reef58

Imagine this year's race. It has been good right? Take out Frank and Andy. What do we have? Astana
1, 2 & 3 by huge chunks, and no one who can attack. Boring race.

Richard

DenisMenchov

It's clear, once Contador got yellow Lance has played the ultimate teammate. He is trying to get a podium position still, but is also trying to help AC by creating a larger buffer zone between AC and his main competitors. That's a tough balancing act.

reef58

Dear Lord

Richard

julian

I was referring to AC dropping Kloden and helping his new Saxobank teammates crawl up onto the podium.

justinb

Frank and Andy were headed to the podium after this stage regardless of what AC did.

julian

Could be, but AC's surge that dropped Kloden didn't do him any favors. If Contador wouldn't have surged then it is just as likely that Kloden could have held. As it was he isolated Kloden (and himself) and both Kloden and Armstrong had to light some candles at the end.

justinb

Exactly. I'm no fan of the move... it's all risk with a very minimal reward. However, to insinuate that Contador is now riding for Saxo.

zozo

Bad at Math? - if Contador had not dropped Kloden and the group of 4 comes across the line together then Kloden is in a podium spot (2:17 back --> 2nd position in GC).

justinb

I think it's pretty clear from Kloden's performance following AC's attack that he wasn't sticking with the group no matter what. That said, you are correct, If Kloden maintains contact on the downhill, he's still on the podium.

julian

Sorry I didn't put a smiley in the post. It was meant as a crack at the AC fanboys. I am sure AC didn't plan to drop Kloden, but once he made his move he did and he knew it. He did slow down but had to stay with the Schlecks. Just the learning process for a young rider. It worked out for him big time, but I don't think you want to start ticking off your team mates. Kloden has been golden for AC, and what he did, intentional or not, was a slap in the face.
And to say only Lance fanboys think this way would be wrong.

DenisMenchov

True but Contador has demonstrated that he isn't a smart rider in the early stages. With his talent you don't need to be smart to win, but he may of possibly Cost kloden a podium spot, and a possible 1, 2, 3 Astana podium. With Ventoux ahead, I'm more inclined to believe Andy will be 2nd....and the great Andy / AC rivalry will begin.

cooker

Perhaps Contador was really attacking to gain time on Armstrong. He still doesn't trust his own team, nor should he.

julian

You mean the team that helped him gain a huge advantage over other in the TTT? You mean the team that has been the strongest on the open road? You mean the team that help pace him up the climb and cover other riders like Wiggins and others?

Ya, he really had to attack Kloden, who is so untrustworthy and Armstrong was well back.

Someday he may miss the Bruyneel gravy train.

cooker

No, the team that made him leader and then brought in a rival leader and created a media frenzy about who is really the leader. That team. The strong TTT was equally advantageous to Contador and Armstrong, so that is not evidence that they are fully behind Alberto. Lance may outperform Contador in the next time trial since he seems to be picking up as the tour goes on, they'll be starting closer together so heat and weather will be less of a factor, and it isn't as hilly as Monaco. If I were Contador, I would take every chance to gain time on Armstrong, teammate or not.


Oh, and WOW, LOL - since you are predicting Lance is going to sabotage Contador, you can hardly complain

DenisMenchov

Seriously no way AC needed over 3 minutes on lance, but it's a nice buffer zone I guess. I think the tour has been decided already. It's just a matter of who gets 2nd and Third.

Caveman

That attempted move by AC was boneheaded for multiple reasons.

1. He didn't make the break. Prior to this fumbled move he appeared unbeatable. AS & FS now know they can stay with him. If they believe they can beat him they just might. AC looked weak on that attempt.

2. He isolated himself.

3. He jeopardized Klodens podium spot.

4. He jeopardized an Astana podium sweep.

5. He proved he still has a lot to learn about riding smart.

He still has the most raw talent of any rider, but he needs Bruyneel and someone like LA to mentor him. It's not always the guy with the most talent that wins, but he'll win this TdF. As he matures he could be scary good.

I believe LA could have rejoined the lead 4 riders before the summit today if he had started the chase sooner. He was the consumate team rider. He protected AC from Wiggins at his own peril.

Great rides today by the Schlecks, Hushovd and Armstrong. AC rode strong, but not smart.

BTW, I'm a Ti guy but Hushovd's black Cervelo with green/white trim is serious bike porn.

Laggard

He is scary good. All three GTs in a 13 month period? Crazy. 2 Tour of the Basque Country wins and the Spanish Time Trial champion.

DenisMenchov

How many tdf wins does he have? 2 right?

oldbobcat

No, one. Astana was banned last year.

DenisMenchov

It's about time for Lance to accelerate on Ventoux

jecjec81

I hope. I hope...

DenisMenchov

Think Lance showed he can respond to Andy's accelerations at least. I think next year, he'll be able to pull some time on Andy at least. As for AC, AC just seems unbeatable. I would guess a 2nd place finish next year for Armstrong...and maybe even a 1st place finish if AC moves to a bad team that can't Team Time Trial.

daxr

Lance defended perfectly, though it looked like Frank was done early. If LA had to take time rather than defend, its hard to say how well he could have done. Andy looked like he had plenty left, just no advantage for him to go up the road without Frank.