Tour de France
Submitted by PattyT on Tue, 2011-07-19 22:53
Love watching this every year! Sure i'm not the only one.. I think if Cadel stays on his bike he will win it this year. Thoughts?? Huge result for him tonight.. broke the Schleks and Voekler and got time on Contador. GO CADEL!!
Nelly
Posts: 518
Date Joined: 04/05/08
Yeah was a good stage,Not
Yeah was a good stage,Not suprised Contador attacked with the downhill finish the schlecks are not known as downhill specialist's..Evans is looking good just needs to hang with Contador in the next 3 days and the race is his,easier said than done though
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
two bike race it would seem,
two bike race it would seem, but with a Tour that has had many spills and upsets, the door is still open should either of them go down.
Cadel needs at least 6 min lead on Contador and 10 on the pack to get a safety buffer.
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
Your right.. its just so easy
Your right.. its just so easy to come off your bike, especially in the conditions they have over there at the moment. If Cadel can stay with Contador and on his bike over the next few days, especially on Alp Duez he will win. He looks like a very determined man this year and hasnt seemed to of been in any trouble so far.
crasny1
Posts: 7009
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Avid fan
At the start posted a post saying "Go Cadel". Not to much excitement then, but he is a good chance. Better Individual time trialist than the Schlecks, and Voekler, and ahead or on par with Contador. Cadel is not an attacking rider like the Chlecks or Contador, more of a tempo rider, keep slogging away at the same pace, and that why they are all trying to break him with these constant attacks. The next 3 days will tell the story, but I have not seen any weakness in cadel yet, and have seen it in the others. Id watch Sami Sanches too.
GO CADEL!!!
Neels
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
hmmm. not sure what to make
hmmm. not sure what to make of that stage. Contador looks so dangerous, he looks to of found his mojo again. Pretty good effort on behalf of Cadel and the Schleks not to loose any time to contador though, saved it right to the last 50m.
crasny1
Posts: 7009
Date Joined: 16/10/08
1 down, 2 nasties to go
Hang in there Cadel, the Codor is circling. The Galibier and Alp D'Huez is gono tests some riders. Hopefully the nuggety Evans can hang on to Contador. Now think that Voeckler's legs are gone, and the Shleck's cant Individual timetrial for shiite.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
Evans needs to make 20 to 30
Evans needs to make 20 to 30 seconds every leg from now onwards to get the Yellow Jersey and get a buffer. The next three stages could be critical for his chances. Rode well last night, but could have made more time with better team planning ( not my view, but those on Euro Sport comments !)
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
shifeng
Posts: 236
Date Joined: 22/09/09
I reckon it's a lil hard for
I reckon it's a lil hard for cadel since his team is not particularly strong
Rick
Posts: 1119
Date Joined: 22/12/06
lack of sleep
Another one who has watched nearly every stage, not so fussed on the sprint legs, its the climbs that hold my interest. Cadel seems to be sitting waiting. Has managed to stay out of trouble so far and keep himself in a good position. I'm sure there will be a new holder of the maillot jaune after tonights stage. Hopefully it will be Cadel..............
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scottland
Posts: 3040
Date Joined: 10/05/10
havent been watching
just interested how he went last night?
i support two teams eagles and whoever is playing the dockers
shifeng
Posts: 236
Date Joined: 22/09/09
Cadel lost a lil time last
Cadel lost a lil time last night i think, but managed to keep contador in check. which is important! lol!
shifeng
Posts: 236
Date Joined: 22/09/09
sorry my bad, he gained time
sorry my bad, he gained time on voekler
Rick
Posts: 1119
Date Joined: 22/12/06
1min 18
he is now only 1min 18 behind, voekler lost his way on the downhill run, he ran off the road into some sort of carpark. He was the 2nd one to misjudge that bend.
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crasny1
Posts: 7009
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Poor Voeckler
Was pushing right on the edge. He went off twice on the downhill section, trying to go flat out after Sanches and Contador. Once he ended up in the houses carpark he realized that he probably should have just stayed with Cadel and the Schlecks, and would have reeled in Contador, which they did just in time. Pheww! Last few meters.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
I dont think Cadel needs to
I dont think Cadel needs to gain anymore time, he just cant loose any. He in the luxurious position of being infront of all the others so all he needs to do is mark the wheel of Contador and fight!! Evans and Contador are pretty much like for like time trialist so Contador wont catch Evans if its as it stands now going into the time trial. Voekler is shot and will loose the yellow tonight, so if Evans can hold onto a 1 minute lead going into the time trial its party time. Just my opinion anyway.
crasny1
Posts: 7009
Date Joined: 16/10/08
On the Money PattyT
Cmon Cadel!!
Neels
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
shifeng
Posts: 236
Date Joined: 22/09/09
it will be an exciting race
it will be an exciting race tonight... too bad i'm working... damn...
