Stage 18 SPOILER

Happiness1982

Evans can do either Schlek by 2mins in the TT without a drama

samiam

donrhummy wrote:

davelakers wrote:

Tommy V needs to go and find Evans and give him a big hug of thanks. That ride by Evans was one of the most gutsy rides that I have ever seen by any rider.

While I agree (Evans was incredible!), why are so few giving credit to the courageous ride by Andy? He took a HUGE risk going that early, alone.

Because he spent the last 18 days boring everyone to tears whilst whining and moaning..

Mettan

Andy needs another 15-20 secs minimum tomorrow re Tom & Cuddles. And then theres work in the TT. Who knows what willl happen tomorrow.

What a great ride though.

takethehighroad

Cut off time is around 33 minutes

gabriel959

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

Well, at least if Bertie does lose his appeal against a doping ban, he won't have to hand back this year's jersey!

he will have to hand back the giro's jersey though!

bigmat

Quality stuff, Evans was forced into doing that but did it well, clearly the strongest there. Stupid by the chasing group to let Schleck build such a big lead though, if they'd started the chase earlier and worked together they might have caught him. One minute gap now for Cadel? He should be able to do that in the tt, we've been here before of course but don't think he's been in as good shape by week three on those other occasions. Of course, a lot could change tomorrow, but don't see anybody other than the Schlecks or Cadel making any time up.

Pokerface

And now the race to see if Cav makes the time cut begins....

Mettan

But for buggering up the other day, Andy would have had this won already.

stokepa31

great ride from Andy. all set up for a great last few days. Bertie has done well for a guy who did a tough giro and has had one leg. Cadel showed real grit there and Tommy was just stunning.

takethehighroad

OK, so it was a good ride by Cadel, but Andy was on his own for much longer up half the Lauteret, after an attack on the Izoard 60 k out!

If that doesn't make him a True Champion I don't know what does

B3rnieMac

RE: the TT head-to-head between cadel and contador, anyone compared andy and cadel? just how much better is cuddles?

stokepa31

gabriel959 wrote:

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

Well, at least if Bertie does lose his appeal against a doping ban, he won't have to hand back this year's jersey!

he will have to hand back the giro's jersey though!

And last years tour too

Happiness1982

TakeTheHighRoad wrote:

OK, so it was a good ride by Cadel, but Andy was on his own for much longer up half the Lauteret, after an attack on the Izoard 60 k out!

If that doesn't make him a True Champion I don't know what does

Not moaning like a bitch at every stage that doesn't suit him, I'd have thought

davelakers

Floyd Landis
Ricardo Ricco
Andy Schleck???

donrhummy

Andy improved his TT a lot last year, if he's made more improvements this year, it could be real close. I hope Cadel can pull this one out. He's riding such a phenomenal tour!

orangepip

hmmm I think that if he was really doped up to the eyeballs as people seem to be suggesting the gap would have been larger and he would be in yellow?

Of course i could well be proven wrong on this one! Still we should try and reign the cynicism in a bit shouldn't we.

Roscobob

davelakers wrote:

Floyd Landis
Ricardo Ricco
Andy Schleck???

That was my initial reaction.

donrhummy

so funny to hear Sherwin/Liggett try to remember the last time someone attacked from so far out to try and win the TDF. Hmmm...yeah, Landis never happened. LOL

Pross

One of the best Tour stages for years. I'm happy to eat humble pie it just goes to show what can be done if you take a risk. Great ride by Cuddles too, it looked like the other contenders felt it is his race to defend. TV also earning a True Champion accolade and really doing the jersey credit. Frank to attack tomorrow and go into yellow? Who would be strongest in a TT out of the Schlecks and TV?

lostboysaint

davelakers wrote:

Floyd Landis
Ricardo Ricco
Alberto Contador
Andy Schleck???

Edited for you.

DF33

Well done chaps, it was knackering, nerve wracking and tactical on the thread today but we made the break and got through.

Give ourselves a massive pat on the back.

Ok, team orders for tonight.
Clean and service the keyboard
Shower
Big steaks,
massage
couple of beers,
early night and rest, rest rest ready for tomorrow.
Bacons in the morn
snack bags and drinkies ready

ready to race tomorrow lunchtime.
Keyboards out and ready on the start line

That is all.

afx237vi

Time limit? Only 44 riders home, 20 minutes elapsed.

gabriel959

Words from Bertie....

"La victoria ya está imposible. He tenido un mal día. La piernas no me han respondido y he cogido una pájara increíble. Ha sido un día muy duro desde el principio".

mididoctors

stage

that was very 1980's

cadel was wheel sucked by the entire tdf there

andy did quite a ride there

Neil McC

afx237vi wrote:

Time limit? Only 44 riders home, 20 minutes elapsed.

33:17

afx237vi

Neil McC wrote:

afx237vi wrote:

Time limit? Only 44 riders home, 20 minutes elapsed.

33:17

Yikes.

gabriel959

rojas hasn't come in yet either!

Gazzaputt

davelakers wrote:

Floyd Landis
Ricardo Ricco
Andy Schleck???

I'd bet my house on Schleck being clean.

TMR

donrhummy wrote:

While I agree (Evans was incredible!), why are so few giving credit to the courageous ride by Andy? He took a HUGE risk going that early, alone.

Because he's behaved like a kn0b all week and now we all hate him.

nevman

Going by the way the time gap fell off on the Galibier,you`d have to say that was clean and give due credit for an old school break.What are the odds on Franck for AdH tomorrow,worth a punt seeing how he sat back until the end.Wish I was on Virage 12 tomorrow ,will be another great day.