Brilliant ride. I wonder if Andy has anything for tomorrow. He'll need a minute.
Tour de France - 2011
- Thread starter The Taurean
- Start date
How is Voeckler on TT's really?
Quite good I believe but he'd have taken alot of energy out of his legs trying to hold on.
If either of the Schlecks get a minute on Evans tomorrow, I think that'll be all she wrote! Half a minute, and the ITT will be tormenting. No time, and it's all but wrapped up for Cadel.
Edit: They were just discussing Voeckler in the ITT, they said he's about the same level as the Schlecks, with Andy perhaps being the best of those three.
What a fantastic stage that was. One of the best in many years. Best performance of his career from Andy Shleck that and Frank actually takes 2nd.
Everyone will be looking at Evans vs Andy now, but I am thinking that tomorrow is cut out for Frank tomorrow. Contador is apparently finished and Voeckler is hanging on by a thread, but Andy and Evans both must be absolutely drained from today's stage after having to do all the work themselves without any help.
If Frank attacks them early, it wouldn't surprise me if none of them, except maybe Basso, had anything left in them to respond after today's race. Dream position for Leopard who should be keeping up the aggressive mentality now. They have a unique weapon in the Shleck brothers and there is no reason to sit back and wait for the others to attack now. Think they have a good chance of both brothers taking the two top spots if they can break Evans tomorrow.
Everyone will be looking at Evans vs Andy now, but I am thinking that tomorrow is cut out for Frank tomorrow. Contador is apparently finished and Voeckler is hanging on by a thread, but Andy and Evans both must be absolutely drained from today's stage after having to do all the work themselves without any help.
If Frank attacks them early, it wouldn't surprise me if none of them, except maybe Basso, had anything left in them to respond after today's race. Dream position for Leopard who should be keeping up the aggressive mentality now. They have a unique weapon in the Shleck brothers and there is no reason to sit back and wait for the others to attack now. Think they have a good chance of both brothers taking the two top spots if they can break Evans tomorrow.
Indeed B9. I think we have more twists and turns waiting for us tomorrow, the way Andy and Evans gave so much today
It's been obvious for the last 2 years that Andy will eventually win this and this is surely his year now? Great stage today!
Has to be the greatest stage ever, had everything.
I think its a given Frank will be attacking tomorrow. Great position for the Leopard to be in.
Of course he will.
It's fantastic to see that cheater destroyed, granted I'm not of the Schlecks (too fecking arrogant).I really hope Evans can win it
Just read that according to Frank, the plan was actually for Andy to ride Frank into the yellow jersey today, by isolating and tiring out the favourites thus enabling frank to hit them when they were drained.
Turns out Andy was good enough to finish it himself.
I fully expect the plan to be the same tomorrow with the roles reversed. Worst case scenario for them is that Frank takes the jersey really.
What an amazing stage today.The last time I've seen anything like this must have been Pantani's coup in 1998. Enormously impressive what he did. Especially seeing he had to work hard in the flat valley part for more than 20km while the other favorites could let their helpers do most of the work. And then only losing 2 minutes on the last climb is impressive.
Almost "Merckxian" and it was nice to see Eddy himself smiling from the roof of the Tour director's car today
The perfect day for him to be there today.
Almost "Merckxian" and it was nice to see Eddy himself smiling from the roof of the Tour director's car today
The perfect day for him to be there today.
I had to watch delayed today but wow, how explosive was that! Andy rode his heart out and this is now setup for an epic up to Alpe d'Duez. Can't wait for it and hope that Frank buries them tomorrow and Andy can hold on to Cadel. How in the hell is Voeckler still pushing on? Amazing tour so far
Andy Schleck and Evans both had amazing rides. Both worthy of a Tour winner.
I guess today will be telling and it will depend on how tired each of them are today and after today's leg and then what the time difference is between them for the time trial.
I guess today will be telling and it will depend on how tired each of them are today and after today's leg and then what the time difference is between them for the time trial.
they seemed to be writing him off but he's still hanging in there. plenty of drama left I hope.