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
Glad I have the next few days
Glad I have the next few days off! Shifeng, if you have an iphone the tour ap is pretty good and its free. It will keep you up to date.
tiimmbo
Posts: 695
Date Joined: 16/08/09
I have been watching the tour
I have been watching the tour this year every night. Starting to get to the business end today and tomorrow. Cadel looks the goods though Contador looked pretty good the last couple of days. I have the ip[hone app as well - pretty good for up to date details whilst sitting here at work waiting for the coverage to start.
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
Great day for a head wind on
Great day for a head wind on the tour, will help Cadel no end... he will just have to hang on there wheels and let the other guys burn themselves out.
Cammos
Posts: 606
Date Joined: 30/06/09
Unbelievable stage tonight,
Unbelievable stage tonight, Contador and Sanchez gone, Voelker holds on to the yellow by the skin of his teeth but surely cannot go again tomorrow, Andy Schleck makes a massive break, and Cadel drags the entire peloton up a 10% gradient mountain. If by some fluke Cadel can keep the gap to a minute (unlikely given Frank Schlecks armchair ride tonight) he is every chance to take it in the time trial.
This is why I don't watch the first week too closely, it all boils down to these last few stages.
Nelly
Posts: 518
Date Joined: 04/05/08
Interesting stage.Tonight
Interesting stage.Tonight should be good andy knows he needs more time on cadel for the itt...Cadel could make up to atleast 2mins ++ in the time trial to him and more the frank schleck.Interesting 2 nights ahead,not sure how much andy pushed himself today,he might struggle tommorow
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
Cadel need to pull finger and
Cadel need to pull finger and get his A into G fast now.
Down to fourth and should have in fact gained time last night and held onto his second place.
The time trial is one of those things that can go either way, Cadel needs to walk away by Sunday at least 1 minute ahead of any good challengers and make the magic two minute break ASAP.
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
Cammos
Posts: 606
Date Joined: 30/06/09
I think Cadel did more than
I think Cadel did more than get moving last night. He never got that visually exciting break like we hope, but he ground 2 minutes out of Schleck on a crazy mountain climb after 6 hours of going. Pretty bloody impressive effort I think.
Rick
Posts: 1119
Date Joined: 22/12/06
Big Risk
Was a big risk by Andy Schlek 60 k's out last night, but he did it well, another couple of k's and they would have had him I think. Cadel did well to chase him back, but maybe they should have chased a bit ealier. Evans would have known he was not going to get any support from anyone. Contador was a spent force. Tonight will be a make or break I think, Frank Schlek will be the one to watch tonight, had a dream ride last night. C'mon Cadel.......
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PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
Cadel doesnt have the
Cadel doesnt have the mountain legs to gain the explosive breaks like the Schleks and Contador (As you could see last night), they will bring him back every time and its just a waste of his energy. You can see how quickly Contador/schleks get off the front when they attack, Cadel just isnt that quick. His strategy in the mountains has been and always will be damage control. F.Schlek is the danger tonight, I think Cadel will be quicker to chase this time around though. It all will come down to tonight and Alp Duez, Evans can chase anything under two minutes down in the TT so he just needs to control them. Come on mate!!
Was so impressed by his efforts last night, dragged the whole peleton towards Schlek. Another km and he would of almost caught him.. very courageous effort.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Cadel has always been more of
Cadel has always been more of the grind though, I don;t think those guys can really keep the attacks up in the mountains like that.
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
Yeh i agree, Cadel just needs
Yeh i agree, Cadel just needs to ride his pace and hope he can keep them gaining to much time. Wouldnt be suprised if Contador tries to take this stage out tonight, Alp Duez is arguably the most famous stage on the Tour and pride will make Contador go for it i think. I hope he does for Cadels sake, atleast it will put the pressure back on the Schleks to chase.
Rick
Posts: 1119
Date Joined: 22/12/06
What a stage
Stage 19 had everything, breakaways,breakdowns both man and machine. So can Cadel out do the Schlek boys in tonights time trials. 57 sec behind over 42km's it is possible. I think he sets off about 10pm our time so wil be watching for sure. Could be history in the making..
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PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
Wow! What a stage...
Wow! What a stage... Serioulsy, Cadel deserves this tour. He has been an absolute powerhouse and has pretty much shouldered all the responsibilty himself. Just need to get 58 sec Cadel.... GO MATE!!!
Cammos
Posts: 606
Date Joined: 30/06/09
It was a corker of a stage
It was a corker of a stage hey. Liked Phil Liggett calling Evans a big diesel motor, it explains him so well, he just keeps on churning. I so hope he has enough in him to take the minute off the Schleck boys, looks like Frank might be done, but Andy maybe has a bit left.
And I have to mention the crazy crowds, sadly it looks like the Aussies are among the worst behaved.
