OT - Tour de France stage 14
Any other fans of the Tour here? Great race this year. This is the most competitive it's been in a long time. You have to love Thomas Voeckler for continually bucking the odds and hanging on to the yellow jersey through the Pyrenees. I like his quasi-UM helmet as well:
I'm pulling for him. I don't expect him to hang on, but then, I didn't before today either. I do think we'll see a new winner in Paris. Contador doesn't seem to have the extra kick he used to. My guess is it'll end up going to Cadel Evans or Andy Schleck.
I watch the tour every year. It's really intense once you understand the competition of it. Voeckler is riding out of his mind right now, and it'll be interesting to see how much longer he can keep this up. Andy Schleck is my favoirte and Cadel, too (maybe just because the poor guy needs to win). It's interesting to see how less dominating Contador is this year now that all that "contamninated meat' has been removed.
Thanks for posting even though I don't think it's going to be too popular of a topic.
Yeah, I just read that the main contenders went about three minutes slower than the stage record on the Plateau de Beille. I'm cautiously optimistic that the anti-doping efforts are paying off. The riders seem more "human" this year.
I had the chance to watch a time trial when I was in France a few years ago. I knew next to nothing about the sport at the time, but the spectacle was incredible. I've gotten into it since then. What these guys do for three weeks straight is just unbelievable. I now understand a lot more about the strategy in the sport, and it's enhanced my appreciation. I really enjoy the British commentators on VS, too.
Give me a break. Contador is less dominant because he dominated the Giro. It's becoming increasingly evident that in the modern era of people focusing solely on one grand tour the Giro-Tour double is next to impossible.
This tour will end up like 2008. Cadel is in the driver's seat, and none of the favorites want to (or can) put in that really big racing winning move. We'll hit the Alpe or Galibier and bang somebody is going to get away, gain 2 minutes, and win the tour.
I know he's fighting injury and coming off a Giro win is incredible especially since I believe he is sitting in 6th overall at the tour. Just not a Contador fan, but the dude can ride.
but without Lance (cheater or not) the tour is pretty much relegated to the old "who gives a shit channel" domestically.
Not trying to be a dick...
Coincidentally, it is on the exact same channel it was on when Lance rode. If you gave it the time of day when Lance rode, and you took the time to get to know who the riders are, you'd probably enjoy it even more. These Tours are more fun, when it is up in the air, much to be decided every stage.
This has been a great Tour, so far. My highlights so far have been Garmin riding a fantastic Tour. Winning the TTT, Farrar getting his first stage win, and yesterday, Thor having one of the finest rides I have watched (that descent of the Aubisque was inhuman).
That being said, my pick is Cadel to win. He has the TT prowess to ride defensively the remainder of the Tour, and I don't see either of the Schlecks picking up the time they need to buffer a strong Cadel TT. Contador is lacking the extra gear, ironically. Clenbuterol, or no clenbuterol. He looks human. Voeckler is riding out of his gourd. He has to come back to Earth in the Alps. Though, no favorite has made that defining move in the mountains, so far. Great Tour, though. Hope it keeps up.
Also, too many crashes. They haven't been up to snuff on the safety of the riders this year. The Flecha-Hoogerland crash was baffling. Vino-Zabriskie into the ditch is another highlight of poor planning for the safety of the riders.
The Flecha-Hoogerland crash was just inexcusable. The driver should have slowed down if anything, not sped up. I can't imagine how infuriating something like that would be to a rider.
Be it a hangover from the Giro or a banged up knee, the GC battle this year won't be that exciting without an attacking Contador. It's understandable that Cadel isn't attacking the mountains (not a pure climber, and doesn't need time), but the the Schlecks racing to not lose is mind boggling. Andy and Frank need to play off the other's attacks, or Andy needs to commit himself to an attack. Half a dozen mini attacks won't win the tour.
Besides, if you use history as your guide Vanendert will win.
We definitely need to see more attacks. That is a nice thing about Voeckler, although I don't know if he'll risk another one now that he's in yellow. The Schlecks are definitely too cautious. Samuel Sanchez might be in the picture. He's not afraid to make a charge in the mountains.
