Le Tour - Stage 4 - ***SPOILER***

[ComedyPilot]

I don't think so. There was the danger of it, and it certainly happened to Leipheimer, who eventually ran to empty in the Giro. Contador took an important break and rode the Dauphiné very conservatively by his standards. Without knowing for certain, I reckon he has judged his preparation pretty much perfectly.

Good call, although when it was flat and windy he did nothing IMO to help or consolidate his 'position' as GC team leader by getting up there and pulling with LA and the Columbia express.

I just don't see how today (being a TTT) will help Bertie, he's damned if he does, he's damned if he doesn't.

 

[Skip Madness]

I think Contador really needs to look beyond Armstrong for the time being. It's daft to pretend there isn't a lot of tension there, but today is the day to stick it to some other rivals - chiefly Evans, Sastre and Menchov. Contador is only 19 seconds down on Armstrong - he can worry about that at Arcalís and, more seriously, the Alps.

 

[ComedyPilot]

I think Contador really needs to look beyond Armstrong for the time being. It's daft to pretend there isn't a lot of tension there, but today is the day to stick it to some other rivals - chiefly Evans, Sastre and Menchov. Contador is only 19 seconds down on Armstrong - he can worry about that at Arcalís and, more seriously, the Alps.

Fair do's, but do you think Brown-eel (sp) will allow the team to run so long without a defined GC leader?

And if at a later point in the tour LA or Bertie are GC team leaders, will How-Now-Brown-Cow allow in-fighting to ruin chances of a Champs-Elysee victory?

 

[John the Monkey]

Fair do's, but do you think Brown-eel (sp) will allow the team to run so long without a defined GC leader?

Astana said pre-tour that Berto was the leader.

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/contador-named-astanas-tour-leader-22177

100% OF FACT.

 

[johnnyh]

Astana said pre-tour that Berto was the leader.

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/contador-named-astanas-tour-leader-22177

100% OF FACT.

what is said and the truth are often very different.

 

[yello]

After reading this and thinking it was too early to start calling for the leader's role, I wondered whether LA is just ramping up the pressure on Contador (or even deflecting attention from him??). Hmmmm....

Anyway, today. Columbia and Garmin also have a chance of putting their man in yellow... and I'd really love to see Wiggins top of the podium! So it should be fiercely contested. I'm not sure Columbia having put in a lot of work yesterday will make any difference, they'll still be up for it. I'm hoping for a Garmin win but I can't see them taking it by the necessary to put Wiggins in yellow.

I reckon Contador's got to play his part today, he needs the time.

I reckon it'll be Astana, Garmin, Columbia.

 

[Will1985]

+1. When push comes to shove, more of the Astana team will fall into line behind Lance.

 

[dellzeqq]

The team time-trial is making a comeback in the Tour de France, but with one major change: the time recorded on the line will be taken into account without tables. Real time is still the absolute rule at the 2009 Tour. That is also why the route in Montpellier is short.

Can anybody explain what is meant by 'without tables'? Does each rider score individually?

 

[Landslide]

Can anybody explain what is meant by 'without tables'?

That ASO have given up all hope of things being "above board".

 

[Noodley]

Columbia for today's stage, and Martin in Yellow

 

[garrilla]

The 'tables' were a matrix used to adjust the GC position so that big differences in the TTT didn't have such a big impact on the overall classification. Basically, the time posted on the TTT will be added to the GC times. AFAIK.

 

[simon_brooke]

True but LA will be stronger than he was when recovering on the Giro. I still think Bertie will do it but a nice tangle awaits.

Lance doesn't have to attack Contador in the mountains, he only has to defend - and he's shown over seven victories that he's very, very good at defending. Furthermore, I think that Lance will care a lot more about beating Contador than he will about beating Sastre and the Schleck brothers.

Today? Columbia, but not by 33 seconds over Saxo.

 

[yello]

Lance doesn't have to attack Contador in the mountains, he only has to defend

I think, more realistically, he'll have to hang on! He can't 'defend' against his own team mate.... can he??

 

[garrilla]

Anyone seen a schedule for start times?

http://www.letour.fr/2009/TDF/LIVE/us/400/etape_par_etape.html

Select the 'Time Schedule' tab

 

[John the Monkey]

Good god.

Menchov needs training wheels for the tour, ffs.

My pick for today would be Garmin...