TdF Stage 7 - Friday July 10 - 224 km - Barcelona (Spain) → Arcalis (Andorra)
07-09-09, 01:24 PM
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The stage looks brutal to me because of it's length and nearly constant climbing. I believe the peleton will split into at least two main groups by the midpoint of the race. Then it will get further strung out on the last climb. Sastre and Evans may try to attack on the last climb if they are up to it. But Sastre is probably the only one who could get much time on anyone. However, I think that it is more smart to just ride at least three or four mountain stages and let natural attrition even out the field. Evans and Sastre will probably be up into the top 10 after 2-3 mountain stages without doing anything special.
But look, Astana has six guys that can drive the pace of this stage fast enough to bury all but about 6-8 riders. So I don't even think that they need to try and win this stage. Astana will just set a blistering pace that few can follow and then depending on where riders are at in the last 10 kilometers of the race they will either hold it there or send AC,LA and LL up the last part of the climb to further distance themselves from the field.
But look, Astana has six guys that can drive the pace of this stage fast enough to bury all but about 6-8 riders. So I don't even think that they need to try and win this stage. Astana will just set a blistering pace that few can follow and then depending on where riders are at in the last 10 kilometers of the race they will either hold it there or send AC,LA and LL up the last part of the climb to further distance themselves from the field.
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07-09-09, 01:38 PM
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07-09-09, 01:51 PM
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Well it sounds like most think the uphill finish is enought to separate the GC from the rest. I am hoping it also gives us a good indication of who top 5 really are and can Lance still hang with younger bucks.
If not have to wait till last week of the tour.
If not have to wait till last week of the tour.
07-09-09, 02:02 PM
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I hope Linus Gerdemann makes the selection. That should make it interesting.
Richard
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07-09-09, 02:04 PM
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Don't count on LL going off the front. He has stated before the Pyrenees give him trouble.
Richard
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07-09-09, 02:23 PM
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Oh wait, are there time bonuses for sprint points placing this year? That is the only they could be important.
Oh wait there is one small chance. A KOM type dropping everyoen early and getting an extra 10 seconds. Seems a long shot to waste 2 sprint points on.
07-09-09, 02:52 PM
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I'd say idiot, not sadist.
Oh wait, are there time bonuses for sprint points placing this year? That is the only they could be important.
Oh wait there is one small chance. A KOM type dropping everyoen early and getting an extra 10 seconds. Seems a long shot to waste 2 sprint points on.
Oh wait, are there time bonuses for sprint points placing this year? That is the only they could be important.
Oh wait there is one small chance. A KOM type dropping everyoen early and getting an extra 10 seconds. Seems a long shot to waste 2 sprint points on.
edit - from the official race rules:
• pour chaque sprint intermédiaire, les
3 premiers coureurs classés reçoivent
respectivement 6, 4 et 2 points.
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Last edited by USAZorro; 07-09-09 at 03:01 PM.
07-09-09, 03:26 PM
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07-09-09, 04:49 PM
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Throwing this out there... with 4 Astana riders in the top 5 and preping to dominate, it sounds like Lotto, Saxo, Garmin, Columbia, etc, or a combination of either, need to band together.
07-09-09, 04:51 PM
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• for each intermediate sprint, the first 3 riders
across the line will receive 6, 4, and 2 points respectively.
07-09-09, 05:05 PM
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Lets not forget that this is the first day into the mountains and legs dont always respond after 6 flat stages. So gaps may be bigger on those that dont adjust to the tilt upward.
How about the Euskaltel boys, shouldnt this be a day for them to go out and put the bright orange in a break away?
I think with the long run outs on the following 2 stages after the mountains i think Astana will look to put time into everyone. I dont think the next 2 days present nearly as much of an opportunity as stage 7 does. I would be VERY surprised if Contador doesnt have yellow tommorow night....probably for the rest of the TdF from that point on. Then LA, LL and Kloden for a podium spot.
How about the Euskaltel boys, shouldnt this be a day for them to go out and put the bright orange in a break away?
I think with the long run outs on the following 2 stages after the mountains i think Astana will look to put time into everyone. I dont think the next 2 days present nearly as much of an opportunity as stage 7 does. I would be VERY surprised if Contador doesnt have yellow tommorow night....probably for the rest of the TdF from that point on. Then LA, LL and Kloden for a podium spot.
07-09-09, 05:29 PM
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Reasonable thoughts here, but the strategy you suggest for Astana, just doesn't sound like what Bruyneel would do... Armstrong possibly, but not Bruyneel. Someone from Astana is going to try to get up the road ahead of the rest - whether in an early break, or at some point before the last climb starts.
If Zubeldia went on a break and could hold it off till the last couple of kilometers it might blow up any team tactics that might exist for some GC hopeful teams. Sastre, Evans, the Schleck brothers would be forced to chase. Or lose even more time.
07-09-09, 05:48 PM
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I do know that Pereiro came in 2nd, and then won after disqualification from Rasmussen, but I don't have the context as to how he got to 2nd, which is what I think you're referring to...
EDIT: Nope, I'm wrong; 2007 was Rasmussen. 2006 was Landis.