Voeckler won't be let away for the rest of this tour unless he suffers a really bad day in the Alps. Sammu could really mix things up, but he's show before that he prone to 1. Bad days and 2. can't TT.
Well, you can't really say the Schleck's haven't been trying to make that move. Frank getting the 20 seconds on Thursday was a sign they are playing off eachother, but again, it's only Stage 14 in the Pyrrennes. With summit finishes up the Col du Lautaret in Stage 18 and the epic Alpe d'Huez in Stage 19, their moves so far seem to be probing moves to illuminate their true threats. Because, let's be honest, Schleck (Andy) has hardly seemed tested thus far, and his acceleration this morning to take 2 seconds seemed unmatched from the others.
Still, I don't think he takes enough time to beat Cadel. I think its Cadel's time.
Andy Schlek made 4 attacks today and couldn't get away. I agree with the poster above. There is gonna be a decisive move in the Alps and it, along with the time trial, will determine the winner.
Also Thor has been unbelievable.
someone at work is a hard-core fan. One wag made some snark comment about the riders, whereupon she showed us the fall with the guy vaulting into the barbed wire then getting up, and finishing the race with shredded arse.
These guys are the real thing. Soccer falls even lower in esteem.
I really want to see one of the Schlecks do well but I don't see them having the TT times to be able to win it. I am super dissapointed to see all the crashes in this years tour, so many major players have withdrawn and it makes the tour a lot less interesting. I was hoping after a strong Tour of California Chris Horner would have a strong showing in France but now that team Radioshack only has 5 members still in the race my hopes are dashed. The bright spot of the tour has been the strength of Garmin Cervelo and it was awesome to see Thor show he isn't just a sprinter.
Everyone knows Thor is more than a sprinter. He is a massive engine. Pretty well-rounded, just can't hang on the real steep slopes with the major players. He is a strong, classics type who can motor on any one day, but over three weeks can't hack it with the big (small) boys.
Today's stage was a total anticlimax, biggest climb of the race so far and all the contenders just sat watching each other all day. That's why Voeckler was able to keep yellow, and why Vanendert was able to just ease away, he was thinking 'seriously? This is as fast as we're going? Might as well attack then.' I'm worried that the Schlecks are happy with their gap over Contador, so they're just gonna sit back and get destroyed by Evans in the time trial.
Out of interest, which commentators do they have on the American coverage?
On versus we get Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen. Love their coverage.
EDIT: Meant to reply to Azulio's question. ^^ Fail.
Ah good stuff, Phil's been doing the tour far longer than I've been alive, love their passion.
I'm a huge fan and I've watch a lot of this years tour. It's been great, but I agree, today was a bit of a let down. The Schlecks MO is to be cautious, but looking at what happened I just think Andy wanted to go and Frank couldn't, by the time Andy did take-off it was too close to the finish. The grade drops to green right at the end. Cadel did go for it but just couldn't maintain, props to him. I still think Contador rides into form in the Alps and drops the hammer at the ITT. Whether he can catch Cadel I'm not sure, its a significant amount of time.
Nice job Tommy D! Still top ten. Nice job by Rolland today to stay up there and drive Voekler home.
Why does my score say "trolling"? I don't get this board.
It is a great tour because no single GC rider has dominated like Lance did.
I don't share the majority opinion (above) that Cadell will take it in the time trial--just have a hunch that the Alps will be the big decider. Voelkler--yep, he's got to be the sweetheart of France. Remarkable how much stronger he's gotten in the big mountains. If he can hang with the big boys on the climbs we've just seen, he might just survive the Alps, still in yellow. I wouldn't have thought that at the beginning of the week, but those climbs in the Pyrenees are brutal, and this year's stages are especially cruel. If you've ever tried to keep tempo (or just survive) on an 8-12% climb, you know what super atheletes we're watching.
It seems we have an anonymous poster downvoting everybody. I shake my fist at you, anonymous downvoter.
...Anonymous Coward.
