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TdF, lets talk about what happened

ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
It was a good stage, I was bummed Danny Pate didn't have enough to pull the win. CSC is the team to beat and Andy did an amazing ride to help his brother gain yellow. Is Frank good enough in the TT to hold off Cadel? Isn't there only one more TT? Kohl had an impressive ride as well......CSC is strong enough, and Lotto weak enough, that I could see Cadel losing the Tour

<edit> It looks like Frank conceded about 1:45, and Kohl 1 minute, to Cadel in the first TT......if anyone is going to beat Cadel they are going to need to gain time this week
 
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JRogers

talks too much
Mar 19, 2002
3,785
1
Claremont, CA
<edit> It looks like Frank conceded about 1:45, and Kohl 1 minute, to Cadel in the first TT......if anyone is going to beat Cadel they are going to need to gain time this week
That's what I was thinking. Schleck is good, but not powerful enough (I mean, just look at the guy...) to come close to Evans in a normal TT. I think the next TT is longer than the first one too. I'd prefer him to take it over Evans, but I'm not sure it's gonna happen. I guess CSC is still hoping to hammer the other contenders at d'Huez.

As a side note, it sounds like Pereiro had a nasty crash- hit a barrier on the descent, flipped over it and landed down on the road below it.
 

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
As a side note, it sounds like Pereiro had a nasty crash- hit a barrier on the descent, flipped over it and landed down on the road below it.

:shocked: He went over the rail at the top and landed on the road below.




Cadel needs to calm down and quit trying to close every gap if he plans to win. He doesn't have the explosive burst of the 'pure' climbers. He also played into their hands by going with the accelerations and then sitting up.
 

DRB

unemployed bum
Oct 24, 2002
15,242
0
Watchin' you. Writing it all down.
I'm still hopeful that Vandevelde has it in him to stay strong. I didn't like seeing him all alone today, but didn't see the whole stage to see how it all played out either.
He needs to sack up. He starts to go with the attacks but then shuts it down. It appeared that he could've gone with Menchov BUT elected to stay with Evans until Evans cracked and he sorta just rode away.

Quit being a pvssy.
 

Westy

the teste
Nov 22, 2002
54,225
20,003
Sleazattle
He needs to sack up. He starts to go with the attacks but then shuts it down. It appeared that he could've gone with Menchov BUT elected to stay with Evans until Evans cracked and he sorta just rode away.

Quit being a pvssy.
CVV seems to have the mindset at the end of the stage "holy sh1t, I'm up near the front. Holy sh1t, I still have legs. Maybe I should go faster". I think he sees himself killing it on the TT.

I don't think the climbers will be able to get enough time in mountains to keep their standings after the TT.

At this point my money is on Menchov in Paris. I'd love to see CVV bag the third spot.
 

jaydee

Monkey
Jul 5, 2001
794
0
Victoria BC
Cadel can show up at the TT at least 2 1/2 minutes down to Schleck and a little less to Kohl and still bring home the bacon. Remember this TT is a lot longer than the first one. He'd need to be just about even with CVV, but it will be hard for Christian to make up the time he's down now. Menchov is still the dangerous unknown. I'm predicting Cadel in Paris by several seconds.
 

ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
The coming days will be interesting, I suspect the GC contenders are going to be attacking a lot to try and break Cadel. He has a big target on his back and a weak team to defend him
 

MMcG

Ride till you puke!
Dec 10, 2002
15,457
12
Burlington, Connecticut
Other than CSC, do any of the GC contenders have really strong teams to help them in the mountains?

Of the climbing stages I've seen it always seems as though Evans, Menchov, Vandevelde, and some of the others (aside from Schleck) are pretty much on their own.

Pate was out in front yesterday, but there were really no other Garmin Chipotle riders around to help Vandevelde were there? And Evan's team - is pretty weak eh? Maybe Menchov really doesn't need team help anyway??

Anyone want to shed some light for me?
 

ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
Vandeveld was on his own, as was Menchov and Evans, on the last climb. Evans main helper, Popo, was dropped pretty early on.....he definitely isn't helping Evans like he did Armstrong. I bet we will see similar tactics by CSC in the coming days as they attack to try and break the other GC contenders……the climbers have to make time if they want to win
 

Squeak

Get your pork here.
Sep 26, 2001
1,546
0
COlo style
Vandeveld was on his own, as was Menchov and Evans, on the last climb. Evans main helper, Popo, was dropped pretty early on.....he definitely isn't helping Evans like he did Armstrong. I bet we will see similar tactics by CSC in the coming days as they attack to try and break the other GC contenders……the climbers have to make time if they want to win
CSC has put in some big efforts team wise the past few days. I wonder if they can keep it up? They have the best team overall, most balance. I cant wait for L'Alpe d'Huez!
 

maddog17

Turbo Monkey
Jan 20, 2008
2,815
105
Methuen, Mass. U.S.A.
too bad about Periero, looks like Floyd had a friend out there!! sorry but i couldn't pass that one up!!

i think Alpe d'Huez will be the stage to end the race. with the bunch that are in contention to win it, it will be a hell of a stage. i'd look for Valverde to try something, maybe a last ditch effort to get back into contention. you look at the top 6, and there could be some interesting things happening. if they all stay close to one another, then the TT will be the closer. i think CVV can pull himself back into a podium spot and Evans could get the win. but AdH will be the stage to decide that. the next day i think most of the contenders will be staying close to one another and really not putting much of an effort into the stage unless someone tries something that could threaten any of the top 6. so boys, Wed and Fri will be the 2 days to watch.

i can't remember a more interesting TdF. i hope they keep the no points system they're using this year, this is what's keeping it interesting
 

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
Tomorrows stage could be intersting depending on how the final selection goes on the last climb. A couple guys going over first with a small lead could put some time in on the rest.

Plus Frank doesn't go downhill very well.
 

jaydee

Monkey
Jul 5, 2001
794
0
Victoria BC
Tomorrows stage could be intersting depending on how the final selection goes on the last climb. A couple guys going over first with a small lead could put some time in on the rest.

Plus Frank doesn't go downhill very well.
I'd say he went downhill very well; he lost about 30' of altitude there way faster than the other guy. The Pereiro approach to descending just needs some of the bugs worked out, like what to do when you find yourself without your bike.
 

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
Tomorrows stage could be intersting depending on how the final selection goes on the last climb. A couple guys going over first with a small lead could put some time in on the rest.

Well, that was interesting and holy cow that poor Barloworld rider on the descent. Good thing he didn't get hurt bad.:shocked:
 

loco-gringo

Crusading Clamp Monkey
Sep 27, 2006
8,887
14
Deep in the heart of TEXAS
Yup - it's gonna be Cadel.

# 1.SCHLECK F. CSC 68h 30' 16"
# 2.KOHL B. GST 00' 07"
# 3.EVANS C. SIL 00' 08"
# 4.SASTRE C. CSC 00' 49"
# 5.MENCHOV D. RAB 01' 13"
# 6.VANDEVELDE C. TSL 03' 15"
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
Holy crap that was a brutal climb, I could not believe how long and how high it went. The tempo set by CSC was ridiculous, and those steep pitches near the top - damn. Tomorrow is going to be friggin epic, and all about who can recover from today.

I have to say I don't really understand the thinking behind the downhill finishes, its seems unnecessarily dangerous and unfair to the pure climbers, who deserve their days as much as the TT specialists. It's exciting to watch the descents but I much prefer the summit finishes.
 

ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
I have to say I don't really understand the thinking behind the downhill finishes, its seems unnecessarily dangerous and unfair to the pure climbers, who deserve their days as much as the TT specialists. It's exciting to watch the descents but I much prefer the summit finishes.
How is a downhill finish unfair to the climbers? Pantani used to kill everyone up the hill and then down....its unfair to the people who suck at going dowhill :)
 

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
I have to say I don't really understand the thinking behind the downhill finishes, its seems unnecessarily dangerous and unfair to the pure climbers, who deserve their days as much as the TT specialists. It's exciting to watch the descents but I much prefer the summit finishes.
There are four summit finishes in this years race.

stage 6 - Aigurande - Super-Besse
stage 10 - Pau - Hautacam
stage 15 - Embrun - Prato Nevoso
stage 17 - Embrun - L'Alpe-d'Huez
 
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Cant Climb

Turbo Monkey
May 9, 2004
2,683
10
I'm pretty sure that some towns, places PAY for a stage finish......logisitcs again.....
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
How is a downhill finish unfair to the climbers? Pantani used to kill everyone up the hill and then down....its unfair to the people who suck at going dowhill :)
I agree with your point, to an extent, but personally I would not use Pantani as an example - to me he's actually a good example of someone who took unnecessary risks.

Being a great descender is important and it makes for exciting racing, but that excitement comes from the danger and risk, which to me is not what the climbing stages are about (or road racing at all, really, at least not as compared to DH, etc.). I dunno, I think I just prefer the summit finishes. Maybe I'm just bummed that VDV lost so much time today after crashing on that descent, but it seemed senseless to me.
 

ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
I agree with your point, to an extent, but personally I would not use Pantani as an example - to me he's actually a good example of someone who took unnecessary risks.

Being a great descender is important and it makes for exciting racing, but that excitement comes from the danger and risk, which to me is not what the climbing stages are about (or road racing at all, really, at least not as compared to DH, etc.). I dunno, I think I just prefer the summit finishes. Maybe I'm just bummed that VDV lost so much time today after crashing on that descent, but it seemed senseless to me.
I agree, I like summit finished better as well. Remember last year when the young High Road rider won that stage on the descent and had the leaders jersey for a day? That was an impressive descent, he was sprinting as hard as he could out of every corner and using the entire road. It was dangerous, but still impressive to watch
 

ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
Sure was nice of Popovych to run off and blow a bunch of energy in the escape today instead of helping Cadel.
:rofl:

That was part of the team's tactic, for Popo to put Cadel under pressure so he would perform :p
 

sanjuro

Tube Smuggler
Sep 13, 2004
17,373
0
SF
I think the only bad part about descending is very few of the top climbers are good at it, so it doesn't make for a very interesting part of the Tour.

Lance and Landis being the notable exceptions.
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
I think the only bad part about descending is very few of the top climbers are good at it, so it doesn't make for a very interesting part of the Tour.

Lance and Landis being the notable exceptions.
Don't forget Rasmussen. That dude has got the skills.


(Yes, that's a joke. Everyone remember that time trial?)
 

ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
Since the Schleck brothers are doing well that means that they must be doping, right? My guess Vande Velde probably crashed on purpose to throw everyone off.
Is he taking the pressure off till the other riders get caught doping? Winner by elimination?
 

jaydee

Monkey
Jul 5, 2001
794
0
Victoria BC
I like the death-defying descent stage finishes. It's what put Menchov and Vdv in trouble today, much as I like both those guys, and it's just another way of separating it from pansy sports like football. It was exciting watching Valverde hang it out and catch the yellow group.
 

-dustin

boring
Jun 10, 2002
7,155
1
austin
the finish line was crazy. was it ever said how much speed those guys were carrying across the line staring at the right-hand turn?
 

knittingfiend

Monkey
Jun 13, 2008
193
0
A tick north of Seattle
I haven't been glued to the Tour this year, first time in five years. Just tired of the drama, and I don't mean the cycling part.... either every single official is corrupt, or every single rider is doping. But every time someone has a good day after a bad day, they're doping?!?! WTF?? :rant::rant:
Ridiculous!!

That out of the way, it'll be awesome to see Cadel take it this year. I've watched him come up in the rankings over the years, and I think he'll take it this year. Just stay calm, Cadel! Oh, and pedal, pedal, pedal!
 

ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
That out of the way, it'll be awesome to see Cadel take it this year. I've watched him come up in the rankings over the years, and I think he'll take it this year. Just stay calm, Cadel! Oh, and pedal, pedal, pedal!
Today will determine if Cadel takes it.....CSC needs to drop him on Alp d'Huez to win. I'm at home glued to the TV :biggrin: