Tour de France

[Footbag]

Rest Day: Time to over analyze the race...

I think that Contador is looking much stronger then Lance. Lance needs a team to crack the group. Without Levi, it's going to be very hard. Losing Levi hurt Lance more then just the "20%" as I heard him explain it. It pretty much solidified the stronger rider as the team leader.
If I were Lance, I'd tell Contador to go for it.
I'm a bit skeptical that there really is much drama in Astana at this point. They are very professional, and know who the best mountain rider is on the team.

[Noodles]

Originally Posted by Footbag

Rest Day: Time to over analyze the race...

I think that Contador is looking much stronger then Lance. Lance needs a team to crack the group. Without Levi, it's going to be very hard. Losing Levi hurt Lance more then just the "20%" as I heard him explain it. It pretty much solidified the stronger rider as the team leader.
If I were Lance, I'd tell Contador to go for it.
I'm a bit skeptical that there really is much drama in Astana at this point. They are very professional, and know who the best mountain rider is on the team.

Drama is over. AC is the Astana man. Notice that LA didn't mention anything about playing the good team mate and not chasing AC when AC let loose? He just doesn't have the legs to stay with the best climbers.

AC is a lock unless he rides the St. Bernard given to him . I'm wondering who will Astana protect next week, Armstrong or Kloden. Kloden look stronger than Armstrong yesterday. He even had a better ITT than armstrong. It will be very interesting how Armstrong body respond to next weeks mountain stages. He always had the best condition besides this tour.

[Opusfxd]

Is it tomorrow yet? I'd like to get a better picture to figure out if Lance was being polite that last stage, out of gas or if he's going to play super domestique. Yeah, I still believe. Contador did look very impressive yesterday and looks like he'll pretty much hold his own.

BTW, I'm glad this race finally has something to talk about besides pass the no doze.

[Steve]

I think I would opt for cagy. He sure looks like he is out for a Sunday training ride at the end of the stage while a lot of the others sure look beat.

Originally Posted by Opusfxd

Is it tomorrow yet? I'd like to get a better picture to figure out if Lance was being polite that last stage, out of gas or if he's going to play super domestique. Yeah, I still believe. Contador did look very impressive yesterday and looks like he'll pretty much hold his own.

BTW, I'm glad this race finally has something to talk about besides pass the no doze.

[imthegoal]

The way he covered that gap today was quite impressive. I think if he is able to keep it close he should be able to make up time during the time trial. This could become a truly epic Tour.

[gorob23]

Originally Posted by bonggoy

Drama is over. AC is the Astana man. Notice that LA didn't mention anything about playing the good team mate and not chasing AC when AC let loose? He just doesn't have the legs to stay with the best climbers.

AC is a lock unless he rides the St. Bernard given to him . I'm wondering who will Astana protect next week, Armstrong or Kloden. Kloden look stronger than Armstrong yesterday. He even had a better ITT than armstrong. It will be very interesting how Armstrong body respond to next weeks mountain stages. He always had the best condition besides this tour.

NOT SO FAST MY BOOKEND FRIEND!

you kids you never give us old guys credit! Lance may or may not be done. The thing he has learned is that you don't show all your cards because you never know. The race goes ALL the way until the end.
I mean really did you smoke ONE cigar at So cal and say that's it I'm done!

Stupid Me&^%!@

Rob

[Noodles]

Originally Posted by gorob23

NOT SO FAST MY BOOKEND FRIEND!

you kids you never give us old guys credit! Lance may or may not be done. The thing he has learned is that you don't show all your cards because you never know. The race goes ALL the way until the end.
I mean really did you smoke ONE cigar at So cal and say that's it I'm done!

Stupid Me&^%!@

Rob

I want Lance to do so well, hell I am the same age as he is. I was hoping for him to do a lot better. I'm a big fan of his. In fact, I am amazed on what he had shown the last two days. I watched the replay last night and his acceleration in order to bridge the gap on the last climb brought back memories of his first few TDF wins.

