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

[Scirea]

In other news, I'm a little mad at Thor Hushovd. Sure I can understand why he didn't want to take any leads, but just imagine Cancellara, Evans and Hushovd all working together ... the gap would have been at least 30 seconds bigger IMO, so that Contador would have 1 min on Andy now and 1:30 on Evans.

Everything would be much more exciting, the gaps right now - especially the one of Andy to Contador - is not really significant.

So too bad Hushovd couldn't get over his ego and help pulling on the front, because he could have still beaten Thomas.

Did you suggest that Thor should help Saxo after what happened yesterday? Are you nuts? He wouldn't win anything by leading that group. Nothing. Nada. He would lower his own chances for the stage win plus distance Andy and Evans even more from Sastre.

 

[Anonymous]

One more time, only you are talking about the danger involved.


One more time, only you are talking about danger and people dying. I'm talking about the TdF and the type of race I would like it to be vs. the type of race you would like it to be.

Of course, we're on the cyclingnews Forum so anyone who disagrees with the general consensus opinion is somehow wrong.



I agree that it was exciting. The Red Bull Flugtag is exciting as well - perhaps we could have a stage end with that? (actually, that might not be a bad idea for ATOC...)

Don't post something like that and then preach about how your point isn't about danger. Disingenuous much? Your point went from weak to absurd. Congratulations.

...thanks for promoting me to Head of Gestalt for Cyclingnews Forums. I am not sure everyone will agree that I am Mr General Consensus, but thanks for the compliment anyway...

 

[Bernardus]

So too bad Hushovd couldn't get over his ego and help pulling on the front, because he could have still beaten Thomas.

Lolwut?

Sastre is still his team's GC leader, you know.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

Yeah, I was not pleased when Hesjedal was caught with 6km to go. Everyone else from the break had been caught just after 40km to go. He did amazingly well to hold on. Ryder has had a phenomenal season. I think Saxo deserve the praise for the moves today. Evans gets lots of Kudos for moving into position at the right time and AC for bridging back a gap on his own. Lance did well when he punctured as well but he was made to work for it. That and his prologue have really been savage on his engine. Can't help but feel he might pay for it this weekend.

About Lance. I couldn't agree more. His top 3 GC hopes are pretty much over. I didn't think he could match Menchov or Evans, let alone AC or AS. Lots of work to do. I simply do not see how he gains time. Nobody will let his team send Levi or Andreas up the road. He is better off than Rogers, Basso, Samu and Sastre, but he had hopes of winning this race. That is just the way the dice roll. Can't win em all.

Sorry, I have to get back to work and can't read the whole thread so this may be addressed later, but I think all we can do is speculate as to who went really deep today and how much they will pay for it. Lance probably did. He said he also did on stage 1. Not sure if he is honest on that.

AC: Bad rear wheel? He may have gone deep. Same for AS with the cobbles in general.

Evans, maybe not quite as much?
Stay tuned!

 

[flicker]

Yes,

Vs had an opportunity to build a franchise around the TdF coverage for the future.

They have blown it by only telling the viewers the Armstrong story and by trying to demonize any other riders - especially them "furrin" ones.

The things that are said about Contador on US based forums are disgusting, especially when you consider their total knowledge comes from the slander they have been fed by Vs..

I read someone on another forum today say that " it looks like the Spanish Flea is growing into a competent rider"

He has won 4 GT's and assorted classics that Lord Armstrong would never enter and he is growing into a competent rider???

Anyone, including LeMond who trashes contador is mis-informed. Which cycling forums trash Contador? PS: It is OK for Lord Pharmstrong and Bruyneel to trash Contador as they are competetors.

 

[Dominar]

Difficult not to notice when cameras are following him 25 % of the time. PERSONALLY, I would be most interested in following Samuel Sanchez (who, by Euskaltel-standards, had a great cobble-race today ), but how do I do it if he is not picked up by cameras a single time...

