Stage 17 Spoilers

[dogwonder]

Floyd has attacked and is trying to open a lead early today. We'll see if he can hold onto it and get back into contention...

[The Toninator]

doh!!

[Westy]

C'mon Tony you know what to say. I wanna hear it.

[Cant Climb]

Floyd is a warrior.

[douglas]

C'mon Tony you know what to say. I wanna hear it.

Attack Mother ****er Attack!

[robdamanii]

Floyd is 4:30 ahead of the yellow jersey group right now. Amazing he's got anything after yesterday, but it's testament to how tough he really is.

[Cant Climb]

Floyd is 4:30 ahead of the yellow jersey group right now. Amazing he's got anything after yesterday, but it's testament to how tough he really is.

if it was a fueling/hydration issue yesterday then his muscles didnt work at thier Max.......so it is possible he is much much stronger today.

[douglas]

wheres Menchov today?

[robdamanii]

Are there time bonuses for top 3 at a climb or just sprint?

[douglas]

now its just Landis and Sinkewitz, and Sink was the dude Landis talked to when he caught the break earlier...wonder what he said??

[Jeremy R]

Go Floyd Go you tough bastard!!

[golgiaparatus]

GO FLOYD GO!!!!!! GO MF'ER GO!!!!
If he hold this lead it will put him in 2nd. HOLY NUTSACK!!!!!

Now saying if he gets the time bonus for sprints and stage win and holds a lead of 7:00 it will put him back in yellow... If he does it I am going to lose it right here in my office.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

When was the last time they actually had to race to Paris????

[Cant Climb]

He can descned like a feign.

Then its basically just a time trial up Joux-Plane......

[robdamanii]

now its just Landis and Sinkewitz, and Sink was the dude Landis talked to when he caught the break earlier...wonder what he said??

Probably something like "help me for yellow and I'll get you the stage win".

Again, do they get time bonuses for climbs or just for sprints?

[Cant Climb]

Again, do they get time bonuses for climbs or just for sprints?

just sprints i think.......87% sure...

[mogulskr]

He won't help him. Floyd is on his own. He's virtual yellow now if he can hold on.

There is time bonuses at the end of all stages except the TTs. 20, 12, and 8 to the top 3.

[Cant Climb]

Floyd is "digging deep into the suitcase of courage" today.....

[Westy]

Holy chit. It will be a miracle if he keeps this lead, even if he doesn't they need to come up with a new color jersy for having big brass balls.

Attack Mother ****er Attack!!!

[mogulskr]

It's over 9 minutes, it sounds like he is trying to drown himself with water as well.

[robdamanii]

He won't help him. Floyd is on his own. He's virtual yellow now if he can hold on.

There is time bonuses at the end of all stages except the TTs. 20, 12, and 8 to the top 3.

Floyd's doing a pretty damn good job on his own it seems. Now if he keeps it up, those extra seconds could be worth gold.

I can't believe this can actually happen. If he keeps it together on the Joux Plane, he can certainly pull it out (even from 2 or 3 minutes defecit) for a podium.

[golgiaparatus]

That last climb is going to suck for him and I'm sure T-Mobile will attack, I hope he can keep it together (he is at 9:00 now).

I think he dehydrated yesterday because he is apparently drinking bottle after bottle of water and dumping an equal amoun on his head.

Hes going Pantani on their asses. Hope he can hold on... I cant believe no one has chased him yet. Sounds like that dope move Phonak and T-Mobile pulled with Pererio. Not to take away from the size of Floyd's balls, I cant believe he can go so fast pulling those massive things up those climbs.

NOTE: I didnt know he could fly down the mountain like he does... he's apparently killing everyone on the downhill sections... which is good because I know he's going to lose some time on that last climb. Maybe he can make it back a little on the backside.

[In8Racing]

Pedal B#$CH!

[douglas]

Floyd rocks!

" Tuesday: Yellow Jersey For A Six-Pack Of Beer...
After Floyd Landis regained the lead of the Tour de France at the top of L’Alpe d’Huez he decided that he wanted a beer to celebrate the moment. On the road down to his hotel, his team car pulled over and the American traded a yellow jersey for a six-pack of beer with a spectator."

[Westy]

Peloton is closing the gap a bit. Floyd will be hitting the last big climb soon. This one looks like a real back breaker. Will be a real show killer for some.

[jacksonpt]

This one looks like a real back breaker. Will be a real show killer for some.
yep - will be very interesting to see who.

Landis and Rasmussen - PEDAL YOU BASTARDS!!!

[MMcG]

Floyd rocks!

" Tuesday: Yellow Jersey For A Six-Pack Of Beer...
After Floyd Landis regained the lead of the Tour de France at the top of L’Alpe d’Huez he decided that he wanted a beer to celebrate the moment. On the road down to his hotel, his team car pulled over and the American traded a yellow jersey for a six-pack of beer with a spectator."

