Tour de France 2010

[sogood]

Good to see Andy does the bear punch at the mountain peak finish line. Shame he couldn't shake Contador off.

I guess what's proved on the climb of Col du Tourmalet is that Andy and Contador really have very similar power, but probably 900W to Andy and 899W to Contador. I am sure there'll be some analytics soon on their power calcs.

[Chuck]

Dr Cheeks, pink shirt at about 4.5kms

The Borat brothers at 2.8kms

[toolonglegs]

I wonder at what point that was decided upon?...oh well it was a "nice" gesture all the same.I prefer the "no gifts" on the finish line but that had its place.
The interview between the French President,LA,AS & AC at the end was very interesting...especially in what Lance had to say "I am about a week away from a very quiet life" was the answer to whether he was going to be Gov of Texas or higher.The handshake between LA & AC was very cold.Lance in my opinion didn't look happy or confident...I hope for the sports sake things aren't closing in on him.The inquiry in the US is certainly picking up pace.

[Dial]

Wow, best stage I have ever seen. My opinion of Contador has changed. I totally respect the guy and surprisingly he showed great sportsmanship. He let Andy set the pace and gave him the stage win.

Many will see it as poetic justice if Contador drops a chain in the ITT but I think he has paid for jumping Andy when he had a mechanical. He gave Andy the opportunity tonight and now deserves to win the tour.

[rustguard]

but what about the famous chain drop - was that a mechanical or rider error? Don't know if there was a definate answer on that.

I was wondering the same thing, Groupset?

[AUbicycles]

Wow, best stage I have ever seen. My opinion of Contador has changed. I totally respect the guy and surprisingly he showed great sportsmanship. He let Andy set the pace and gave him the stage win.

Hard to know - it is a race so he was allowed to attack on the last stretch - a lot of riders do that. Sure Contador didn't push for the line because he had to make it up - fair enough - though if he had of got the jump on Schleck earlier on, then that would have been fair - I don't think he was letting Andy set the pace, he was also working hard just to stay in touch.

But what I want to know - what words were exchanged in the final km's. Maybe "What's for dinner tonight"?

[shiv]

But what I want to know - what words were exchanged in the final km's. Maybe "What's for dinner tonight"?

My guess, sharing 41 gel packs and a deep fried turkey!

[roller]

fantastic finish, well worth sitting up til midnight for.

[bella26]

That was a great stage to view last night. Had my heart pounding over the last few kms wondering what is going to happen next. The crowds up the top of the Tourmalet were amazing. Lots of Aussies spotted in the crowd as well. So Bertie and Andy finish even in the mountains and you'd have to think barring a disaster this is Bertie's race now.

How good was Sanchez getting up there in 5th place after his crash earlier? It was also great to see Sastre trying once again going for it in a solo break. Would have been interesting to see what would have happened if he had caught the first group.

Seeing the Mountain sheep make a road crossing was interesting as well!

[Nix]

A great stage.. I must admit, I was yelling at Andy to have one last burst of speed - it was great to see him hang on to Contador's wheel (just) after he had a go but they were so evenly matched! Hats off to the Saxo Bank team for the work on the last climb... Fab was completely spent and nearly came to a halt after his spell up front!

A shame that it's going to be formalities through to Paris now... for Andy to have 1 minute would have made the TT VERY interesting..

[jules21]

hard man award goes to sammy sanchez.. from lying on the road in the foetal position after crashing to finishing 5th on the stage.

[Aushiker]

I hope for the sports sake things aren't closing in on him.The inquiry in the US is certainly picking up pace.

Hi

He has apparently hired a high powered criminal lawyer.

Andrew

[bella26]

Sastre's comments regarding the Peleton http://www.carlossastre.com/sastre_en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1086&Itemid=55 makes for an interesting read and I have to say I agree with him

[Redbull]

but what about the famous chain drop - was that a mechanical or rider error? Don't know if there was a definate answer on that.

I was wondering the same thing, Groupset?

According to Leonard Zinn - Velonews.com - most likely the SRAM deraileur and its design combined with a shift whilst under power. Or it could have been one of those things!!

[MichaelB]

Even though Cadel continued to lose time after the elbow fracture, he still only finished 4 min behind a fully fit Brad Wiggins. Wiggins even lost 11+ min to Cadel on this stage alone !!

I wonder if Sky thought it was worth the money ......

The ITT will be interesting to see what the final top 10 placings will be.

I hope that Andy rides the TT of his life (like Sastre did in '08) and either scares Contador into stuffing his up, and wins it !!!!

[norbs]

Interesting that Contador allegedly slowed the pelaton when Sanchez hit the deck, and yet it hardly happened right in front of him.

http://twitter.com/procyclinglive/status/19246326545
"Contador mentions his team mates to stop riding. Sastre (CTT) does attack though. #tdf"

So now he is in yellow, maybe things are different.

Good on Sastre for having a crack.

[jules21]

Interesting that Contador allegedly slowed the pelaton when Sanchez hit the deck, and yet it hardly happened right in front of him.

hmmm... who would gain the most from that, other than sanchez? oh.. it would be contador himself. i'm sure he never thought of that, though

[brentono]

The surpise effort, in the viewing, for me, was the good effort, coming in alone
at 17th, on 4' 12" behind, on such a hard climb was Lance (not bad for an old-boy)
And another good mention, for the injured Cadel Evans (still up to finish Le Tour)
and only 12' down on the 17th stage climb.
Good on, Sanchez coming back from the fall (sometimes a fall can wake you up)
All the talk prior was an Andi-climax, and Alberto Contador, show 'total' Control (of the race),
as the Yellow Jersey holder should, and his lead was never in doubt.
(most of it was media hype, and many here fell for it)
That's my take.
Cheers,
BrentonO

[Vipul]

If you guys want to see Contador get cracked, bring back Michael Rasmussen next year and he'll be able to crack Contador into 2 pieces

[jules21]

i reckon i could snap the chicken in two pieces

[ft_critical]

i reckon i could snap the chicken in two pieces

You know, I never get tired of posting this photo....

[Joeblake]

Yeah. I wonder why his nickname is so appropriate?

i reckon i could snap the chicken in two pieces

You know, I never get tired of posting this photo....

[ft_critical]

"I'm all for courtesy, but let's get SOME racing in or change it to a 23 day group ride waiting for everybody."

Cervelo owner Gerard Vroomen's reaction to the opposition Carlos Sastre encountered after he broke clear following Samuel Sanchez's crash early on in the stage.

[zues]

Brentono wrote

The surpise effort, in the viewing, for me, was the good effort, coming in alone
at 17th, on 4' 12" behind, on such a hard climb was Lance (not bad for an old-boy)
And another good mention, for the injured Cadel Evans (still up to finish Le Tour)
and only 12' down on the 17th stage climb.
Good on, Sanchez coming back from the fall (sometimes a fall can wake you up)
All the talk prior was an Andi-climax, and Alberto Contador, show 'total' Control (of the race),
as the Yellow Jersey holder should, and his lead was never in doubt.
(most of it was media hype, and many here fell for it)
That's my take.
Cheers,
BrentonO

+1 Totally agree
IMHO
Andy was out to make a point but after dropping his chain he was in shock- panic and all thumbs . If he had kept his cool he could have the chain on first go and back in the chase in a few seconds. In the end AC had to stroke Andy's ego.

[sogood]

Thinking back, the way Schleck and Contador dropped the rest of the bunch on those mountain climbs was like A graders dropping D graders on a hill. How can there be that much difference at the top end of pro riders?