OT: 2011 le Tour de France

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can't say

Social climber

Pasadena CA

Jul 21, 2011 - 12:14am PT

The last few days of racing have been some of the best I can remember watching in a Tour. With so many overall contenders still so close on GC, everyday seems to bring something fun to watch. I love how tenacious Voekler has been in defending the Yellow Jersey.

shady

Trad climber

Jul 21, 2011 - 12:28am PT

Fantastic to see Boasson Hagen Take that stage. Undeterred by his loss to his fellow countryman, puts himself into the key break on the very next stage followed by another, perfectly timed, solo attack that took him to victory. Spielberg couldn't have scripted it any better.
With the softness in form I've seen from the GC contenders it looks like Quentin Tarantino may be scripting this next stage, with Cadel as the leading man.

Let the carnage begin!

mooch

Trad climber

Old Climbers' Home (Adopted)

Jul 21, 2011 - 04:11pm PT

"The Mountain Crusher" with a 'No Surprise' finish on Stage 18. Great show of teamwork and stradegy from Leopard Trek! As he said in an interview with VeloNews last year, "I can forgive......but I will not forget." In other words........

F*CK YOU CONTADOR!!! XOXO's, Andy Schleck

1. T. Voeckler - 79h 43' 06"
2. A. Schleck - + 15"
3. F. Schleck - + 1' 08"
4. C. Evens - + 1' 12"
5. D. Cunego - + 3' 46"
6. I. Basso - + 3' 46"
7. A. Contador - + 4' 44"

Next: Stage 19.....The Alpe d'Huez (with a "beyond category" climb!)

Quote from John Mac:

Unless something happens to Contador I can't see it happening. I don't even think Andy Schleck is in the type of form he was in last year to challenge him.

The show is over.....a no-contender. Bwwwwahhahahahaha!!

Karen

Trad climber

So Cal urban sprawl Hell

Jul 21, 2011 - 05:23pm PT

Sully, I am also pulling for Cadel, hangs in there and battles away, one tough dude!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 21, 2011 - 05:50pm PT

Cadel is a great time trialist and really is in a good position to win this time. Great race by And...expect Frank to hit it tomorrow.

steelmnkey

climber

Vision man...ya gotta have vision...

Jul 21, 2011 - 07:07pm PT

Cadel has to limit damage (assuming he can't keep up) tomorrow. He's a way better time trial rider than Andy, but there's only so much he'll be able to make up. And Andy will probably ride a better TT than he normally would if he's in the race lead then. Sort of exciting to have it coming down to the wire like this.

Contador left his race on the mountains in Italy.

John Mac

Trad climber

Littleton, CO

Jul 21, 2011 - 07:27pm PT

Yes I was wrong about Andy. Today he really rode like a Champ.

Tomorrow its going to be an amazing show down. I really think that Cadel still has a shot if he can recover from his gutsy performance today.

It's been an amazing tour to watch.

can't say

Social climber

Pasadena CA

Jul 21, 2011 - 07:39pm PT

I think Andy might have burned a match or two too many today. He was charging off the front for a long time. Tomorrow might be a hard ride for him if he doesn't recover well tonight. Voekler looked totally shot after the finish line. He hasn't looked that cooked on any previous mountain stage. The TT is where this race will be decided.

There's a saying that goes something like "it's not how good you ride on any particular stage, its how well you recover for the next days stage. There's a reason these guys have massage as a daily training component

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 21, 2011 - 08:23pm PT

Great racing and strategy today! Regardless of the outcome, Andy layed it on the line. You just don't see it that often any more. Cadel fought like hell with no help from anyone at the end. TV turned himself inside out to keep the jersey. As good as it gets.

I am worried about Andy too. He might have cashed in one to many chips today. Hope soignuer can work wonders over night.