My Dad is a big cyclist and watches the Tour religously which has turned me on to it a little. I'm not a big cycling fan but I really appreciate what these guys do. They are machines. Ride 60 miles through the mountains then get up and do it the next day. Unreal. I wish there was an American contending though. From what I have gathered (correct me if I'm wrong), there isn't really an American in contention or expect to be in contention.
Stages are even longer than that - usually closer to 100 miles (160 km), sometimes more.
The top-rated American is Thomas Danielson, in 9th place in the general classification. He's 5'46" out of the yellow jersey. That's not necessarily an insurmountable margin, given that we are headed for some extremely grueling stages in the Alps in a couple of days, but he's probably a little too green (it's his first Tour) to contend. He's one to watch for in the future though.
They ride more than 60 miles. No real contender, but some people thought Levi or Horner could make a little noise. If you're into sprinters tomorrow will be a good one to watch as Farrar (Seattle area) could get another win. I was hoping Teejay VG would do a bit better, he was in polka dots for a day so that's pretty cool. In a couple years Taylor Phinney could be the next Cancellara, he's got a long way to go though. Tom Danielson (Boulder) is in 9th, which is very good for his first tour. He won't win but he can climb and TT so I imagine he ends up top ten.
Edit: if anybody cares...Teejay just signed with BMC for next year.
...ever since it started to be covered on what was the Outdoor Life Channel (now Vs.). I love the drama, the athleticism, the teamwork and the calls of Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen. Of course I miss the days of Lance's dominance but it's still an incredible event. I have to say I do enjoy the fact that Contador doesn't seem to be able to dominate like he has the past few years. I remember several years ago when Voelcker took off on one of his wild ass breakaways and held on for an unexpected win while taking Yellow. Pretty sure he lost it in the next stage. It's amazing he's been able to hold on for so many days this year. Can't see it lasting much longer, but who knows.
I agree with your summary, except for one thing. I would hesitate to say the wait for Alpe d'Huez. Look for someone to make a defining move the day before on the Col du Lautaret to shake things up and stake his claim before Alpe d'Huez, thinking everyone else will wait. That's my bet. My thinking is it is A Schleck that goes on the Lautaret.
I really hope it is not Andy Schleck . . . he is the least inspiring "champion" we could have out this group. No emotion, no fire, no personality (I guess the Belgian stereotype holds true in this case). I wish big Thor could pull it off but there is no chance of that happening.
I've always been a big fan of Contador but now that he is under repeated suspicion for doping I have to turn to a different rider. Cadel Evans, come on down!!!
Of course, you're correct. But, given the size of the country (~ 1,000 square miles) and proximty to Belgium, I'm going to claim some Belgian influence there and keep my original statement.
I've been watching the tour since the late 90's from the days of Richard Virenque and Jan Ulrich, I even watched the tour when Marco Pantani was doped out of his mind to dominate the race, and this year has been somewhat unispiring. I've mostly enjoyed Thor Hushovd hanging around the top of the GC which is uncommon for such a big sprinter. I have to agree that Contador's hurting from the Giro but the lack of PED's has most likely played a part. This is all gonna come down to Alp D'Huez and the individual TT which I think are back to back before they head to Paris.
From my experience the bast two climbs the tour goes through are Alp D'Huez and Mon Venteux, both sites of great Lance rides, and as I said they go up Alp D.Huez just before they head to Paris so that will seperate the men from the boys. I'm pulling for Andy Schleck for the main win and hope Mark Cavendish holds on to the Green Jersey unless Thor can pull through in the TT.
Voekler has been one of my favorite riders since he pulled off that massive breakaway a few years back. Other than Lance, my favorite rider was Erik Zabel who dominated the Green Jersey for a number of years and its good to see they increase the amount of sprints through the mountains so sprinters just can't slack through the high climbs.
back in the days of Pantani, Ullrich's one win (he is actually a very sweet guy, despite being portrayed as a villain vs Lance). I watch on delay, and usually have my bike on a trainer set up in front of the TV so I can get a great workout in....
Right now rooting for Voeckler because he is doing such a great job hanging onto le maillot juane.
One of my life's goals is to ride up L'Alpe d'Huez.....in less than 90 minutes!