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

[Dr. Maserati]

+1 That's the critical thing here, IMHO. I don't have a TV feed, so just going by the postings here, but it sounds like LA rode as well as the other GC contenders, except Evans and Wiggins, and got dropped only because of a puncture. If that's right, then a neutral observer might say that he could gain back a good part of that time over the next two weeks with a few favorable breaks. However, because he had to go so hard on his own today, will he be able to take advantage of those breaks like he might have had he had more team help?

On a different note, was surprised by the degree to which Andy S seems to have recovered from yesterday, unless he wasn't hurt as badly as we thought.

No - there are no real stages left to make a selection, and the bunch will not allow LA get in a break.

As for today - a split was caused by F Schleck and LA was ahead (time gap was saying 40s to AC) but suddenly AC was back in LA group when LA punctured (while riding in the gutter!)
LA had no-one around him but Popo arrived pretty quick - LA did work hard and on his own for a while, but everyone was working hard and going full gas so it equals out.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Calm down, calm down. Great stage to watch, but still a Paris-Roubaix light compared to most years on the real cobbles. These were the easier ones too!

Yes, but in this version of PR you get to care about people in 46th place too.

 

[Thee_chisa]

i thought that was an excellent stage, good on andy schleck for staying up there.

sorted the men from the boys

 

[Bumeington]

We'll see. Go the Dutch in the Soccer. Where was gesink?


Yes, but I don't want to be an arrogant *** and boast about it. Trust me, do not ever underestimate the man from barwon Heads. He is a class act and will conted for victory. AC still the fav.

Ha! Arrogance would be Evans boasting about it, it has nothing to do with you

 

[Beech Mtn]

Chavanel only had to change bikes something like 3 times. Lots of bad luck that helped take him out of yellow.

 

[Delicato]

So, does Contador now has every obstacle removed to win the Tour? I mean, there will be only mountains now.

 

[Anonymous]

Calm down, calm down. Great stage to watch, but still a Paris-Roubaix light compared to most years on the real cobbles. These were the easier ones too!

Exactly, it isn't like they included Trouée d'Arenberg or Le Carrefour de l'Arbre. There was one long section today and rest were pretty tame.

 

[Thee_chisa]

if you fall on a mountain descent it's your bike handling skills.

if you get a puncture on the cobbles it's because the cobbles cause punctures.

I'd rather have bike handling skills impact the race than road surface. Perhaps next year's ATOC can have a stage through some single-track.

or riding in the wrong place - you are more likely to get a puncture on the verges where the weaker riders were riding - this was said live on tv by backstead.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

What happened today just opened up a world of possibilities for some very strong GC guys. That cannot be discounted. This was a great stage that is going to make for a great TdF.

Lance Armstrong is toast now. No way to podium unless he pops off something very special in the ITT.

It's notable how many people said he would top 10 and that appears to be a possibility, but I would be pleased if he doesn't end up in the top 100.

 

[Beech Mtn]

if you fall on a mountain descent it's your bike handling skills.

if you get a puncture on the cobbles it's because the cobbles cause punctures.

I'd rather have bike handling skills impact the race than road surface. Perhaps next year's ATOC can have a stage through some single-track.

That actually would be an improvement. This year's AToC was dismally boring.

Good ride by Evans to stay up front in safe positions and hang with strong men like Canc and Thor. Evans proves yet again he doesn't need much of a team in order to do well. It has turned the Curse of the Rainbow Jersey on its head by giving the jersey to an Aussie.

 

[Thee_chisa]

good on geraint thomas today too, best young rider!

 

[Tangled Tango]

Calm down, calm down. Great stage to watch, but still a Paris-Roubaix light compared to most years on the real cobbles. These were the easier ones too!

Sure, but this was the third day in a row of hard racing followed by another 17. That ain´t easy or light in anyone´s book.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

So, does Contador now has every obstacle removed to win the Tour? I mean, there will be only mountains now.

I hadn't realized mountains were an obstacle for him!

 

[Anonymous]

if you fall on a mountain descent it's your bike handling skills.

if you get a puncture on the cobbles it's because the cobbles cause punctures.

I'd rather have bike handling skills impact the race than road surface. Perhaps next year's ATOC can have a stage through some single-track.

Really, tell that to Jens. I think you might want to go look at the video.

 

[Thee_chisa]

That actually would be an improvement. This year's AToC was dismally boring.

Good ride by Evans to stay up front in safe positions and hang with strong men like Canc and Thor. Evans proves yet again he doesn't need much of a team in order to do well. It has turned the Curse of the Rainbow Jersey on its head by giving the jersey to an Aussie.

good job, his team is shit (again)

 

[auscyclefan94]

Am i getting ignored by everyone?

 

[Beech Mtn]

Yes, but in this version of PR you get to care about people in 46th place too.

+1. Good point. That's what made this so freaking exciting - everything mattered. GC, green jersey, stage win, getting through safely. Everything mattered.

 

[Thee_chisa]

Am i getting ignored by everyone?

nah, i thought cadel did well, wonder how he will go in the hills though

 

[auscyclefan94]

good job, his team is shit (again)

not too bad.

LA's comments

Well, that's the way the ball bounces. Bad luck indeed. Keep my head up and move on.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Am i getting ignored by everyone?

Who is this? (hahahaha)

 

[ak-zaaf]

Am i getting ignored by everyone?

I wouldn't be surprised if you reach that point

 

[eleven]

or riding in the wrong place - you are more likely to get a puncture on the verges where the weaker riders were riding - this was said live on tv by backstead.

I'm not sure where Backstead gets that idea, but it's clear if you actually look at the Pave that there are significant ridges / rocks protruding in the middle.

 

[Thee_chisa]

not too bad.

LA's comments

lance is a bitter old man

 

[khardung la]

From the tour rules:

"In the event that a rider or riders suffer a
fall, puncture or mechanical incident in
the last 3 kilometres and such an incident
is duly recognised, the rider or riders involved
are credited with the same finishing
time of the rider or riders they were with at
the time of the incident. They are attributed
this ranking only upon crossing the finish
line. If after a fall, it is impossible for a rider
to cross the finish line, he is given the ranking
of last in the stage."

That would leave Contador and Andy with pretty much the same time. I think it would be nice if someone could inform on this matter, it is probably quite important for the next stages and the strategies in the Alps.

 

[eleven]

Really, tell that to Jens. I think you might want to go look at the video.

Huh? Did Jens crash on a descent because of a mechanical?