Awesome! Go Floyd!!!!!

[In8Racing]

Actually, I might get crucified for saying this, Floyd seems a lot more likeable than Lance and if he wins, I think it might be more dramatic...Armstrong just dominated so much, this is more like your riding buddy winning the TDF.

[MMcG]

Is there a better site to follow the action than letour.com?

[mogulskr]

eurosport (http://www.eurosport.com/cycling/tour-de-france/2006/livefullpage_mtc129677.shtml)

[binary visions]

Holy crap... I can't believe what a lead Landis has. I sincerely hope he can hold himself together on the final climb, because this is a heroic effort.

[OGRipper]

So he was hungover yesterday? That explains it.

This is friggin awesome. I can't believe they let him get up the road.

Let's not forget that the next climb is one of the few that caused Armstrong to crack. The other contenders should be worried.

Go Floyd!!!!

[binary visions]

Mark, I'm watching the text updates on Velonews.com

[MMcG]

Thanks. Live audio - sweet
gap is shrinking though. C'mon Floyd keep pedaling dude!!!

[MMcG]

eurosport has live audio

[narlus]

sweet! the rental doesn't get OLN, but thanks for the eurosport link.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

eurosport has live audio

Link?

[Cant Climb]

http://www.velonews.com/tick/html/stage73.html

[Old Man G Funk]

just sprints i think.......87% sure...
Be 100% sure because you are correct.

Sprints and the ends of stages.

[golgiaparatus]

About to hit the final climb... aww jeah. Klodies bunch is really kicking. C'mon floyd... suck it up and freaking kill that Mtn.

(This is the climb that destroyed Armstrong the year that he bonked)

[MTB_Rob_NC]

For the audio?

[MMcG]

Link?


http://www.eurosport.com/cycling/tour-de-france/2006/livefullpage_mtc129677.shtml

Then look for the live audio link.

[Cant Climb]

Peleton is still on the flat part........time gap is unstable right now.

[DRB]

If you are going to go out might as well go out punching someone in the head.

Plus Landis can fly downhill.

[OGRipper]

One by one they are cracking...gawdamm they are going fast!!!

[Old Man G Funk]

Peleton is still on the flat part........time gap is unstable right now.
It sounds like they are pulling him back though. He will have to dig deep lose as little as possible on the climb and try to gain as much as he can on the descent.

[douglas]

anyone wanna bet? PEREIRO will be dropped ?

[DRB]

Aboslutely HEROIC.

[Westy]

CSC attacks! Kloden might be in trouble!

[MMcG]

the Yellow jersey is now isolated, but doing okay according to the commentators.

Damn I wish I was watching this live. Audio is cool but I wanna see the faces of the riders.

[Old Man G Funk]

anyone wanna bet? PEREIRO will be dropped ?
If Pereiro gets dropped Landis has another 1:45 or so that he can lose to the peloton.

[MMcG]

so after this stage there is a time trial and what else left before the close of the race on Sunday?

[dogwonder]

There's a lot of good riders in the peleton though (Kloden, Evans, Sastre), it'll be tough for all of them to have a bad day.

[binary visions]

I want to set up a little TV in here... It's not like anyone would actually care that much. :p

[MMcG]

Sastre gaining. Where does he stand in the GC standings?

[dogwonder]

so after this stage there is a time trial and what else left before the close of the race on Sunday?

I think a rest day...

Edit: flat tomorrow then ITT on Saturday...my bad

[Westy]

Gaaaaahhh. I have a meeting in 20 minutes. Work sucks.

[Cant Climb]

Landis needs about 4 minutes over Sastre.......he can put 2 minutes into him in the ITT.

[MMcG]

5.55 between Floyd and Sastre - c'mon Floyd keep going buddy!!!

[mogulskr]

Sastre is 6:18 ahead of Landis in overall.

[MMcG]

uh oh.

[MMcG]

a sign of floyd slowing down......c'mon Floyd you can do it!

[DRB]

Nope Landis is good again.

There is a road stage tomorrow.... then the time trial on Saturday....

[OGRipper]

No more rest days, they ride through Sunday.

stage by stage: http://www.velonews.com/tour2006/index.php

[Old Man G Funk]

Sastre is 6:18 ahead of Landis in overall.
Landis will get a time bonus of 20 seconds for winning the stage, but if Sastre gets second then Sastre also gets a time bonus of 12 seconds. So, Landis has to beat him by 6:11 to overtake.

[douglas]

c'mon you ****er - keeep pedallllinnnnngggggggggg!

[mogulskr]

bye bye kloden

[OGRipper]

T-mobile is awesome - Jan would have had a lot of help. :wonky2:

[dogwonder]

Sastre pushing hard...c'mon Landis you mofo, turn those cranks!

