posted Jul 15, 2008

'Where did Ricco come in the Giro? And Evans?'
Ricco came second and Evans wasn't even entered, I don't understand your point?
Ricco was only drafted in late to the tour to save Saunier Duval's season and try and get a stage - Mission accomplished and he now looks a nailed on certainty to get the polka dat jersey.
However Ricco lost nearly 2 minutes in the Giro's final time trial to Contador in 28km (and 3 minutes to Evans in stage 4 of this years TDF). Evans is a better time triallist then Contador hence Ricco isn't aiming, this year, for the tour.
I think the question is whether Frank Schleck can maintain this level for the rest of the race and time trial well enough to be a real contender.

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posted Jul 16, 2008

>Remember '95 when he jumped out of the group on the way into Liege?

meh.. i was wondering if some enlightened soul would remember that (the only.. shame really) time that he did it..
perhaps i'm old school .. i prefer the pantani style mountain attack monkeys to the build a lead in the time trial and limit losses type..

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posted Jul 16, 2008

super pig - i think it is a case of sticking to your strengths. Miguel knew his strengths perfectly, and maximised them. And consider this, that attack in '95 compromised his Tour in many respects because the next day was a time trial, in which instead a delivering his usual multi-minute crushing blow he gained only 12 seconds. His net gain over the field over the 2 stages was 1 min 2 secs - but the cost to him in energy expended / time gained was arguably his poorest return ever for 2 stages (given one is a TT).

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posted Jul 16, 2008

"Ricco was only drafted in late to the tour to save Saunier Duval's season."

No he wasn't, second in the Giro shows a good season for them. He was brought in as Gomez Marchante is having on going health troubles.

"Ricco came second and Evans wasn't even entered, I don't understand your point?"

Perhaps he was trying to point out, Ricco cracked Contador in the mountains, whereas Contador cracked Evans in the mountains last year.

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posted Jul 16, 2008

I'd argue that Contador didn't crack Evans, but Rasmussen did. He also cracked Contador on the Col d'Aubisque...

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posted Jul 16, 2008

"I'd argue that Contador didn't crack Evans, but Rasmussen did. He also cracked Contador on the Col d'Aubisque..."

Re watch the tapes and you'll see it was Contador who attacked on the Plateau-de-Beille to break the peloton and then again to lead himself and Rasmussen away from Evans, Sastre, Leipheimer and Soler.

It was Contador's multiple attacks on stage 15 that also took himself and Rasmussen away from the other mountain men.

On the Col d'Ausbisque, Contador had pushed himself to far on that day and on the two previous and Rasmussen rode away from him, as they passed under the 1km banner. Contador still finished the stage ahead of Evans.

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posted Jul 16, 2008

I'd still argue it was Rasmussen, he followed all of Contador's attacks in the Pyrenees, and Evans was riding to stay with Ras, not Contador. He took 35 seconds in that last km on the Aubisque which I would consider dropping someone, whereas Contador took only 8 seconds out of Evans.

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posted Jul 16, 2008

I don't want to state the obvious, but last year was last year and you can't necessarily compare given that the two you mention aren't even here. I believe Evans has pointed himself to the Tour this this year in an effort to win it.

You will note that through the Pyrenees, none of the pre-race favourite GC men have really attacked each other, so we don't really know a lot more than we did at the start of Stage 9. The Saunier-Duval riders have been excellent, no arguments here, but as someone said earlier, their target this year was stage wins, so they can blow it all they want. Note they lost the Team GC lead on today's stage as well since they didn't (couldn't?) send anyone with the break.

We've certainly started to see who is weak - with Valverde & Cunego joint first in that group. I still think it will be decided in the Alps. It makes a much better event - I certainly don't pine for the days of large time gaps with nothing to play for.

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posted Jul 17, 2008

It was really sad to see the Caisse management send Pereiro up the road as a carrot to make CSC chase yesterday. After all, it is he and not Valverde who has actually won le Grande Boucle and, he looks more capable of doing it this year too. If I was him, I'd be looking for a new employer a.s.a.p.!
It will be interesting to see how Cobo-Acebo progresses too now.

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posted Jul 17, 2008

I think Oscar would be no more succesful on another team. however, that said, i think the team should be looking for a new DS. The guy is clearly not up to the job.

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