TDF Stage 19 - Saturday, July 24 2010, Bordeaux - Pauillac, 51 km ITT

[{the_crow}]

Congratulations to Andy! and to Alberto.. like him or not he's a gifted rider.. both are!

 

[jazzcyclist]

What I don't understand is the selective memory of some folks. For instance, why do they harp on the 39 seconds that Schleck lost on stage 15 due to a slipped chain while ignoring the 73 seconds that Contador lost on stage 3 due to a broken spoke? And remember, Schleck and Cancellara made no attempt to let Contador catch back up after his wheel change. Here's a list of all the fitness related time gains by Schleck and Contador with respect to each other during the Tour:

Prologue - Contador, +0:42
Stage 8 - Schleck, +0:10
Stage 12 - Contador, +0:10
Stage 19 - Contador, +0:31

So Contador and Schleck were identical in the mountains, but Contador was 73 seconds better in the time trials.

 

[reubenr]

What I don't understand is the selective memory of some folks. For instance, why do they harp on the 39 seconds that Schleck lost on stage 15 due to a slipped chain while ignoring the 73 seconds that Contador lost on stage 3 due to a broken spoke? And remember, Schleck and Cancellara made no attempt to let Contador catch back up after his wheel change. Here's a list of all the fitness related time gains by Schleck and Contador with respect to each other during the Tour:

Prologue - Contador, +0:42
Stage 8 - Schleck, +0:10
Stage 12 - Contador, +0:10
Stage 19 - Contador, +0:31

So Contador and Schleck were identical in the mountains, but Contador was 73 seconds better in the time trials.

Because they are idiots. It's all about the 39 seconds lost in Stage 15.

 

[Steel4Ever]

AC
2009 40km @ 48:30 = 49km/hr
2010 52km @ 1:06:09 = 47km/hr

AS
2009 40km @ 50:15 = 48km/hr
2010 52km @ 1:07:20 = 46km/hr

Same power as last year.
Longer distance and wind = slower times.

 

[Steel4Ever]

It's all about the 39 seconds lost in Stage 15.

It's all about Baby Andy not knowing how to operate his bicycle.



p.s. -- VINO!

 

[bobs nob]

well- I think i'm a bit troubled by the way the ITT turned out to be-I was expecting much more from Menchov & Contador, but seems like the headwind was quite strong for them-at the same time a was exited on how Andy was grasping the yellow during some of the time checks, which kind of surprised me how much he's improved in that discipline....
overall the strongest man won- Congrats to AC & AS overall

PS: Andy "will win" next year's tour if his progression continues on...

It's obvious that if Andy continues the improvement then how could one argue against him next year? But look at AC this year compared to last year! His early season seemed like he was on track to top his performance of last year, and then....I dunno...is he not feeling well physically? Is there something on his mind that is a distraction? So it's not possible to extrapolate one year's improvement to the next.

Similarly, we can't just say what if the chain didn't happen, what strategies would have changed? What about the cobbles? What about Stage 2? What about the prologue? All of these things don't happen in a vacuum, so it's foolishness to add seconds here from #11 and subtract a few from there for #1 and on and on.

I hope AC gives a better performance next year, but then again, if he does the Giro, what are the chances of that? How did the top Giro GC guys do in the tdf (that participated) this year?

I hate to bring clinic stuff in here, but I do wonder to what extent that made any difference as I am sure many others speculate but don't come right out and say so.

 

[reubenr]

It's all about Baby Andy not knowing how to operate his bicycle.



p.s. -- VINO!

Ditto! And vino, vidi, vici. Vino truly supported Contador, which makes him head and shoulders above Armstrong as a cyclist and as a person. Also, Vino had a great TDF. The time trial worked against all the later starters in the end but he was exciting to watch.

 

[Steel4Ever]

Ditto! And vino, vidi, vici. Vino truly supported Contador, which makes him head and shoulders above Armstrong as a cyclist and as a person. Also, Vino had a great TDF. The time trial worked against all the later starters in the end but he was exciting to watch.

Here's something to think about...BOTH Baby Andy and VINO! got screwed over by Bert (time and stage win respectively). But only VINO! went out the very next day and took what was his. Baby Andy on the other hand...just whined and lost even more time.