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
Yeh the crowds are
Yeh the crowds are ridiculous. They need to fence them back, one day its really going to cost someone badly. I wished Contadore had of knocked that guy out last night..
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Its the cyclists that cop it
Its the cyclists that cop it though =(
Who can forget Armstrong copping that plastic bag in 2002?
Auslobster
Posts: 1901
Date Joined: 03/05/08
Hard to forget, Jamie...
...when most people in this country don't remember it in the first place. No Aussie was in yellow jersey contention that year!
maxxeman
Posts: 85
Date Joined: 22/09/09
CADEL CHAMPION!!!!
CADEL YOU ARE A CHAMP!!!!
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
What a champion! You deserve
What a champion! You deserve Cadel, what an effort, what a stage, what a tour!!
YELLLLLLLLOOOW!!!!
Ben Derecki
Posts: 1926
Date Joined: 10/10/07
Yyyyyeeeewww... what a
Yyyyyeeeewww... what a race!
He's a champion, absolutely sweating blood through the whole comp, esp those last couple of stages where he pushed out and went it alone at the head of the pack.
Go the Green and Gold!
scottland
Posts: 3040
Date Joined: 10/05/10
what a champion
where does this rank in australia sports i reckon just under americas cup
i support two teams eagles and whoever is playing the dockers
maxxeman
Posts: 85
Date Joined: 22/09/09
THAT IS THE PINNICALE OF
THAT IS THE PINNICALE OF CHAMPONSHIP WILL SURPASS ALL SPORT ACHIEAVEMENT IN AUSTRALIAN HISTORY!!!!!!
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
One of the best things Iv
One of the best things Iv witnessed, even went and woke the girlfriend up! haha
bod
Posts: 2321
Date Joined: 03/05/06
champion
what a champion effort. So deserved.
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Bloody Legend
Aussies punching above their weight as usual
Auslobster
Posts: 1901
Date Joined: 03/05/08
Not too sure about that, Matt.
I know what you're saying but Cadel was considered one of the "heavyweight" contenders when this thing started three weeks ago. He has had a fantastic leadup during the European season and his team is actually that...a TEAM. His righthand man, George Hincapie, was the pacesetter during the majority of Armstrong's success and delivered the goods again. In terms of supporting their main man, BMC far outperformed Leopard Trek (Schlecks) and Saxobank (Contador). If you want to see an example of "punching above his weight" see Thomas Voeckler. That man laid his guts out there and nearly pulled off a miracle.
Having said all that, Evans' time trial last night was a thing of beauty. To knock off Cancellara and nearly catch Martin, who are considered the best individual time trialists in the world, is phenomenal. We knew Cadel was a good chance to shred that stage but I was surprised at how easily he appeared to do it.
The race was actually won two days ago when Andy Schleck broke away and then Evans ramping up the pace to peg him back...in doing so, Contador and Sanchez cracked. Clearly a case of the "big diesel motor" simply outgrinding the Ferraris up the hill.
Anyway, a yellow jersey and TDF victory for a deserving winner. It was the best Tour I've seen in terms of drama/strategy and the bloke who should've won it actually DID! Good onya Cadel, enjoy the champagne and the ride tonight!
On a more cynical note, I'm surprised none of the big networks have managed to wrestle last night's or tonight's coverage away from SBS...figures to be a ratings bonanza!
wazzbat
Posts: 977
Date Joined: 19/01/10
Think he was meaning the fact
Think he was meaning the fact that we're only a small nation in terms of population. The population of France is about 65 million. Germany - 80 million etc etc. We don't have the kind of mountain/alps terrain to practice here like some of the European countries do. Australia's population - 21 million. So I think it was a general statement about an "Australian" punching above his weight. Not specifically Cadel if that makes any sense?
Cadel has obviously worked really hard and earnt his yellow jersey but it is still a very big deal for an "Aussie" to win the tour. I'm sure up until Cadel arrived on the scene, the Europeans would have never expected an Australian to ever win?
I fish for the future - Cause I can't bloody catch anything!
Auslobster
Posts: 1901
Date Joined: 03/05/08
Very true, wazz...
...and teams aren't going to direct their resources towards a rider who can't contend for them. Evans' physical and mental ability would've been noted by BMC and that's why they built the whole team around him. Non-Europeans winning the Tour is a special achievement indeed...don't know of any others besides Armstrong and Greg Lemond. Not even sure if any Brits have ever won it?
And yes, even more special in terms of population, although Luxembourg and Norway (Hushovd/Boese-Hagen) made a pretty good fist of it as well!
Rick
Posts: 1119
Date Joined: 22/12/06
Awesome
What a time trial..
Champion Well Done CADEL.
