Tour de France Stage 3 Wanze - Arenberg Porte du Hainaut, 207km

[RedheadDane]

At least ten crashes...

 

[Publicus]

any news on the Garmin trio , Vande Velde, Farrar and Dean, who all went off to ospedale for examination

Farrar reportedly has a fractured elbow.

 

[scribe]

My prediction for tomorrow!
Andy Schleck
Frank Schleck
Basso
Gesink
Contador
Armstrong
Wiggins
Menchov

... all crashing down

Lance just might make the podium, in loser lodge!

 

[CycloErgoSum]

In light of the go-slow on Stage 2, will everyone wait if a GC rider crashes tomorrow on the cobbles?

Anyone remember what happened 11 years ago on the Passage de Gois? Texarse and his team accelarated and gapped most of the other GC guys.

That was then, this is now: rider solidarity seems to winning.

It would be quite a turnaround if the opposite of today happens. Then again, ambitious sportsmen aren't exactly renowned for their characters, nor their consistency.

 

[richwagmn]

In light of the go-slow on Stage 2, will everyone wait if a GC rider crashes tomorrow on the cobbles?

Anyone remember what happened 11 years ago on the Passage de Gois? Texarse and his team accelarated and gapped most of the other GC guys.

That was then, this is now: rider solidarity seems to winning.

It would be quite a turnaround if the opposite of today happens. Then again, ambitious sportsmen aren't exactly renowned for their characters, nor their consistency.

Armstrong said today he wasn't sure what to do after the crash today (go hard or soft pedal). If he had taken off I would have loved to see Canc ride up and slug the guy in the face.

We all know LA is desperate for time before they hit the mountains and the long TT.

 

[saganftw]

Armstrong said today he wasn't sure what to do after the crash today (go hard or soft pedal). If he had taken off I would have loved to see Canc ride up and slug the guy in the face.

We all know LA is desperate for time before they hit the mountains and the long TT.

if he had taken off it would be what all the riders should do...racing

 

[richwagmn]

I'm still wondering what happens tomorrow...

A few of the GC teams seem to be targeting stage 3 (RS, Sky). I think we can expect both teams to go hard.

I'm puzzled by the confidence in RS though. Outside of LA, who's got much cobbles experience on that team?

For Astana, I'm guessing AC will be glued to Vino's wheel. Vino, with some luck, can get AC through the stage safely.

Saxo might have a different strategy after today. I'm guessing they're going to try and slow it down a bit.

HTC is probably going to have a go for sure. I'm sure they're feeling a need for stage win.

Thor will go for sure. He's angry as hell after today.

 

[Publicus]

I'm still wondering what happens tomorrow...

A few of the GC teams seem to be targeting stage 3 (RS, Sky). I think we can expect both teams to go hard.

I'm puzzled by the confidence in RS though. Outside of LA, who's got much cobbles experience on that team?

For Astana, I'm guessing AC will be glued to Vino's wheel. Vino, with some luck, can get AC through the stage safely.

Saxo might have a different strategy after today. I'm guessing they're going to try and slow it down a bit.

HTC is probably going to have a go for sure. I'm sure they're feeling a need for stage win.

Thor will go for sure. He's angry as hell after today.

Popo and Rast.

EDIT: I've never ridden on cobbles, but doesn't it make sense to go as fast possible? Why would Saxo want to slow it down?

 

[Winterfold]

Looking at Sky's site and blogs they seem to be pretty open about going on the attack tomorrow.

Wiggins/Thomas/Barry/Cummings/Flecha/EBH (he seems hard enough for this stage) - they should definitely try something. Not attacking tomorrow would be like Contador or the Schlecks not attacking in the mountains - completely dumb.

BMC should also attack.

And I hope Thor will be in full God of Thunder mode.

there will be a lot of 60kg GC contenders with sore elbows and bottoms - they should be made to suffer further

 

[Potomac]

I'm still wondering what happens tomorrow...

A few of the GC teams seem to be targeting stage 3 (RS, Sky). I think we can expect both teams to go hard.

I'm puzzled by the confidence in RS though. Outside of LA, who's got much cobbles experience on that team?

For Astana, I'm guessing AC will be glued to Vino's wheel. Vino, with some luck, can get AC through the stage safely.

Saxo might have a different strategy after today. I'm guessing they're going to try and slow it down a bit.

HTC is probably going to have a go for sure. I'm sure they're feeling a need for stage win.

Thor will go for sure. He's angry as hell after today.

Is RS confident? Certainly they point out the stage could cause a selection one way or the other, but confidence that it is in their favor?

 

[saganftw]

Popo and Rast.

EDIT: I've never ridden on cobbles, but doesn't it make sense to go as fast possible? Why would Saxo want to slow it down?

exactly you cant go slow on cobbles the slower you go the bigger chance to fall down

 

[richwagmn]

Popo and Rast.

EDIT: I've never ridden on cobbles, but doesn't it make sense to go as fast possible? Why would Saxo want to slow it down?

Ok, didn't know that about RS. So coupled with LA's ability to ride these roads, RS is looking decent here.

And yes, after think about it, keeping the pace high would make the most sense.

 

[kurtinsc]

I'm still wondering what happens tomorrow...

A few of the GC teams seem to be targeting stage 3 (RS, Sky). I think we can expect both teams to go hard.

I'm puzzled by the confidence in RS though. Outside of LA, who's got much cobbles experience on that team?

For Astana, I'm guessing AC will be glued to Vino's wheel. Vino, with some luck, can get AC through the stage safely.

