tour de france rest day 2 round up

[Tank Engine]

Highlights of the tour so far: Hushovd chasing Roy, Phil.
Overall a nice mix of stages (any finish where Phil is going head to head with Cav must have been well planned), although an ITT would have lowered the tension and maybe led to the climbers needing to recoup their losses in the Pyrenees. Not a lot has happened in the GC (apart from the effects of crashes), but that means there's still quite a few riders who have hopes of winning this race, so there is a lot of tension apparent. Andy looks the strongest in the mountains at the moment, but Frank is ahead of him and it looked liked Andy didn't know what to do on the Plateau. Sammy is riding himself into contention and Ivan will be dangerous on the huge Alpine climbs, especially if Sylwester is riding better. Bertie is still holding in there and if he comes good in the last week, he has the killer instinct. They all have to make time on TV and Cadel, so it'll have to explode at some point.

 

[Ramira]

For me rest day 2 has lead to a few conclusions/opinions:

First hope Voeckler does not win the tour as he would win it purely due to the crashes of Vinokourov, Van den Broeck and to a lesser extend Flecha and Hoogerland. Though I am very impressed by his showing in the mountains (though the truly impressive performance came from Rolland in my opinion) the reason for his win would be suspect at the least. That being said I expect him to crack in the stage over the Galibrier as Basso, Contador and the Schleck's will all have to attack.

The second conclusion is that in the long term the VDB2 crash might have been the best thing for Belgian cycling, although he would be a contender for this year's tour (I don't think he would have won it but he had a great chance for a podium place) the revelation of Vanendert was both spectacular to behold (not to mention the joy of Gilbert for him, that was truly beautiful) and means the Belgians can look forward to either a VDB/Vanendert combo or VDB in the tour and Vanendert in the Giro or Vuelta.

And the third conclusion is regarding the Schleck's ofcourse. I feel Andy finally came into form on the climb of Plateau de Beille but he seemed afraid to drop Fränk. I think the rest day came at the perfect time for him though, they started this tour saying they wanted 2 of them on the podium but they now changed their tune to saying 1 of them has to win it and it doesn't matter where the second will finish. I think this means they have decided to go for Andy. For me personally I expect him to go for it to Galibier Serre-Chevalier and I think it is going to be enough to win this years tour. If it is not that's a shame but I could live with it. I just hope that he will try because otherwise I might have to re-evaluate my opinion on him.

Fourth is the fact that while a Contador who is on form without worthwile competition might lead to quite a boring GT (look at this year's Giro) when all the best are there his presence clearly brings things to life as he's the one rider that can make things explode (and it seems him being on his best brings out the best in Andy) and him not being able to attack has taken a bit of the edge of this year. Although it has to be said VDB2 and Vinokourov might have brought some life into the race as well.

And finally, apart from the time lost by Contador and Samuel Sanchez in stage 1, the TTT of Samuel Sanchez and the escape by Voeckler this entire tour will be decided in 3 stages, which while it does set up a magnificent 3 days is not really what one expects from a 3 week 21 stage grand tour.

All in all I think everything will explode in the stage to Galibier Serre-Chevalier and I hope either of the Schlecks or (and I can't believe I'm saying this) Contador breaks open the race and the best rider wins this tour, not just the rider with the best time trial.

 

[2wheels]

hmmm the shortness of the stage to alpe d huez should help cadel somewhat. Hope he can hang in there and follow wheels.

If Cadel can't follow a wheel, no one can!

 

[racing_like_scalded_cats]

How do you say WHEEL SUCKER in Australian?

 

[movingtarget]

pffff. I think it would be hilarious if all their worrying about Cadel and not being concerned about Tommy V comes up and bites them in their collective glutious maximus as Tommy cruises onto Victory in Paris.

Tactics don't seem to be their strong point. The rest of the team ride themselves into the ground and then the Schlecks try to drop everyone with short attacks and look surprised that people can still keep up. If AS spends anymore time looking over his shoulder, he will be the next victim of a crash.

 

[Ferminal]

How do you say WHEEL SUCKER in Australian?

I'm not familiar with that language so I can't help you.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

He mean 'Strine.

 

[Marcuccio]

I don't think the tour's been boring at all, but this year I think the fact we're coming off a pretty decent Giro, coupled with the fact that AC looks spent, a heap of big names are out etc, may have dulled the sensation for a few.

I for one, am loving the fact that -

* AC possibly won't win (never say never)
* Cadel seems to have lady luck with him this year.
* Greipel's got a stage win (had to happen)
* Gilbert continued his excellent form.
* Basso seems willing to work and timing his run well..(I hope)
* Lesser knowns like Voeckler are getting the lime light.
* All the big names aren't getting it all their own way..

etc..

Also big probs to SBS here in Australia for the wicked and free coverage.
Being in WA, with the time difference, means we get it live from 8.30 pm!

 

[hughmoore]

How do you say WHEEL SUCKER in Australian?

"ANDY SCHLECK"

Case Closed!!!!




Hugh

 

[Barracuda]

"ANDY SCHLECK"

Case Closed!!!!




Hugh

I just opened my thesaurus to check your translation.

Might I add that it also says, and I quote : " see also Frank Schleck "

Bazinga !!!

 

[terri@canberra]

How do you say WHEEL SUCKER in Australian?

You have been watching the race this year? Apart from Rolland there's only been Basso and Evans who've taken them up.

 

[Ramira]

"ANDY SCHLECK"

Case Closed!!!!




Hugh

I just opened my thesaurus to check your translation.

Might I add that it also says, and I quote : " see also Frank Schleck "

Bazinga !!!

Now I realize hating on the Schleck's is the done thing on this forum. You guys do realise that the only ones of the favourites apart from Samu that have attacked in the mountains this tour are the Schleck's. You might as well go and call Gilbert a Wheel Sucker. There's plenty of things you can attack the Schleck's on without talking out of your **** so please make an effort while bashing them.

 

[El Pistolero]

Now I realize hating on the Schleck's is the done thing on this forum. You guys do realise that the only ones of the favourites apart from Samu that have attacked in the mountains this tour are the Schleck's. You might as well go and call Gilbert a Wheel Sucker. There's plenty of things you can attack the Schleck's on without talking out of your **** so please make an effort while bashing them.

There's a difference between attacking and what the Schlecks are doing.

 

[Ramira]

There's a difference between attacking and what the Schlecks are doing.

While that might be true you can hardly call the two guys who spend easily the most time up front on the final climbs of the day (with Basso but all he does is ride his own pace because that suits him best) the wheelsuckers of this tour. Heck I don't think Contador has spend more then maybe 100m up front this tour, so does that make him a wheel sucker now?