biking_fox
Guru
- Location
- Manchester
Don't fall asleep back in the peleton though - the big guys see a chance now and then.
Tour de France - Stage 16 - SPOILER
- Thread starter Keith Oates
- Start date
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Melonfish
Evil Genius in training.
- Location
- Warrington, UK
big break, fast down that mountain but in this weather? they must be kacking themselves all the way down!
Stephenite
Membå
- Location
- OslO
Brilliant! Norway 1, 2 and 3! Well, Hesjedal means 'dale of drying hay'.
Well that turned out to be more interesting than I thought it was going to be! When I looked at the stage this morning, I didn't expect there to be any change to the GC. The single climb of notr was short followed by a descent of equal length. And with the weather as it is, I didn't reckon on anyone really looking to make too much of a race of it. I hadn't reckoned on Contador!
That break of his eventually dropped Voeckler and the Schlecks. Only Evans and Sanchez stayed with him. Canny move on Evans' part that. He knew Contador would work with him to get some time on the Schlecks, so it was win-win, but he probably also know that he was a better descender than Contador and could leave him then. Andy Schleck didn't like that descent at all and lost more ground. Voeckler goes like the wind downhill so was able to pull some tile back on Evans & Contador. And what a timely message for Contador to send. Just before the going gets tougher, just put a bit of doubt in Schlecks mind! Evans looks like the eventual yellow jersey holder even though TV is fighting each day. As I said, a WAY more interesting stage than I was expecting!
And Cavendish only finishing some 6 odd minutes down! What's that all about!! Obviously trying too hard
That break of his eventually dropped Voeckler and the Schlecks. Only Evans and Sanchez stayed with him. Canny move on Evans' part that. He knew Contador would work with him to get some time on the Schlecks, so it was win-win, but he probably also know that he was a better descender than Contador and could leave him then. Andy Schleck didn't like that descent at all and lost more ground. Voeckler goes like the wind downhill so was able to pull some tile back on Evans & Contador. And what a timely message for Contador to send. Just before the going gets tougher, just put a bit of doubt in Schlecks mind! Evans looks like the eventual yellow jersey holder even though TV is fighting each day. As I said, a WAY more interesting stage than I was expecting!
And Cavendish only finishing some 6 odd minutes down! What's that all about!! Obviously trying too hard
Or is it a badge of convenience? 
Baggy
Cake connoisseur
- Location
- Where the chevrons are
Marvellous stuff. Not impressed with Andy Schleck's whining post-stage interview though.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Andy's interview was interesting, sour grapes perhaps but he reckoned that folk shouldn't race on dangerous downhills. Would suit me as I'm a terrible descender but I don't think I'd complain about getting beat on a descent, they folk are just more skilful than me.
Baggy
Cake connoisseur
- Location
- Where the chevrons are
Indeed. Bike racing through mountains isn't exactly renowned for not being dangerous. He could have just acknowledged that today's conditions weren't his cup of tea and paid tribute to the skill of the other riders. He needs to Jens TFU!
Indeed. All riders are, after all, riding the same roads and I didn't hear Hushvold or Voeckler complaining. Contador is no great descender either.
Descending is a skill, descending in the wet more so. He'll win no friends whining about it.
Alessandro Petacchi
New Member
- Location
- Near Blandford,Dorset
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Baggy
Cake connoisseur
- Location
- Where the chevrons are
We'll see tomorrow! Hopefully they'll make a decision - lack of tactics seems to be their achilles' heel.