[MMcG]

6 something between Floyd and Oscar - c'mon Floyd get up to the top and then haul some major ass back down!!!

If he hangs on this will be Floyd's first or second stage win this year?

[DRB]

6 something between Floyd and Oscar - c'mon Floyd get up to the top and then haul some major ass back down!!!

If he hangs on this will be Floyd's first or second stage win this year?

First.....

[Cant Climb]

6 something between Floyd and Oscar - c'mon Floyd get up to the top and then haul some major ass back down!!!

If he hangs on this will be Floyd's first or second stage win this year?

first win ever...i think........68% sure.....

[MMcG]

T-mobile guys are in trouble - struggling

Keep pedaling Floyd!!! Man I felt so bad for him yesterday, but holy crap whatever happens he's putting in a heroic effort today.

[Westy]

T-mobile is awesome - Jan would have had a lot of help. :wonky2:

Yep they look strong, they would have attacked the crap out of the Jan.

[MMcG]

5:47 from Landis to Sastre

[OGRipper]

Will be first this year - mayb ever? Not sure.

[Westy]

Landis holding the gap. Go mutha****a!!

[douglas]

"Landis will become a legend today"

[DRB]

Yep they look strong, they would have attacked the crap out of the Jan.

If Jan had been there, I was going to predict that T-Mobile would have had a fist fight before it was all over.

[MMcG]

Kloeden has rejoined yellow jersey group - but does that mean that group has slowed down in order for him to do so - I hope so.

[Old Man G Funk]

Will be first this year - mayb ever? Not sure.
Yes, first ever stage win for Landis if he wins today.

[OGRipper]

Floyd's wife - I'd hit it!! :D

[MMcG]

I wasn't even going to follow the tour much this year, but it has been a helluva fun tour to follow this year.

[MMcG]

Floyd's wife - I'd hit it!! :D

Link!? :D

[MMcG]

1K to go to the top for Floyd! And he still looks good. Go Go Go!!

[Westy]

If Jan had been there, I was going to predict that T-Mobile would have had a fist fight before it was all over.

Dude they are mostly Germans, it would have been a slap fight.

[DRB]

Kloeden has rejoined yellow jersey group - but does that mean that group has slowed down in order for him to do so - I hope so.

Slowing down......

[OGRipper]

Link!? :D

I'm watching OLN and they showed a brief clip of her, sorry mang.

[binary visions]

AHAHAHAHA... FINAL KILOMETER, BITCHES!

Come on, Landis! Push, man, push!

[Westy]

The following decent is fast. Sean Kelly was recorded over 100 kph.

[DRB]

Dude they are mostly Germans, it would have been a slap fight.

That would be the French....

The Germans would have had a schizer fight in the hotel afterwards...

[MMcG]

I'm impressed again with Rasmussen - down the road does he have a chance to win the whole thing? Say in a couple of years or so?

[MMcG]

The following decent is fast. Sean Kelly was recorded over 100 kph.
118.2Kph - just heard it

He was with a teammate.

[mogulskr]

Over the top!!!! Yeah Baby!!

[Cant Climb]

I'm impressed again with Rasmussen - down the road does he have a chance to win the whole thing? Say in a couple of years or so?

not really..........he's a climbing specialist, zero power.

[OGRipper]

I'm impressed again with Rasmussen - down the road does he have a chance to win the whole thing? Say in a couple of years or so?

He's got some work to do on time trialing.

[MMcG]

"A LEGEND IS BORN! FLOYD LANDIS GOES OVER THE TOP OF THE JOUX PLANE! The American has a 5'15" lead over Carlos Sastre, and is going to rocket down a very fast, 12-km descent towar Morzine."

[Old Man G Funk]

Speaking of time trialing, Landis beat Sastre by 1:10 in the first ITT.

[OGRipper]

Peirero continues to impress me, he's a real fighter.

Landis is flying, throwing caution to the wind.

[Cant Climb]

Speaking of time trialing, Landis beat Sastre by 1:10 in the first ITT.

Landis had to stop and switch bikes during that however.....

[DRB]

5:07 at the top for Landis....

[dogwonder]

5:08 ahead of Sastre at summit...fly down that descent!

[OGRipper]

I love the sub-context of Landis kicking everyone's butt on one of the few climbs that put the hurt on Armstrong.

[Cant Climb]

what if thoose 6 seconds in the Prolougue and the time Landis lost in the ITT costs him the yellow....?!......

[DRB]

Pererio is over 1:40 behind Sastre.

[DRB]

I love the sub-context of Landis kicking everyone's butt on one of the few climbs that put the hurt on Armstrong.

I was just thinking that.

[Old Man G Funk]

Peirero continues to impress me, he's a real fighter.