Bye AC! Not shedding a tear I'm afraid.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 21, 2011 - 08:40pm PT

Roger that sully. Thought crossed my mind, but Andy looked way more played out at the end than you know who.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 21, 2011 - 08:44pm PT

My money is on Cadel...he alone willed himself back into today with little help from anyone. Great race. I'm glad Contador is out of it. Never could stomach him.

apples

Boulder climber

Atlanta, GA

Jul 21, 2011 - 08:44pm PT

From @eurohoody on Twitter:

Quips around the dinner table above Briancon, @johnwilcockson just said: 'Contador is clean ... clean off the back"

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 21, 2011 - 11:10pm PT

Andy Schleck - "No guts, no glory." You got that right bro! Love that dood.

A brave effort by Voeckler. He couldn't even get off his bike at the end!

These guys are still pussies. The Enchanted Circle 100 in N Mex goes over
TWO - 10,000' PASSES.

Wait a minute, did I get this right? They gotta do the Galibier again
tomorrow before L'Alpe d'Huez? Ouch!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 21, 2011 - 11:18pm PT

Yep. Pretty diabolical. 17,000 feet of climbing today, the Galibier again tomorrow, and then the Alp. Brutal.

PS - Then a time trial that may decide the tour. Crazy 3 days.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 21, 2011 - 11:45pm PT

Yes, what a great year.
Andy pulled a Merckx, Cadel fought alone, Contador and Sanchez choked, Voeckler sucked (wheels) just enough.
Garmin had Ryder, Christian and Tommy D. at the end, team victory.
How about Pierre Rolland? How come no one is praising him?

Awesome.

It ain't over yet.

shady

Trad climber

Jul 22, 2011 - 12:35am PT

Saw the news testerday, Alexander Vinokourov has retired from cycle racing. (as a rider)
Although I had mixed feelings about him due to his drug suspension, I'm sad to see him go. Vino brought alot of excitement to the races he was part of, due to one thing. The Kazak attack. Vino consistantly showed huge amounts of courage and heart with his constant attacking style. A master strategist with no fear. Qualities sorely missing in todays peloton.

To paraphrase a quote from Vino:
"When you least expect it, I will attack. When you most expect it, I will attack. When you are sick or show a lack of form, I will attack. When I am sick or show a lack of form, I will attack. It's nothing personal, it's just what I do."
My heartfelt best wishes to Vino.

On to todays stage.
What a brilliant, Vinoesque, attack by Andy. Damn, He took off early! Too early for the rest of the GC contenders. Seems they just rolled over and hit the snooze button. The onus is on those who have the most to lose to chase him down, or at least mark him. That, in ordinary circumstances would mean:
#1. Voeckler. But he knows, even with his great defence of the yellow jersey, he's out of his league.
#2. Frank Schleck. But he's not going to chase down his brother and teammate. That leaves
#3. Cadel. A tactical mistake on his part. By chasing or at least marking Andy he could have eliminated Voeckler, putting himself in third at the end of todays stage. Still, what a courageous ride by Cadel. And to take back 3 minutes from a fading Andy in the last 6K. solo! Cadel's one badass rider!
Things could get really interesting. Cadel's the best TT rider of the four, and Voeckler is a better TT'r then both Schleck bros. But there's one more huge day in the mountains.

GO CADEL!

P.S. Hey Alberto.....I thumb my nose in your general direction.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Jul 22, 2011 - 12:50am PT

Voeckler says he doesn't have a chance, but he's always there with the top dogs at the finish.

I think it boils down to whether Evans has the warrior instinct, or not. If he can't seriously drop Voeckler in the mountains, it's because he never took the iniative.

Friday before Paris, and it's still a race!

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jul 22, 2011 - 12:55am PT

Bummer about Hesjedal, getting caught in or stuck behind two or three pile-ups early in the Tour, and fighting to catch up ever since. He's done very well, and I think is now 22nd (?), gaining just about every day. Good experience and advertising for next time. But then someone named Ryder should be good on a bike.