I understand the frustration. I've actually been thinking that the cameras haven't been focusing on LA nearly so much this year as last (based on first 3 days - haven't seen today's TV coverage). Of course, Versus never fails to mention him whenever he does show up, but even they seemed to be trying to play up Tyler Farrar as the next great U.S. hope in the first couple of days.

 

[Christian]

Other than the fact that Saxo of course will be a strong rider short in the mountains couldn't this be an advantage? This way the Schlecks double-podium-dream is out so Andy won't, as we saw it a bit to Mount Ventoux last year, wait for Fränk...

Not really an advantage, but definitely an interesting situation. Fuglsang and C.A. Sorensen will have to step up to the plate now, they have a lot more responsibility. I do think that Fuglsang can do it, as for Sorensen we'll have to see ...

Contrary to popular belief, Andy did not wait for Fränk on Mont Ventoux last year, luckily for you I never get tired of repeating what Andy explained in a Luxembourg radio interview:

Andy asked Contador whether the two of them, clearly being the strongest, should go for it.

Contador then said that he couldn't collaborate, since he had his "team mate" Lance sitting in the back.

Andy then tried to drop Contador in the wooded part of Ventoux a couple of times, without success.

He then rightfully deduced that if he couldn't drop him in the woods, he would never be able to drop him once the vegetation stops, because there is much more wind.

Not being able to drop Contador, he would drag him to the finish line, and it was sure that Contador would not pass up a Ventoux stage victory served by Andy on a silver platter.

Hence, Andy decided to stay with the group, since it was impossible for him to drop Contador and to get a stage victory.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Anyone, including LeMond who trashes contador is mis-informed. Which cycling forums trash Contador? PS: It is OK for Lord Pharmstrong and Bruyneel to trash Contador as they are competetors.

What, like this, you mean?
http://yfrog.com/3uzb0j

 

[Anonymous]

Because, for the general viewer and casual race fan, he offers a compelling story and brings more charisma/personality to the proceedings than many other GC contenders. Admire him or hate him, you DO notice him. Contador, Evans and several other GC riders don't have that same sort of quality, IMHO. They may be excellent riders and all-around great guys, but it's too easy for the casual viewer to ignore them. I bet Versus is sweating bullets over the idea that 1/2 of their audience will disappear if they think LA is out of it.

Thanks for bolding the part I would have. Its nice to have my commentary taken care of before ever having to post.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

Don't post something like that and then preach about how your point isn't about danger. Disingenuous much? Your point went from weak to absurd. Congratulations.

...thanks for promoting me to Head of Gestalt for Cyclingnews Forums. I am not sure everyone will agree that I am Mr General Consensus, but thanks for the compliment anyway...

Please go into criminal law. they can make a tv show starring you as the defense attorney on cross examination!

 

[Dominar]

I realize I'm preaching to the choir here but maybe Versus should have cultivated more attention over the years dedicated to other riders to distribute their coverage more fairly and broadly? The reason a casual Versus viewer doesn't know much about other riders is because they've never been given much information about these other riders. Each riders has their own story and personality. They aren't mindless, emotionless automatons just because we don't know as much about them on a personal level. The viewership simply hasn't been given the the benefit of a doubt to get to learn more about them. The decision has always been made for them that they wanted 99.9% coverage of another single rider.

Actually, while that may have been true in year's past (and certainly last year!), I haven't noticed it so much this year. Versus has certainly given plenty of airtime and spotlight time to Cancellara, Cavendish, Jens Voigt, Thor H., etc., but notice that they all have big personalities.

 

[Anonymous]

And hurt Carlos Sastre's plans whatever they are?

Besides he was the best sprinter anyway. So no need to work.

Not to mention that much of the push in the front of that group was to gain time for Schlecklet. Why should Thor have worked? Yesterday, Canc didn't work so that his captain could come back. Thor didn't want to distance his leader. Good for Thor.

 

[Anonymous]

What, like this, you mean?
http://yfrog.com/3uzb0j

What is that picture all about? It could be that Armstrong was talking with Contador and the picture was taken at a point where his mouth looked like it was something that it wasn't. I cannot imagine what Armstrong would have had to yell at Contador about?