Saxo might have a different strategy after today. I'm guessing they're going to try and slow it down a bit.

HTC is probably going to have a go for sure. I'm sure they're feeling a need for stage win.

Thor will go for sure. He's angry as hell after today.

I don't think it's confidence in the team, but rather confidence in their GC guy on the cobbles.

Of the GC hopefuls, Armstrong and Wiggins have both had decent (top 30-ish) finishes in cobbled races. Wiggins was 25th in P-R last year and Armstrong was 27th in Flanders. I'm not sure how many of the others have even ridden those races as a helper early in their careers.

There's been some discussion on what is more important for something like this... a strong cobbled team to help you over the cobbles, or an experienced cobbled GC rider with a less strong team.


I personally don't think Armstrong/Radioshack CAN push the pace on stage 3 enough to matter. But if someone else does, I think he's more capable then any other GC rider barring Wiggins to keep up with the pace.

 

[Thee_chisa]

exactly you cant go slow on cobbles the slower you go the bigger chance to fall down

it isn't that you are more likely to fall off, but that when you get a good speed the bike kinda sails over the cobbles and you don't get big jolts.

anyhow, i look forward to the schlecks looking as if their mother has just removed their favourite toys and cancellara trying not to look annoyed if he has to pace them.

 

[Carlo Algatrensig]

Anyone remember what happened 11 years ago on the Passage de Gois? Texarse and his team accelarated and gapped most of the other GC guys.

I remember it and I seem to remember that at the time USPS claimed that the gaps that day were caused by crosswinds and echelons forming and not the crashes. I know its 11 years later but I sort of hope that tomorrow RS get caught the wrong side of the crashes (sorry I mean crosswinds and echelons.).

 

[saganftw]

I remember it and I seem to remember that at the time USPS claimed that the gaps that day were caused by crosswinds and echelons forming and not the crashes. I know its 11 years later but I sort of hope that tomorrow RS get caught the wrong side of the crashes (sorry I mean crosswinds and echelons.).

you might want to check this video...LA is in 2nd place entering the passage,in other words they knew it can cause crashes and attacked right away...expect something like that tommorow from various teams...i hope you will complain about other teams too if they keep on attacking on cobbles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T66LLvqgZS4

 

[Mellow Velo]

if he had taken off it would be what all the riders should do...racing

You wouldn't be saying that if it were Contador and the Schlecks taking off and not waiting for him.
At least try to be unbiased.

Anyhow, I suspect some of the teams who might have pushed hard tomorrow, will have to re-think.
Too many walking wounded.

 

[saganftw]

You wouldn't be saying that if it were Contador and the Schlecks taking off and not waiting for him.
At least try to be unbiased.

Anyhow, I suspect some of the teams who might have pushed hard tomorrow, will have to re-think.
Too many walking wounded.

you are so wrong there if LA hits the deck tomorrow and other teams keep pushing up front i wont say a word...same goes for any other rider...i want to see racing not 200 riders bunch on training ride

 

[Barrus]

you are so wrong there if LA hits the deck tomorrow and other teams keep pushing up front i wont say a word...same goes for any other rider...i want to see racing not 200 riders bunch on training ride

well considering about a 100 riders hit the deck ...


BTW great comment by Hushovd, wonder if his prediction will ring true:

"I've been riding all day for the stage win and the green jersey and I end up with nothing," Hushovd continued. "This is not fair. Will the same thing happen tomorrow? Will the times for GC be taken before the pavés sections? If Alberto Contador or another big rider crashes tomorrow on the cobblestones, he's entitled to ask for the race to be neutralised too! So when will we race, really?"

No more time gaps during a tour, the person with number 1 wins the tour, as it should be

 

[Thee_chisa]

good article about this here: (in french) by j.f bernard

http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme/breves2010/20100705_230507_-et-demain-on-fait-quoi.html

 

[Publicus]

You wouldn't be saying that if it were Contador and the Schlecks taking off and not waiting for him.
At least try to be unbiased.

Anyhow, I suspect some of the teams who might have pushed hard tomorrow, will have to re-think.
Too many walking wounded.

That's what I think. Saxo and Radio Shack won't be dropping any hammers. Maybe following moves, but I don't see them as protagonists. Now I can see Cervelo, Garmin and Sky trying to make moves. Astana will go with its same game plan....cover and pray.

 

[Scirea]

That's what I think. Saxo and Radio Shack won't be dropping any hammers. Maybe following moves, but I don't see them as protagonists. Now I can see Cervelo, Garmin and Sky trying to make moves. Astana will go with its same game plan....cover and pray.

You are right. Thor, EBH/Flecha/Hincapie and Maaskant/Van Summeren will be in attack mode imo.

 

[frizzlefry]

I remember a few years ago(cant remember what year), Iban Mayo went down on the cobbles and LA and company put time into him. It wasn't really an attack, more that they had their established speed set, and weren't about to slow down cause they were on cobbles.

 

[hfer07]

As I wrote in another thread:
bear in mind that Quickstep has the MJ and a strong classics crew,capable of doing some serious damage to the rest of the peloton, in order to maintain Chavanel in yellow as long as possible-so if the attacks come from RS, Saxo, Sky,BMC- guess which team is going to make the race even harder.....

Tomorrow could be either a great stage "if they decide to ride" or a total fiasco "if the Peloton decides to neutralize it due to some serious accidents happening"

 

[euanli]

I'm slowly convincing myself that Thor is going to try too hard, Hincapie will stay with him and finally get a win on cobbles in France.