posted Jul 24, 2008

As the above comments regarding the riders chasing down someone who tries to break out of the pack.
As for my prediction, I went for Menchov before the tour and going into the mountain stages I still thought he could do it!

Sastre really impressed me yesterday but I will give credit to Cadel Evans where it is due. He wasn't going to get any help yesterday but he hung in there and kept the time gap to a level where he knows he can claw it back in the time trial.
I've mentioned him previously but Andy Schleck has massive potential to win multiple tours; he has impressed me so much! Or am I hyping him up a bit too much?

I still think there is some drama to come in the time trial though...remember Ulrich crashing in the rain? I also remember Rasmussen falling off repeatedly in is efforts to get a podium position in 2005.
If Evans is going hell for leather (which he will), he puts himself at a greater risk of coming off his bike.

Did anyone else catch the Tours 20 Greatest Moments yesterday on ITV4? Some great memories!

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posted Jul 24, 2008

those were good memories, especially Roche and Lemond. I was wondering mind you, the year of the Lemond/Fignon clash was that the one where Fignon tested positive for something and only got a time penalty or a fine. If I am remembering correctly it shows how times have changed for the better.

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posted Jul 24, 2008

>I also remember Rasmussen falling off repeatedly in is efforts to get a podium position in 2005.<

Man, that was hilarious. I've never like The Chicken much =)

>I've mentioned him previously but Andy Schleck has massive potential to win multiple tours; he has impressed me so much!<

Yep, can't wait for next year: Andy vs. Contador should be fireworks!
If he can remember to eat when he's supposed to (rookie mistake), he'll take the yellow jersey back home to Switzerland for sure.

Saturday should be very exciting, but I still think Cadel'll win. Though not by a big margin.

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posted Jul 24, 2008

*home to Switzerland

home to Luxembourg of course. Sorry Andy!

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posted Jul 24, 2008

Great stage yesterday & I would love to see Sastre hold on.

I dont know why but I struggle to like Evans, he sits there for most of the races & was such a misery in his interviews.

Can anyone explain to me how Valverde was so bad earlier in the mountains yet looked so strong in the Alps, I think he was even helping the CSC team yesterday because he certainly looke dlik he could go on his own at times.

Why does he keep havng those off days??

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posted Jul 24, 2008

I think after the TT it will be seconds between Sastre and Evans. Good job for Evans there is no Team TT, because the strength in depth of CSC is amazing especially compared to Lotto.

In answer to bayleafweald (U12747814)
Hills are different to roads in that bursts of speed cannot be maintained, and the quickest and least sapping way up is at a steady rhythm. It is not so much the closing down of the gaps, it is the fact that all the guys (apart from A. Schleck) were GC contenders, hence the reluctance to drag any of the other contenders up the mountain at the cost of there own energy as they would lose time in the last 5 or so KM as they get attacked by the fresher legs of wheel suckers.

Hence Evans played it right in only hitting the front to cut his losses with about 3km left, meaning no one else could really take any time out of him.

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posted Jul 24, 2008

seems to be the way Valverde is, for a few years people have raved about him but he lacks the consistency he needs.

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posted Jul 24, 2008

Some riders prefer the mountains of one chain over the other due to the difference in steepness of the climbs, and if memory serves, Valverde generally bottles it in the Pyrenees. Odd given that he's Spanish, but there you go.

I just did a quick check on his results from past Tours ... he's always been better in the Alps, so it's not surprising that he's ridden well there again this year. But I wish he'd develop some liking for the Pyrenees, because with his talent, he could perhaps someday win the race, if he could manage not to lose it all in one region of the country.

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