Mellow Velo said:
Attacks have to go by Km13 on the ramp or else there won't be enough room for Schleck to get margin. He can't wait till the last ramp?
Mellow Velo said:
Mellow Velo said:
reubenr said:We have to see where Vino or Rodgriquez fit in on Thursday.
I think all are fairly nasty. From the TdF site:Delicato said:Honestly, I am more looking forward to Charteau-Moreau showdown on Marie Blanque and Soulor.
Well, actually Astana can blow everyone apart on Marie Blanque. That climb is very steep.
Parbar said:This.
Vino has been spectacular so far in support of Contador. Looking forward to him laying it all on the line one more time.
benpounder said:Seems to me it was about a year ago when all eyes were on a MTF with great expectations of what was to come.
While I agree that there are 4 men with podium ambitions, I think it is far more complex that suggested. Looking at last years 40.5km ITT, Contador beat Schleck by 1:45, Jurgen Van Den Broeck by 2:26 (and Cancellara by 0:03). Two years ago, on the 53km ITT, Cancellara beat Menchov by 1:34, Samu Sanchez by 2:53, and AS by 3:41. In other words, Sanchez knows he has to put time in on Menchov, Schleck needs to put time on both and all need Contador to crack.
BUT, Gesink, sitting behind VDB but just in front of Leipheimer is going to want to put time on both. Rodrigeuz, sitting just in front of Vino and Hesjedal, but just behind LL will also want some time in hand proir to the long flat ITT. Thus, I expect to see AS, Sanchez, Gesink (if he can), and Rodrigeuz to be the ones attacking on the last climb.
IF their strategies dont get hijacked. You have the battle for polka-dot. Moreau and Charteau, and their respective teams will fighting it out over the first 3 climbs. With Moreau attacking early, expect to see a RShack shadow. And dont forget both Cervelo and Lampre likely have dual tasks in the opening kms. Both want to give their sprinters opportunity for points (at 33km) and want to launch Sastre and Cunego for a possible stage victory.
AND seeing as the French riders have done so well in the mountains I expect to see QuickStep, FdJour, and AG2R also launching.
In all, that is a whole lot of folks looking for results.
THEN again, seems to me it was about a year ago when all eyes were on another MTF with great expectations of what was to come. We all remember the Ventoux Fizzle...
benpounder said:Seems to me it was about a year ago when all eyes were on a MTF with great expectations of what was to come.
While I agree that there are 4 men with podium ambitions, I think it is far more complex that suggested. Looking at last years 40.5km ITT, Contador beat Schleck by 1:45, Jurgen Van Den Broeck by 2:26 (and Cancellara by 0:03). Two years ago, on the 53km ITT, Cancellara beat Menchov by 1:34, Samu Sanchez by 2:53, and AS by 3:41. In other words, Sanchez knows he has to put time in on Menchov, Schleck needs to put time on both and all need Contador to crack.
BUT, Gesink, sitting behind VDB but just in front of Leipheimer is going to want to put time on both. Rodrigeuz, sitting just in front of Vino and Hesjedal, but just behind LL will also want some time in hand proir to the long flat ITT. Thus, I expect to see AS, Sanchez, Gesink (if he can), and Rodrigeuz to be the ones attacking on the last climb.
IF their strategies dont get hijacked. You have the battle for polka-dot. Moreau and Charteau, and their respective teams will fighting it out over the first 3 climbs. With Moreau attacking early, expect to see a RShack shadow. And dont forget both Cervelo and Lampre likely have dual tasks in the opening kms. Both want to give their sprinters opportunity for points (at 33km) and want to launch Sastre and Cunego for a possible stage victory.
AND seeing as the French riders have done so well in the mountains I expect to see QuickStep, FdJour, and AG2R also launching.
In all, that is a whole lot of folks looking for results.
THEN again, seems to me it was about a year ago when all eyes were on another MTF with great expectations of what was to come. We all remember the Ventoux Fizzle...
Ninety5rpm said:1 Alberto Contador
2 Andy Schleck 00:20
3 Jurgen Van Den Broeck :40
3 Samuel Sánchez 1:00
4 Denis Menchov 1:20
5 Luis León Sánchez 1:40
You may be right. I was only addressing what I think the riders think when they look at how they and those around them will perform in the TT, and thus what they think they have to do come Thursday.Dekker_Tifosi said:The thing is, both Gesink and Rodriguez look toasted, while Levi WheelsuckHeimer is having his traditionally strong 3rd week.
Which is why I said French riders. Furthermore, Chavanel should not have won stage 2, but he did. He is riding strong enough that if he gets himself into another break with the right race dynamics going on behind him - which is the real point I was trying to stress - who knows?El Pistolero said:Quickstep is not a French team...
Dekker_Tifosi said:I'm sorry, I just can't let it sometimes...
Especially with guys who don't add anything to the Tour but following.
I mean, like you said, even Gesink and Rodriguez, if they feel good, try to attack or take the front
Leipheimer only follows![]()
Agreed. He's going to tear it up.talktoandy said:Contador will win by over 1 minute on Thursday. Despite him not needing the win for overall victory, this is a matter of pride. He didn't need the advantage given by Schleck's mechanical. He always planned to drop everyone on the Tourmalet and will still do so. Everyone will battle for second. A large confident victory means he can celebrate through the time trial without pressure. The day of reckoning is coming and Contador will deliver.![]()
Are you daft? Levi attacks like Miguel Indurain!Dekker_Tifosi said:Leipheimer only follows![]()
kurtinsc said:Lance won the last ITT in 2000 and the last ITT and TTT in 2005. Those years were close to being without victories though.
He really shouldn't on many different levels, but he probably will.erader said:so i guess whoever started this thinks that contador can't win the ITT?
erader
He unsuccessfully attacked Rasmussen on the final mountain stage of the 2007 Tour before Rasmussen was sent home.roundabout said:Have you seen Leipheimer attack? The man makes Evans look like Pantani .![]()
benpounder said:THEN again, seems to me it was about a year ago when all eyes were on another MTF with great expectations of what was to come. We all remember the Ventoux Fizzle...
[my edit: bad cut/copy/paste]