breakaway, that is a sign that Andy intends to attack today. If he does not have anyone up the road it will mean that he is banking everything on the Tourmalet stage.

 

[Roland Rat]

Basso's sick according to CQranking. He'll just be trying to make it through the stage then.

 

[Paco_P]

Adios Schleck

Today AC destroys Schleck, just to make a point that yesterday's inability to change gears while attacking really doesn't matter anyway.

 

[theswordsman]

Eurosport coverage starts in nine minutes. How do you even initiate a break on a Cat 1 climb, with another one & two HC's up the road?

I'll just toss out the rumors I've come across. Contador was supposed to be close to extending with Astana. He and Yvon Sanquer both asked Pereiro to come back next year. But Astana apparently wants Contador to announce the extension Sunday, and Fran wants more time. L'Equipe says Riis is courting Contador to replace the Schlecks. Specialized would be a player.

I have no prediction for the stage - I'm going to sit back in awe - but I'd love to see Contador ride the stage of his life, and tale Menchov and Sanchez along most of the way.

 

[Paco_P]

Basso's sick according to CQranking. He'll just be trying to make it through the stage then.

Basso's got the same ailment that Armstrong does.

Riding clean.