I thought it would easier for them to make up time on Zubeldia seeing as he's not as strong as the other 4 Astana in the Top 5?
Forgive my newbieness on these things...
Last edited by xfimpg; 07-09-09 at 05:51 PM.
07-09-09, 06:14 PM
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HI....
tomorrow astana will start doing the train trick... all of the astana domestiques will start the race to a high pace... then the peloton will start segregating and people will start to die little by little. Around the last climb only the people who really have chances in the mountains will stand in that group.
Bye bye cancelara, but since he have been doing so well wonder if he give us a surprise but i doubt it. Soler... anybody remember him? Soler might be there in the front group. LL ?? he will have a crappy day tomorrow. I see Lance showing all his genius tomorrow AGAIN! (and i dont like him) The shleck guys? who knows... AC and Sastre??? Who knows... both of them are like moody type of racers...
Cadel needs a good wheel tomorrow... Kloden is his wheel tomorrow.. Why? Kloden and evans have similar styles, ride to anybody elses wheel means suicide for evans.
Good day to watch tomorrow
Cya
tomorrow astana will start doing the train trick... all of the astana domestiques will start the race to a high pace... then the peloton will start segregating and people will start to die little by little. Around the last climb only the people who really have chances in the mountains will stand in that group.
Bye bye cancelara, but since he have been doing so well wonder if he give us a surprise but i doubt it. Soler... anybody remember him? Soler might be there in the front group. LL ?? he will have a crappy day tomorrow. I see Lance showing all his genius tomorrow AGAIN! (and i dont like him) The shleck guys? who knows... AC and Sastre??? Who knows... both of them are like moody type of racers...
Cadel needs a good wheel tomorrow... Kloden is his wheel tomorrow.. Why? Kloden and evans have similar styles, ride to anybody elses wheel means suicide for evans.
Good day to watch tomorrow
Cya
07-09-09, 06:23 PM
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I wasn't watching the TdF back then.
I do know that Pereiro came in 2nd, and then won after disqualification from Rasmussen, but I don't have the context as to how he got to 2nd, which is what I think you're referring to...
EDIT: Nope, I'm wrong; 2007 was Rasmussen. 2006 was Landis.
I thought it would easier for them to make up time on Zubeldia seeing as he's not as strong as the other 4 Astana in the Top 5?
Forgive my newbieness on these things...
I do know that Pereiro came in 2nd, and then won after disqualification from Rasmussen, but I don't have the context as to how he got to 2nd, which is what I think you're referring to...
EDIT: Nope, I'm wrong; 2007 was Rasmussen. 2006 was Landis.
I thought it would easier for them to make up time on Zubeldia seeing as he's not as strong as the other 4 Astana in the Top 5?
Forgive my newbieness on these things...
It's all good....the end result is that we watch the Tour, cheer for our favorites and have a good time doing it!
07-09-09, 06:51 PM
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HI....
tomorrow astana will start doing the train trick... all of the astana domestiques will start the race to a high pace... then the peloton will start segregating and people will start to die little by little. Around the last climb only the people who really have chances in the mountains will stand in that group.
Bye bye cancelara, but since he have been doing so well wonder if he give us a surprise but i doubt it. Soler... anybody remember him? Soler might be there in the front group. LL ?? he will have a crappy day tomorrow. I see Lance showing all his genius tomorrow AGAIN! (and i dont like him) The shleck guys? who knows... AC and Sastre??? Who knows... both of them are like moody type of racers...
Cadel needs a good wheel tomorrow... Kloden is his wheel tomorrow.. Why? Kloden and evans have similar styles, ride to anybody elses wheel means suicide for evans.
Good day to watch tomorrow
Cya
tomorrow astana will start doing the train trick... all of the astana domestiques will start the race to a high pace... then the peloton will start segregating and people will start to die little by little. Around the last climb only the people who really have chances in the mountains will stand in that group.
Bye bye cancelara, but since he have been doing so well wonder if he give us a surprise but i doubt it. Soler... anybody remember him? Soler might be there in the front group. LL ?? he will have a crappy day tomorrow. I see Lance showing all his genius tomorrow AGAIN! (and i dont like him) The shleck guys? who knows... AC and Sastre??? Who knows... both of them are like moody type of racers...
Cadel needs a good wheel tomorrow... Kloden is his wheel tomorrow.. Why? Kloden and evans have similar styles, ride to anybody elses wheel means suicide for evans.
Good day to watch tomorrow
Cya
within 15 seconds of each other.
07-09-09, 07:03 PM
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I'm still sticking my neck out and saying that Astana doesn't want to defend the jersey this early. I have been wrong before....many times, and this will probably add to the list!
07-09-09, 07:20 PM
#48
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Definitely agree this will be a great stage to watch.
I think Pelizotti will be in the mix with his Liquigas compadres, Nibali and Kreuziger.
Astana in yellow tomorrow night. Question is, Lance or Alberto?
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07-09-09, 07:56 PM
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I should have re-thought my pick. I still hope it's Andy Schleck but I think he'll be too well marked. Kreuziger might have been a better dark horse choice, since I often don't like going with the obvious favorite. It is an "Hors Categorie" climb so anything can happen!