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

[teamcresthuffy]

I see Menchov taking the day.

He will do it on the Col de Tourmalet!

 

[blaxland]

There is no bigger AC fan than I am, but he has looked a little unnerved throughout this tour. I don't know what is on his mind, but it isn't helping him. I'm gonna be on the edge of my seat.

I think most of us will be glued to the Tv set tonite ,all hoping that Contador and Schleck battle it out on the slopes of the Tourmulet...I think Alberto will show everyone who is boss tonite?

 

[saganftw]

2 attacks by schleck-fail,cooperation for the rest of the climb,contador win

 

[The Barb]

I think you are right about AC. I think we are heading for an anti climax and Contador easily taking it. The roles will be reversed with AC being the one with the confidence now he has yellow jersy before the TT. Schleck just has to much to do and will crack under the pressure.

In hindsight it will look obvious. As it always does.

I respectfully disagree. I don't think Contador looks as strong as last year and I think Andy looks stronger.

By the time they got to Ventoux last year Contador had already demonstrated himself to be stronger than Schleck by taking significant time off him in the mountains - primarily at Verbier.

This year the only difference between them in the mountains has been as follows:

Stage 8 - Schleck beats Conta by 10 seconds
Stage 12 - Conta beats Schleck by 10 seconds*
Stage 15 - Conta beats Schleck by 39 seconds**

*On the short, sharp climb to Mende, which does not suit Schleck as much as Contador.

**The infamous chaingate incident. Allowing for the time that Schleck lost with the mechanical he would either have lost no time to Contador or actually gained some (bearing in mind that the chain incident happened when Schleck had attacked and Contadr was slow to respond).

 

[Iker_Baqueiro]

I respectfully disagree. I don't think Contador looks as strong as last year and I think Andy looks stronger.

By the time they got to Ventoux last year Contador had already demonstrated himself to be stronger than Schleck by taking significant time off him in the mountains - primarily at Verbier.

This year the only difference between them in the mountains has been as follows:

Stage 8 - Schleck beats Conta by 10 seconds
Stage 12 - Conta beats Schleck by 10 seconds*
Stage 15 - Conta beats Schleck by 39 seconds**

*On the short, sharp climb to Mende, which does not suit Schleck as much as Contador.

**The infamous chaingate incident. Allowing for the time that Schleck lost with the mechanical he would either have lost no time to Contador or actually gained some (bearing in mind that the chain incident happened when Schleck had attacked and Contadr was slow to respond).

then, you're going to be pleased to see Contador put 1 minute on your guy Schleck.

 

[sublimit]

Flecha, Garate, Pineau, Valls Ferri, Brazkovic will go up the road early on, Menchov takes the win on Tourmalet!

Dark clouds on their way..

http://www.sat24.com/Region.aspx?country=sp&sat=vis&type=loop

 

[lancaster]

I'm excited

 

[theyoungest]

**The infamous chaingate incident. Allowing for the time that Schleck lost with the mechanical he would either have lost no time to Contador or actually gained some (bearing in mind that the chain incident happened when Schleck had attacked and Contadr was slow to respond).

Contador was slow to respond because he was stuck at the other end of the group. Not because he couldn't. He had already pretty much closed the gap when Andy had his mechanical.

 

[theboytaylor]

Dark clouds on their way..

http://www.sat24.com/Region.aspx?country=sp&sat=vis&type=loop

Mate of mine is somewhere on the Tourmalet, having camped in his car overnight. Tells me that the weather is atrocious up there. Has been raining since y'day evening.....

Wonder if that may have a bearing on anything.........

 

[The Barb]

Contador was slow to respond because he was stuck at the other end of the group. Not because he couldn't. He had already pretty much closed the gap when Andy had his mechanical.

Fair point about him being at the back of the group, but nonetheless, by my stopwatch Andy was stopped for 29 seconds. He trailed Contador over the top by 18 seconds - the rest of the time difference came on the descent (a weakness for Andy). No descent to the finish tonight ...

... My god, I am embarrassingly excited about this stage ...

Whatever is going to happen, I am giddy with anticipation.

 

[The Sheep]

Traksel to win

 

[carrai]

Mate of mine is somewhere on the Tourmalet, having camped in his car overnight. Tells me that the weather is atrocious up there. Has been raining since y'day evening.....

Wonder if that may have a bearing on anything.........

Yes, got the same infos about weather over there. I hope they can do the final climb...

 

[theyoungest]

Mate of mine is somewhere on the Tourmalet, having camped in his car overnight. Tells me that the weather is atrocious up there. Has been raining since y'day evening.....

Wonder if that may have a bearing on anything.........

