Tour de France - 2011

I thought yesterday would be the pinnacle of my life in terms of being a Norwegian cycling fan. I was wrong, yesterday AND today combined is!

What a show from Eddie The Boss, and that after dragging Thor up to Hesjedahl in yesterday's extremely hard stage. I had chills all over watching him come in first!
 
I love EBH. Had a massive tip for him before his first stage win and got 18/1. Nothing on today but following him next year on appropriate stages is sure to be profitable.
 
I think l'Equipe already did, and that was after Thor's first win if I'm not mistaken :-D

Yeah I think if you've got some "inside" information, he's a very good bet. He'd selected both stages as possible wins a long time ago, and he even spent time in training doing that descent from today's stage earlier this season.
 
Contador is 2 minutes behind Evans. Ideally Contador will want some margin over Evans for Saturday's time trial as both are pretty much equal in that event.
Now, he's not going to make up 2 minutes or more on Evans on the Alpe d'Huez, so Contador really needs to strike tomorrow or it will be too late.
The Galibier ascent at the end will be very harsh; 23k going over 2,600m altitude and with all the steep parts in final 8km. And of course they also have to climb over 2 other similar colossus mountains immediately before they reach the Galibier. The stage looks impossible on paper.
I think there'll be massive time differences tomorrow between some of the favorites. The Tour will be decided tomorrow!
 
Contador is 2 minutes behind Evans. Ideally Contador will want some margin over Evans for Saturday's time trial as both are pretty much equal in that event.
Now, he's not going to make up 2 minutes or more on Evans on the Alpe d'Huez, so Contador really needs to strike tomorrow or it will be too late.
The Galibier ascent at the end will be very harsh; 23k going over 2,600m altitude and with all the steep parts in final 8km. And of course they also have to climb over 2 other similar colossus mountains immediately before they reach the Galibier. The stage looks impossible on paper.
I think there'll be massive time differences tomorrow between some of the favorites. The Tour will be decided tomorrow!

This. There's no two ways about it. Today is the decider.
 
I agree with you both Rams and Stretch, and I'm insanely excited. Basically Contador and the Schlecks all have to get away from Evans, and at least one of the Schlecks need to get away from Contador again after that.

All of them know that this is it as well. It will be a war out there today, and I'm absolutely certain that there will be surprises!

I'm also carefully watching what Samuel Sanchez can do, as he's looked as good as anyone in the mountains this year, and I'm not ruling out that he can come up with something of a surprise today.

All happening in the next few hours, hope you guys are all watching! I'm almost buzzing as much as I am ahead of a United match :D
 
It looked strange indeed. Wonder if he was just tired, or if there was a reason for why he was so close to the tail.

I'd be surpised if it was the former, but if it was we'll know soon enough!
 
Schleck already attacking early on the 2nd climb. Nobody chasing him. Galibier still to come.
 
Very, very courageous. Can it possibly go all the way?!

Navarro doing a good job for Contador.
 
Andy reaches Posthuma, who should try and help him up to the top!

Edit: Posthuma didn't offer much. Hope Monfort can offer more!
 
Andy Scleck had 2,13 on the last climb over Evans, Contador & co.
Contador doesn't look in good form, he's struggeling already.
 
Now watch the rest of the big guns give everything to catch up with Andy only for Frank to go as soon as they do!

This HAS to be the most interesting TdF in years, I'm on my feet with my pulse running right now :D
 
Frank Schleck now has a gap on Evans & Contador in the descent! What a coup this is turning into by Leopard.
 
Mastefully played stage by Leopard so far, I agree. Contador and Sanchez discussing in the descent what they can do!
 
This is an epic effort from Schleck. Didn't think he had it in him this year. He is in the yellow jersey as it stands.
 
If Andy can keep a reasonable distance between him and the chasers, without blowing a fuse, up to around 10km, when the real climb starts, he'll almost certainly be in yellow.

The next 20km, which are relatively flat, will be decisive!

Edit: Looking very good so far at 25km to go. Monfort and the other Belgian from QuickStep doing a good job for him.
 
Leopard have pulled one out of the bag. Frank will sit on the leaders wheels all day and then destroy them when he wants, but they can't let Andy get too much time.

You know I said Andy needed a Landis stage. Here it is!



flash back.



fecker came out of nowhere!
 
Andy is keeping around four minutes here. Impressive.

Contador attacks, the chase begins!!
 
Nobody's got anything to give it seems! Andy to take it in, and Frank to leave them trailing near the top!!
 
Final proper climb about to begin for Andy, and as it stands I think Evans has used a lot more powder in the valley.

This is absolutely nerve-wrecking!
 
This is madness! Schleck dragging a small group singlehanded across the flats and taking time from the peloton and now it's Evans leading the peloton in pursuit!

Can't remember seeing a race like this. The helpers are gone and there is still a mountain to go.
 
Very, very strong by Evans the last kilometers. Can he keep it up all the way to the top?!
 
Incredible that Voeckler is still sitting there.
 
Absolutely fantastic stage! Great to Voeckler still in yellow! I don't think Leopard mind, they got time on Evans, and he had to do a lot of hard work to stay within touch of Andy, and I expect they will try to finish him off up to Alpe d'Huez tomorrow.

Still not sure who they'll be going for, Frank looked extremely good today as well, and got a few seconds at the end. I think whoever feels best tomorrow is the one they'll be going for.

They also waved goodbye to El Pistolero today. Can't say I mind :D