Landis is flying, throwing caution to the wind.
Yeah, and he might fight enough to keep the yellow today.

[OGRipper]

I want to go to Morzine...

[jacksonpt]

Speaking of time trialing, Landis beat Sastre by 1:10 in the first ITT.
wasn't he also late into the gate or something... lost like 8 seconds there?

[OGRipper]

I was just thinking that.


I know. I am all knowing. ;)

[Cant Climb]

wasn't he also late into the gate or something... lost like 8 seconds there?

they found a slice in his rear tire.....takes a bit more time to change wheels on TT bikes.

[narlus]

I want to go to Morzine...

you'll never want to leave...except to get to Les Gets, Chatel, Les Crosets, or other places in the immediate vicinity. :D

[SuspectDevice]

I can't effing beleive Landis pulled this off. With 4 k to go he absolutely has it!

The single best ride I can remeber!

[In8Racing]

Holy crap...I hope he pulls this out. Armstrong is probably sitting the Discover car with his mouth wide open.:agree:

[DRB]

1km to the end....

[MMcG]

1K go go for Floyd!!!!!!!

[Old Man G Funk]

wasn't he also late into the gate or something... lost like 8 seconds there?
That was the prologue. He had a flat tire as he was rolling to the gate and missed his start time about 6-8 seconds.

[DRB]

And there you have it..... No matter what this move will be remembered.

[OGRipper]

Absolutely a historic, legendary ride. So awesome.

Landis over the line, looking defiant. The clock starts.

[In8Racing]

I called this the last year they rode for US Postal. He had all the ability to do this then, but had to play second fiddle to the boss...:nono:

[MMcG]

Yes!!!!

[binary visions]

Wow. Amazing. Can't wait to see what the final times are.

[narlus]

I can't effing beleive Landis pulled this off. With 4 k to go he absolutely has it!

The single best ride I can remeber!

how about the LeMond/Fignon ass-whipping?

[Westy]

Holy ****ing ****

[Old Man G Funk]

The clock can not go fast enough for me right now.

[DRB]

That looked a lot like someone else when he crossed that line.

[DRB]

how about the LeMond/Fignon ass-whipping?

This was something way different.

[MMcG]

Who is the main guy on the Eurosport audio feed? Former mountain biker as well??

[Heidi]

Holy Crap, what a great stage. There are so many things to think and say. Floyd just showed the world how tough he is. Man, if there was ever a time for a moral....NEVER GIVE UP....ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Simply great.

[Cant Climb]

Stunning.

[The Toninator]

C'mon Tony you know what to say. I wanna hear it.
very sorry i got caught up

ATTACK MUTHA****ER ATTACK!!!!!

[MMcG]

1km to go for Sastre

[DRB]

The gap to Sastre is 5:41. Plus 12 seconds bonus over Sastre.

[binary visions]

Even if Landis doesn't touch the podium, this stage will certainly be remembered. Sastre with 1km...

[Heidi]

Man, did you see the power wattage Floyd put out over the climbs? NICE!

[mogulskr]

Sastre has 30 seconds on Landis. He can make that up in the TT though.

[Westy]

very sorry i got caught up

ATTACK MUTHA****ER ATTACK!!!!!

See what happens when people listen to us!

[Old Man G Funk]

Sastre has 30 seconds on Landis. He can make that up in the TT though.
Hellz Yeah he can.

[golgiaparatus]

GC FLOYD IS 31 SECONDS BACK FROM YELLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Also... :agree: :trophy_br :nuts: :D :weee: :dancing: :thumb: :looney: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Old Man G Funk]

Periero finished 30 seconds behind Sastre in the first ITT.

[Heidi]

Floyd's post race interview, "What were you out to prove today?" Floyd: "Well, you saw yesterday."

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[MMcG]

He sounds really determined and he's ready to earn it.

[goofy]

way to go Floyd!!!!!! That was one helluva ride today

[golgiaparatus]

The F****** Man!!!!

[Zutroy]

Man, did you see the power wattage Floyd put out over the climbs? NICE!


What where the numbers?

[Heidi]

Something like 337, then 377, then 392 for the first three climbs. Not sure what the last one was.

[I Are Baboon]

Holy.
Freaking.
Crap.

I can't wait to watch the replay tonight. Dude, 5:42 is a hell of a lot to win by.

[Superdeft]

Totally off the ridiculator. Floyd Landis holy crap.

[The Toninator]

Man, did you see the power wattage Floyd put out over the climbs? NICE!
No where is it?

[SuspectDevice]

how about the LeMond/Fignon ass-whipping?
Better, much, much better. This is the sort of epic badassery that legends are made of. This is how Chuck Norris would win the tour.

