Cadel and Levi snap at VDB

frenchfighter

I really like VDB and I really like Evans so I wan't too happy to read this:

"Before [the last kilometer], I had already been at loggerheads with Cadel Evans. He snapped at me, because he said I was in the way of his riding too much. I replied to him that I have as much right to a place on the road as he does."

Speaking with both Het Laatste Nieuws and Sporza, however, Van Den Broeck talks about a scuffle he had with former Tour de France podium finisher and three-time Tour of California winner, Levi Leipheimer: "It was a hectic day. Leipheimer was fighting me. I told him I had as much right to ride in the first group as he did. He will now know who he was fighting...In the end, I'm here to compete, but I do not punch other riders."

I hope VDB gets top 5.

As an aside he also said:

"Despite Andy Schleck's win, I still found Alberto Contador the best rider in our top group…Contador looked especially good. I was actually least impressed with Cadel Evans."

frenchfighter

Also, Andy Schleck mentioned about VDB being younger than him when he is actually two years older, although he did have good words to say:

"He's an upcoming rider. He's my generation, even younger than me. [Van Den Broeck is actually two and a half years older. - ed.]. He looks really good. He lost - for him - quite important time in the cobblestone stage. I believe he can do a nice result, but I don't see him on the podium, not this year; for sure in the future. He's up there. He was there yesterday so he's good."

calvjones

Old scores from Lotto days. But yes, I'd like to see them both on the podium actually. I'd make a mint from Betfair and clean up on PTP*

I guess it might be quite uncomfortable for established climbers to have someone new in the group they know nothing about. If Gesink goes up the road Levi thinks, ah well I'll get those seconds back in the TT. Jurgen, who knows?



*which means they'll both fall off and abandon today

disgruntledgoat

DIdn't Wiggins get a load of grief on the Andorra stage last year for climbing in the front group. Fairly certain some riders just like to "haze" new guys up there into making mistakes, riding too cautiously and getting dropped as an easy energy-free way to whittle down their competitors.

takethehighroad

Yeah just because they don't do it as obviously as the sprinters do, these kinds of things still go on.

greasedscotsman

Didn't Moreau have a bit of a punch up with someone a few years ago on a Tour mountain stage over a similar thing? Was it Sastre? Not quite sure...

Pross

If they don't think he should be there why don't they attack and drop him? Could it be because they are no more comfortable than him climbing? Mind games!