Le Tour de France

[Noel]

I agree, nobody appears to be even hinting that they have the legs to be top of the GC. Can't see Mayo doing much after today's performance. I agree, tomorrow is his last chance. Don't think Hincapie will be able to inherit Armstrong's mantle.
There's too many "one stage wonders" at present. Just hope Evans is being coy/modest during that interview. 11th in the GC and 7 odd minutes back. You never know.
As Brad has said, tomorrow will give us a few clues as to what is going to happen.

Noel

 

[Paul Chapman]

It's certainly an unpredictable Tour this year. Yesterday a lot of pundits were surprised as several fancied riders were shot off the back.

In previous years there was a sort of order - Lance Armstrong was going to win so everyone planned their race around him and reacted to what he did. This year it was expected to be Ulrich or Basso and I think all the teams probably planned their race on that basis. I think we are going to have to wait for someone to emerge. Today will be hard with several big climbs - not sure who will come out on top but it sure is going to hurt

Paul

 

[wrightclan]

...11th in the GC and 7 odd minutes back. ...
Noel

In a sense, he should be viewed as about a minute back. It may be difficult to see who is a real contender, but a few in the top 20 can be readily discounted. The highest placed rider with any real chance, IMO is Landis. Evans is less than a minute behind him. So is Kloden. Hincapie, Savoldelli and Menchov are less than two minutes.

Brad

 

[Paul Chapman]

To be beaten to the yellow jersey by a bloke who is due to have a plastic hip after the Tour - now that must be really demoralising :wink: :wink:

Well done Floyd Landis =D>

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

What a cracking couple of days in the Alps - proof if ever it were needed that the Tour is won and lost in the mountains. I thought Rasmussen's performance today in winning the stage and gaining the King of the Mountains jersey was stunning. But what about poor Floyd Landis - despite Axel Merckx's valiant efforts, Floyd is paying the price of not having a strong team. He must be really demoralised going from race leader to 8 minutes down in a few kilometres. Overall a very exciting Tour, I think, and there is still a question mark over who will win it.

Paul

 

[wrightclan]

What a race! I think there may be more to it, for Landis, than not having a strong team. He looked ill today, haven't heard anything to confirm it; but he did not look well.

As far as team tactics go, I wonder why Rasmussen was not at Menchov's side. Menchov had a chance to do some real damage toward winning overall; but instead, he was up the road, winning the stage and moving up in the King of the Mountains :-k

Brad

 

[Paul Chapman]

As far as team tactics go, I wonder why Rasmussen was not at Menchov's side. Menchov had a chance to do some real damage toward winning overall; but instead, he was up the road, winning the stage and moving up in the King of the Mountains :-k

I listened to an interview with Rasmussen after the race and this question was put to him. Following yesterday's stage, when Menchov did not do well, the team had a discussion with their Director and he agreed that Menchov would be unlikely to perform well in today's mountain stage and Rasmussen could have a free hand to ride for himself.

As for Landis, I've ridden up some mountains like those in my youth and I'm not surprised that he looked ill :wink:

Paul

 

[wrightclan]

As far as team tactics go, I wonder why Rasmussen was not at Menchov's side. Menchov had a chance to do some real damage toward winning overall; but instead, he was up the road, winning the stage and moving up in the King of the Mountains :-k

I listened to an interview with Rasmussen after the race and this question was put to him. Following yesterday's stage, when Menchov did not do well, the team had a discussion with their Director and he agreed that Menchov would be unlikely to perform well in today's mountain stage and Rasmussen could have a free hand to ride for himself.


Paul

I heard a soundbyte, where Rasmussen alluded to that discussion. But when they could see Landis was in trouble, and Menchov was in the Pereiro group; I think if I was Rabobank's director, I would have told Rasmussen there was a change of plans. But then I don't get paid the big bucks. :wink:

Brad

 

[Paul Chapman]

I think if I was Rabobank's director, I would have told Rasmussen there was a change of plans.

But I think you would have found that Rasmussen's radio would have conveniently malfunctioned at that point 8)

Paul

 

[StevieB]

I disagree, There is no way they would call Rasmussen back. Menchov lost time yesterday and even if he put in a big effort today he was not ging to make it to the top of the GC with or without Rasmussen. Far better for Rasmussen to take a stage win and the Polka dot jersy (which he is now unlikely to lose) than fall back to help Menchov take 2nd or third in the GC. Dont forget Kloden and Evans were also in the group of Menchov - it is not only Landis he was riding against.