Lemond used fancy-pants technology to squeak it. If any squeaking occurs here in Paris it will have been made possible by a truly monstorous effort from a man who had appeared beaten and broken, and who has a necrotic hip. A man who once passed Gunnar Shogren and I on a climb at Snowshoe in a no handed wheelie playing delta blues on the harmonica.

Lemond can't even play the harmonica.

[DirtyDog]

This is how Chuck Norris would win the tour.


LOL! Who would win the tour, Chuck Norris or Jack Bauer?

I didn't even need to watch a live update site, this thread was the best live tour news on the net :D

[llkoolkeg]

1 097 PEREIRO SIO Oscar CEI ESP 00'00"
2 014 SASTRE Carlos CSC ESP 00' 12"
3 071 LANDIS Floyd PHO USA 00' 30"
4 021 KLÖDEN Andréas TMO GER 02' 29"
5 061 EVANS Cadel DVL AUS 03' 08"
6 051 MENCHOV Denis RAB RUS 04' 14"
7 035 DESSEL Cyril A2R FRA 04' 24"
8 031 MOREAU Christophe A2R FRA 05' 45"

Look at those names at the top of the GC...all within 6 minutes and the top 3 within 30 effing SECONDS! This has been the most exciting tdf I've ever followed; my coworkers must think I've gone insane this fortnight. I was worried that the whole thing would lose its luster after Lance left, but instead, it's like watching a thriller w/o seeing the trailer first or having your friends spoil it with their big-shot premiere leaks. I'm all tense and anxious for the first half of the workday!

[Jeremy R]

I feel like grabbing a sharpie and writing "Floyd Landis is my Hero" all over my body, then running around in downtown naked, dancing the cabbage patch. :wave:
Maybe at least the bike cops will understand.
Talk about a true HERO.

Would anybody like to continue the argument I started yesterday about the strongest single set of legs win the Tour, not the team?
Hell, the whole peloton could not bring him back.
Anybody....... Hello?..........;)

[In8Racing]

This is how Chuck Norris would win the tour.

Close, but Norris would have waited in the bushes at the base of the last climb and given Sastre a roundhouse kick to the face, and would then proceed to make out with a super model, before jumping back on his bike to complete the stage.

At the top, Norris would then proclaim his victory by stating, "What the hell did you think I would do, b@#$hes! I'm f-ing Chuck Norris!" and would then give Trautwig a roundhouse kick to the face.

Landis' victory was far sweeter, however...:D

[Echo]

Damn, my sister lives in f*cking Geneva. I could have been there for this. :mumble:

[golgiaparatus]

Close, but Norris would have waited in the bushes at the base of the last climb and given Sastre a roundhouse kick to the face, and would then proceed to make out with a super model, before jumping back on his bike to complete the stage.

At the top, Norris would then proclaim his victory by stating, "What the hell did you think I would do, b@#$hes! I'm f-ing Chuck Norris!" and would then give Trautwig a roundhouse kick to the face.

Landis' victory was far sweeter, however...:D

Man you have it all wrong... Chuck wouldn't have waited... he wouldnt have hidden in anything. He would have jumped into the air while moving and kicked in the direction of sastre so hard that the surge of air would have knocked sastre out... then chuck would have landed back on his bike using the momentum of the landing to push his pedal down so hard that it would have propelled him to the top :rolleyes: Besides that the only difference would have been that chuck would have been riding a chrome bike manufactured out of solid steel tubing by none other than Ford.

[dogwonder]

Hope he has gas left in the tank for the ITT. Does anyone dare try to break away tomorrow on the flat thinking Floyed doesn't have the legs to keep up?

[OGRipper]

Tomorrow is not totally flat, and you bet there will be lots of attacks. Not so much because they think Floyd won't be able to follow, but because it's the last chance for many.

I still can't believe they let Floyd get away today. What an incredible two days of racing.

[robdamanii]

I'd be surprised if this didn't do MAJOR damage to the morale of the top of the GC list. This morning he was not of much concern. Then he ran away from them and is threatening again. If you saw the look on Pierero (sp) face when Landis was heading up the yellow jersey group, he was almost saying "you want us to keep this pace?" Not 2 minutes later, he looked back at Pierero, stood up, stabbed the pedals and took off.

The yellow jersey group just looked stunned that he was making a move.

Wonder if they'll go hard at him tomorrow?

[brungeman]

I had a doctors appt. and missed a good portion of it but rushed home to watch Floyd finish.... and watch the clock count.... I have to admit I had eyes that fealt like a spring was about to erupt as I watched the time climb... the guy is amazing, and this could have been the best stage of all the tours I have watched (for the single person effort perspective)

[The Toninator]

heard 20 minutes into the race:

hahahah look at landis going off the front
hahahha he'll never stay away

4 hours later:

uhhh dudes 9 minutes is really a long time....

