TDF Stage 9 - Tuesday, July 13 2010, Morzine-Avoriaz - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, 204 k

[Thee_chisa]

Especially with his climbing style. That took a ton of balls not to get off the bike on a 25KM climb and then bomb the descent. He did the yellow jersey proud today. Chapeau Cuddles! Now pack your bags and he'd back to Italy for a well deserved break.

yeah, cadel isn't a climber, he just holds on, and on like a limpet. a kinda good version of leipheimer.

 

[Thee_chisa]

Well, yeah, that's what I said, isn't it? Pull out of the TdF now and focus on the later part of this season. There's plenty of good races still coming up.

yeah, he should withdraw and try the vuelta. if he has a chance of a GT it is that one.

 

[goggalor]

yeah, he should withdraw and try the vuelta. if he has a chance of a GT it is that one.

BMC weren't invited.

 

[jaylew]

Thoroughly enjoying the Tour so far, though the coverage has at times has been disappointing. Hopefully, we'll see an epic battle between AS and AC in the Pyrenees and a good battle for that final podium slot. The battle for polka-dot is wide open and all it will take is another Cav victory to make the green interesting. Good stuff.

 

[Thee_chisa]

BMC weren't invited.

really, Lombardy then and the Wcs in aus.

 

[Thee_chisa]

Thoroughly enjoying the Tour so far, though the coverage has at times has been disappointing. Hopefully, we'll see an epic battle between AS and AC in the Pyrenees and a good battle for that final podium slot. The battle for polka-dot is wide open and all it will take is another Cav victory to make the green interesting. Good stuff.

yeah, good tour this year. make last year look a bit like a procession. i really wanna see andy schleck go hard on the tourmalet and see what happens to conta.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

Turning into?

This sport has always been this way. Only difference is the better medical attention and a way better treatment of the riders nowadays.

I agree. In the few years I have been watching, I do notice better images from TV so I think stuff like VDV's tears of blood would not have been so graphic as they are now. Plus the internet allows instant sharing of these images.

besides...if you don't think the gladiator aspect is an attraction then you are kidding yourself... isn't suffering on our bikes part of the allure? well this is suffering with prizes involved...

 

[richwagmn]

In defense of Cadel...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fractured-elbow-shatters-tour-hopes-for-evans

He was too easily dropped for something not to have been wrong. Talk about bad luck.

 

[Thee_chisa]

I agree. In the few years I have been watching, I do notice better images from TV so I think stuff like VDV's tears of blood would not have been so graphic as they are now. Plus the internet allows instant sharing of these images.

besides...if you don't think the gladiator aspect is an attraction then you are kidding yourself... isn't suffering on our bikes part of the allure? well this is suffering with prizes involved...

desgranges - who came up with the idea of a tour, wanted his idea tour to have 1 finisher. a war of attrition, with the toughest coming out on top.

 

[Benotti69]

i think the wheel sucking is for 99% of the peleton especially with AC and AS riding away, aint much to do after that on a mountain. if you dont suck the wheel in front you go backwards. Kelly called it on eurosport that you focus on the cogs in front and try to forget the pain and get the rhythm going...especiallly if the guys riding away are 'USPS type' of riders...

 

[Bernardus]

Lots of Cadel hate from the Dutch. Why?

I think it goes back to the 2007 Tour. Boogerd, Dekker and the rest of the Rabo team had worked their butts of for Rasmussen. Rasmussen was kicked out and the future of the team was very uncertain. Most riders, including Contador (main rival of Rasmussen), were sympathetic and acted respectful towards them. According to Boogerd, Evans didn't.

 

[killswitch]

Ascent times:

AC/AS: 1:04:57

Breakaway: 1:09 ish

I am really curious to see how this compares to Virenque or Pantani's times in 97 and 98

Apparently, Virenque holds the record with 56 minutes.

 

[Thee_chisa]

Apparently, Virenque holds the record with 56 minutes.

was this when tricky dicky was juiced?

 

[Cerberus]

was this when tricky dicky was juiced?

Was there a time when he wasn't? Really though, I'm not sure that a direct comparison can be made. Contador and Schelck weren't riding from the bottom, and the early part of the part where they attacked was tactical and I'm don't think they were going absolutely 100% on the way up. Still it's a very large difference and if the times have indeed increased it's a hopeful sign that cycling is becoming if not clean then at least cleaner.

 

[theyoungest]

I think it goes back to the 2007 Tour. Boogerd, Dekker and the rest of the Rabo team had worked their butts of for Rasmussen. Rasmussen was kicked out and the future of the team was very uncertain. Most riders, including Contador (main rival of Rasmussen), were sympathetic and acted respectful towards them. According to Boogerd, Evans didn't.

Yes, he laughed in their faces, Boogerd said.

I think most Dutchies on the forum rather like Evans, certainly Evans 2.0. But ACF is such an easy target.

 

[roundabout]

Apparently, Virenque holds the record with 56 minutes.

Wow. Although i think that's from the more regular south side.

 

[Bernardus]

Yes, he laughed in their faces, Boogerd said.

Not only laughing, also making remarks/swearing.

 

[theyoungest]

Not only laughing, also making remarks/swearing.

Anyway, we all know the guy is an absolute nutcase What to think of the Gesink headbutt? Another classic.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

And ofcourse the Mont Serein (? not sure) finish in Paris Nice when Evans wheelsucked his way to the win with Gesink doing all the work.

But I like Evans, certainly after 2009, but ACF94 makes it so easy to tease him when thhere is something wrong.

 

[slowoldman]

This thread is pure comedic genius! A person can get vertigo just reading through it. Boring, no great...... they're not going to race, they're they go! It goes on and on with the back and forth.

I do have to add this. Cadel may cry like a little girl when he is done, but he is one tough son of a ***** on a bike. He suffers like a dog and never gives up. He has done the yellow and the stripes proud. My respect is growing for the guy daily. I really wanted him to hold on.


Another thing, it is really nice to see some fresh blood (no pun intended) fighting it out for tour glory.

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

Looks like Vaughters was right about Astana "soft pedaling" last year, which he put down as the only reason Wiggo could keep up...

Since Astana 2009 is essentially RS 2010, I'm not seeing the connection. Both teams - regardless of the name and jersey change - look to be performing similarly in both years, outside of AC.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Not only laughing, also making remarks/swearing.

Yikes. Didn't know that.

 

[B.Rasmussen]

I do have to add this. Cadel may cry like a little girl when he is done, but he is one tough son of a ***** on a bike. He suffers like a dog and never gives up. He has done the yellow and the stripes proud. My respect is growing for the guy daily. I really wanted him to hold on.


Another thing, it is really nice to see some fresh blood (no pun intended) fighting it out for tour glory.

Agree 100%. Best wearer of the stripes in years.

 

[Mellow Velo]

You can tell the World Cup is over. The Dutch are back on here.
They are better at kicking Cadel than a football.

 

[Cowgirlup]

Originally Posted by Bernardus
Not only laughing, also making remarks/swearing.

Really??? That doesn't seem like something that Cadel would do at all.