Tour de France - Stage 17 - SPOILER

[Melonfish]

i'm continually of the opinion that evans is going to try for a massive break very soon and try and wipe out that 1'19" lead on voeckler.
possibly on the last day after the time trials.

however, very scary moment there with TV!
nice with by EBH tho, is that his first stage win? must be proud of that one

 

[raindog]

i'm continually of the opinion that evans is going to try for a massive break very soon and try and wipe out that 1'19" lead on voeckler.
possibly on the last day after the time trials.

Nobody attacks on the last day. Evans can already get that time back in the TT.

 

[Fiona N]

...Personally I like mountain stages to end at the top of a climb but we will have to wait until tomorrows monster before we get that. ...

I spoke to a friend in Switzerland today who says the forecast is for the snowline to come down to 1800m over the next couple of days - could make it an interesting finish on the Galibier at ~2700m or maybe they'll shorten the stage

 

[raindog]

Prudhomme has just been interviewed and he's confirmed good weather in the Alps for the next two days, so the full Galibier climb will be used.

 

[VamP]

I spoke to a friend in Switzerland today who says the forecast is for the snowline to come down to 1800m over the next couple of days - could make it an interesting finish on the Galibier at ~2700m or maybe they'll shorten the stage

Friday stage too

Not sure what they're going to do.

 

[yello]

Tomorrow and Friday are going to be very very interesting. The time splits are such that it guarantees that something will happen. It's kind of last chance saloon.

Just seen AS interviewed, he sees Contador, Evans and Sanchez as his main threats. With the way things are, it is very hard to look past Evans at this stage. But do people think perhaps we might be overlooking Schleck Snr? He's having an almost relaxed time out of the spotlight. I'll certainly be interested to see how the two brothers ride tomorrow. They've been acting as a bit of a double act so far but I presume there'll be a decision time soon.

On paper, Evans has yellow just from his TT but there's 2 difficult days before then... and Evans still hasn't had his bad day in the mountains. Anything could happen and I don't suspect anyone is giing up just yet!

 

[VamP]

Prudhomme has just been interviewed and he's confirmed good weather in the Alps for the next two days, so the full Galibier climb will be used.

Just had a look, and indeed the snowline has moved to above 3000 metres for Thurs/Fri.


Phew!

 

[RedRider]

Disaster for my Fantasy Team today!!

x2 cos it was my ill-advised bonus stage.

Enjoyed watching Alberto and Sanchez working together, surprised to see them caught at the line. Surely they'll go for it again tomorrow.

 

[VamP]

Tomorrow and Friday are going to be very very interesting. The time splits are such that it guarantees that something will happen. It's kind of last chance saloon.

Just seen AS interviewed, he sees Contador, Evans and Sanchez as his main threats. With the way things are, it is very hard to look past Evans at this stage. But do people think perhaps we might be overlooking Schleck Snr? He's having an almost relaxed time out of the spotlight. I'll certainly be interested to see how the two brothers ride tomorrow. They've been acting as a bit of a double act so far but I presume there'll be a decision time soon.

On paper, Evans has yellow just from his TT but there's 2 difficult days before then... and Evans still hasn't had his bad day in the mountains. Anything could happen and I don't suspect anyone is giing up just yet!

Who remembers the last time that there were still 7 guys in contention 4 stages from the end? I'm loving this Tour.

 

[Pottsy]

I'm thinking Contador might try to break it up and attack a bit earlier tomorrow as he has so much time to catch up - maybe on the 2nd of the 3 climbs?

However I can't see Evans blowing it now. With his TT ability he's in the box seat for GC in Paris.

After the Schleck whinging I'm hoping they both fail to get to the podium, I've never liked them though without much justification until recently.

 

[Stephenite]

i'm continually of the opinion that evans is going to try for a massive break very soon and try and wipe out that 1'19" lead on voeckler.
possibly on the last day after the time trials.

however, very scary moment there with TV!
nice with by EBH tho, is that his first stage win? must be proud of that one

EBH (or Eddie the boss as, I think, his teammates call him) wins his second stage today. He won his first last week. Not bad for a stand-in!

 

[VamP]

Tomorrow's stage is a total monster even by TdF standards.

Whoever has the legs on the last climb to Galibier will reap handsome rewards, but it's too close to call at the moment.

For sure it's going to be a great spectacle.

 

[yello]

I'm loving this Tour.

Me too! I'm not sure whether it's pure chance or the change of format (no opening TT) but it's certainly been more interesting and, as you say, still up in the air.

Or maybe it was Contador's offs, so he was behind from early on. Perhaps we could get officials to push the favourites off periodically, just to spice things up

It's incredible to think that TV has been defending his lead (gained from 1 breakaway) for all this time. How many days is it now? It just shows what being in front and wearing yellow can do for a rider. So if anyone again asks what good breakaways are (says he referencing that other thread), an answer has been the last week's racing!

 

[400bhp]

It gets better and better.

Contador and Sanchez have made an allegiance against the 2 Schleck bros.

Frank now moaning about downhills.

Voeckler everywhere bar the tarmac on the downhill. Very contrite-comes across extremely well in interviews

Meanwhile, the Aussie with the square jaw sits in the background unassuming.

Brilliant-wish I didn't have to work tomorrow so I could watch it live.

 

[400bhp]

It's incredible to think that TV has been defending his lead (gained from 1 breakaway)

Even more so because he was nearly knocked off when the car decided to take a few out.