posted Jul 21, 2008

"Say what you want about Evans and Menchov's riding styles, but this is more exciting than any tour with Lance ever was."

Agreed. I don't think that there's been such a spirit since the Hinault/Lemond duels of the mid-1980's.

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posted Jul 21, 2008

My money is on Sastre. Evan's weak team has cost him yesterday as he was not able to drive a continuous pace but had to make do with CSC's continuous change of rythm.

Tomorrow, there is no flat between the 2 ascents so CSC will be on the attack straight from the first and Evans will not be able to answer all attacks.

Voigt to attack very early in the stage, Andy shleck to attack at the bottom of the first ascent, Sastre to attack midway through, all 3 get reunited at the top. Voigt will do the work downhill, Andy shleck up to midway the final climb and Sastre will finish it off with 3 minutes on Evans.

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posted Jul 21, 2008

Puy,

..."It looks like it's all going to come down to the final T.T. again!"

Indeed. If you look at first TT result, Menshov is the real danger for Evans, although next TT is longer and harder.

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posted Jul 21, 2008

i'm pleased wit shleck,he is rijding mentally upto now...

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posted Jul 21, 2008

Stage 16 has a downhill finish so Evans will probably be able to limit his losses unless he cracks completely.

I think that Wednesdays stage will decide how influential the final TT is, Evans is very very good at TT and the climbers will need to get a couple of minutes at least, if not 3 or 4 to be safe.

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posted Jul 21, 2008

>Stage 16 has a downhill finish so Evans will probably be able to limit his losses unless he cracks completely.<

Especially since Schleck descends like a toddler on a tricycle. And that ravine reconnaissance he did in the Tour of Switzerland won't have helped his confidence either.

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posted Jul 22, 2008

My money's on Samuel Sanchez today. Euskaltel have had a rotten Tour so far and, he can descend like a stone.

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posted Jul 22, 2008

Morning all (new to this thread - be gentle with me). Had a heartstopping bet on Evans yesterday(rest day)- @ 7/4. I'm interested in TDF, but not very expert; can anyone who genuinely knows the score tell me if I've done my money and give me a chance to get out ?

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posted Jul 22, 2008

I would still say that Evans is slight favourite simply because of his time-trial ability - only Menchov can hope to come close or match him. I don't think he will lose much today unless he completely blows up, and the downhill finish will help him limit any losses. Alpe d'Huez will be the test.

If I had to lay money against anyone else it would be on Menchov. My hunch is that he would now be in yellow if he hadn't slipped on that attack. He then had to expend energy in rejoining the group (even though they waited as they should) and I think that cost him at the top of the climb. But he looks the strongest I've seen him in the TdF.

Even so, the strength of CSC could prove crucial. Not just the Schlecks and Castre, but in O'Grady, Cancellara and Voigt they have got three of the best team riders going (and 3 of the most admirable cyclists too).

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posted Jul 22, 2008

Obviously I meant to say Sastre. blwdi keyboard

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