Devil

He didn't attack if I remember correctly. Azevedo rode everyone off but Lance and Basso.

Cipo

Woh, is it just me or did Lance sound a little p.o'ed at the lack of support from his teammates? He's gotta be feeling a little lucky that Kloden didn't get that 20 second time bonus.

Dolomiti

I distinctly remember Armstrong attacking after his teamates were gone.

Here is from the cyclingnews live report from that stage:

"16:58 CEST
Azevedo has dropped off now and Armstrong is alone with eight companions: Basso and Mayo there.

17:02 CEST
Armstrong jumps. ONly Basso is able to go with him."

https://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2004...lts/livecomp12

I think what you're talking about did happen, but it was a day later on Plateau de Beille

Devil

Probably.

So the only time he was able to attack is on La Mongie, and his attack brought Basso immediately with him, and that was after Azevedo ripped the field apart. I wonder if Ace (or anyone else on Discovery) will be able to do so on Tuesday.. we'll see.

ADA23

Check this out!

https://www.letour.fr/2005/TDF/LIVE/us/800/index.html

Dolomiti

Well it was the only time he needed to attack alone. And every other time he needed to attack in his 6 Tour wins, he was successful. Though of course that was then and this is now... now against many in-form riders. Armstrong said himself that he didn't feel so strong today (though he showed no signs of weakness)

Devil

Wow.

Dolomiti

Looks like he won by... a centimeter?

Bikeophile

too close to call

Devil

.0002 of a second.

ADA23

They say they used the transponder on the chain stay to separate them. If this is the case then the transponder would have to be exactly in the same position on both bikes and even then it would be irrelevant because its the wheel that counts - I guess what I'm trying to say is how did they not call this a dead heat

Bikeophile

I hope every finish is that close!

Gustaf

Damn, nice stage.
Prepare for MAGENTA REIGN in the mountains.

Like someone else said, it would be interesting if everyone just went for broke and didn’t race for second or third. As close as it is right now, I don’t think racing for second and third is an option. The race is wide open.

acrafton

Ok - here is a theory - what do you think:

I can't belive that ALL of the Discovery team was unable to keep up on a 4% climb. Paulo Salvadelli - come on, this is practically a downhill for him. Azevedo, Chechu, and even George could this ride easily with the lead. Something else is going on. Also, in the post stage interview lance essentially said the team sucked and he didn't feel good. If that were true I don't think he would be saying it as pointedly as he did.

So - could this be a ruse? Could Johann be playing games to make the field think Disco is in trouble to get them to go all out tomorrow and then be wasted by mid-week?

Not saying that I believe this but it makes more sense than thinking all the Disco guys got crushed on a 4% climb. . .If it isn't a ruse, Lance is finished.

Adam

Bikeophile

Good Point...I am not sure that Lance would talk so openly about being disappointed with himself and his team's performance and saying that "we need to talk".

But even if Disco is playing mind games...If T-Mobile and CSC (and others) start bringing the attacks, its going to be one heck of a race!

Cipo

You mean like a Disco rope-a-dope? That theory crossed my mind as well, but with all the variables at play like punctures or mechanicals or somewhat unexpected performances like Kloden's big ride today, it seems like that would be an awfully risky strategy.

Devil

It's certainly possible.

Dolomiti

Any other team - no way. But Discovery... actually it may be true. I'm not trying to sound Ultra-Lance Defensive... but really, those comments and those actions of his team just don't seem normal at all.

They do do odd tactical things. Remember last year when Armstrong and the team totally downplayed the Pyrennees, and kept saying "alpe d'Huez is the stage"? Then of course told to OLN exactly the opposite, in a section of interview that wasn't broadcast until after the Pyrennees. And he said it in a tone of secrecy, really.

Who knows.

carlk23

I'm wondering what Ullrich and Vino were thinking when Kloden rode away. Clearly Lance decided that Ullrich and Vino aren't going to give up their shot at winning the Tour and chose to mark them. Having three leaders on TMO may not be the best situation - think Lemond-Hinault 85-86. I'm betting that all of these guys, particularly Ullrich and Vino (who may not even be with TMO next year) will chase down a team mate.

Allen H

It's more plausible it's a ruse than that the whole team was in trouble on a 4% climb. It also wouldn't make sense for Lance to admit they sucked and he didn't feel good today, unless something else was up - that public admission was an open invitation to an attack-athon by everyone else tomorrow.

2wheeled

If Johann is playing poker then it's a dangerous game he's playing. He lost time to Kloden who has sucked this year but now looks pretty good and can be a threat. I personally think Dis. simply sucked eggs today and Lance IS pissed , he'll have some choice words for his team tonight. Dis.will step it up in the coming stages though.

What a great stage today. This will finally be the Tour that challenges LA. I love Vino's attacking style, he'll be on the podium. Great ride by Horner, I think we will see something special from him before the Tour's out.

Devil

Missed 2003, did you?

doctorSpoc

well, anything is possible... but i'm with Cipo on this one... if Lance had flated or crashed... his race would be over right now. the other thing is that now all their guys are down on GC.. so if they were planning on using them as threats to draw out the other team and make them work.. that strategy is basically out the window... if they planned it that way i'd give them an F- for strategy... it doesn't gain them anything and would be really, really risky... blowing the whole race risky! tomorrow if Lance's rivals were to see all the Disco guys in the bunch, and the attacks aren't working... they just adjust accordingly.... and the next day is a rest day so even if they expend themselves it has a reduced effect... yeah, if that's what they did i give them an F-, boneheaded!

2wheeled

yeah, I guess.
2003 was a close tour.

doctorSpoc

they were probably thinking... NICE MOVE!!, now all the other teams need to do all the work here and we will have a better chance at the day's finish if it comes back together. and if it doesn't come back together, still good... another t-mobile guy in striking distance. today Lance only needed to react when Vino and Ullrich attacked, as of tomorrow he will also have to react when Kloden goes too... if they really and truly play it like they have three leaders and it doesn't matter who wins, that's how they will beat Disco. Did you see Vino blocking for Kloden, slowing the group down.. that should give you a clue as to what he thought about Kloden's move.