 

[Christian]

Good thing you don't let being from Luxemborg blind you.

I see you're relativaly new to the forum but please keep the tone friendly.

Lolwut?

Sastre is still his team's GC leader, you know.

Well he's currently in 48th place and he didn't really want to come to the Tour to begin with so I don't really think Thor could have lowered his chances of a top 10 spot any more.

he was the best sprinter in the group

Well that's why I said he wouldn't have lowered his chances even if he'd collaborated

All in all I guess I have to apologize cause I forgot about Sastre but in my defence ... what's he gonna do.

 

[flicker]

What, like this, you mean?
http://yfrog.com/3uzb0j

Mellow, you know that is Lances way. In competiton that is fair. I see it in baseball all the time. Lance just hasn't been told that he is a cyclist which we all know is a European sport. Eurps just don't behave that way. Just read about the Spanish Padres and Conquistadores in the Americas. Totally fair.

 

[Anonymous]

Please go into criminal law. they can make a tv show starring you as the defense attorney on cross examination!

It would have to be on HBO because I assure you that my language in real life is much more colorful. I can't get away with that here though...and probably a judge would frown upon it a bit...

 

[Barrus]

He didn't bridge from any group. He, Popo and Dumoulin were alone between those two bigger groups - one to which Lance bridged in front and one with other Shack'ers behind.

Did anyone manage to see/notice how did the group with Arkaitz Duran, Löfkvist, Kreuziger, McEwen et al. form? Did they drop from Conta/Vino/Wiggo -group or did they manage to ride away from Cavendish/Petacchi -group later? Before or after Lance joined?

I think that due to the crash of one of the Lotto guys a split came in the Conta group, I think that was the way that group formed

 

[red_flanders]

What, like this, you mean?
http://yfrog.com/3uzb0j

Allow me. What an absolute freaking douchebag.

 

[flicker]

What is that picture all about? It could be that Armstrong was talking with Contador and the picture was taken at a point where his mouth looked like it was something that it wasn't. I cannot imagine what Armstrong would have had to yell at Contador about?

It was the question in Spanish to Contador, Adonde esta la frontera de Francia? Necesito usar el bano ahora.

 

[Anonymous]

Anyone, including LeMond who trashes contador is mis-informed. Which cycling forums trash Contador? PS: It is OK for Lord Pharmstrong and Bruyneel to trash Contador as they are competetors.

Most of the posters and certainly the Mod over at this place do .......

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

 

[flicker]

Most of the posters and certainly the Mod over at this place do .......

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

I guess it is even because this is for the most part a Lance hating forum

 

[Cobblestones]

Actually, while that may have been true in year's past (and certainly last year!), I haven't noticed it so much this year. Versus has certainly given plenty of airtime and spotlight time to Cancellara, Cavendish, Jens Voigt, Thor H., etc., but notice that they all have big personalities.

That is true. It's a lot of Armstrong and Shack, but they sometimes mention other riders (in particular those which can speak English).

Now here's a thought for versus: why not take a guy with them who actually speaks Spanish. It shouldn't be so hard to find a semi-decent Latino sports reporter who could be taught a bit of cycling. Maybe someone who also understands a bit of French or Italian. It would be so great to be able to interview so many other riders. Also, maybe it would open up a whole new section of viewers (for instance with Latino background). I know that cycling in the US is mostly a sport of affluent suburban white people. But still, it would be worth a try. VS sent Trautwig and Kirtin Gumm over there not so long time ago. It can't be worse than that.

 

[Cobblestones]

Allow me. What an absolute freaking douchebag.

Hah, this absolutely, definitely has to go in the 'Caption this?' thread. I foresee years of fun and hilarity...

 

[scribe]

Contador looks like a battered wife.

 

[Anonymous]

Most of the posters and certainly the Mod over at this place do .......

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

Wow, those guys have SIX WHOLE PAGES of commentary for the stage. I would think that someone there would realize that having a taintstain of a moderator banning anyone who praises Lemond or criticizes Armstrong is bad business. Literally.