*Spoliers* Tour de France talk *Spoilers*

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  • Coriander
    Coriander Posts: 1,326
    Always Tyred wrote:
    No one likes a scouser.

    That wouldn't be a problem for Cavendish. :wink:
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Come on, Wiggo: nail this descent.

    <bites fingers>
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    attack Wiggo attack
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • risi
    risi Posts: 231
    Down to a close 6th if he doesn't do something. Might be able to make some of that back tomorrow.
    Specialized Allez
    Trek 6500
  • shoulder_of_orion
    shoulder_of_orion Posts: 529
    bradders has been broken by lance
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    What was AC upto, playing silly buggers?
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Feck working late I'm leaving at 6pm prompt to watch this!
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • risi
    risi Posts: 231
    edited July 2009
    Il Principe wrote:
    What was AC upto, playing silly buggers?

    Didn't want to pull the Schlecks too far ahead of Kloden to prevent an Astana 1-2-3 in Paris.
    Specialized Allez
    Trek 6500
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Il Principe wrote:
    What was AC upto, playing silly buggers?

    Possibly seeing if Kloden could come back and take the stage - he lost there five years ago in a sprint with LA.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • shoulder_of_orion
    shoulder_of_orion Posts: 529
    yes but kloden said he couldn't go before contador attacked. I think he was just trying to break the schlecks
  • shoulder_of_orion
    shoulder_of_orion Posts: 529
    awesome work by the schlecks
  • risi
    risi Posts: 231
    Frank wins, head of Andy and Bertie.

    2.20 back to Armstrong, Nibali, Kloden

    Wiggins @ 3.06.

    I make that down to sixth.
    Specialized Allez
    Trek 6500
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Not to worry: the lad's still 6th in the TdF after one of the hardest mountain stages around! 8)

    He's going to need to do one hell of a TT and, if he does, you can bet that he's going to be attacked left, right and centre.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    risi wrote:
    Frank wins, head of Andy and Bertie.

    2.20 back to Armstrong, Nibali, Kloden

    Wiggins @ 3.06.

    I make that down to sixth.

    Yup.

    Hate to say it, but whatever he takes from the Schlecks in the ITT they will take back on Ventoux. Wiggins seems to be suffering in the third week (which is not surprising).

    It looks to me like a tag wrestling match: LA & AK vs the Schlecks for P2 and P3 in Paris.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • risi
    risi Posts: 231
    Greg66 wrote:
    risi wrote:
    Frank wins, head of Andy and Bertie.

    2.20 back to Armstrong, Nibali, Kloden

    Wiggins @ 3.06.

    I make that down to sixth.

    Yup.

    Hate to say it, but whatever he takes from the Schlecks in the ITT they will take back on Ventoux. Wiggins seems to be suffering in the third week (which is not surprising).

    It looks to me like a tag wrestling match: LA & AK vs the Schlecks for P2 and P3 in Paris.

    That just about sums it up. I think that 6th will probably be his final placing, 5th at best, 7th at worst. But that's nothing to be embarrassed about. I would have only made it to 8th I reckon *



    If there were only 7 other riders
    Specialized Allez
    Trek 6500
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    risi wrote:
    Greg66 wrote:
    risi wrote:
    Frank wins, head of Andy and Bertie.

    2.20 back to Armstrong, Nibali, Kloden

    Wiggins @ 3.06.

    I make that down to sixth.

    Yup.

    Hate to say it, but whatever he takes from the Schlecks in the ITT they will take back on Ventoux. Wiggins seems to be suffering in the third week (which is not surprising).

    It looks to me like a tag wrestling match: LA & AK vs the Schlecks for P2 and P3 in Paris.

    That just about sums it up. I think that 6th will probably be his final placing, 5th at best, 7th at worst. But that's nothing to be embarrassed about. I would have only made it to 8th I reckon *



    If there were only 7 other riders

    Pretty sure I could manage 12th.

    In 1919.

    Assuming I finished.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Greg66 wrote:
    risi wrote:
    Greg66 wrote:
    risi wrote:
    Frank wins, head of Andy and Bertie.

    2.20 back to Armstrong, Nibali, Kloden

    Wiggins @ 3.06.

    I make that down to sixth.

    Yup.

    Hate to say it, but whatever he takes from the Schlecks in the ITT they will take back on Ventoux. Wiggins seems to be suffering in the third week (which is not surprising).

    It looks to me like a tag wrestling match: LA & AK vs the Schlecks for P2 and P3 in Paris.

