posted Jul 13, 2009

He was involved in a fall with several other riders but was up quickly.

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posted Jul 14, 2009

This is in depth probably the most powerful team ever to complete in the tour.Three top riders who could win in Contador,Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer.That's just the top three and could be at the end of the Tour but,do keep an eye on the wonderful performance of Bradley Wiggins,he will not win it,but a top three is just about possible,he's riding a great tour so far.My winner Alberto Contador,who I feel over a complete race is the best there is at the present time,but you've got to credit again this amazing performance by the legend that is Lance Armstrong.

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posted Jul 14, 2009

Given the ease with which Contador accelerated away from the pack on Arcalis I'd be very surprised if he tracked Armstrong all the way to Ventoux. Why would he when he knows he can turn on the gas and leave him trailing? The only thing that would stop him repeating Arcalis is Bruyneel ordering him to ride tempo for the team, but given that Astana won't exist at the end of the year and Contador will have every Pro-Tour team eager to sign him for 2010 why should he give a fig for team orders?!

I'm eagerly awaiting the stages in the Vosges, up to Verbier & over the two St Bernard passes: I think they'll have a significant impact on the overall, not least because Andy Schleck and Carlos Sastre will go on the attack. Unless something very strange happens Ventoux will be Contador's coronation...

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posted Jul 14, 2009

I'm surprised so many of you guys are writing Lances chances off. I'm not sure how informative the climb up Arcalis was, all I took from that was Lance was incredibly professional and did not choose to chase down a team mate. Could he have chased him down? Three years ago I'd say without a doubt, this year I'm really not sure but thats what makes it so gripping.

I read that contador believes the race will be decided in the alps. Given that we only have one mountain finish in the alps I think he's a little wide of the mark, surely ventoux has to be decisive this year, I can't see any other reason why thats the penultimate stage this year. Brilliant move by the organisers.

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posted Jul 14, 2009

Contador has said he won't chase Armstrong down if the latter makes a break, so that might just be where the Tour could unravel. Armstrong has to be stronger than the rest, but not necessarily stronger than his team mate - just tactically more astute.

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posted Jul 14, 2009

It looks like there's a rift over whether there's a rift!

This is unquestionably the best and most exciting Tour I've seen - and I've been watching since Hinault's last winning year. Doc_Kev is spot on: Armstrong clearly believes he can win it, as does Contador, but neither is sure.

My feeling is that Contador has an iota more belief than Armstrong. No wonder continental Europe is gripped by this greatest sporting event of the year. Tremendous stuff, which will, I feel, come down to Ventoux.

As for Contador saying he will not chase down Armstrong if the latter makes a break, for such a great sportsman to be such a fan of pork pies is extraordinary. Methinks the Accountant has done the maths and knows full well what his response will be.

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posted Jul 14, 2009

Never write off Armstrong! He's got too much experience of how the peleton works, and he's probably got the legs to outrun most of the guys on an uphill stage. You don't come back after years out with his mind set unless you know you've still got it. Would love to see Contador and Lance go head to head in the Alps, but don't think it'll happen. Remember the look? Can you imagine something similar this year?

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posted Jul 14, 2009

Not sure Contador left Armstrong trailing - the story as i see it is that Armstrong followed the team orders and contador didn't.

Considering the quality of the team and that both have now said you can't win the tour on your own I wonder who they would prefer to ride for. i'd suggest it's Armstrong. We are yet to see Armstrong attack in the mountains so not sure he can keep up with contador but he's talking a good talk. He looks to be ridding well inside himself to me so I'd have to go for Armstrong.

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posted Jul 14, 2009

Also I think You can bet your life when it gets to the latter stages in the Alps that if Armstrong makes a break then Contador will be right on his back wheel.

Think maybe Contador is hoping one of the other teams for the GC crack Armstrong and problem solved.

The longer the tour goes on and Armstrong is sitll only 2 secs behind him the more nervous contador will be.

In my mind Armstrong only needs to get the same times in the Alps as Contador and he'll make up a bunch of time in the second time trial.

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posted Jul 14, 2009

I'm not sure where people are getting the 'Armstrong will smash Contador in the TT' thing from.

Contador did come second in the opening TT which was probably long enough to get a degree of indication as to current ability.

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