Terrific day ahead with an HC and a CAT1 climb. There are two sprints also but I'm guessing Cavendish will be still on the descent of the Grand Saint Bernard as Hushovd takes more points(?)
Interesting note – top 20 in this TdF separated by only 6 mins. Extremely rare with just 6 days to go. Tactically very risky 4 us.7 minutes ago from UberTwitter
Interesting note – top 20 in this TdF separated by only 6 mins. Extremely rare with just 6 days to go. Tactically very risky 4 us.7 minutes ago from UberTwitter
What are your thoughts; is this a good thing? It's certainly making for an exciting climax, but at the expense of a pretty dull first two weeks.
I reckon it's a good thing – it has been relatively boring in that everyone is (barring Cavendish/Hushovd) are being too nice. Ever the optomist I still think Armstrong may take a punt at Berty yet. And Wiggo – he's a revelation. Would hate the Tour to bog down now in 'unassailable lead' fiasco today!!
Thinking about it I reckon Andy, Frank and Wiggo team tagging Contador would be very interesting – I reckon it's the only way to stop him. Early co-ordinated attacks up the first Col?!
Today is a day for punishment, sending your rivals into tomorrow with nothing left in their legs – a day to be cautious if you are defending.
Armstrong will be outside the top five after these next two days, leaving him to TT for pride alone. Its an awesome final week to the race – very well conceived I think – mountain-top finish to sort men from boys, then rest, then two days of defending like crazy and the risk of over-extending yourself in the process, then the TT, then Ventoux!
We'll see a bit later, but anybody think that the whole "Contedor is too strong" thing is a very clever ruse? Armstrong used to be a master of tactics and game play. Is he having us all on?
I love when people say armstrong doesnt have the legs anymore,
as the same age as him i wish i had so little in my legs!!
anyway hes not going to win but come on lance. 😀
aha! finally some useful info on the Europsport text
15:45 – 31km – Pellizotti is first over the summit, closely followed by Van den Broeck, Astarloza and Moinard. The gap is two minutes to a group of 11 featuring Armstrong, Contador, Kloden, Wiggins, Vande Velde, Voigt, both Schlecks, Uran, Ten Deam and Nibali.
Great stage so far. I've driven the descent into Bourg many times and there are some tight turns further down and some very patchy sections of road, it could get interesting here!