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

[alberto.legstrong]

I suspect that he will shortly be diagnosed with an intestinal problem that has been bothering him for a few weeks - he will have to - with much sadness - leave the Tour to concentrate on getting better.

you left out the obligatory 'and spend more time with his family(s)' boilerplate. They will edit that into the soundbites they play for the media as part of their non-press conference script.

 

[red_flanders]

But Armstrong shows signs of being on better form that last year, and AC seems to be a little bit below the grand heights of last year. AC was still the favourite but I think the gap would have been smaller. Perhaps closer to his 2007 form.

Agreed. I'm just not one of those who thinks he had a chance to win.

He looks strong and might have made the podium, but he isn't/wasn't going to beat Contador, and Contador wasn't going to need him to flat to win.

 

[Big GMaC]

Agreed. The tour gets boring from now on. But as long as Armstrong can't win it because of a puncture, that's fine with me.

THIS IS BPC. USE the REPORT BUTTON

 

[El Imbatido]

The gap to the front group was coming down fast at the point Armstrong punctured.

That's why I was very relieved he suffered a mechanical problem. Armstrong was the guy pushing that group along.

I don't know as the times were changing alot until all the cobbles were finished. They were fluctuating so much i don't think you could trust their accuracy at all.

 

[Ten Percent Grade]

After today's stage I'm conflicted about the inclusion of the pave sections in the TdF. Today's stage was certainly exciting and fun to watch. In fact, it was one of the more exciting stages in recent memory.

However, it is so different from what I've come to expect from the Tour. Historically the GC at the tour has been contested in the mountains and individual time trials/ team time trials. I am well aware part of a rider's success is left to chance/luck but with the pave such things are infinitely more prevalent.

In short, it's not bad that they included it, just very different.

I've gotta say that it was damn fun watching typically coddled and protected riders jump curbs and bridge gaps on their own with efforts of complete desperation.

 

[red_flanders]

Great race today. Props to Tyler for sure.

 

[Francois the Postman]

Vaughters on Twitter: "Vino's push was smart. Alberto flatted (2kms togo), so will be given the time of Vino's group. Therefor, the faster Vino went, the better."

Vino more on the ball than all us know-it-alls here on the forum then, urging him to slow down. Man I had Giro flash-backs there.

 

[Galic Ho]

@ Galic: Klöden already had a flat just before the first real stretch of pave, never was able to get back up to the front I guess

Fair enough. I like Andreas. Use to like Levi but cannot stand him anymore. Too much of a yes man and a sook to boot. I did not see Kloden puncture. I saw everything else, most of it before Phil and Paul were even contemplating saying something about it. I was well aware the time gaps were out of whack. It wasn't till Lance was dropped that I saw one timecheck that made sense. I was watching the front group and doing a rough count in my head back to the previous groups. Considering the SBS live feed comes from the Versus crew, no shock the times were wrong...all pro Lance, until the inevitable happens and the Boss lost time. Couldn't lie or misconstrue the gaps then.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

You had me until the end. If Lance didn't puncture he would have finished in the Vino group, virtually guaranteed.

can you imagine the vitriol around here if it was one of the other leaders that got left behind with the puncture instead of the favorite whipping boy?

 

[autologous]

The gap to the front group was coming down fast at the point Armstrong punctured.

That's why I was very relieved he suffered a mechanical problem. Armstrong was the guy pushing that group along.

suffered a mechanical? As if it was something that happened TO him instead of something he CAUSED. Poor helpless Lance. Choosing a poor line is not suffering a mechanical. His inexperience in the cobbles caused him to choose a poor line, and poor bike handling meant he didn't unweight when he realised he was slamming into a potentially puncture causing obstacle . Better riders than Lance made it through just fine. Cobbles are a bike handling challenge, Lance failed.

If the roles had been reversed, there would have been a snide tweet from LA about AC's lack of experience, how it doesn't take a genius to know that you need to chose good lines through the cobbles. How AC has so much to learn.

 

[hamperium]

evans the big winner 2day
but i think contador is also in very good position
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamperium_espana/4759770166/

andy and contador will do it in the mountains
Armstrong already to far behind
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamperium_espana/4759768806/

 

[Galic Ho]

Vino more on the ball than all us know-it-alls here on the forum then, urging him to slow down. Man I had Giro flash-backs there.

Actually Vino came across the line in 3rd in the TTT. He slowed down, not all the way in the Giro but to some degree. Vino was unfairly criticized for that debacle.

What I loved was reading back over everyone's reaction here when Contador was off the back. I cannot believe people would think that Alberto Contador would pop on the third stage of a GT, especially when Vino, Menchov and Wigans are all present in his group. A flat was the obvious reason.

So I guess the time sheet will be adjusted after the race officials back up the call and AC will be 1:21 back instead of 1:41. The one rider who doesn't need an advantage. That is awesome.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

suffered a mechanical? As if it was something that happened TO him instead of something he CAUSED. Poor helpless Lance. Choosing a poor line is not suffering a mechanical. His inexperience in the cobbles caused him to choose a poor line, and poor bike handling meant he didn't unweight when he realised he was slamming into a potentially puncture causing obstacle . Better riders than Lance made it through just fine. Cobbles are a bike handling challenge, Lance failed.

If the roles had been reversed, there would have been a snide tweet from LA about AC's lack of experience, how it doesn't take a genius to know that you need to chose good lines through the cobbles. How AC has so much to learn.

roflmao.............just read your post

REALLY?

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

yeah, I think Armstrong will be a decent rider once he gets some experience (the comments on this board keep getting dumber and dumber).