[Heidi]

Go Big Or Go Home.

[Westy]

Yesterday
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tour06/tour0616/80.jpg

Today
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=88090&d=1153409730

[The Toninator]

that guy is my new hero:

- what about the win today
- I dont care about the 'win' today at all, it's about winning in paris...

[Cant Climb]

Would anybody like to continue the argument I started yesterday about the strongest single set of legs win the Tour, not the team?
Hell, the whole peloton could not bring him back.
Anybody....... Hello?..........;)

all the teams are in tatters this year......none of them had the strength or organization to limit the break. Generally it takes a strong team to win it......this year guys are going off the front and sticking it more than usual. Floyd used that to his benefit this time when it put him into poor situations earlier in the tour.

[Westy]

Anyone notice how OLN stopped airing the Landis tough guy commercials yesterday. Methinks they will be back.

[Jeremy R]

all the teams are in tatters this year......none of them had the strength or organization to limit the break. Generally it takes a strong team to win it......this year guys are going off the front and sticking it more than usual. Floyd used that to his benefit this time when it put him into poor situations earlier in the tour.

Yep, this morning when his lead was up to about 8 minutes or so,
the main peloton looked wasted. Nobody even felt like chasing.
Finally CSC came up, but it was too late.
I don't think they ever "let" him get too big of an advantage.
He just took it.
I can't remember a better sporting moment that I have witnessed.
This year's tour is the sauce.

[Westy]

Oscar put in one hell of an effort to keep yellow today too. Quite Voekleresque.

[sanjuro]

That was one of the greatest rides I have ever witnessed. Almost as great as Lemond winning the Paris TT!

The peleton did not let him escape. He rode away from them, and despite 3 teams chasing after him, they could not bring him back. Amazing!

[The Toninator]

it was good so see christoph give it a go, he's one of my favorites.

[Cant Climb]

Incredible tour.

Next year will be back to powerhouse teams. That will be good but this year is special. If Floyd shows up next year with a plastic hip the UCI might make him where extra weight around his neck...

[binary visions]

I liked watching Armstrong in the Tour, but that was mostly because I enjoyed seeing him be so dominant.

This has been a lot of fun for me to watch, because the past couple days have been so unexpected. Awesome Tour.

[MtnbikeMike]

Man, if this stage doesn't win an ESPY next year.....not that it matters, cause I already know it's the best sporting moment ever.

I mean c'mon, teams are chasing him down with everything they have and he still rides away. I also love the fact that he never even looked to the other guys in the break for help, not once.

[ghostrider]

Wow, that was insane. This tour is absolutely crazy - I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

[sanjuro]

I liked watching Armstrong in the Tour, but that was mostly because I enjoyed seeing him be so dominant.

This has been a lot of fun for me to watch, because the past couple days have been so unexpected. Awesome Tour.

The first Tour was stunning that a cancer survivor and an one-day specialist could win. The second was "let's see you do it again". The next couple was just domination, and the last two was just how good Lance and Discovery was.

[Ian F]

I just got into the office from a site survey...

First thing I did was log onto Velonews...

"YEAH!!!!!"

Oops... did I say that out loud? :o:

[binary visions]

The first Tour was stunning that a cancer survivor and an one-day specialist could win. The second was "let's see you do it again". The next couple was just domination, and the last two was just how good Lance and Discovery was.
Unfortunately, I didn't follow any coverage of the first couple. The last three I've watched, the last one in particular I kept up on the coverage every single day. And then this one, which I missed the first couple days of but have been watching since.

[narlus]

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/38/full.getty-cycling-tdf2006-landis_11_56_36_am.jpg

typical N8...he'a all anti-roadie, unless somehow an american flag gets in the picture.

[T-Dog]

Wow, that was insane. This tour is absolutely crazy - I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

I keep thinking it's time for the rest of Phonak to step up and do their jobs- they better protect his postion tomorrow, if it kills 'em. They can take it easy on saturday, and be ready to take him to Paris on sunday. Hell, if Lance thinks it's important to bring the jersey back to the US, he should quietly suggest that the Disco boys help out.

[rooftest]

.... Hell, if Lance thinks it's important to bring the jersey back to the US, he should quietly suggest that the Disco boys help out.

I was thinking about that. The popularity of cycling would grow a bit, which would mean more $$ for Lance, so it would be in his best interest.

[OGRipper]

typical N8...he'a all anti-roadie, unless somehow an american flag gets in the picture.

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to narlus again."

:trophy_br

[sanjuro]

Better, much, much better. This is the sort of epic badassery that legends are made of. This is how Chuck Norris would win the tour.

Lemond used fancy-pants technology to squeak it. If any squeaking occurs here in Paris it will have been made possible by a truly monstorous effort from a man who had appeared beaten and broken, and who has a necrotic hip. A man who once passed Gunnar Shogren and I on a climb at Snowshoe in a no handed wheelie playing delta blues on the harmonica.

