Le Tour

[Missing Dog]

Really enjoying tonights stage. Plenty of tactics being used, and a lot of riders blowing up.
Edit - unfortunately one of those riders blowing up is Evans

[Mantis]

Re: Le Tour

I am a big fan of the tour. I have stayed up and watched all the mountain stages thus far.

I was really surprised that Cadel was dropped when he was last night. Generally he can't go with the gun climbers (Schleck & Contador), but normally hangs around for longer than he did. You hear later that the poor fella has a fracture in his elbow which means he can't extend his arm.

Cadel's normal climbing technique is to get out of his seat and swing from side to side to generate power, but last night he was stuck to the seat.... Now I know why.

It's still going to a fascinating tour, especially when they hit the Pyrenees as Schleck needs to attack Contador and build up a bit of a lead before the final TT.

I hope Cadel pulls out, he is as courageous as they come, but is doing himself no justice if he continues on and can't perform at his best.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Le Tour

I hope Cadel pulls out, he is a courageous as they come, but is doing himself no justice if he continues on and can't perform at his best.

He may as well rest up and get his body ready for the Road World Championships.

[Jasper]

Re: Le Tour

Mr Soccer is now Mr Cycling?

I'm so impressed that you've transitioned so seemlessly from World Cup to Le Tour.
NFL season is just around the corner..........

[GVGjr]

Re: Le Tour

I'm a big fan of the tour as well and it was a shame to see Evans without any kick. Given there had just been a rest day you just knew he was in all sorts of trouble once the pace picked up.

He should try an give it another day but he won't catch the leaders.

[Bornadog]

Re: Le Tour

I'm a big fan of the tour as well and it was a shame to see Evans without any kick. Given there had just been a rest day you just knew he was in all sorts of trouble once the pace picked up.

He should try an give it another day but he won't catch the leaders.

Doesn't he have a broken arm?

[GVGjr]

Re: Le Tour

Doesn't he have a broken arm?

Fracture. It was impacting the way he had to ride.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Le Tour

Have been watching the TDF from Day 1 - sleep deprived and eyes hanging out of my head but I push on...

Looking forward to the mountain stages now absolutely awesome the way they power up those mountains.

[Mantis]

Re: Le Tour

Interesting stage last night with Contador seizing the advantage after Schleck had some mechanical problems. There has been lots of discussion about if it was within the 'spirit of racing' for Contador to attack at this time, but at that stage of the race I don't think there would have been many who would have 'sat up' and waited.

If he had crashed it would have been a different story.

[mjp]

Re: Le Tour

Interesting stage last night with Contador seizing the advantage after Schleck had some mechanical problems. There has been lots of discussion about if it was within the 'spirit of racing' for Contador to attack at this time, but at that stage of the race I don't think there would have been many who would have 'sat up' and waited.

If he had crashed it would have been a different story.

Spirit of Racing?

Contador has shown again and again he has an absolute killer instinct and cares little for the niceties of the sport. Schleck copped some bad luck and he capitalised...now let's see how HE responds.

[Mantis]

Re: Le Tour

Spirit of Racing?

Contador has shown again and again he has an absolute killer instinct and cares little for the niceties of the sport. Schleck copped some bad luck and he capitalised...now let's see how HE responds.

I have no problems with Contador's tactics, but there has been much discussion about what occured on other forums, interviews, etc..

It was at a pivotal moment of the stage, but as they say in the classics 'shit happens' and we will see what happens tonight.