    That just about sums it up. I think that 6th will probably be his final placing, 5th at best, 7th at worst. But that's nothing to be embarrassed about. I would have only made it to 8th I reckon *



    If there were only 7 other riders

    Pretty sure I could manage 12th.

    In 1919.

    Assuming I finished.

    In 1919 it had only be going for 16 years... and I think they did it on FG bikes... are you sure?

    You look well for your age. :wink:
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • shoulder_of_orion
    shoulder_of_orion Posts: 529
    Bradders has only finished one tour, in 2006, he came 124th. In 07 & 08 he DNF.

    Now it looks like he'll finish sixth.

    Quite a remarkable improvement........
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    2008 was DNS

    2007 was due to that clown Moreni.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Interesting exchange on Twitter between LL and LA:
    lancearmstrongRT @LeviLeipheimer: If Andreas finishes 4th in GC by less than 2' from 3rd, we know where he lost it. . .

    lancearmstrongSt 17 done. Tough day! Got caught out on some attacks on the col de romme but managed ok from behind. Had some cramps @ the end. No fun!!

    lancearmstrongGetting lots of question why AC attacked and dropped Kloden. I still haven't figured it out either. Oh well.

    LeviLeipheimerAC said in post race interview he had asked Andreas if he was up 4 the attack and got an ok. AC was upset he got left.. (via @theprecipice)

    LeviLeipheimerI can tell you that AC and AK speak to each other in English, so it's easily possible there was a misunderstanding. I'm sure we will see25 minutes ago

    :D
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Bradders (is it ok if i call him Bradders being new to this sport and all....) was aiming for a top 20 GC on the tour. He is rubbing up against the heavy hitters (Armstrong, Shelck, Kloden and co) in the top 6 let alone top 10 and the guys around the top 20 can only look in awe and amazement.

    Considering he wasn't even a contender when it started - his eyes on the prologue and a top 20. He has slotted in as a top contender so easily and so naturally its impressive. I also like how honestly humble and genuine his interviews are, refreshing when having watched a Armstrong, Cavendish, Evans, Team Sky interview...

    His improvement is quite something......

    << Looks around suspiciously, but hopes... >>

    All British riders, Athletes and sports people are clean. FACT.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • Stone Glider
    Stone Glider Posts: 1,227
    What an amazing stage. Mr Wiggins can be proud of a very tough job well done. Weren't Garmin superb? Punching well above their weight with a real "Three Musketeer" ethic.

    It is getting harder every stage to maintain my dislike of Mr L A of Texas, today he was the perfect professional and a total "team layer" No doubt at all that he has still "got it".

    P S @ capo: it wasn't me you quoted, it was AT. Don't get it wrong again, he can turn nasty :x
    The older I get the faster I was
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Stone Glider wrote:
    What an amazing stage. Mr Wiggins can be proud of a very tough job well done. Weren't Garmin superb? Punching well above their weight with a real "Three Musketeer" ethic.

    +1. It's been great viewing. I haven't seen the highlights yet, but I understand Vande Velde was giving it everything to help Wiggo. 8)

    Wiggo took 2.5 mins out of F Schleck in 2007 over 55km. He could do that, but A Schleck is a better TTer it seems so that's a tall order. This all assumes that he can do over LA and Kloden too. There's every reason to think that Kloden is as knackered as Wiggo after today.

    Wiggo will have the TT of his life and will fight like a lion on Ventoux.

    My prediction: Wiggo to finish 3rd. :twisted:
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    cjcp wrote:
    Stone Glider wrote:
    What an amazing stage. Mr Wiggins can be proud of a very tough job well done. Weren't Garmin superb? Punching well above their weight with a real "Three Musketeer" ethic.

    +1. It's been great viewing. I haven't seen the highlights yet, but I understand Vande Velde was giving it everything to help Wiggo. 8)

    Wiggo took 2.5 mins out of F Schleck in 2007 over 55km. He could do that, but A Schleck is a better TTer it seems so that's a tall order. This all assumes that he can do over LA and Kloden too. There's every reason to think that Kloden is as knackered as Wiggo after today.

    Wiggo will have the TT of his life and will fight like a lion on Ventoux.