Armstrong has lots of experience being the front runner with all the cards in a stacked deck. His experience dealing with adversity is significantly less (not saying he didn't have a couple of incidents in 7 TdF wins but relatively little on the whole). He's been panicking in one way or another, whether in the media or on the roads, ever since coming out of retirement.

 

[Melatonin]

suffered a mechanical? As if it was something that happened TO him instead of something he CAUSED. Poor helpless Lance. Choosing a poor line is not suffering a mechanical. His inexperience in the cobbles caused him to choose a poor line, and poor bike handling meant he didn't unweight when he realised he was slamming into a potentially puncture causing obstacle . Better riders than Lance made it through just fine. Cobbles are a bike handling challenge, Lance failed.

If the roles had been reversed, there would have been a snide tweet from LA about AC's lack of experience, how it doesn't take a genius to know that you need to chose good lines through the cobbles. How AC has so much to learn.

No, loads or riders, including AC, were using the side of the road. If you've watched racing on cobbles before you will know this.

The fact it was not LA's fault is why it was so special.

 

[hawkeye87]

suffered a mechanical? As if it was something that happened TO him instead of something he CAUSED. Poor helpless Lance. Choosing a poor line is not suffering a mechanical. His inexperience in the cobbles caused him to choose a poor line, and poor bike handling meant he didn't unweight when he realised he was slamming into a potentially puncture causing obstacle . Better riders than Lance made it through just fine. Cobbles are a bike handling challenge, Lance failed.

If the roles had been reversed, there would have been a snide tweet from LA about AC's lack of experience, how it doesn't take a genius to know that you need to chose good lines through the cobbles. How AC has so much to learn.

+1

I enjoyed the racing today (despite the productivity loss I will now have to make up at work).

 

[Anonymous]

can you imagine the vitriol around here if it was one of the other leaders that got left behind with the puncture instead of the favorite whipping boy?

None. Find a single place where I have said anything but that this would be an exciting stage. That is what it was. Sue me if I think it is funny that the fanboy mantra about Lance putting time into his rivals was thwarted.

 

[hrotha]

No, loads or riders, including AC, were using the side of the road. If you've watched racing on cobbles before you will know this.

The fact it was not LA's fault is why it was so special.

It was LA's fault, and yes, AC was doing the same. I reckon most non-specialists did the same. It comes down to luck, yes, but you can minimize the risks by doing what the specialists do. But it's harder, and not everybody is strong enough on the cobbles to do it. So it's all a mix of luck, strength, endurance and skill.

How this is ultimately different from any mountain stage ever, I do not know.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

None. Find a single place where I have said anything but that this would be an exciting stage. That is what it was. Sue me if I think it is funny that the fanboy mantra about Lance putting time into his rivals was thwarted.

I wasn't talking about you.......... I was talking about the LA haters in here full swing with arguments that are totally irrevelant.


Despite the untimely flat, LA rode with great power today. Maybe the Boss has something left in those tired legs...........

 

[oronet commander]

Contador punctured. Confirmed by Contador, International Eurosport and the pictures showing Contador crossing the line with a deflated back rear

Curiously enough, Spanish media report that Contador suffered brake problems in the last 30 km, aggravated in the last ones, not a flat. The article includes declarations by AC himself...

 

[Anonymous]

I wasn't talking about you.......... I was talking about the LA haters in here full swing with arguments that are totally irrevelant.


Despite the untimely flat, LA rode with great power today. Maybe the Boss has something left in those tired legs...........

Sorry, the post you quoted was a response to my post. I thought you were talking about me. No worries.

I don't think it is over for him at all. He is stronger this year than last. I guess the question is whether he can drop Contador, and that may be tough.

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

Vino more on the ball than all us know-it-alls here on the forum then, urging him to slow down. Man I had Giro flash-backs there.

Yes, but in future years those with short memories will once again start posturing with revisionist statements about how Vino is always riding for himself and screwing his team mates, ignoring the actual circumstances.

 

[Konfronto]

Vino

Vino wrote on Facebook: "Alberto had a problem with his wheel, spoke had dropped out 35 km before the finish line, it wasn't easy to fix the problem, hence AC could not help hardly to the group. The radio didn't work, because of the dead battery, I did not hear Alberto. I didn't leave him, everything is fine between me and him!

 

[richwagmn]

Cadel is showing excellent guts and form. He's been absolutely stellar this year.

I agree. Cadel has really found himself after his world's win. I've gained more respect for him as the season's progressed.

I'm still not sure he can hang with the best climbers but he's surprised me all year.

 

[Galic Ho]

Ok - if AC punctured in the last 3km he should be given the same time as Vino. But there are comments that his mechanical was an ongoing problem from before that.

LA drafted a BMC car - and not for very long, the comms (rightly) use their discretion when one is coming back from mechanical.

Kloden had punctured before Lance - so obviously he was out, but I was suprised that TRS had left LA alone (with just Popo close by).

I did not see or hear a thing about Kloden during the race. I only came on the thread after the stage. My apologies...good to see he is still strong. Cannot say the rest for his merry team.

When I saw Lance drop Popo, the camera moved away and then returned. He was right behind a red car after the feed returned to him. I thought is was a Shack car, but it could have been a BMC one. They do look remarkably alike and the motorbike camera moved past it abruptly so I made a simple assumption. It did look like the Race directors car was in front of that and it appeared to be telling the others to move out of the gap. Convenient for Lance? Yes. There were also other cars behind the Shack or BMC car. Probably was a BMC car there for Evans. The Shack car would obviously have stopped and thus have been behind for Lance, because he was the 1st Shack rider on the road. Either way makes little difference. Lance got a bit of a piggy back from some cars that were quite a way back to support the groups ahead. Good for him. He still road well, better than the rest of his team, excluding Andreas and Yaroslav.