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

[Melatonin]

Great stage. When there are no cobbles people complain that first week lacks action. When there are cobbles people complain that GC guys are eliminated.
The race is very open before the mountains; actually it is more open in comparison to 2009 when a lot of contenders were destroyed in TTT.
It was interesting that Vino didn't wait for AC at the end. It was said yesterday in Russian Eurosport that Vino will have a freedom to attack if he felt good.

Do you think it got a lot more open today? The rest of the favourites had to put at least a minute into AC today or winning the tour is over.

I think it will now be a race for the podium. That's what we want, isn't it?

 

[kjetilraknerud]

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."

 

[Francois the Postman]

Menchov is looking great

Yeah, it was hard to get an idea how he was shaping up with the bronchitis that plagued him earlier this year. but I'm starting to hope that between him and Gesink, Rabo will play a chunky role in making this year's Tour genuinely worth watching. Maybe they will become greater animators in the mountains than the more isolated team leaders can accomplish (Andy, Evans). I think we need Menchov fit and Gesink by his side, if we want to see some genuine racing in the mountains that challanges Contador, to be honest. It will need many feet.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, sorry about the Armstrong squabble. Great ride by Thor, Cuddles, and Andy (even though he whined about the stage). Contador did a decent ride, and Armstrong lost some time, but is far from out of it. This just means things will be interesting in the mountains because right now Cuddles and Andy have to be dropped. Cuddles will be dropped, but Andy is in a pretty good spot.

 

[Melatonin]

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

Lucky he did not need to stop for a wheel change. Then he would have lost real time.

That's probably why there was some confusion over if he punctured.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

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

And beloki, too.

 

[Ten Percent Grade]

No, AC was back in the group and had bridged himself. You obviously were watching a Michelob commercial thinking it was the race. Armstrong punctured and that is part of the game. I was not wishing for it and would love to see a battle for the lead. However, the narrative to this point has been about how much time The Uniballer would put into his rivals on this stage because of his extensive experience with cobbles and how much better he would be on them. Fact is, that didn't happen. Fact is, Contador rode more strongly.

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

 

[Melatonin]

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

No, he probably would have attacked and made the front group. He looked really strong today when he bridged the gap by himself.

That's why it is so great he punctured.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, one last thing on the Armstrong topic. Why does HE have to be there for the race to be interesting. If he were not riding, there would still be a good battle for the Tour after today. The assumption is that Armstrong is the likely challenger, but I would suggest that those who think that and Bob Roll are being optimistic.

 

[Anonymous]

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

Okay, that is true. I went a little over with the hateraid.

 

[Anonymous]

No, he probably would have attacked and made the front group. He looked really strong today when he bridged the gap by himself.

That's why it is so great he punctured.

Okay, BPC is back. Ignore and report.

 

[Melatonin]

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.

 

[red_flanders]

No what makes it worse is they were about to connect with the Cancellara group. AC's group still had not bridged the gap, even though AC was also riding in the mud.

I was delighted when Armstrong punctured. I think this is the best way he can be beaten - through bad luck rather than a straight cycling fight.

I was dancing around the room when I saw it happen. I love cycling.

Last year's Tour clearly shows otherwise.

 

[Cobblestones]

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."

If that pans out (and I don't doubt it), AC is only 1" behind Hushovd and 11" behind the Schlecklet.

So with Cance back in yellow, will Saxo spend energy to defend it in the next few days? Bertie has Evans and Andy in front, but only by few seconds. It'll be up to him to decide when to take yellow.

 

[Carl0880]

Lance: Looked very very strong but suffered due to bad luck. However! Did any one notice he was isolated very unlike when he was in his prime? Back then he was usually protected. Looked incredibly strong but Popovich as an exception, he was on his one.

G. Thomas: What a prospect! He's going to be huge.

Evans: Wow, didn't expect him to sit with the experts/specialists and obviously, being very tactical shrewd started to pull.

Andy S: THE surprise of the day.

Chavanel: That lad deserved better, he did fantastically but was very unlucky. Such a shame for a very good rider, he should have retained the maillot jaune for a few more days.

Jens Voigt: He can really hurt people when he go on one of his maniac crusades.

Breschel: What a talent he is, Riis pinpointed him as one of the best in the World riding the cobbles, and he did his job very well before Cancellara took over.