Just looked at what happened yesterday and today. Ignore the Verbier stage. He was able to hang with the strongest climbers when they are doing a fast tempo in order to shed the pack. But when they (AC, Schelck brothers) attacked, he can't respond anymore. He can out climb the other contenders but not the strongest climbers. He said so himself.

Can LA still win the TDF? Highly unlikely unless something bad happens to AC like 4 flat tires and 2 crashes in ITT .
Can LA podium? Possibly. He will definitely grab some time from the Schleck brothers. They time trial like I climb a hill . I expect Wiggins and possibly Kloeden to have a strong showing tomorrow as well. I wouldn't be surprise if LA TT's time is better than AC tomorrow.

As for AC, what the **** was he thinking today? He attacked and dropped Kloeden. Possibly costing Kloeden a podium finish. That kid is dumb.

Was I suppose to smoke more than one cigar? M!@#$#%.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by bonggoy

Just looked at what happened yesterday and today. Ignore the Verbier stage. He was able to hang with the strongest climbers when they are doing a fast tempo in order to shed the pack. But when they (AC, Schelck brothers) attacked, he can't respond anymore. He can out climb the other contenders but not the strongest climbers. He said so himself.

Was he unable to respond, or do you think he was waiting to see if they could keep up the pace (there by picking his place and time to respond)? I don't know much about the statagy of bike racing, but I know he sure looks pretty comfortable out there when some of the rest are looking haggard. I also think he a a cagy ol' fart!

Just my $0.02

[Noodles]

Originally Posted by steve

Was he unable to respond, or do you think he was waiting to see if they could keep up the pace (there by picking his place and time to respond)? I don't know much about the statagy of bike racing, but I know he sure looks pretty comfortable out there when some of the rest are looking haggard. I also think he a a cagy ol' fart!

Just my $0.02

When AC attacked during the last climb at the Verbier Stage, you can argue that Armstrong sat up. I think that's the normal team strategy. However, his comments after that stage ("AC showed he is the strongest") and his comments after after yesterday stage ("That's what I should have done") led me to believe that Astana's leadership was still up for grabs at that time. He could have gone up with AC and/or counter attacked if he can or wanted to. He just wasn't able to.

If AC is not with Astana, I can believe this is still part of his strategy. Cycling rope-a-dope.

LA seems to be getting better as the week progress. He proved me wrong there. I thought with his age and absence from elite racing will be detrimental for his body towards the end of the TDF.

We will know for sure tomorrow.

[Opusfxd]

Originally Posted by bonggoy

As for AC, what the **** was he thinking today? He attacked and dropped Kloeden. Possibly costing Kloeden a podium finish. That kid is dumb.

Heck of a resume AC's putting together for next year. Yeah he's a good rider, but twice now?? Really.

[gorob23]

Originally Posted by bonggoy

I want Lance to do so well, hell I am the same age as he is.

Stupid Mex&@* Now I really feel old! because I have 16 years on both of you!

Originally Posted by bonggoy

Next years tour will be interesting. Levi, Popo and possibly Kloeden will go with LA and JB to the new team. Contador and Paulhino to another team, unless they patch things up somehow. Lance might give it a shot for another year just to give some publicity to his new team. I'm sure if I'm one of the backers, I will require him to ride at least the TDF.

You are right on with this, because Lance already said he was coming back next year. I think this year showed him that he is still in the game and wants to give it another whirl....Kinda like when I beat the crap out of Allen in the auction

Originally Posted by bonggoy

Was I suppose to smoke more than one cigar? M!@#$#%.

You were supposed to keep up with Mr. Nee. I didn't smoke one on Sunday I was done!

Rob

[Noodles]

Woah Contador!!! Not bad for Andy Schleck.

I'm still not sure if Wiggins can take some time from LA on Ventoux. The climb is longer which seems to suit LA's.

[Opusfxd]

Sorry for this but I've jumped on the 'I hope Contador crashes' bandwagon. Twice attacking his team doesn't help.