Can Voeckler do it?

[dellzeqq]

He rates his own chances as zero. Then again, a man who expects nothing is rarely disappointed.

Stage 14 was a real eye-opener. Andy Schleck's stony face told its own story. This tour isn't anybody's for the taking, unless Contador gets his chops round a 'special' burger. Voeckler has amazed himself. I'd love to see him win, and Chris Boardman believes he can. What do you think?

 

[raindog]

I don't think he can, but it would be great if he did. He looked wasted yesterday post stage interview. I reckon he'll get dropped in the Alps. And he can't TT either. I'd love to see him do it though.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I don't think he can, but it would be great if he did. He looked wasted yesterday post stage interview. I reckon he'll get dropped in the Alps.

+1

 

[Keith Oates]

If he did win then it would be very a very popular one as he's shown a lot of grit and tenacity so far but I can't see it happening. Next week will be very interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[buddha]

I hope so. He looks like he's about to blow a gasket, and then somehow manages to keep pace.
Doesn't seem to like sitting down though. I feel tired just watching him climb.

If it wasn't for him, and the performance of some of the other non-favourites, I'd be bored with the Tour by now.

 

[MacB]

If it wasn't for him, and the performance of some of the other non-favourites, I'd be bored with the Tour by now.

I know what you mean, some of it just seems a bit too formulaic and so far A Schleck hasn't really caught my eye, if he does end up winning I hope it's because he turned on something big. At the moment all I'm seeing is someone nursed through the race with minimal energy expenditure. Then when it does come to the bit where he's meant to do something he spends all his time looking around. It's almost like he wants to pose and enjoys being considered a race leader but he just doesn't seem to be laying himself out there like other riders do. I'm probably totally wrong but it's like he'll fight to hold second or third rather than go for it and risk dropping off the podium. At least that's what last year seemed like to me, I'd like to see a bit more do or die.

I watched Boardman doing the little explanation of drafting last night and it really is quite remarkable how much energy the well protected riders are able to conserve. I used to marvel at the way the big names could blow everyone else away on the climbs. Now I'm not so sure, they're good, of that there's no doubt, but the playing field is so far from level I've started to see their performances as less than I used to.

 

[Willo]

Would be great to see him go all the way but can't see it. Saying that someone's got to attack properly at some point in the alps. Usually wait for the mountains for the tour to 'come alive' but it's been the oppposite for me this yr (altho enjoyed the tourmalet stage)

 

[400bhp]

Yes he can.

Andy Schleck is too concerned about Contador instead of riding his own race. This has left the door open to several riders who have a chance of winning.

I predict Contador is waiting for one opportunity-Alp D'Huez, get himself close enough to the lead, then bank on the TT. Smart rider.

I'd like to see Sanchez do it-keep picking them off. Just his TT ability isn't great.

Voeckler has been a revalation - animated in the pack, self deprecating about his chances.

 

[beastie]

If only Brad was still in :....... sigh

 

[Dave Davenport]

If only Brad was still in :....... sigh

Yep, it's looking more and more like this would have been his best chance ever

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I think Voeckler can do it but only if the peloton allows him to. I think Clenbutador is play acting "oh see how the clean Bertie suffers" but will suddently find new legs and an impassive expression come Alp D'Huez, and the winner will be whoever, if anyone, stays in touch with him there. (and I think Wiggo had as much chance of winning as Geraint Thomas. So not very much at all.)

 

[Baggy]

I think Clenbutador is play acting "oh see how the clean Bertie suffers" but will suddently find new legs and an impassive expression come Alp D'Huez, and the winner will be whoever, if anyone, stays in touch with him there.

I started off thinking that, but now I'm not so sure. I do think he's saving himselfand his knee for the Alps, but he's possibly more knackered than he thought he would be after the Giro.

Sadly I do think Voeckler will be dropped in the Alps - have thoroughly enjoyed watching his efforts.

Horse to Schlecks: "why the long faces?"

 

[alecstilleyedye]

the fact that darren clark has won the british open gives my optimism renewed vigour…

with feet on ground: he's got a decent gap to the schleks and cuddles. contador is 4 minutes back. tommy can just follow the schleks and let them worry about contador. unless bertie's the world's greatest sandbagger, he's not likely to take 4 minutes out of voeckler unless he suffers a really bad day, and he's handled the mountain stages as well as any of the favourites.

reminds me of 1996, when indurain was expected to make it win number 6 while it went to bjarne riis, who had similarly been about for a while without setting the world alight. yes he doped, but he was hardly alone in that…

 

[Crackle]

Can he do it? I think he's brittle, third week and fatigue is going to start playing a part, plus I think a few of the others have got a little bit more but aren't prepared to use it yet. Contador looked in less difficulty on the last stage but he's still got two minutes he needs to make up, I'm still not betting against him but this is a very open tour so far which might go down to that final tt.

 

[lilolee]

I like Tommie, and he has been helped in no part by Pierre Rolland and the fannying around by Bertie and the Schleks.

But I don't think so. I hope the mountains prove to be as exciting as the sprints have been and you can really gain time.

Alpe H'Duez is the one where Tommie will lose over 5 minutes, because Bertie needs to gain some time on the Schleks.

And as Crackle has said, it will come down to the TT and I predict that Cadel will beat Bertie into 2nd place and Tommie will end up just in the top 10.