Tour de France Stage 7: Tournus - Station des Rousses 165.5km

[Ryaguas]

So you are suggesting that if Vino attacks tomorrow it means that he is selfish? That won't mean that he "attacks" AC. Having two cards to play is certainly not a bad strategy for Astana. Someone except Vino (i.e. DDLF or Hernandez) will still be with Conta on the final climb so I don't think that AC will be isolated.

Personally, I don't expect anything from Cunego. Clean riders cannot win nowadays

Monday is a rest day

about the monday uffff yes you are right I didn't remember

About Cunego... for that comment I will put you in my friend list!!!!!!!! uffff Nobody can say a thing about Il Principe he is so clean as the virgin mary a$$!

mmm about Vino well... that could be an strategy sending Vino at charge but I'm pretty sure that is not going to happen... This is a team around El Pistolero, sending Vino to attack is not a good strategy with the sunday's stage harder than tomorrow...

 

[Thee_chisa]

about the monday uffff yes you are right I didn't remember

About Cunego... for that comment I will put you in my friend list!!!!!!!! uffff Nobody can say a thing about Il Principe he is so clean as the virgin mary a$$!

mmm about Vino well... that could be an strategy sending Vino at charge but I'm pretty sure that is not going to happen... This is a team around El Pistolero, sending Vino to attack is not a good strategy with the sunday's stage harder than tomorrow...

and he'll be with sky next year who will be totally focusing on him for the giro, maybe a new team and a new approach will bring the best out of damiano. i hope so, i have always liked him as a rider

vino won't be sent to attack, he just will. it is his way

 

[Barrus]

and he'll be with sky next year who will be totally focusing on him for the giro, maybe a new team and a new approach will bring the best out of damiano. i hope so, i have always liked him as a rider

vino won't be sent to attack, he just will. it is his way

I think he will be granted one or two stages where he can attack like crazy, just so that he remains in line the rest of the tour. However I do not think he'll attack without the blessing of Contador. But tomorrow might well be one of those instances. bertie won't need to much help here and Vino can ensure that other teams burn a lot of energy chasing after Vino

 

[2wheels]

Feels like that part of the Tour where a French rider-- Moreau as a last hurrah (like on that Ballon d'Alsace stage a few years back), Voeckler (another déja vu), or especially Pineau (because he wants easy mountain points)-- might get in an early break and take the stage. Who's gonna chase any of those guys in a break? Not the sprinter's teams; not the GC teams. Other good possibilities are guys like Sioutsou, Millar, Zabriskie, Gerdemann, and maybe even Boasson Hagen. If Saxo are smart they'll let Voigt have a go; he's salivating over this stage, and by sticking him in a break Saxo forces other teams to do the chasing. I suppose they could save him and send either Fuglsang or Chris Anker Sorensen with a break-- but nobody lights up an escape group like Voigt. Bjarne could use the publicity about now. . .

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Tomorrow will be between Sammy Sanchez and Cunego, I think.

I really hope Cunego takes this.

 

[Cerberus]

Feels like that part of the Tour where a French rider-- Moreau as a last hurrah (like on that Ballon d'Alsace stage a few years back), Voeckler (another déja vu), or especially Pineau (because he wants easy mountain points)-- might get in an early break and take the stage. Who's gonna chase any of those guys in a break? Not the sprinter's teams; not the GC teams. Other good possibilities are guys like Sioutsou, Millar, Zabriskie, Gerdemann, and maybe even Boasson Hagen. If Saxo are smart they'll let Voigt have a go; he's salivating over this stage, and by sticking him in a break Saxo forces other teams to do the chasing. I suppose they could save him and send either Fuglsang or Chris Anker Sorensen with a break-- but nobody lights up an escape group like Voigt. Bjarne could use the publicity about now. . .

It would be nice, to see Saxo Bank attack, would probably have to be Jens or Chris Anker though. I don't think Fuglsang will be allowed into a break . He probably couldn't defend a small lead against the real podium contenders, but he's sufficiently talented and enough of an unknown that I don't think the other teams would want to risk it.

 

[Sophistic]

I'm really looking forward to this one, the climbs might be moderate-easy but the constant up and down reduces the draft advantage enough to make it a tough stage. If Armstrong feels good, it would be foolish to not give Brajkovic or Klöden the green light and let the other gc favs do some work 24hs before the mountain top finish at Avoriaz. Don't know about Vino or Fuglsang, they might be the only real supporters for their captains in the mountains so it would be a gamble to let them go.

 

[Barrus]

Does anyone think Taaramae might do something tomorrow to attempt to get the polka dot, as during an earlier escape he attempted to get as much of the mountain points as possible and tommorow seems to be a good day for him to get some points

 

[therhodeo]

Matthew Lloyd possibly in the break?

 

[2wheels]

I'm really looking forward to this one, the climbs might be moderate-easy but the constant up and down reduces the draft advantage enough to make it a tough stage.

Also tough because the first hour or so is likely to be 50K of constant attacks, until an "acceptable" group is allowed up the road. Maybe even one of those nightmare stages where 25 guys go and nobody wants to chase, like at the Giro this spring when Porte and Sastre gained the 12 minutes. That would liven things up!

 

[Ryaguas]

Does anyone think Taaramae might do something tomorrow to attempt to get the polka dot, as during an earlier escape he attempted to get as much of the mountain points as possible and tommorow seems to be a good day for him to get some points

Well I have him in my list of Darkhorses... He is going for the Polka and for the stage... but Cunego will screw his party winning the stage =D

 

[Magnus]

Roche as somebody mentioned could be a possibility(allthough I belive I read somewhere that he'll focus on GC this year )

I hope to see Hesjedal take a stage-win after his performance on the cobbles. This could be a good day for him if he's 'allowed' in a break.