    My prediction: Wiggo to finish 3rd. :twisted:
    Nope - Ventoux is too steep for too long. He, Armstrong and others will be gapped (that for Corriander).
    After the TT, A Schelck 4th, Wiggo 3rd, Armstrong 2nd, Contador 1st.
    After Ventoux, Wiggo 4th, Armstrong 3rd, A Shleck 2nd, Contador 1st, then thrown out for doping. :wink:

    There's a small possibility that Armstrong will hang one to one or more Schlecks on Ventoux and manage second. But Wiggins is marked now as a team leader (so protected by a strong team) who is a threat to Armstrong and A Schleck (who have stronger teams) for a podium position. Looks like Kloden is too far back now, so he may hold back a bit on the TT so he can support Contador on Ventoux. Contador won't be needing his help too long, and after today he might be more inclined to help his employer for next year anyway.

    Before then, he was uunder the radar. They have found out that they can put time into him by sudden accelerations on the climbs. This works for Armstrong, but he too is able to distance Wiggins in this way.

    Can't wait until next year - Contador will have a maniac Kazakh bent on general havok and team leadership on his team, which may or may not even be allowed to enter. Armstrong will have Leipheimer, Kloden, god knows who else. Might be a bit more even.

    Wiggo will be riding for Sky....but honestly, he's too well known now and I can't see it somehow.

    Basso might be back.

    One of these big GC contenders should get Evans on the team for TdF support, with the promise of getting the guy a shot at the Giro or Vuelta.

    Damn - its not been this good since Gap 2003.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Nope - Ventoux is too steep for too long. He, Armstrong and others will be gapped (that for Corriander).
    After the TT, A Schelck 4th, Wiggo 3rd, Armstrong 2nd, Contador 1st.
    After Ventoux, Wiggo 4th, Armstrong 3rd, A Shleck 2nd, Contador 1st, then thrown out for doping. :wink:

    There's a small possibility that Armstrong will hang one to one or more Schlecks on Ventoux and manage second. But Wiggins is marked now as a team leader (so protected by a strong team) who is a threat to Armstrong and A Schleck (who have stronger teams) for a podium position. Looks like Kloden is too far back now, so he may hold back a bit on the TT so he can support Contador on Ventoux. Contador won't be needing his help too long, and after today he might be more inclined to help his employer for next year anyway.

    Before then, he was uunder the radar. They have found out that they can put time into him by sudden accelerations on the climbs. This works for Armstrong, but he too is able to distance Wiggins in this way.

    Can't wait until next year - Contador will have a maniac Kazakh bent on general havok and team leadership on his team, which may or may not even be allowed to enter. Armstrong will have Leipheimer, Kloden, god knows who else. Might be a bit more even.

    Wiggo will be riding for Sky....but honestly, he's too well known now and I can't see it somehow.

    Basso might be back.

    One of these big GC contenders should get Evans on the team for TdF support, with the promise of getting the guy a shot at the Giro or Vuelta.

    Damn - its not been this good since Gap 2003.

    Ah, I'll confess; my prediction was tongue in cheek, although it doesn't really read that way. D'oh!

    I certainly hope they do not extend an invitation to any team lead by Vinokourov, whether it has AC in it or not.

    Re your :wink: , I confess that I'm slightly concerned that there have been no positive tests this year. I find it difficult to believe that it's suddenly all clean. Maybe I'm too cynical. :?

    I also think that other riders have to look at their training regimes if they're being dropped by a near 38 year old who's riding his first TdF in four years after 3.5 years out of the sport...
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    And who (and I'd forgotten this) broke his collar bone in the Giro.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Remember that song from the '91 or so: "Things that make you go Hmmmm"?
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    cjcp wrote:
    Remember that song from the '91 or so: "Things that make you go Hmmmm"?
    I dunno. Targetted testing of Di Luca based on bio passport data. Astana getting a lot of attention from testers in the tour. Everyone assumes its a vendetta against Armstrong, but there's another guy on the team who hasn't broken sweat yet who is kindasorta associated with Puerto who Dave B doesn't like.....

    2 + 2 = 5 (or more).

    (I don't actually believe this, btw)
  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    A quote from Brad's Twitter feed:
    "bradwigginsThor Husovd, what can I say, after a certain persons comments today, Thor sticks two fingers up in a way that only Thor can. A true Gent"

    I guess the Madison team won't be reuniting any time soon then! (surprised me, I thought they's kissed and made up)
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    QUESTIONS!!!

    What exactly did Thor protest about.

    What did Hincipie (sp?) do during a stage that provoked critisim.

    What is wrong or the problem with Vinokourov? Other than getting banned what else did he do?
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game

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