Tour de France 2011 Stage 9: Issoire - Saint-Flour 208 km

[ggusta]

I just don't think (with the poor quality footage I've seen) Contador could go flying like that just by being shoved by Karpets. To me, his wheel touched someone else's, no doubt because Karpets made a weird move, but to say he intentionally shoved Contador out of the road is a bit too much.

Again, I just have very poor quality footage. Some of you guys have mentioned Karpets looks to his left before the incident - I can't see that in the video. That's why I asked for a better quality clip. No need to get all indignant just because I don't want to pass judgment without seeing a proper video first. Until then, I have to put it down to "positioning fight".

I think it's not likely to be proven conclusively without more video angles. Karpets can deny it and claim it was innocent.

 

[ggusta]

Why are they re-neutralizing the stage?

cancellara saw a puddle.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Apparently Karpets did not take kindly to Contador cleaning his glasses with his mullet.

 

[Moondance]

Have to say, after looking so good for days Garmin are unable to do much to close this and rightly give up. Crashes have taken their toll there as well.

Voeckler is going to have a decent gap to the rest in the GC. He'll be able to defend it to Luz Ardiden, and maybe on that stage as well.

Sanchez will probably vault above Gesink as well. Rabo might consider nominating him their leader now, what with Gesink's struggles.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Why are they re-neutralizing the stage?

Why should anyone bother to race now?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I would normally be cheering like crazy for Tommy to take yellow but the TV car incident has soured this stage for me.

 

[RdBiker]

LLS for the win.

Casar doesn't look too good and the way Voeckler is driving the break I think it's LLS's sprint to lose.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Why are they re-neutralizing the stage?

They realized that they couldn't save yellow anyway so they stopped trying and started saving energy.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Sitting in the Alps right now, awaiting next week's tour arrival. Can't wait to get my l'equipe tomorrow with 14 pages of voeckler coverage. Perhaps two front pages tomorrow? Special edition?

Not to take anything away from Thomas himself. Effin strong ride. Deserving.

 

[Dedelou]

Agreed 100 percent. Stupid stupid supid, JV. Save your bullets. You lost DZ and DM is hurting, RH out the back. Who will help CVV in a few days? Dumb.

relax.. he heard you and will adjust his strategy immediately

 

[Publicus]

You just don't get it. There is an enormous conspiracy, involving American TV presenters, Russian mullets and the UCI against Contador. Casting doubt on the existence of this organised persecution is enough to mark you out as a junior member of the conspiracy yourself. The only acceptable response is to whine and mewl with the Contador fanboy chorus.

It's not a conspiracy or fanboyism. It's pretty clear on the wider shot. And the folks that originally noted it on twitter would HARDLY be considered Contador fanboys.

 

[just some guy]

GC after today

Tommy V
LLS

 

[Mellow Velo]

There will be huge fall out and a raging war of words, tonight and over the rest day.
Several heated topics.
Voeckler with a very handy lead in the GC.
Tommy 2011 is a different beast to Tommy 2004.

 

[Bala Verde]

Sitting in the Alps right now, awaiting next week's tour arrival. Can't wait to get my equips tomorrow with 14 pages of voeckler coverage. Perhaps two front pages tomorrow? Special edition?

Not to take anything away from Thomas himself. Effin strong ride. Deserving.

printed on yellow/gold paper.

 

[ggusta]

I would normally be cheering like crazy for Tommy to take yellow but the TV car incident has soured this stage for me.

cycling is only shown on espn when something disgraceful happens, that could be top 3 in Not Top 10

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Hey, here's BMC at the front again.

 

[Ramira]

Quite incredible how Rabobank's fortune has changed in one day. Gesink looking better, LL Sanchez has a shot at the stage win and might well be second in the GC after today. Seems they're pretty much the only team that are looking better now then they were at the start of today's stage.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Why is Hoogie on his own ??

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Casar doesn't look too good and the way Voeckler is driving the break I think it's LLS's sprint to lose.

Casar has never looked good in his career has he?
Actually on the rare occasions that he does win something he usually looks like he'd blow up soon.

 

[53x11 in DC]

relax.. he heard you and will adjust his strategy immediately

Not really sure of your point. But thanks.

 

[Maxiton]

It's not a conspiracy or fanboyism. It's pretty clear on the wider shot. And the folks that originally noted it on twitter would HARDLY be considered Contador fanboys.

Contador got flicked. The other riders around him should be able to attest to it. I doubt omerta extends that far.

 

[Publicus]

They realized that they couldn't save yellow anyway so they stopped trying and started saving energy.

5'+ is a lot of time to give a rider like LLS. Correction: I guess he'll only be 3'+ ahead. I guess that isn't too bad.

 

[brollebol]

Why is Hoogie on his own ??

Got taken out of the race by a French TV car and couldn't keep up with the pace of the peloton.

 

[sultanofhyd]

Got taken out of the race by a French TV car and couldn't keep up with the pace of the peloton.

I guess he is asking why he doesn't have teammates.

 

[Jamsque]

LuLe sucking wheels, he'll attack with 1km to go and leave the rest behind.