Le Tour

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:14 pm

Well, someone's got to start a thread.....

What do you all reckon then?
Started off with me not overly enthused, but,as usual, I've sort of got into it, though its not been the most exciting so far.

Do you agree it's Contador's still to lose? But he didn't look that dominant when he had his "dig of the day" in Andora?
What should Bradley's tactic be?
Is the Manxman getting more likeable?
Does Garry Imlach write his own scripts?
How many times can Sherwen talk about "taking a few risks" without me throttling him?

Over to you.

m-k-lewis@msn.com · Post by **m-k-lewis@msn.com** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:25 pm

Brilliant for so many reasons.

Cav is aweome.

Wiggo is a Paul Welleresque genius. How has he lost 7kgs in a few months without losing all his power?

Armstrong is unbelieveable! He is nearly as old as me and only 8 seconds down (2 second from the real leader). It is a bit depressing when I realise how crap I am!!

I can't get enough.

Mark L

BroomWagon · Post by **BroomWagon** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:13 pm

Nice to know I'm not the only one that thinks Wiggo is a Weller doppleganger.

Alberto Contador sounds a pretty glamorous name, but I'm told in English it translates as Albert the Accountant, by gum.

I did have to laugh a bit at Liggett calling Calzati, Calzone a couple of times today.

Oops sorry haven't answered any of your questions Rob.

timj · Post by **timj** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:09 am

Hi All

Tim here Watched all the stages up to now and thought it was a brute of a first few stages then everything has seemed to calm down on the flat except cav of course.Is there anything the other teams can do to stop the columbia train or is it that they are just too fast and organised.?
Contador seems to be waiting for the rirht moment to blow it too bits There seems to be alot of contenders at the moment but after next few days the selection might be made or will they wait for Ventoux?
Dark horse Bradley for yellow?
cheers Tim

Dr Dave · Post by **Dr Dave** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:22 am

Really don't like Dirty Bertie so can't say the prospect of him making a decisive move is appealing. The 'packed cells' business makes the whole LA thing problematic and can't see beyond them - unless 'Freiberg' Kloden surprises us

So prospect on GC isn't great. Would like to see Wiggo 'go for it' but whilst I can see him staying with the leaders I can't see him attacking - he's more interested in defending what he has IMO.

The parcours is working as intended - which looks like being a showdown on Ventoux. Unfortunately means not much is happening on rest of stages...

Everything that can be said about Cav already has been - Great! Hope he can hold on to Green and win on the Champs Elysses....

m-k-lewis@msn.com · Post by **m-k-lewis@msn.com** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:28 am

Wiggo up to 4th in GC - Leipheimer is out.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:10 am

Much more interesting stage last night?

Those Norwegians' chant surely translates as "you only sing (or give interviews) when you're winning..."

Claire's theory about Astana is that Bruyneel's plan was for LA to take yellow in Andora (massive publicity, but not strong enough to keep it) then Contador to take it in the Alps. If Contador had ridden to orders it'd have worked, but he broke ranks. The rest is Jackanory: Now, LA is not used to team disobedience. You can imagine it festering all week? So Wiggins' (and Schleck's) best chance now is that LA and Contador are too busy watching each other at Verbier and that one or both of them can get away. Slim chance, but we can dream.....

PhilBixby · Post by **PhilBixby** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 11:31 am

...and/or...

Sastre realises that he doesn't stand much chance of the overall but - especially since Cervelo are in with a chance of the green jersey and have a couple of stage wins in the bag - rides to pay back a few favours to the Schlecks.

I thought Haussler's massive blub as he crossed the line was excellent - there's a nice series of videos on Cervelo's site which show some of his frustrations about Milan San Remo - getting that win must have meant a lot. And I bet Haussler will be doing all he can to help the team get revenge on Cavendish...

justsweat · Post by **justsweat** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:00 pm

Personally I think Lance will tell Contador he has to play ball, but still not sure that he will. Therefore I think the plan is, tomorrow's stage pretty neutral, then Lance is the top Astana boy (and thus yellow jersey) in the TT.

Then Ventoux is a free for all, best man wins?

Cav to get no support on the final stage by which time he may be a fair way down on Thor as he seems to be going for a few points on the climbs.

All in all, lots of racing left, particulary if 'Big George' creeps into yellow today?!

Brian
B

photoBen · Post by **photoBen** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:47 pm

To make the flat stages slightly more interesting try watching with your favourite tipple and taking a drink every time Paul Sherwin says "job of work". Even in one of the hour recap programmes he still says it every five minutes.

My theory about Astana is pretty much the same as Claire's. Still see Contador winning this year but then with Vino returning at end of month means Bruyneel and LA split to form "Team Nike/Trek/Mellow Johnnies versus Cancer", Astana returning to being banned from TdF and Contador riding for a Spanish team going head to head with LA next year.

timj · Post by **timj** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:31 am

Hi all
Just watched today stage Cav disqalified from sprint.Justified?why did nobody attack on Friday?Cadel said the pace was alot harder than it looked but it cant have been that fast as THOR got over in lead group or was i seeing things?
Tim

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:26 pm

It is surely no coincidence that, since he got his hair cut, Wiggins is going so much better as a stage race rider. The downside of looking spookily like Arthur is surely a small price to pay.

justsweat · Post by **justsweat** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:22 am

Great stage, looks like the man is sorted, for this year at least?!

paulM · Post by **paulM** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:14 pm

Wiggins brilliant again today but whats this with the downhill finishes? It just makes the stages less decisive and dangerous as Voight found to his cost.
I wouldn't want to be in Charlie Wegelius shoes having to ride for Cadel Evans - the guy's a waste of space!

Did almost the exact same route as todays stage (Martigny to Bourg St Maurice) touring with Dave Byworth in 1990. The tunnels and snow canopies on the Grand St Bernard were a bit of a nerve shredder with the traffic as I remember but Petit St Bernard is a great climb. I remember We were running a bit late and did the descent in the dark - without lights!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:36 am

Also did the same route, but in the opposite direction, in the early 90s. There were 6 of us - a stella group including a future BBAR. The first climb was for those that love beautifully engineered hairpins - some climb! And it was about 35oC.