Something Leopard should be considering is that if they have the stamina, making this stage as draining as yesterday will change the TT, making it less about who are generally good time trialists and who still have anything left in them do ride a TT.
The Shclecks ought to have the advantage today. They should be looking not just to take time away from Evans on the day, but also to reduce the potential impact of the TT.
The Shclecks ought to have the advantage today. They should be looking not just to take time away from Evans on the day, but also to reduce the potential impact of the TT.
what a start to this stage! The favourites are already isolated ahead of the peloton.
Evans, Voeckler, Schleckx2, Contador and someone else leading alone after less than 20km.
Evans, Voeckler, Schleckx2, Contador and someone else leading alone after less than 20km.
IDIOTS IDIOTS IDIOTS! Frank is going to destroy them on Alp D'Huez
Now it's Contador, Andy, Evans and Voeckler alone! This is promising to be another epic stage. I am loving this. All the assistants have been dried out and are of no use to anyone. It's about the favourites on their own and nothing else now. Contador has forced everyone's hand now.
Not sure I understand the tactic of not letting Frank follow.
Not sure it is a question of letting. He was there early on and couldn't hang on.
Contador looks back to his best today. He'll be looking to restore his honour. If he has a good day he might just break them all with such an early attack.
Armstrong 2001
Remember lads half the flipping stage is down hill. Frank will catch up on the down hill.
Remember lads half the flipping stage is down hill. Frank will catch up on the down hill.
I wouldn't bet on it. Contador is excellent on the descent. He'll be looking to get away from the others there and make them work to keep up.
Evans cracked?
Wow. Just wow. This will be even better than yesterday.
Well Frank was far better on the descent yesterday.
In the end it doesn't matter anyway. Even if Contador gets 2 minutes on him, he won't win. If he can get 2 minutes on evans on the other hand
I think it may have been a case of Frank feeling that he couldn't keep that tempo without getting it.
Evans has to change bike, Voeckler loses them two, and looks like it's all about Andy and Alberto today then!
Evans has to change bike, Voeckler loses them two, and looks like it's all about Andy and Alberto today then!
Ouch, Voeckler with 85km to go =S
And I remind you that the descent is only a few km before they start climbing up to Galibier. If Contador and Andy keep this up, they'll be so far ahead by the time the final descent starts there's no chance of catching them.
And I remind you that the descent is only a few km before they start climbing up to Galibier. If Contador and Andy keep this up, they'll be so far ahead by the time the final descent starts there's no chance of catching them.
Contador will be going for a stage victory I think, possibly in such a manner it will take him to the podium.
What's really happening here though is that in the process, Contador might just carry Andy Schleck to a final victory.
Bingo! That's exactly what's happening as it stands. In that regard, you can say that Contador not keeping up yesterday was the best thing that could happen for Andy.
This is a make or break for Contador.
Andy Schelck wouldn't be worried about Contador as long as they move ahead from Evans and Voeckler.
Does anybody have a video of the 2008 road race at the olympics?
I don't see Andy staying with Contador up the final climb. But contador doesn't really matter. He needs 4 minutes on Andy which he won't get. If Frank can claw within 2 minutes of Contador which I expect he can up the final climb, he'll feel safe.
I agree, but as you say, he doesn't really need to stay with him either. All he needs is a good minute on Evans, and the tour is more or less his. And staying with Contador as long as possible, without burning too much, is the best way to do it ATM!
Just tuned in -- can't see Frank Schleck anywhere. Is he with the Basso-Evans-Cunego group?
yup. Couldn't/wouldn't keep up with Contador when he broke away.
Yeah! Originally tried to follow them, but dropped back to the peloton pretty quickly. After a while Evans had some mechanical problems, and had to drop back as well.
Voeckler is going to lose major time on L'Alpe D'huez if he keeps this solo effort up.
Evans looking really strong today as well. If he can drag himself, with virtually no help at all, within reasonable time again today, he'll be a very deserved winner. Really impressive!