TdF Stage 7 - Friday July 10 - 224 km - Barcelona (Spain) → Arcalis (Andorra)
07-09-09, 07:57 PM
#51
Junior Member
Ventoux is a cliff. 
I'm in the camp that thinks that Astana drags the peloton at a pace that blows it apart, then they let LA get the yellow for a few days. (before he gives it up to Contador for the win)
I'm in the camp that thinks that Astana drags the peloton at a pace that blows it apart, then they let LA get the yellow for a few days. (before he gives it up to Contador for the win)
07-09-09, 08:13 PM
#53
Here's a crazier prediction... Bernard Hinault will appear out of nowhere, provoke Cancellara with a couple of glares and barks, and proceed to attack Astana riders mercilessly... one by one!
07-09-09, 08:37 PM
#54
i don't know if they have a choice... there's fabian then there's 4 astana guys... unless cancellara keeps up with them, one of the astana team will be in yellow tomorrow, and i doubt they are going to let their pace be determined by fabian.
07-09-09, 08:48 PM
#55
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THAT was good. Then he'd say he was doing it to help the ones he crushed.
I don't have a favourite, I just like watching the race. If I had to choose, I'd go with Garmin because they have the Lone Canuck. Go Ryder, keep your team in there buddy!
07-09-09, 09:07 PM
#56
07-09-09, 09:08 PM
#57
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07-09-09, 09:08 PM
#58
07-09-09, 09:30 PM
#59
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Eljimberino
Originally Posted by ooga-booga
yeah, evans, kloden, menchov & levi are all at the same climbing level-consistently. 5 bucks says all four finish
within 15 seconds of each other.
what is with the levi loving? he cant climb for crap.
well, he wasn't too bad in the 2007 tour, held his own in the 2008 vuelta and was semi-decent
in the 2009 giro. he rises to the occasion once in a while but falls off just often enough to warrant
doubt as a super-climber. who exactly would be classified as a super-climber these days?
contador, sastre and the schlecks are the likely suspects. all other climbers have a
fantastic day (or two) to temporarily cement their reputation as the next big thing or the best.
then...they disappear for the remainder of the gt to maybe reappear next season. maybe.
Originally Posted by ooga-booga
yeah, evans, kloden, menchov & levi are all at the same climbing level-consistently. 5 bucks says all four finish
within 15 seconds of each other.
what is with the levi loving? he cant climb for crap.
well, he wasn't too bad in the 2007 tour, held his own in the 2008 vuelta and was semi-decent
in the 2009 giro. he rises to the occasion once in a while but falls off just often enough to warrant
doubt as a super-climber. who exactly would be classified as a super-climber these days?
contador, sastre and the schlecks are the likely suspects. all other climbers have a
fantastic day (or two) to temporarily cement their reputation as the next big thing or the best.
then...they disappear for the remainder of the gt to maybe reappear next season. maybe.
07-09-09, 09:46 PM
#60
Senior Member
LOL... i was swearing i saw his name this year... well that's life... my bad 
Since we're talking about guys who aren't in the race, I'm thinking Basso, DiLuca and Ricco will all be tough to drop. 
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?
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?
07-09-09, 09:56 PM
#61
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Eljimberino
Originally Posted by ooga-booga
yeah, evans, kloden, menchov & levi are all at the same climbing level-consistently. 5 bucks says all four finish
within 15 seconds of each other.
what is with the levi loving? he cant climb for crap.
well, he wasn't too bad in the 2007 tour, held his own in the 2008 vuelta and was semi-decent
in the 2009 giro. he rises to the occasion once in a while but falls off just often enough to warrant
doubt as a super-climber. who exactly would be classified as a super-climber these days?
contador, sastre and the schlecks are the likely suspects. all other climbers have a
fantastic day (or two) to temporarily cement their reputation as the next big thing or the best.
then...they disappear for the remainder of the gt to maybe reappear next season. maybe.
Originally Posted by ooga-booga
yeah, evans, kloden, menchov & levi are all at the same climbing level-consistently. 5 bucks says all four finish
within 15 seconds of each other.
what is with the levi loving? he cant climb for crap.
well, he wasn't too bad in the 2007 tour, held his own in the 2008 vuelta and was semi-decent
in the 2009 giro. he rises to the occasion once in a while but falls off just often enough to warrant
doubt as a super-climber. who exactly would be classified as a super-climber these days?
contador, sastre and the schlecks are the likely suspects. all other climbers have a
fantastic day (or two) to temporarily cement their reputation as the next big thing or the best.
then...they disappear for the remainder of the gt to maybe reappear next season. maybe.