Next year, Baby Andy, pull a VINO! and be a man!

 

[nia O'Malley]

Here's something to think about...BOTH Baby Andy and VINO! got screwed over by Bert (time and stage win respectively). But only VINO! went out the very next day and took what was his. Baby Andy on the other hand...just whined and lost even more time.

Next year, Baby Andy, pull a VINO! and be a man!

Lol.......are you serious? Do you not forget the small bit where Vino and Bertie are in the actual same team and where Vino is not a GC contender, especially not a MJ contender?

 

[reubenr]

Here's something to think about...BOTH Baby Andy and VINO! got screwed over by Bert (time and stage win respectively). But only VINO! went out the very next day and took what was his. Baby Andy on the other hand...just whined and lost even more time.

Next year, Baby Andy, pull a VINO! and be a man!

I don't really think that Vino got screwed on that stage. I think it was the plan all along for Contador to gain time there and Vino was placed up ahead as a helper when the time came. It just happened that the launch was a little slow, so it kind of took on the look of Vino getting the bad end of the stick. Combine the facts with the take by the announcers and you get what you got, but I don't think it was a screwing.

 

[Steel4Ever]

I don't really think that Vino got screwed on that stage. I think it was the plan all along for Contador to gain time there and Vino was placed up ahead as a helper when the time came. It just happened that the launch was a little slow, so it kind of took on the look of Vino getting the bad end of the stick. Combine the facts with the take by the announcers and you get what you got, but I don't think it was a screwing.

Yeah...guess VINO! just likes to pound on his handlebars with happiness every time he crosses the line.

 

[Cerberus]

AC
2009 40km @ 48:30 = 49km/hr
2010 52km @ 1:06:09 = 47km/hr

AS
2009 40km @ 50:15 = 48km/hr
2010 52km @ 1:07:20 = 46km/hr

Same power as last year.
Longer distance and wind = slower times.

Sorry, but that's complete crap, this years TT was flat, there was a significant climb last year, you can't just compare average speed like that

 

[Rob_Roy]

It sure took time before my blood pressure stabilized again after the Thriller today.I may have to send Andy some hospital bills if he does it again.

At 2 seconds up for Conti I almost fainted..

Menchov and Ryder were stunning too.I wondered a little on Hesjedal yesterday and his ability to push himself hard against the clock,and to be honest,the statistics shown didnt reveal this kinda ability..

Congratz to Contador for his TdF win,he is stunning when it comes to 3 weeks.However,this race wont have another outcome for a long time if Andy cant improve for next years race.Even though Andy was in his best form ever it wasnt enough.

 

[Steel4Ever]

Sorry, but that's complete crap, this years TT was flat, there was a significant climb last year, you can't just compare average speed like that

You can do anything you want!
Either way, AC went faster than AS on both occasions.

Besides that, you are saying they went FASTER last year with a "significant climb", and went SLOWER on this years "flat" TT? Any explanation? Oh, maybe it's as I said...longer length and wind speed. But whatever... AC still wins.

 

[jazzcyclist]

With only 61 km of time trials, this Tour was designed for climbing specialists like Schleck. I don't think he'll see another Tour with this little time trial mileage in the near future. On the other hand, Saxo Bank would have likely put some time into Astana if there had been a team time trial this year.

 

[Steel4Ever]

I wondered a little on Hesjedal yesterday and his ability to push himself hard against the clock,and to be honest,the statistics shown didnt reveal this kinda ability.

Which stats are those?

 

[VoidSix]

I should be quoting henryg, since he is spot on and the quotes here suggests that Schleck is either stupid or incapable. Figure it out. The 39 seconds margin of victory is Contador's way of screwing around with everyone. Figure it out.

LOL @ Contador having a close call in the TDF because he wanted to screw around with everyone. That explains why he was nervous enough about the outcome to attack on a blatant mechanical by Andy Schleck.

Not to mention the the time lost in the cobbles was due much more to Contador not being as fast as Fabian on the surface than a broken spoke.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

You can do anything you want!
Either way, AC went faster than AS on both occasions.

Besides that, you are saying they went FASTER last year with a "significant climb", and went SLOWER on this years "flat" TT? Any explanation? Oh, maybe it's as I said...longer length and wind speed. But whatever... AC still wins.