Contador: His rear tire punctured end of discussion. He did however have some problems before that, but was strangely on his own for the majority of the race?!?

Vino: He's definitely back!

Edit: I forgot about Thor, how could I? he' clearly in superb form and also showed that yesterday. Special mention also for Cavendish who was sitting with the best for quite a while.

the front 6 riders were either cobble specialist or gc players in their prime, Hesjadal who is in his prime, and a 23 (24 maybe?) yo Thomas iwth them. I dont care how little he worked in that group, the fact he was there was amazing.

All riders that finished it was a good day. Especially since many of them were nursing injuries from yesterday.

I think any doubt about Vino working for Contador shoulds have been put to rest. In the last 20 km, Contador's group only lost 15 seconds to the Cancellara group, and in reality this was more Vino vs Spartacus one on one for most of those 20km. If vino only lost 15 seconds to Spartacus, Contador is looking like he now has the top mtn domestique with F Schleck gone. Hopefully they have the team unity that it appears on the outside they have.

 

[Melatonin]

Okay, BPC is back. Ignore and report.

Is that aimed at me? I thought only cowards ignore people.

 

[DamonAlbarn]

In my humble opinion as a notorious Lance basher:

I thought he was immense today! He rode to the sides instead of on top like the specialists (o'grady, Breschel etc), but he was very strong indeed and would have really hurt some of the GC riders bar Andy Schleck and Evans.

 

[Melatonin]

Last year's Tour clearly shows otherwise.

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.

That's why it's great to see LA getting a flat at the worst time possible.

 

[Galic Ho]

Pretty much somes up my thoughts but I am very excited!

I am as well. Cadel is in an awesome position. Looks like he may once again wear the Maillot Jaune. Don't think he can win but he looks like he can pull the jersey on after Saturdays stage. Two leaders jerseys in two consecutive GT's whilst wearing the WC jersey is a rare sight.

I was going to say I thought you might need new pants after watching the finish. However I checked all the comments and about 20 pages back you said as much.

I also feel sorry for Chavanel. Lance did well with his situation but I sense he was riding too close to the team car. Weird how last year Levi and Kloden were stronger than Lance but this year I think it is very clear. He is in slightly better form.

Mick Rogers is still up high. The Aussie commentators on SBS were talking him up a bit. I think he can drag up a finish near 10th but he cannot be caught out again like today. He simply isn't strong enough all round to do make mistakes.

Any Aussies note how bad Tomalaris rant over Vino was? Man, Mike has some hatred for Vino and Astana. But it's not like I didn't know Tomo was a douchebag before I tuned in. Lance fans looking to stick the boot in at any opportunity.

 

[Big GMaC]

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."

Vino4eva. and eva

 

[Melatonin]

If that pans out (and I don't doubt it), AC is only 1" behind Hushovd and 11" behind the Schlecklet.

So with Cance back in yellow, will Saxo spend energy to defend it in the next few days? Bertie has Evans and Andy in front, but only by few seconds. It'll be up to him to decide when to take yellow.

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.

 

[DamonAlbarn]

Very good points Carl

the front 6 riders were either cobble specialist or gc players in their prime, Hesjadal who is in his prime, and a 23 (24 maybe?) yo Thomas iwth them. I dont care how little he worked in that group, the fact he was there was amazing.

All riders that finished it was a good day. Especially since many of them were nursing injuries from yesterday.

I think any doubt about Vino working for Contador shoulds have been put to rest. In the last 20 km, Contador's group only lost 15 seconds to the Cancellara group, and in reality this was more Vino vs Spartacus one on one for most of those 20km. If vino only lost 15 seconds to Spartacus, Contador is looking like he now has the top mtn domestique with F Schleck gone. Hopefully they have the team unity that it appears on the outside they have.

Agree entirely

 

[Ferminal]

Any Aussies note how bad Tomalaris rant over Vino was? Man, Mike has some hatred for Vino and Astana. But it's not like I didn't know Tomo was a douchebag before I tuned in. Lance fans looking to stick the boot in at any opportunity.

Indeed, horrible.

 

[Konfronto]

Info from Vino

Vino has sent a message to one of the members of astanafans.com, where he indicates that Contador had lost one spoke of the wheel 35 km before the finish line,hence he could not help at the full scale to the group. Also, the was a problem with the radio, the battery was dead.

 

[Cobblestones]

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.

Who's that Armstrong dude you're blathering about?