Burning TDF Questions

donrhummy

1. If Menchov didn't slip/fall, does his attack bring him into yellow?
2. If Menchov/Rabobank win, does Astana put out a hit on ASO?
3. How many seconds behind Schleck/Sastre/Menchy can Vande Velde be and still make the podium?
4. If Evans not only doesn't win but places worse than last year, is McEwen the most pissed man on the planet?
5. Would keeping Chris Horner while adding Popo actually made that big a diff. to where Evans would no longer whine about how it's "two against one" or "three against one" as he has last year and this?
6. How much time does Schleck need on Evans/Menchy/Vandy before the TT to take it all?
7. How much time does he need on Sastre?

Kléber

1. Maybe not, the others would have gone after him.
2. No, ASO almost blocked Rabo but in the end, the Dutch sacked the Chicken quick and grovelled to ASO, unlike Astana which spent a long time supporting Vinokourov and apparently they've yet to apologise
3. Who knows, it depends what happens in the next two days. But if you want to play the game, guess here.
4. Evans has got more publicity for his team than McEwen could. You could get a TGV to lead out Robbie but it wouldn't work, he's never thrived in organised sprints.
5. Silence-Lotto management gambled that Popo would be better than Horner, on paper it seemed fine but to be kind, Popo's not on top form; cynically he's not getting the Discovery vitamins.
6. Like 3.
7. Like 3.

RichN95.

1. Probably not, but certainly closer to Evans
2. No. Particularly as if Ras had never started the Tour last year Evans would probably have won.
3. After the Alps? To beat them he needs to be 40s ahead of Menchov, a minute behind Satre and two behind Schleck to be certain.
4. No. McEwen showed no form in the Giro with team support.
5. Probably not. Horner, Popo and Evans aren't nearly as strong as 2 Schlecks and Sastre.
6. At least three minutes.
7. At least two minutes.

Jez mon

donrhummy wrote:

1. If Menchov didn't slip/fall, does his attack bring him into yellow?
2. If Menchov/Rabobank win, does Astana put out a hit on ASO?
3. How many seconds behind Schleck/Sastre/Menchy can Vande Velde be and still make the podium?
4. If Evans not only doesn't win but places worse than last year, is McEwen the most pissed man on the planet?
5. Would keeping Chris Horner while adding Popo actually made that big a diff. to where Evans would no longer whine about how it's "two against one" or "three against one" as he has last year and this?
6. How much time does Schleck need on Evans/Menchy/Vandy before the TT to take it all?
7. How much time does he need on Sastre?

1. Nope, Schleck would have followed him
2. Probably, but no one except the Let Levi Ride loonies will listen
3. Don't think he will make the podium
4. Nope, as others have said, McEwen doesn't need a long lead out, he also hasn't really warranted any team help this season
5. I think so, Silence are useless in the mountains
6. About 1m 30, if the yellow inspires him
7. About 40 seconds, but not knowing who the team leader is might ruin it for CSC