TDF Stage 17 - Thursday, July 22 2010, Pau - Col du Tourmalet, 174 km

[ericthesportsman6]

Phil Ligget seems to think Sammy Sanchez is Carlos Sastre.

 

[Publicus]

He looks pretty normal style wise, doesn't seem like there's an injury holding him back from my PoV then again I'm not exactly a specialist.

Probably had the wind knocked out of him.

 

[Carl0880]

Will Liggett stop calling Samuel, "Sastre". geez

 

[Lyds97]

I hope Sastre gets dropped like a very bad habit today.

I guess his argument would be that he's not a GC threat so he doesn't need to wait. Sammy and three teammates 6'12" back now.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I think the Basque Country actually has more annual rainfall than Belgium, so Sanchez should be used to the weather too.

And Jurgen Vandenbroeck loves the heat and says he performs better in heat than in rain/cold weather

Although with his form, I doubt it will really matter that much

 

[clearhop]

What do you think Sastre replied to Contador?

*insert chain gate joke here*

No really, i'm here all week.

Well, till Sunday.

 

[salixcycling]

The weather has knocked out Harman and Kelly

 

[Eyeballs Out]

I hope Sastre gets dropped like a very bad habit today.

Two wrongs don't make a right but Sanchez hardly has cause for complaint

 

[Ramira]

Agree!!!!!

Contador told him what happened and he took off anyway?!

They had a plan to win today's stage and he already had all his helpers up in front, not to mention there's already a lead group and he's not a contender for the GC at all. Whether you agree with it or not the fact is every time there's an incident people complain if people keep riding and they complain if they stop. Sastre wasn't willing to give up his entire game for Samu and don't forget they already waited in Spa. And in the end the main point is there's no reason for the peleton to go after Sastre anyway but ye I would've probably waited myself but it's not like it will cause any real issues in the long term I think.

 

[salixcycling]

Sanchez has a good amount of support now.. are they catching up?

 

[Moondance]

I understand Cervelo has a cunning plan for this stage, but if he's not even going to hitch a ride until the first serious climb, why didn't he bother just attacking from the off? At least he'd be able to get pulled along by some other motivated breakers.

 

[superconfex]

What do you think Sastre replied to Contador?

*insert chain gate joke here*

No really, i'm here all week.

Well, till Sunday.

....and tumbleweeds roll by

 

[Publicus]

Sanchez has a good amount of support now.. are they catching up?

They are in the cars, so they must be close. I expect they will start racing in earnest shortly.

 

[Carl0880]

They had a plan to win today's stage and he already had all his helpers up in front, not to mention there's already a lead group and he's not a contender for the GC at all. Whether you agree with it or not the fact is every time there's an incident people complain if people keep riding and they complain if they stop. Sastre wasn't willing to give up his entire game for Samu and don't forget they already waited in Spa. And in the end the main point is there's no reason for the peleton to go after Sastre anyway but ye I would've probably waited myself but it's not like it will cause any real issues in the long term I think.

I believe Sastre also was trying to say he had started his attack before he fell, ran into someone, or whatever (Still haven't heard what caused it).

You hate for this to happen to an opponent, but I bet Menchov may end up being a little more aggressive on the climb to drop Sanchez and clinch 3rd.

 

[Ramira]

I understand Cervelo has a cunning plan for this stage, but if he's not even going to hitch a ride until the first serious climb, why didn't he bother just attacking from the off? At least he'd be able to get pulled along by some other motivated breakers.

I think he was afraid the lead group wouldn't be allowed to get away if he was in it, but ye it seems like a very odd strategy but I'm sure it was thought out.

Also seems Sanchez is (getting) back so just have to hope it didn't have any long term effects on his body.

 

[superconfex]

The weather has knocked out Harman and Kelly

and Carlton Kirby is annoying me already

 

[Publicus]

They had a plan to win today's stage and he already had all his helpers up in front, not to mention there's already a lead group and he's not a contender for the GC at all. Whether you agree with it or not the fact is every time there's an incident people complain if people keep riding and they complain if they stop. Sastre wasn't willing to give up his entire game for Samu and don't forget they already waited in Spa. And in the end the main point is there's no reason for the peleton to go after Sastre anyway but ye I would've probably waited myself but it's not like it will cause any real issues in the long term I think.

The point was the race WASN'T on. If Sastre had wanted to get away, he could have tried earlier. Instead he waited until Sanchez crash. He doesn't have to wait, but it's kind of tacky. I guess karma will sort it out at the end of the day.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

Sanchez back on. He doesn't look so bad.

 

[Kazistuta]

OMG! Let's stop this "neutralization" talk...let the race unfold, particularly when it has absolutely nothing to do with the GC. Too soon for Sastre anyways, he won't make it to the end.

But seeing that Samu is back on his bike and one the way, one might wonder if there's some truth in the talk of the peloton that there's an unusual amount of oranges falling everywhere on the course this year.... I've heard several riders talking about it in interviews...and now even the great Sanchez.... (Glad he's okay, though)

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Sanchez back on. Looks as thought the field completely shut down as several people starting taking pee breaks.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I understand Cervelo has an uncollegial plan for this stage, by attacking when a major contender is down, but if he's not even going to hitch a ride until the first serious climb, why didn't he bother just attacking from the off? At least he'd be able to get pulled along by some other motivated breakers.

Fyp
blabla length req

 

[salixcycling]

and Carlton Kirby is annoying me already

I'm sure he'll be back later when they drop out again, but he did seem to think he wasn't up to doing the commentary!

 

[Rob_Roy]

Along with Sastre and his domestique they should be 9 soon in the front,I think 10 get mountain points for a cat 1 climb,so it will leave one spot to compete for...

 

[Publicus]

Along with Sastre and his domestique they should be 9 soon in the front,I think 10 get mountain points for a cat 1 climb,so it will leave one spot to compete for...

still wonder what Moreau's strategy is here. He should be up the road.

EDIT: Good to see Sanchez smiling.

 

[Ramira]

still wonder what Moreau's strategy is here. He should be up the road.

Maybe he just wasn't paying attention or didn't have the legs. Otherwise it makes no sense to me either.