Well, it may mean for us home viewers that we won't get to see much of it...

 

[auscyclefan94]

I respectfully disagree. I don't think Contador looks as strong as last year and I think Andy looks stronger.

By the time they got to Ventoux last year Contador had already demonstrated himself to be stronger than Schleck by taking significant time off him in the mountains - primarily at Verbier.

This year the only difference between them in the mountains has been as follows:

Stage 8 - Schleck beats Conta by 10 seconds
Stage 12 - Conta beats Schleck by 10 seconds*
Stage 15 - Conta beats Schleck by 39 seconds**

*On the short, sharp climb to Mende, which does not suit Schleck as much as Contador.

**The infamous chaingate incident. Allowing for the time that Schleck lost with the mechanical he would either have lost no time to Contador or actually gained some (bearing in mind that the chain incident happened when Schleck had attacked and Contadr was slow to respond).

Why are people saying Mende did not suit AS? Mende is similar climb to the climbs in LBL or Fleche wallonne and he has done well there. People expected evans (if healthy) to do well on the mende stage and he is not overly explosive.

 

[lancaster]

really hope we get a ding **** battle throughout the top ten, people coming through in ones and twos for an hour.

hoping for massive performances, attacks and counters all the way up. vino to attack rodriguez and levi etc...

go samu


can't believe the sound of a bell ringing is edited out! took a moment to even think of what rude word i had written

 

[Christian]

Traksel to win

Lol that K-B-K was epic.

Today has everything: terrible weather, two outstanding protagonists, close GC standings, a terrible climb ....

I think it's gonna be epic, I'm really excited!!!

 

[The Barb]

Why are people saying Mende did not suit AS? Mende is similar climb to the climbs in LBL or Fleche wallonne and he has done well there. People expected evans (if healthy) to do well on the mende stage and he is not overly explosive.

I agree it's not dissimilar to Fleche Wallonne but not at all like LBL.

Schleck has never beaten Contador in a Fleche Wallonne in which they both competed.

 

[hoolaparara]

Funny thing I had a dream about this stage last night, I don't dream much these days but I guess my cynical subsconcious must have been having fun with those people who bring up soccer ethics into that interminable thread about Contador on stage 15.

So as I predicted yesterday there was a group of about 12 with most of the top 10 in it about halfway up the tourmalet when Andy Schleck attacks. Quick as a flash Van Den Broeck moves.. off his bike and starts fiddling with his chain.. no attack no attack, so it all comes together.

30 seconds later Contador takes flight.. off his bike instantly fiddling with his chain Ryder Hesjedal brings him back.

Then Denis Menchov bursts brilliantly from the pack and he's away but, no Leipheimer, Samu, Rodriguez and Gesink are all off their bikes fiddling with their chains so he has to sit up.

Suddenly a photography motorbike flashes up the inside and ahead of the pack and instantly all 12 are off their bikes fiddling with their chains......

 

[joeyrobbo]

I reckon a 20 minute track stand stare off at the bottom of the Tourmalet, with Schleck eventually blinking thus giving Contador the win. They then ride up holding hands, and kiss as they cross the line, best friends forever. A disgusted Vino then rips them apart with his bare hands.

 

[Roland Rat]

If one falls over during a track stand, does the other have to wait?

 

[The Barb]

I reckon a 20 minute track stand stare off at the bottom of the Tourmalet, with Schleck eventually blinking thus giving Contador the win. They then ride up holding hands, and kiss as they cross the line, best friends forever. A disgusted Vino then rips them apart with his bare hands.

The cool thing about the stage tonight is that the scenario you've described is about the 14th most exciting scenario that could play out.

 

[joeyrobbo]

Damn straight they will wait, the TDF is a gentleman's sport, there is no place for aggressive riding here.

 

[joeyrobbo]

The cool thing about the stage tonight is that the scenario you've described is about the 14th most exciting scenario that could play out.

But sadly probably the most likely. Except the Vino bit. Which is a shame, I'd like to see him transfer the aggression from the bike into real life a bit more.

 

[L'arriviste]

I don't know why - maybe it's sour grapes at having to be at work when this is on, and I'm not normally pessimistic - but I predict a massive, boneshaking, earth shattering anticlimax.

I just feel like Schleck will fold and hang on to the podium, in anticipation of better years ahead. I don't think he's got what it takes to distance Contador when Astana will surely be looking to shut the GC race down.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I agree it's not dissimilar to Fleche Wallonne but not at all like LBL.

Schleck has never beaten Contador in a Fleche Wallonne in which they both competed.

The are short sharp climbs in LBL and you have to be explosive on them and be able to ride strong solo.