 

[hamperium]

lets hope rabobank will do a good job
I think Gesink will have good changes tomorrow
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamperium_espana/4759117531/

lets see what happens
cu tomorow

 

[Barrus]

lets hope rabobank will do a good job
I think Gesink will have good changes tomorrow

lets see what happens
cu tomorow

*** edited by mod ***

 

[dreads]

It would be great to see an early attack by one of the GC contenders. Not many flats between climbs to survive.

Looks like a stage Evans could win. Probably wishful thinking, but if he can get a bit more time on some rivals here he will be in a great position.

 

[La Vie Claire]

really f*ck of with your links, really every post I see from you with a link I'll report

English please.

 

[Dedelou]

vino, can't help himself

Am I the only one who think Astana plans for this year Tour De France includes AC and Vino on the podium in Paris? With AC pretty confident he has the weapons to win in all the hard terrains ahead, (mountain and ITT) I can see Astana using any stage the can to give vino a chance to take times on the others. That would makes Vino , not AC , the true competitor to Lance, Andy, Ivan, Cadel and a few others and Alberto his king maker. What a sweet revenge on behalf of a team that was used against him twice.

 

[Aguirre]

Luis León Sanchez can win, I also predict EBH could hang on the climb and win the stage

Taramae has also this stage in mind.

 

[Cerberus]

Am I the only one who think Astana plans for this year Tour De France includes AC and Vino on the podium in Paris? With AC pretty confident he has the weapons to win in all the hard terrains ahead, (mountain and ITT) I can see Astana using any stage the can to give vino a chance to take times on the others. That would makes Vino , not AC , the true competitor to Lance, Andy, Ivan, Cadel and a few others and Alberto his king maker. What a sweet revenge on behalf of a team that was used against him twice.

I'm sure they would like that, but I doubt Vino is up to the task. Vino is getting fairly old, and even in his prime he only podium once IIRC. I won't eat my hat if he manages it, but I think it's a longshot.

 

[Ryaguas]

Am I the only one who think Astana plans for this year Tour De France includes AC and Vino on the podium in Paris? With AC pretty confident he has the weapons to win in all the hard terrains ahead, (mountain and ITT) I can see Astana using any stage the can to give vino a chance to take times on the others. That would makes Vino , not AC , the true competitor to Lance, Andy, Ivan, Cadel and a few others and Alberto his king maker. What a sweet revenge on behalf of a team that was used against him twice.

Of course you are not alone in the way... but Vino is going to gain time against others only when El Pistolero is safe and in the highest place of the GC with 2 or 4 min ahead Andy, Cadel or Basso... but I'm sure that Vino will try to make podium in this tour... He did it great in Il Giro... Go Vino!!!!

 

[mcm777]

Gonna get good, but not yet.....

I don't think anything major will happen in this stage. Its not that selective and we have a long race ahead of us! We might see a a small selection at the very end for small amounts of time, but no major fireworks yet. I bet Cadel is in yellow as he is in the perfect spot going into this stage. There could be un upset from a "NON GC" contender, but nothing the favorites can't deal with. I'm really curious what LA and Basso will be able to bring to the table! Not that they are going to stomp on people like they use to, but kinda interesting considering their overall greatness in the past years and their comeback. Regardless, its going to get good ladies and gentleman!

 

[python]

I'm really looking forward to this one, the climbs might be moderate-easy but the constant up and down reduces the draft advantage enough to make it a tough stage. If Armstrong feels good, it would be foolish to not give Brajkovic or Klöden the green light and let the other gc favs do some work 24hs before the mountain top finish at Avoriaz. Don't know about Vino or Fuglsang, they might be the only real supporters for their captains in the mountains so it would be a gamble to let them go.

finally a post mentioning the shack.

i do think they'll try to animate the race. they have to but i have no idea how. perhaps sending someone in a breakaway and later having ago with braj or kloeden when the the selected group is sorted out.

i dont think vino will set fireworks tomorrow though i agree the stage fits him.

 

[Ryaguas]

finally a post mentioning the shack.

i do think they'll try to animate the race. they have to but i have no idea how. perhaps sending someone in a breakaway and later having ago with braj or kloeden when the the selected group is sorted out.

i dont think vino will set fireworks tomorrow though i agree the stage fits him.

Jani and Kloeden are nothing if you see other names like Kreuziger - Szmyd, Tamkink - Gesink those are real climbers... If The Shack attacks they are going to fail BIG... but they have to... so tomorrow and the day after we will see if The Shack have it or not...

 

[Ninety5rpm]

Lance is not a GC contender. He's not even a podium contender. That will be clear after this weekend. He'll be hard-pressed to keep up with Cadel Evans in the next two stages, and I certainly don't expect Evans to dominate. Unless somebody else on the RS team steps up and gives LA a rider to support, it will be almost impossible for him to maintain his morale - last year even though he knew Contador was stronger, he had to fight for the podium and to maintain the integrity of the team. This year will be much harder. Being dissed for the Vuelta is, IMO, a much more serious blow than any Landis allegations.

Prediction: Lance will fade bit by bit, then blow badly one day, and likely won't finish.

P.S. I'm not one of the Lance haters.

Just curious as to what is the basis for this, especially considering LA's tour de suisse performance.

 

[ferryman]

I've posted similar on another thread but if I was Johan/Lance I would be using Jani as a Joker both Saturday and Sunday. Test legs, get up the road if possible. Make Astana and Saxo work.