View Full Version : New leader with a big gap.
golgiaparatus
07-12-2006, 11:56 AM
Well there is a new leader now... he has a big gap and can obviously climb so he probably wont get dropped on any of the climbs too bad. He's in a good position right now. I think it was stupid of the GC guys to let him get that far out.
Anyone know how he time trials?
I'm rooting tfor Landis still, but putting my money on Klöden.
Westy
07-12-2006, 01:19 PM
All the "favorites" who sat in the peloton and didn't even have the balls to send team mates up to chase the breakaway down are pussies. I think a conservative strategy can lose this race.
Oh how often do you see a guy go out on a long mountain stage, and then get dropped the next day. Virenque comes to mind.
Today was one of those won't win it but you could lose it. Tomorrow will be the real selection.
Heidi
07-12-2006, 03:01 PM
Tomorrow is TASTY!
What's the scoop on tomorrow's stage??
And does Hincapie have any chance at all to come back??
golgiaparatus
07-12-2006, 03:06 PM
Oh how often do you see a guy go out on a long mountain stage, and then get dropped the next day. Virenque comes to mind.
Today was one of those won't win it but you could lose it. Tomorrow will be the real selection.
No doubt the big players will be doing something tomorrow. One of the TT/mountain stage guys need to get something done. Landis or Klöden methinks. Still pulling for a hincappie surprise breakaway, I know the man can climb, I wanna see it.
Westy
07-12-2006, 03:13 PM
Oh how often do you see a guy go out on a long mountain stage, and then get dropped the next day. Virenque comes to mind.
Today was one of those won't win it but you could lose it. Tomorrow will be the real selection.
True, but guys like Virenque would usually make sure to lose a bunch of time before trying a break so no one would feel threatened and chase. With nothing but a bunch of "also rans" fighting for the lead this year letting someone only a few minutes back get 9+ minutes is a bit risky. What would have it taken to limit their lead to just 5 minutes? The big dogs aren't here this year and the favorites shouldn't fool themselves into thinking they are the big dogs just because they are the favorites.
golgiaparatus
07-12-2006, 03:34 PM
True, but guys like Virenque would usually make sure to lose a bunch of time before trying a break so no one would feel threatened and chase. With nothing but a bunch of "also rans" fighting for the lead this year letting someone only a few minutes back get 9+ minutes is a bit risky. What would have it taken to limit their lead to just 5 minutes? The big dogs aren't here this year and the favorites shouldn't fool themselves into thinking they are the big dogs just because they are the favorites.
Thats kind of what I was saying. I think the big teams may be underestimating him a bit. This guy has a big lead and he's a climber. I bet he can at least stay with the leaders tomorrow. Hell, he could try to make another attack work out for him and he would be sitting pretty for the big win.
robdamanii
07-12-2006, 08:38 PM
I could not believe I was sitting there watching the peloton just give up on this breakaway. And that ho hum attitude hurt the entire GC group dearly.
It might have been a mistake but I still think that the team directors know who is dangerous to the overall and who isn't it.
robdamanii
07-12-2006, 09:02 PM
It might have been a mistake but I still think that the team directors know who is dangerous to the overall and who isn't it.
I'm guessing that tomorrow will be a huge attacking day for the big teams.
Zutroy
07-12-2006, 10:10 PM
Why is everyone so suprised? None of the favs are going to come out to play till stage 15 which is the start of the alps. These two days are just a warm up. Tomorrow the Spainish will be attacking full force, and people like Rassmussen who are pure climbers going for KOM will go for it. The GC guys are just going to sit back and watch.
So Bruynel pretty much blew off the threat a "french guy" has to the them.
It really is hard to say what'll happen. I do think that the big teams will be more aggressive tomorrow but I suspect that they'll wait to the last couple of climbs or even just the last climb to make any serious moves (if they move at all). I still think that Discovery might be the only team with the kind of climbing firepower to string the field, I'm just not sure if they have that guy that can take advantage of it. If nothing else it might be to just get back some of that time from that "french guy", not so much to take it of the contenders.
You could also see another long breakaway by somebody like Rasmussen or someone else interested in the polka dots.
douglas
07-13-2006, 07:53 AM
I'd love to see a noname or non fav. take it, but I am betting these teams really know what their doing, and as the days pass the fav.'s will keep inching their way into the top 5
McGRP01
07-13-2006, 08:47 AM
It's wierd, it's like with Lance, Jan, Ivan, etc. gone, there is no spark with these guys. These teams need leaders that can light a fire under their asses.
I still think that Discovery might be the only team with the kind of climbing firepower to string the field, I'm just not sure if they have that guy that can take advantage of it.
Shows how much I know:rolleyes:
golgiaparatus
07-13-2006, 09:48 AM
SPOILER!!!!!!!!!
Well I sort of called it. These AG2r guys are kicking everyones butt... they have set a pace that Disco and some of phonak cant cope with. Doing quite a job of keeping the jersey. Dessel should attack again on the 15th... the GC contenders will have to follow and if he can drop them... and gain another 2:00... he has a strong chance to hold his lead in the TT's.
Fack these pvssy teams. AG2r is stepping it up, good for them.
golgiaparatus
07-13-2006, 09:57 AM
Spoiler AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!
"Dessel Has been left on his own by his team. The Ag2r squad is now putting all of its effort into working for Moreau."
Say what?
EDIT: Aww hell... okay, looks like I didnt call it at all... the GC's are moving up away from the yellow jersey. Landis, Lepi, Rogers, and Klöden.
Spoiler AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!
"Dessel Has been left on his own by his team. The Ag2r squad is now putting all of its effort into working for Moreau."
Say what?
Spoiler
No Moreau was left on his own. T-Mobile blew it apart.
Zutroy
07-13-2006, 10:17 AM
SPOILER!!!!!!!!!
Well I sort of called it. These AG2r guys are kicking everyones butt... they have set a pace that Disco and some of phonak cant cope with. Doing quite a job of keeping the jersey. Dessel should attack again on the 15th... the GC contenders will have to follow and if he can drop them... and gain another 2:00... he has a strong chance to hold his lead in the TT's.
Fack these pvssy teams. AG2r is stepping it up, good for them.
Pussy teams? no clue.........
Have you guys forgotten they have to hit the alps still. Those stages make these look flat. One so-so day there, or one good day for someone and things change in a heartbeat.
While that is true... the Tour is won or lost by seconds and a lot of the GC teams are getting way behind and possibly opening a door for an nobody team to set up a win...
How many times has the tour been won by seconds that don't add up to minutes?
The yellow jersey could easily be taken today if anyone actually wanted it.
Oh man, I'm following the stage on letour.com and it looks awesome. Can't wait to watch the replay tonight!
Oh man, I'm following the stage on letour.com and it looks awesome. Can't wait to watch the replay tonight!
eurosport.com has audio. Sean Kelly is barely comprehensible but....
I think the men of the Tour have asserted himself.
Westy
07-13-2006, 11:24 AM
I followed it on the velonews live update. Levi attacked a few times, wasn't successful but it makes up a bit for sucking the past week.
ATTACK!
ATTACK!
ATTACK!
ATTACK!
ATTACK!
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.