You should come with your bike to the Netherlands soem time, and ride a lot agains the wind.

Then you would understand that you go faster with no wind and some hills, then with fierce headwind and no hills.

 

[El Pistolero]

LOL @ Contador having a close call in the TDF because he wanted to screw around with everyone. That explains why he was nervous enough about the outcome to attack on a blatant mechanical by Andy Schleck.

Not to mention the the time lost in the cobbles was due much more to Contador not being as fast as Fabian on the surface than a broken spoke.

Most people are not as fast as Cancellara when they have to wait with their feet on the ground because someone made an idiotic crash... And lets not forget the extra 10 seconds he lost near the finish of stage 3 because of a mechanical

 

[Alex III]

Only the amazing new time trial specialist Hesjedal is doing well

5'37

Where did Hesjedal suddenly learn how to ITT?
Very very suspicious to me. Sorry
With no results prior...

Well actually, as some have pointed out, 2008 his first TdF he was 14th in the ITT, and 16th at the Olympics. Last years TdF ITT he was 43rd, and this year not quite top 50. Doesn't seem like he has suddenly learned how to TT.

 

[Steel4Ever]

You should come with your bike to the Netherlands soem time, and ride a lot agains the wind.

Then you would understand that you go faster with no wind and some hills, then with fierce headwind and no hills.

Yeah...dude, I grew up and raced in a place where one of the local bike clubs was called "Headwinds". I now live (and raced) on an island with constant wind (and mountains). I know all about wind and mountains/hills. Thanks anyway for the invite.

 

[Rob_Roy]

Which stats are those?

Oh! Just a list in another thread with the ITT results compared between Gesink-Ryder and Rodriguez - Ryder.

I think it is in the thread This year's unsung heroes.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah...dude, I grew up and raced in a place where one of the local bike clubs was called "Headwinds". I now live (and raced) on an island with constant wind (and mountains). I know all about wind and mountains/hills. Thanks anyway for the invite.

Then why you question they went slower this year?

I saw the image when one of the riders (think it was Schleck) passed the 20km flag. With that much headwind, I'm suprised they didn't went 20km/h instead of 50 km/h

 

[reubenr]

LOL @ Contador having a close call in the TDF because he wanted to screw around with everyone. That explains why he was nervous enough about the outcome to attack on a blatant mechanical by Andy Schleck.

Not to mention the the time lost in the cobbles was due much more to Contador not being as fast as Fabian on the surface than a broken spoke.

The time lost on the cobbles was one thing, whether fair or not, but as the race evolved so did the emotions, and I would suggest to you that it is not a coincidence at all. It is the period on the wink and the look. Doesn't everyone know that Contador just decided not to humiliate Schleck on the Tourmalet, since he was such a dutiful and willing helper? Even Scleck knows that. And as I said more than a few days ago, when someone suggested to just sit on the TT gate for the 39 seconds, that Contador would work it out so that it finished that way, and it did. He's was just playing with you. He was bored like the rest of us with the Tour. Some people are just so used to an athlete destroying the competition, kind of like the way Cavendish does, but after a while that becomes very boring. I liked the way Alberto and Andy raced. They seemed to be friends and have real respect for each other and this was Alberto's way of showing it. That is all there is to it. LOL for those that think it is all just happenstance.

 

[VoidSix]

Most people are not as fast as Cancellara when they have to wait with their feet on the ground because someone made an idiotic crash... And lets not forget the extra 10 seconds he lost near the finish of stage 3 because of a mechanical

Most people aren't as fast as Cancellara period. That was the whole strategy of the day. Alberto isn't known for being able to ride the cobbles very well regardless.

I'm not saying Schleck is the better overall rider. I'm just saying I think that going even in the mountains while he tugged Contador up the Tourmalet might show he is ever so slightly the faster climber, and that if his chain hadn't dropped, he would've started the ITT behind Contador and might've been able to hang on.

Either way, if I were Contador I would be a bit worried for the coming season. Schleck has a few years to continue to improve and Contador is pretty much in his prime for the next one or two. Over four minutes last year, 39 seconds this year, and at worst equal in the climbs where he was getting slaughtered by Alberto in the climbs last year.