Lemond can't even play the harmonica.

Well, you could say Lemond won the time trials thanks to his Scott aero bar, but this was widely used technology by triathletes, and you have to acknowledge Lemond for being innovative.

However, Lemond was on an extremely weak ADR team, being the only team to take a chance on a rider who was two years from being shot in chest, and I believe only 2 teammates finished the Tour.

The amazing part of his victory was staying with Fignon and his stacked Systeme U team thru the last mountain stages with no team support.

Not to take away from Landis, however. One of the OLN announcers mentioned how we haven't seen a breakaway like this for many years, where the winner rides away from pack early and holds them off despite their best efforts. It was very Merckx-esque.

[Westy]

It seems Lelangue called his papa and papa said "ATTACK MUTHA ****A ATTACK!!"

My father called me after Wednesday's stage and told me, 'the race is not over'," said Lelangue, whose father was once a domestique for the elder Merckx. "Eddy Merckx was also on the phone trying to give us some advice. He said that the race is not over, and that we had to attack."

[douglas]

..................the Disco boys help out.


:D :thumb:

[jacksonpt]

typical N8...he'a all anti-roadie, unless somehow an american flag gets in the picture.
oh, is that it??? I thought perhaps there was an HD plasma in the back of that vehicle that I couldn't see...

[DRB]

Go Big Or Go Home.

Couldn't have said it better.

[reflux]

Not to take away from Landis, however. One of the OLN announcers mentioned how we haven't seen a breakaway like this for many years, where the winner rides away from pack early and holds them off despite their best efforts. It was very Merckx-esque.
A couple years back, Laurent Jalabert (sp?) did something similar for two or three consecutive stages. Does anyone remember if they were mountain stages, and if he won one of them? My tdf memory was never really that good to begin with.

[Ian F]

A couple years back, Laurent Jalabert (sp?) did something similar for two or three consecutive stages. Does anyone remember if they were mountain stages, and if he won one of them? My tdf memory was never really that good to begin with.

Also a couple of years ago Pantani attempted a similar attack in a mtn stage and it failed when he imploded on the last climb (I think that was the last year he raced). The leaders were probably expecting a similar result today: "Oh... let him go... he won't be able to hold that pace..."

I've had this stupid grim on my face, muttering "yeah!" under my breath as I walk around the office...

[sanjuro]

A couple years back, Laurent Jalabert (sp?) did something similar for two or three consecutive stages. Does anyone remember if they were mountain stages, and if he won one of them? My tdf memory was never really that good to begin with.
Jalabert was going for the Mountains Jersey, and the main GC competitors allowed him to escape as he was no threat to the overall lead.

If I remember correctly, he would often get caught on the final climb, but he had accumulated so many points from cresting the early mountains, he easily had the lead.

[Cant Climb]

A couple years back, Laurent Jalabert (sp?) did something similar for two or three consecutive stages. Does anyone remember if they were mountain stages, and if he won one of them? My tdf memory was never really that good to begin with.

you're probably talking about 2002 when he was racing his last tour and wanted to go out as a "lion"......fighting and being tough on his way out. He wasn't in contention though....

[reflux]

Thanks for the info guys, it's much appreciated.

[Wumpus]

A couple years back, Laurent Jalabert (sp?) did something similar for two or three consecutive stages. Does anyone remember if they were mountain stages, and if he won one of them? My tdf memory was never really that good to begin with.

In 2001, Jaja went in a couple of breaks and won two stages(4 and 7 -- 7/14 Bastille Day) then got in a couple of mountain stage breaks and secured the polka dot jersey.

[llkoolkeg]

It seems Lelangue called his papa and papa said "ATTACK MUTHA ****A ATTACK!!"

Papa said knock you out! :agree: Papa said knock you out! :agree:

The best was how Floyd was just towing Patrik Sinkewitz up and down the course for 55km then he accellerates up the Col du Joux-Plane and drops that remorah like a spent butt! I was cheering so loud at that point my coworkers came into my office to investigate what all the ruckus was about. It was the first time anyone was even aware of what I've been listening to for the past two weeks.

[golgiaparatus]

Denise Demir, Physician: "Floyd Landis drank 20 bottles of water today."

[The Toninator]

It seems Lelangue called his papa and papa said "ATTACK MUTHA ****A ATTACK!!"

guys a ****ing genius. Merkx’s daddy said the same thing.

[The Toninator]

that's 2.2 gallons.

[DRB]

everybody in the team has a heart, and they believed in me. They deserve nothing less than the same from me. So yeah, it was for them, you saw what they did again. My team was very strong and determined.