Rasmussen won the Polka Dot in 2004, it must have been his and the teams realistic ambition for this year also. Menchov will still be in the top 10 of the GC, and a week before the tour started (when Ulrich, Basso and Vinokourov were still in it) that would have been a dream result for the team!

Steve.

 

[wrightclan]

I disagree, There is no way they would call Rasmussen back. Menchov lost time yesterday and even if he put in a big effort today he was not ging to make it to the top of the GC with or without Rasmussen. Far better for Rasmussen to take a stage win and the Polka dot jersy (which he is now unlikely to lose) than fall back to help Menchov take 2nd or third in the GC. Dont forget Kloden and Evans were also in the group of Menchov - it is not only Landis he was riding against.

Rasmussen won the Polka Dot in 2004, it must have been his and the teams realistic ambition for this year also. Menchov will still be in the top 10 of the GC, and a week before the tour started (when Ulrich, Basso and Vinokourov were still in it) that would have been a dream result for the team!

Steve.

Menchov would not have made it to the top of the GC yesterday; but at one point, he was forcing the pace in the Pereiro group, only to fall back shortly before the end. If Rasmussen had been there, it is likely that would not have happened. Yes, Menchov lost time on Tuesday, but not much time and it was lost to Landis. Menchov is probably now the best time triallist in the top 10, (except perhaps Kloden)with a long time trial coming up. If Rasmussen had been there, he may have set up Menchov to take the lead in the time trial. Then again, Rabobank is not a team which is used to fighting for the overall in the Tour.

BTW, I would just about give my right arm to have Landis' "bad day" yesterday--22nd on the toughest day of the toughest race in the world.

Brad

 

[Scott]

This lot are all due to pass my house tomorrow afternoon! (our village is some sort of feeding station or something).

I know nothing about cycling but it would have been nice to see ... if I wasn't in Morecambe! I seem to miss it every year

 

[Paul Chapman]

This lot are all due to pass my house tomorrow afternoon! (our village is some sort of feeding station or something).

I know nothing about cycling but it would have been nice to see ... if I wasn't in Morecambe! I seem to miss it every year

Nice though Morecambe may be, I think I would have re-scheduled my trip :wink: Hope you get to see it one year - head for the mountains if at all possible. That's where the real action happens and they don't whiz by so fast

Paul

 

[Scott]

Nice though Morecambe may be

Ahem, moving swiftly on....

Unfortunately rescheduling my trip wasn't an option Paul. Not here for pleasure

 

[Paul Chapman]

Did you see that ride by Floyd Landis today :shock: Sheer class 8) There have been many great individual performances in the history of the Tour and I reckon that was right up there with the best of them 8)

Whatever the final outcome (and after today, I really hope Landis wins) this has been a great Tour :wink:

Paul

 

[wrightclan]

Did you see that ride by Floyd Landis today :shock: Sheer class 8) There have been many great individual performances in the history of the Tour and I reckon that was right up there with the best of them 8)

Whatever the final outcome (and after today, I really hope Landis wins) this has been a great Tour :wink:

Paul

Spectacular! Edge of your seat! :shock: =D> \/ =D>

 

[StevieB]

Indeed, a superb performance by Landis. It will all be decided on the final time trial Saturday. On paper Kloden appears the best time trialist, but that yellow jersey is a powerful incentive - I remember Marco Pantani (not the best time trialist by any means) putting in a storming final time trial when he won his Tour. I suspect the jersey will change, but whether to Landis or Sastre I am not sure - on balance I think Landis has too much to do and vote for Saste but it will certainly be interesting to watch!

Steve.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I think Landis has too much to do

After yesterday, that's a bold statement :shock: I reckon Landis will do it - in fact after yesterday, I would bet he could walk on water 8)

Paul

 

[wrightclan]

On paper Kloden appears the best time trialist...

Steve.

I disagree. On his best day, Kloden may be better than Landis, but Kloden has been very erratic over his career. Then again, Landis has been somewhat erratic lately. This whole Tour has been erratic. :shock: :wink:

Brad

 

[Paul Chapman]

Also, Floyd Landis now has the psychological edge over his rivals and that is a very important factor in a time trial :wink:

Paul