Stage 3 **SPOILER**

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
ComedyPilot said:
Wiggy and Millar put over 3 minutes into Cav on stage 1, so I think they know they can ride, just the conditions and circumstances today played right into Cav's mits.
Yeah, but Cav was hardly even trying was he? That's what raises my eyebrow, he's not even directly competing with them.


I can understand Astana not dragging Bertie to the breakway, but it seemed odd that two of them were working so hard to keep the lead as high as possible.
 

stoatsngroats

Legendary Member
Location
South East
2 stage wins in the first 3....thats some feat isn't it....I mean, for a Brit!...:smile:
 

Skip Madness

New Member
That was an absolutely ball-busting stage as flat days go.
Chuffy said:
I can understand Astana not dragging Bertie to the breakway, but it seemed odd that two of them were working so hard to keep the lead as high as possible.
I knew someone would be saying stuff like this. Lance Armstrong was in an escape with two team-mates at his side and every serious GC contender stuck in the group behind - why shouldn't they work at the gap? The further up the GC Lance moves the better the hand it gives Astana to play, and that works in Contador's favour, too.
[Cavendish] said that Garmin had been wanting to save themselves for the team TT but had been forced to ride hard just to stay in the race. There was no reason for him to have said that other than to have a sneering pop at another team. Nice. :smile:
I can't see how that's sneering. It's competitive talk, but it's good to have some colour in the peloton.
 

kennykool

Well-Known Member
Location
Perthshire
Cav made a similar comment about Garmin during the Giro. I thinknits all friendly banter and I also applaud him for it. Cav (as I've said before) needs to be cocky. McEwan was one of the cockiest around and a great sprinter to boot!
 

Noodley

Guest
I was chuckling at Cav's wee dig at Garmin.

Bruyneel is a lying git - he so obviously thinks Lance will take yellow tomorrow. Did you see his body language when asked about it? He's a really crap liar. Especially for someone who has been doing it for so long :smile:
 
Skip Madness said:
I knew someone would be saying stuff like this. Lance Armstrong was in an escape with two team-mates at his side and every serious GC contender stuck in the group behind - why shouldn't they work at the gap? The further up the GC Lance moves the better the hand it gives Astana to play, and that works in Contador's favour, too.
Happy to oblige Skip. :smile:
That makes sense, except that it was hurting Bertie too. Columbia were working with their entire team and Skil-Shimano were also having a go, presumably to please sponsors and make friends with the big boys, so why help them? I'm not suggesting that Astana should have pulled the three back to help relay Bertie to the breakaway, but the extra effort seems above and beyond what was necessary.

I can't see how that's sneering. It's competitive talk, but it's good to have some colour in the peloton.
It was a gratuitous pop at a team that he's not directly competing with. That's not colour, that's just being an arse.

Paul - I don't like him, true. Some people just press the wrong buttons as far as I'm concerned.
 
kennykool said:
Cav made a similar comment about Garmin during the Giro. I thinknits all friendly banter and I also applaud him for it. Cav (as I've said before) needs to be cocky. McEwan was one of the cockiest around and a great sprinter to boot!
McEwen was cocky and Australian, but he never irritated the way that Cav does.

I hope that Cav gets green, but I'd like someone to wipe that smirk off his face in the process.
 

kennykool

Well-Known Member
Location
Perthshire
I was actually chatting to my mate about how Sir Johan wouldn't be drawn on the question "Will Lance be in yellow tomorrow?"

I sensed he was trying to slide back into his Skoda and get back to the hotel to have a private meeting with Lance about tomorrows "team" tactics ha ha

Lance for the Tour!!!!!
 
Chuffy said:
It was a gratuitous pop at a team that he's not directly competing with. That's not colour, that's just being an arse.

Paul - I don't like him, true. Some people just press the wrong buttons as far as I'm concerned.

Sorry, I think you're reading too much into it and even if you're right so what. It's up to them to respond, with some action.

All cynicism suspended for the duration of the race, time to enjoy it.
 

Paul_L

Über Member
kennykool said:
Cav made a similar comment about Garmin during the Giro. I thinknits all friendly banter and I also applaud him for it. Cav (as I've said before) needs to be cocky. McEwan was one of the cockiest around and a great sprinter to boot!

i've just Googled that and it seems 6 of one and half dozen the other, and more down to banter as you say than cockiness. Wiggins had a go at Columbia as well.

I'm happy to cheer for Cav in the sprints, Wiggins in the TTs and Millar as and when a break away comes.
 

Skip Madness

New Member
I just remembered I wanted to mention Bert Grabsch. What a couple of days that guy has ridden. All of Columbia have been stunning in this first pair of road stages, but Grabsch has stood out. He has a lot riding on him tomorrow, too.
Chuffy said:
That makes sense, except that it was hurting Bertie too. Columbia were working with their entire team and Skil-Shimano were also having a go, presumably to please sponsors and make friends with the big boys, so why help them? I'm not suggesting that Astana should have pulled the three back to help relay Bertie to the breakaway, but the extra effort seems above and beyond what was necessary.
It wasn't hurting Bertie - he hasn't lost a second on any major rival outside his team and his own team-mate has gained 40 seconds. As I said, it strengthens his hand. The higher Armstrong is the more problems it gives to other teams deciding which attacks need to be chased down in the mountains. The two Astana boys were right to work to eek it out as much as possible. I can't understand how anyone could put a negative spin on that.

Cavendish seems to be a bit like Marmite, we obviously won't agree there.
 
Crackle said:
Sorry, I think you're reading too much into it and even if you're right so what. It's up to them to respond, with some action.
I just want to know what his beef with them is. And I hope that Wiggy is loading up on tandoori gherkins and pickled chickpeas.

All cynicism suspended for the duration of the race, time to enjoy it.
Hell no! What's the fun in just applauding them all as jolly good chaps? 'Colour' applies to those of us watching too...:smile:
 
Top Bottom