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fisherking
Posts: 730
Date Joined: 29/05/08
Followed it all the way. Saw
Followed it all the way. Saw tonights race at the Cassino, should have heard the noise. It was awesome.
Well deserved.
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde
wazzbat
Posts: 977
Date Joined: 19/01/10
What a champion! Watched the
What a champion! Watched the last 5 or 6 trials last night and couldn't believe he had finally won. Just goes to show how good he is on his own. He's pretty much been on his own the last couple of stages anyway.
Pitty he just missed out on taking the stage as well. That would've been the icing on an already awesome cake!
Looking forward to watching the final ride tonight too with Cadel leading the pack home.
I fish for the future - Cause I can't bloody catch anything!
crasny1
Posts: 7009
Date Joined: 16/10/08
If you read some off the news
He could have easily won the stage, but his team manager pulled him back because he was going hell for leather, and they feared he might crash.
"BMC sports director John Lelangue, who led Floyd Landis to victory in 2006 as part of Phonak only for the American to be disqualified and banned after testing positive for testosterone, said they had taken a "stage-winning" approach.
"That way, we had no pressure about the jersey or the GC, (general classification)," Lelangue said.
"We could have actually won the time trial because we were within two seconds of Tony Martin in the last downhill, but I didn't want him (Evans) to take too many risks. I actually had to slow him down."
paste from: http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/news/31849/evans-pays-tribute-as-historic-tour-win-awaits
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
crasny1
Posts: 7009
Date Joined: 16/10/08
I dont think any Australian has had the guts and
determination shown by Cadel --- YOU ARE A BLOODY LEGEND CHAMP.
Enjoy the champs and the final stage.
Neels
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
uncle
Posts: 9601
Date Joined: 10/02/07
have to agree
what a champ
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
bod
Posts: 2321
Date Joined: 03/05/06
still not over
I thought Cadel had won, didn't realise there's still more. I thought the ride into Paris was only a victory ride.
UPDATE 12pm: ONLY a serious crash will rob Cadel Evans of becoming Australia's first Tour de France winner in Paris tonight.
Tour tradition and a pancake flat stage mean the field will not attack and the general classification places remain unchanged on the final stage from Creteil to Champs-Elysees.
As Aussies and the cycling greats toast what shapes to be one of our nation's best ever sporting achievements, all Evans has to do is remain with the bunch for the sweetest 95km of his life and cross the finish line.
Even if there was an attack, which would be viewed as outrageous by the peloton, it would be near impossible for Andy Schleck to reverse the damage that was done in last night's time trial and make up 1min 34secs.
Still, when the race gets to Paris it will come alive for the sprinters and the bunch will hit speeds in excess of 50km/h meaning Evans will want to avoid trouble at all costs.
But if there was a serious crash in the peloton and Evans was unable to finish - providing it was in the final 3km he would still be deemed the Tour winner.
While emotional and relieved to have the yellow jersey on his shoulders, the Aussie star yesterday refused to claim the win until he reached the Champs-Elysees.
"We've still got to cross the finish line in Paris tomorrow, that's my main focus now to get through there without any trouble,'' Evans said after the time trial in Grenoble. ``I hope the sun's out.''
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
He'll be right, Cadel and his
He'll be right, Cadel and his team will sit up the front out of trouble like they have the entire race.
Cammos
Posts: 606
Date Joined: 30/06/09
There will be a very tight
There will be a very tight formation around him. Pretty much his entire team will need to go down for him to fall. Not sure that anyone has ever lost from Cadel's position.
Rick
Posts: 1119
Date Joined: 22/12/06
Sleep
Finally after 3 weeks of late nights will be go to bed at a reasonable hour
What an amazing tour it was, one of the best I have watched.
And to top it off it was won by an Aussie
Well Done Cadel...............
PGFC Member
crasny1
Posts: 7009
Date Joined: 16/10/08
You Legend
Despite the mere formality of the last stage with respect to the GC, I even got nervous when he stopped or slowed down twice. Once to go way back to get the Champagne, and the other time to change his Yellow bike for his tried and trusted "Race machine".
Not only a Champ but also just so humble in victory. It appeared that whenever you saw him he was holding back tears, either "Ive done it" or "Thank bloody hell is over"
Dont know what Im going to do now at night.
Hope you come back with Chiarra and have a deserved break and celebration in good ol OZ.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
ride of a lifetime by the
ride of a lifetime by the champ, but hell cutting it close and down to the last time trial ....talk about nail biting stuff. Had me up till late Saturday night
a slipped chain or something could have robbed him, but lady luck smiled and he pedalled his heart out.
Well done Cadel.
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
My sleeping pattern is well
My sleeping pattern is well and truly stuffed, but totally worth it! Well done Cadel, and well done to the Schleks. They both looked genuinly happy for Cadel, coming second three times has got to hurt.. im sure Andy will have his day in the sun. Bring on next year!!