07-09-09, 10:06 PM
#62
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Sorry to be a bit snarky there. He rode in the Giro this year, and wasn't in great form. His team wasn't invited this year because of the doping positive at last year's tour.
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07-10-09, 12:27 AM
#63
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07-10-09, 01:02 AM
#64
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expecting a flock of flyweight spanish climbers-known & unknown-to attack before & during the last climb.
whether or not zubeldia, sastre & half of teams caisse d'espargne and euskatel are among them...
should astana attack first to control the race? yes. if they do so, the gc contending teams are likely to
fall in line at least for today. good thing half the teams have no chance of a podium place unless it's
the kom. these kom teams should make today's stage a little more chaotic. hoping for atrocious weather
to further muddy everybody's plans. always love a mountain stage filled with disinformation and
uncertainty.
whether or not zubeldia, sastre & half of teams caisse d'espargne and euskatel are among them...
should astana attack first to control the race? yes. if they do so, the gc contending teams are likely to
fall in line at least for today. good thing half the teams have no chance of a podium place unless it's
the kom. these kom teams should make today's stage a little more chaotic. hoping for atrocious weather
to further muddy everybody's plans. always love a mountain stage filled with disinformation and
uncertainty.
07-10-09, 02:31 AM
#65
Senior Member
Thor will try and get the Green via the first intermediate sprint.
Might be a day Pierro tries to get a stage win on a stage mostly on home soil-he's too far back on GC so maybe he'll try and get the polka dots.
Might be a day Pierro tries to get a stage win on a stage mostly on home soil-he's too far back on GC so maybe he'll try and get the polka dots.
07-10-09, 06:19 AM
#66
Seņor Member
We will know in a few hours...
07-10-09, 06:32 AM
#68
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07-10-09, 06:34 AM
#69
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Just checked on https://gaps.letour.fr/us.html & yeah, no names I recognize (not that that says much, lol). Excited to see the descent coming up, and of course the climb... AAND to maybe see someone else in green! =o
07-10-09, 06:36 AM
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Man, the people at these summits, eh? I think it would wig me out to have these guys all up in my business running along making the road about a meter wide. Ugh. MOOOOOVE!!!!
lol.
lol.
07-10-09, 06:46 AM
#71
Seņor Member
My wife doesn't get this sport though
. She wanted to watch qualifying for Asscar last night. What other sport is so over-hyped that they televise practice and qualifying?
07-10-09, 06:48 AM
#72
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lol! Asscar.....
Pelotons going through the crowds now. Oof, tight squeeze! They said it's MUCH busier at the finish. I hope the Tour clears the road a little so there's no accidents.
Pelotons going through the crowds now. Oof, tight squeeze! They said it's MUCH busier at the finish. I hope the Tour clears the road a little so there's no accidents.
07-10-09, 06:58 AM
#73
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I got to agree with Phil on this one..... Astana is definitely acting like they have the yellow with the way they've been controlling the Peloton. Interesting, eh? Saxo's probably juuuuuust fine with that.
07-10-09, 07:00 AM
#74
Senior Member
I'm with you on this one... after like 12 years married wifey still can't understand how the winner of the whole race is picked... the funny thing is that she can understand lab stuff to create the hulk in your own home. Probably is because she doesn't give a darn about cycling ... the nice is that i can watch the race no problems, so im in a better position than ericy 
I figure the fans have been there all day long and are as drunk as a skunk. Someday I think it would be fun to go there and experience it all. You would need a radio or TV so you could follow it all before the race got to you though.
My wife doesn't get this sport though. She wanted to watch qualifying for Asscar last night. What other sport is so over-hyped that they televise practice and qualifying?
My wife doesn't get this sport though
. She wanted to watch qualifying for Asscar last night. What other sport is so over-hyped that they televise practice and qualifying?
07-10-09, 07:09 AM
#75
Hey let's ride.
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From Velonews live feed.
In case you're wondering, Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r) is the current leader on the road, having started his day in 32nd place, at 3:13. He is the highest placed rider in the break.
In case you're wondering, Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r) is the current leader on the road, having started his day in 32nd place, at 3:13. He is the highest placed rider in the break.