Embrassment is a strong motivator. I think of the year when Lance had such a bad start that he couldn't even look at his team. Then he crashed, broke his bike and crushed everyone.

[Westy]

Floyd affect. I normally never see anyone else on a bike on my afternoon rides, today there were at least 20 other people on the road.

[jacksonpt]

Floyd affect. I normally never see anyone else on a bike on my afternoon rides, today there were at least 20 other people on the road.
hey - whatever it takes to get people turning the cranks.

[Silver]

I'm a prophet. Look at what I wrote in the stage 16 thread :D

Way to go Floyd!

[indieboy]

Better, much, much better. This is the sort of epic badassery that legends are made of. This is how Chuck Norris would win the tour.

Lemond used fancy-pants technology to squeak it. If any squeaking occurs here in Paris it will have been made possible by a truly monstorous effort from a man who had appeared beaten and broken, and who has a necrotic hip. A man who once passed Gunnar Shogren and I on a climb at Snowshoe in a no handed wheelie playing delta blues on the harmonica.

Lemond can't even play the harmonica.

that's only funny to me b/c i know it's true. hahahhahahahha

[MtnbikeMike]

I just watched an interview of Frank Schlek on Velonews. When asked about letting Floyd get away he said, "We didn't let him get away......he's a f**king strong rider." :thumb:

[Wumpus]

[snip]
Landis had a beer to relax on Wednesday evening (‘just one,’ he said) and came back out fighting to pull off that exploit. Lim has been doing daily updates for Bicycling during the race and thanks to Landis’ decision to allow his Powertap information to be published there, the data from his ride can be readily seen.

It makes for fascinating reading. When he made his move on the Col des Saisies he averaged 544 watts in the first thirty seconds of his acceleration. This settled down to a 5-minute peak of 451 watts, which then continued for 10 minutes at an average of power of 431 watts. His 30 minute average was 401 watts.

Precise measurements for the exploits of riders such as Coppi, Gaul, Merckx and Hinault are of course unavailable, but in this modern era the use of power meters – and the willingness of some riders such as Landis to share this information – means that we can get a clearer idea of what is happening under the bonnet.

Lim gives more details. “Floyd averaged 280 watts for the entire ride, but it was 318 for the last two hours. That is while the bike is moving, so you have take into account that he has all those long descents,” he said. “On the descents he spent 13.2 percent of his time or 43 minutes coasting. If you spend that much coasting but are as good a descender as he is, you are making up time on the descents as well.

"However, if we don’t include the coasting time, he averaged 324 watts while pedalling for the stage and 364 watts over the last two hours. That gave him a total of 5,456 Kjoules of work, at an average cadence of 89 rpm. The nature of it is that everything he did today is within the realms of physiological capacity. It was the style with which he did it, the panache and the bravado and the courage [which stood out].

"That is the thing about sport… there is nothing special about what each of us possesses except how we are going to showcase that to the world, how we can display that.”

Despite the outcome of the ride, Lim said that the outputs weren’t actually the best he has seen from Landis. Of course, two and a half weeks of racing will tend to have that effect.

"No, they weren’t the best. But you know what, it was ballsy. That is the thing. He has done better in training and he has done better at [individual] points during this Tour. But the thing is that he was so motivated and also that they didn’t chase. They let it go. He stuck it in their face and he got away with it.

[snip]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2006/tour06/?id=/riders/2006/interviews/allenlim_landis2

[indieboy]

to most of you that don't train with power or really understand it. let me just say i crapped my boxxers while reading that. holy ****.

[Westy]

to most of you that don't train with power or really understand it. let me just say i crapped my boxxers while reading that. holy ****.

I don't have a power trainer but have an altimeter. Simple calculations can tell me how much power I am putting into a climb when looking at my rate of climb. I can also guess at my power output in the flats by comparing my speeds while going downhill. I was really blown away by some of the power output and heart rate figures shown during the tour. I'd see the power output and think I could do that, but I'd be at 90% effort while those ****ers aren't even breathing heavy.

[indieboy]

gauging it on the flats is kinda on/off if you hadn't used a meter before.

to put things into a frame of mind i'll use my intervals from today as an example. the intervals are 4 minutes as physically hard as i can go for those 4 minutes. i'll do 4 of them.
for today my highest avg power for the 4 minute efforts was of course my first one. i put out 427 watts. the first 30 seconds of the effort my wattage was 850 watts, peaking out at 1335 watts.
now to be able to continue 400+ watts for another 5 minutes at this point isn't happening. that is a TON of power. i think a year from now it's very possible. and probably a year and a half before my threshold for 30 minutes is at 400 watts. however, doing all those together is rough. to go on further doing the type of output that he did continuing along the stage is unreal. i don't think any one member on this board would be able to do a 5000+ kj day and be able to walk the next day.