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

[auscyclefan94]

Me too. And by Schleck. Don't want either of them to win the Tour again, I hope next year sees some young, attacking swashbuckler to come in and show them how it's done.

Richie Porte! He will be my next protege after Cadel wins the tour in 2011 or 2012. People will not see cadel as a threat and that will play into evans' hands!

 

[Bala Verde]

AC says he was looking to the yellow jersey, it would have been nice to win the stage but it wasn't priority #1, he's in great form, would rather have a bigger time advantage but this is the way it goes

The interview was indeed a reflection of the Tdf and this stage

 

[ak-zaaf]

Stupid comment. He pulled for almost the entire climb. The one moment when he didn't, they apparently attacked. That's ok, but not when the people on the road influence the race.

Again, the public was there. Leipheimer was long gone. Stay at the front if you expect attacks you want to follow. You don't need to go all out the entire time cause hey, the public is in the way.
I'm not saying it's a good thing the public is in the way, but they came so close at times that you can figure that dropping back, even for a little while, can cause problems.
Sounds more like he was stuck behind Menchov and Sanchez. I'll need to see a vid of this, but it sounds like he was to blame for a big part.

 

[luckyboy]

Well Schleck can be pleased that he's come a long way. After last year I never thought Contador would attack on a big mountain stage in the tour and not be able to get away.

He didn't really need to though in the end.

 

[Spare Tyre]

i've always liked schleck, and i gained a lot of respect for him this year. losing frank had to have been a real psychological blow (as well as physical one) and he was frequently alone in the mountains in a sea of astana. he rode a great race, and gave it a herculean effort, including today and the day he had to ride himself up the mountain post-chain. can't wait to see what he brings next year.

I agree with this, more-or-less.

 

[schnebit]

If not for the dropped chain, this would have been a much more interesting race...

 

[ingsve]

Lövqvist dropped? This is tour is a catastrophy for Sky. His GC position was the only positive about Sky's tour.

He only dropped one place and can possibly pass Gadret again the the TT so not that bad.

 

[luckyboy]

Wonder what Garmin could do if they got someone who had previously been up there in a GT rather than giving someone a transformation every Tour.

 

[schnebit]

Friggin Mig! Love that guy... best Tour champion of the last 20 years.

 

[auscyclefan94]

why would mcquaid give money to someone who claims that anyone who beats cadel evans in any race must be doping?

Truth hurts! mcquaidd loves cadel and has told him that he will eliminate all those dopers who have beaten him but cadel is so amazing that he sometimes beats them!

 

[turtlesoup]

Richie Porte! He will be my next protege after Cadel wins the tour in 2011 or 2012. People will not see cadel as a threat and that will play into evans' hands!

agreed he is an awesome young rider as is fuglsang ( as long as he can avoid parked vehicles)

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Agree that Contador rode a pretty uninspiring, somewhat negative Tour, but he did what it takes to win and did try to attack today at least once. I loved Andy's grit in this Tour, but I'm kind of hoping next year's race is between Andy and someone new. Especially if AC is going to ride the 2011 Giro again to win it as he said before.

Chris Horner would not be in 4th if he hadn't waited for Lance, as someone else said - he would not have been allowed to escape earlier. He'd maybe be in 8th or 9th. But still, a tremendous effort from Chris. The best of his career. Agree though with whomever said this should really finally deflate the "Brunyeel is a tactical genius" mantra. His pecking order in his team was all askew in his top four riders.

 

[BroDeal]

Has Wigans come in yet??

Maybe Ryder can phone him and give some encouragement.

 

[ak-zaaf]

If not for the dropped chain, this would have been a much more interesting race...

Today proved it wouldn't.
AC will take a minute on a bad day in the TT.
If Schleck would have dropped Contador today you would be right.

 

[El Pistolero]

I missed it...did Andy give it all he had and just couldn't drop Contador?

Yes, he attacked with 10 km to go and Contador stayed in his wheel for the entire 10 km. Contador only attacked him once during those long 10km, but couldn't shake Schleck off as well. Contador didn't sprint for the stage victory and Schleck took the victory.

So, who called Contador an *** that has no class on this forum? He told the peloton to wait for Samu Sanchez and gave away a stage win. That's class. Something Eddy Merckx or Bernard Hinault would have never done.

I wouldn't have done it as well, but it's Conti's choice.

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

This stage...

It was the gayest thing i ever saw in my life.

I think even Hunchback mountain can give it hundred points in manliness.


________
Lamborghini Tech

 

[nicholaaaas]

If not for the dropped chain, this would have been a much more interesting race...

whaaaa.... if not for stage 3 it wouldn't

 

[theswordsman]

I am completely uninspired by Contador, though he raced very intelligently.

Maybe it was the translation, but the other day Contador said they had "reached an agreement". It bothered me. Today there was no reason for him to work at front, but it sure didn't look like he contested the stage finish either. They shook hands immediately after, which is fine, but when they were off the bikes, Alberto put his hand on Andy's face and winked at him. I'd feel better if he had fought to the line. I've been a big fan, but they wasted the team effort the other day when Astana didn't need to work. I haven't enjoyed this race as much as last year.

 

[Cervelo77]

Ok Schleck and Contador can't hurt eachother on the climb so it will be decided in the TT which mostly likely will be won by Contador.

That wink by Contador was crap tho, but i'm sure when he watches the images he will agree. Last time he winked hahaha

Irony would be if Contador has a mechanical during the Bordeaux time trial, although with a support car right behind he's unlikely to lose enough time for it to matter.

I think the interval is 3 mins for the final riders in the TT, so it's entirely possible Contador will finish with Schleck in view.

 

[lilyprotector]

phil has been going on and on forever about how schleck would need 3 minutes in the tt then more recently has amended it to 1.5 minutes. now paul's saying 8 seconds is nothing bec saxobank is very good strategically. i can't take the drivel anymore. thank god the tour's coming to an end.

 

[nia O'Malley]

Of course AC tried. 8 seconds to go into time trial where he could puncture or break a pedal or anything, is a stupidly small advantage

 

[turtlesoup]

Wonder what Garmin could do if they got someone who had previously been up there in a GT rather than giving someone a transformation every Tour.

yes i wonder how they go about that

 

[schnebit]

Agree that Contador rode a pretty uninspiring, somewhat negative Tour, but he did what it takes to win and did try to attack today at least once. I loved Andy's grit in this Tour, but I'm kind of hoping next year's race is between Andy and someone new. Especially if AC is going to ride the 2011 Giro again to win it as he said before.

Chris Horner would not be in 4th if he hadn't waited for Lance, as noted before he would not have been allowed to escape earlier. He'd maybe be in 8th or 9th. But still, a tremendous effort from Chris. The best of his career. Agree though with whomever said this should really finally deflate the "Brunyeel is a tactical genius" mantra. His pecking order in his team was all askew in his top four riders.

Horner had a few rides of his career... but overall the recipient of some fortunate circumstances.

 

[scribe]

schleck doesnt think its over. Said its between him and contador.

What are the chances of contador falling off, having a mechanical, getting ill etc.

Gives me reason to tune in. Otherwise, I'd rather watch soap operas.

 

[superconfex]

Me too. And by Schleck. Don't want either of them to win the Tour again, I hope next year sees some young, attacking swashbuckler to come in and show them how it's done.

yeah....come on Nibali