389 replies to this topic Post Order

[Squier]

Today the peleton returns to France for the highest summit finish in Tour de France history - the mighty Galibier at 2645m.

Seeing that my predictions haven't been as succesful as I had hoped, I'll give it another go. BMC and Leopard-Trek will push the pace on the first two climbs to get rid of Voeckler, however, he will stick. Jens Voight will once again blow the peleton to smithereens. On the last climb I expect the Schlecks to crack again and lose considerable time. Voeckler will stick to them. Contador will start attacking early. Not sure how technical the descent down d'Izoard is but, if it is, we might see Contador attack even earlier. Seems like has an ally in Sanchez (who he needs to make time on as well). Even though it's looking less and less likely, I still think Cadel will stick to his usual form and crack on Galibier. Should that happen we might see Contador in yellow after today... although the realistic expectation would be Cadel to be in yellow. Can Voeckler pull of another major surprise? For the sake of my hub team I sure hope so!  

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Timing accoring to letour.fr

Summit of Agnel @ 14:19, d'Izoard @ 15:20 and Galibier @ 16:47. That's the earliest expected times.

Can't wait!!

[nickc]

Contador is starting to look dangerous - I would not be surprised to see him come out in yellow today. Not my first choice but he just seems to be getting better and better.

[rouxtjie]

Someone new in yellow after today...

The heart says cadel the head conti

[Squier]

rouxtjie, on 21 July 2011 - 07:00 , said:

Someone new in yellow after today...

The heart says cadel the head conti

Cadel has looked really good. This could be his year.

If there isn't someone new in yellow today, I don't think we'll see someone new in yellow this year...

[10Two]

3 mins too much to make up today. Remember it's 3 hard days ahead !
I think Voekler will stay in yellow today but only by seconds.

Berto and Evans will make considerable time today.
Schlecks are useless.
Sammy and Chavanel will get good airtime for their sponsors.

[rouxtjie]

Squier, on 21 July 2011 - 07:27 , said:

Cadel has looked really good. This could be his year.

If there isn't someone new in yellow today, I don't think we'll see someone new in yellow this year...

Agree, if voeckler can see this day through, he might just pull it off, and it wouldnt be the worse thing either.

[EigerSA]

the schlecks now know that contador has the legs in him to kick both their butts, so i reckon today will be the day they make or break by pulling each other through. contador has too attack for a chance at the yellow, but he'll do it on the last climb and the peloton will just go with him now that they know what to expect. voeckler has done well to hold onto the yellow jersey but i reckon today is his last day in it; it'll be one of the schleck brothers or evans.

[splat]

Judging from the last 2 days, no one has to attack the Schleck sisters on the climbs.
They can just freewheel away from them on the descents!

[vroommm]

rouxtjie, on 21 July 2011 - 07:30 , said:

Agree, if voeckler can see this day through, he might just pull it off, and it wouldnt be the worse thing either.

If Voeckler slips to within one minute ahead of Evans or Contador he has virtually no chance of keeping yellow after the final TT.

Edited by vroommm, 21 July 2011 - 07:52 .

[Underachiever]

splat, on 21 July 2011 - 07:47 , said:

Judging from the last 2 days, no one has to attack the Schleck sisters on the climbs.
They can just freewheel away from them on the descents!

Must say, the Schlecks really disappointed me to date.  Very un-inspirational!!  Perhaps today they will show some form of fighting spirit??

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Great Pic.....this guy is not giving anything up easily.

Edited by GrumpyOldGuy, 21 July 2011 - 08:00 .

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I see it was Frank's turn to whine yesterday about 'Berto attacking on the downhill -

Attack on a descent is there a lack of fair play? Yes, assures Frank Schleck, unhappy to have seen Alberto Contador and Samuel Sanchez play Wednesday for broke on the way down to Pinerolo.If the two Spaniards did not take any final seconds to the two climbers from Leopard, the eldest of two brothers attacked the strategy of the three-time winner of the Tour de France. I remember last year ... I was on my sofa (after it was abandoned for a broken collarbone, ed.) He attacked the famous jump chain.Today, he attacked on the descent. This shows that he is a little nervous. "

........Uuuuuuh, No, it shows he wants to win.!


DES SPORTS

[E1A104]

so soft those two sisters are. I think there was a hormone mix up somewhere along the line with them and the williams brothers.

[10Two]

  

splat, on 21 July 2011 - 07:47 , said:

Judging from the last 2 days, no one has to attack the Schleck sisters on the climbs.
They can just freewheel away from them on the descents!

[GrumpyOldGuy]

E1A104, on 21 July 2011 - 08:18 , said:

so soft those two sisters are. I think there was a hormone mix up somewhere along the line with them and the williams brothers.

  - Ha, Ha, Yeah.......I think 'Berto has found an ally in Sanchez, so the Schlecks cant pull the old one / two on him again, (although personally I dont think they are up to it anymore anyway) ....should be interesting, the two Spaniards against the two Schlecks......and a solo Cadel.

Edited by GrumpyOldGuy, 21 July 2011 - 08:30 .

[Wil6]

Think today will silence all the Contador critics.Also think today we are going to see Cadel Evans crack on the final climb.But I will be stuck in front of my pc streaming every moment of this years great unpredictable tour