congratulations to my scandinavian neighbours |||That was such a weird race. Great win for Thor, though. Amazing descent.Tomorrow is the day. Big day for everyone, but mostly for Schleck and Contador. Both are looking pretty off, one of them will make the big attack.|||I thought so too.. Turned out to be not so interesting after all.
However, I actually kind of like, that for once, the "outsiders" see, to have a chance to win the tour. I'm really looking forward to the alpes.
After yesterday I am also convinced that Voeckler is a bit more of a serious candidate that you would think. He looked very sharp adn didnt seem to have any problems following the other favourites.|||
Glad to see my first comments here validated.|||Voeckler did put on a hell of a show, I am very impressed. I just don't think he will be able to hold the jersey to Paris, though. First, he is not a noted time trialist, I think he lost over a minute to Cadel on the Grenoble course during the Dauphine. Second, when the big favorites finally decide to do something I doubt he'll be able to cover all the moves.
Jelle Vanendert was another big surprise. Standing up and taking off like that when all the favorites couldn't was just... wow. A shame he lost so much time earlier, I think he could have gone for the top ten. I just wish I had any idea who he is...
So rest day, then Phillipe Gilbert special, then Hell on Earth begins.|||If he has the yellow jersey, on the day of the time trial, I do not doubt that he will do the time trial of his life - like Michael Rasmussen in 2007 or something like that. And he really was good looking on Plateu de Beille. One thing's for sure - I'm rooting for him now
|||You might be right, that jersey does fuel time trials like nothing else. In 2008 it kept Sastre in yellow, though it was helped by Cadel choking. But look at what happened to Cunego in Switzerland; Levi is a great time trialist, and when properly motivated and in good form that can offset the yellow jersey turbo. I wouldn't count Voeckler out for the podium, though. He is better than the Schlecks at the TT, and he has so much time over Contador. Tomorrow even favors him, with a short descent to the finish. Gilbert will win it, but Voeckler will grab some time.|||Well that was not what I expected. Not even close. I think today was the last day Gilbert has to gain any points over Cav, Rojas too, and neither of them tried. If Lotto had chased, or Movistar had chased, but they didn't. Cav takes the jersey, neither of their teams deserve it.
So **** hits the fan tomorrow. The Agnel, then the Izoard, then the Galibier, all in one day! Highest stage finish ever, top 7 or 8 locked together, and it's supposed to be 5C at the summit, so big things will happen. Even if there are no big attacks, which there will be, people will get weeded out from the altitude itself. I foresee Contador going for it, but the Schlecks know tomorrow is the day, so they will be active. They looked better today, but I didn't see just who did the big work on their chase back.
One thing is for sure: Whoever does attack is going to have to go big, because the time gained will have to endure tomorrow and the TT.
Going to be great racing!|||that.... was.... awesome....!
That must be one of the greatest stages I have ever ever seen. I can't remember the last time a favourite to win the GC attacked in such a beautiful way and completed it with a stage win.
Dissapointed over Contador though. He really looked strong the last couple of days. Didn't expect Sanchez to fall behind neither.
Now I'm looking forward to tommorow. I still think Cadel is the favourite but if Leopard Trek chooses to play their "Fr�nk-card" this can change in a couple of seconds.|||I know! That was so cool! I knew he had to attack big, but I never expected said attack to be that big! Eddy Merckx was in one of the cars cheering Andy on, he must have been so happy to see racing like it was in his days.
I had my suspicions about Contador, but it is hard to believe he collapsed that hard. Sanchez was yo-yoing on the big mountains previously, so that was less of a surprise, but after that little talk that they had it was weird to see them both fade. Looks like the Spanish Armada went down again
And what a job by Cadel! I was cheering on Schleck, but at the same time hoping that Cadel did a great ride too. I was hoping for Schleck to take the jersey and Cadel to stay close, so both won. That didn't quite happen, but still a great day for both. Two guys who have been second twice are fighting for the win. One of them will be disappointed.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow! It is a short stage, but not easy by any means. There will be a breakaway again, since everybody is going to feel like Superman because of the lack of distance. I would say maybe a repeat of today's tactics, with the men in the break and all, but by BMC and maybe Liquigas too. And yes, I am counting on the "Frank card" to be played to the extreme. The Schlecks both need time, and they don't care who gets it, so I wouldn't want to be Cadel tomorrow.
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