Kermit, good call on the Thor Hushovd bet. Today's stage was fascinating to watch over slick roads and inclines and incredible crowds in Barcelone. From six miles in, the crowds were two and three deep. Astana's strategy and tactics continue to dominate. Hang on to your Contador ticket. Impressed also with USA Garmin but they might not have enough mountain strength. Every rider in this race is an animal athlete. Great coverage and commentary by Versus.
Yes, Todays race was great to watch ! I am well aware that a lot of people really don't care about watching this race but it is really fun to watch but it does take some knowledge of the strategy involved. However the very fact that so many people have no idea of the rules and strategy is what makes it such a profitable Sport to wager on. Redeye and myself have just been feasting on all the $$ that was there to grab during Lance's 7 year run. I can remember back in 2004 when Thomas Voelker had like a 8 minute lead.... We got Lance at 5/2 when Voelker had actually 0 chance of winning the tour ! Bettors didn't understand what was going on. I love it !
Today's race resulted in no change in the lead. Tomorrow however might be the telltale day of the entire tour. I really expect the yellow Jersey to go to one of the members of the elite Astana team. The mystery is which Astana team member will wear the Jersey ? They will be racing in the Pyrenees for the next 3 days and I would suspect that it might take all 3 days to decide who will emerge as Astana team leader. Contador with youth on his side is my pick but I will never overlook Lance in the Tour
De France ! Andy Schleck is also an awesome climber who is very dangerous. GL You can be sure the Astana team will be keeping a close watch on him !
:toast:
~~:<<
great call on Thor kermit.
Here is stage 7 matchups- what sticks out to you?
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Levy Leipheimer vs Andreas Kloden
101 Levy Leipheimer
102 Andreas Kloden
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Cadel Evans vs Carlos Sastre
103 Cadel Evans
104 Carlos Sastre
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Roman Krueziger vs Lance Armstrong
105 Roman Krueziger
106 Lance Armstrong
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Alberto Contador vs Andy Schleck
107 Alberto Contador
108 Andy Schleck
7/10/2009 4:10 PM Vladimir Efimkin vs Mikel Astarloza
109 Vladimir Efimkin
110 Mikel Astarloza
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Vincenzo Nibali vs Frank Schleck
111 Vincenzo Nibali
112 Frank Schleck
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Haimar Zubeldia vs Yaroslav Popovych
113 Haimar Zubeldia
114 Yaroslav Popovych
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Tony Martin vs Fabian Cancallera
115 Tony Martin
116 Fabian Cancallera
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Vladimir Karpets vs David Arroyo
117 Vladimir Karpets
118 David Arroyo
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Jens Voigt vs Gustav Larrsson
119 Jens Voigt
120 Gustav Larrsson
7/10/2009 4:10 AM David Moncoutie vs Igor Antov
121 David Moncoutie
122 Igor Antov
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Luis Leon Sanchez vs Oscar Pereiro Sio
123 Luis Leon Sanchez
124 Oscar Pereiro Sio
Here is stage 7 matchups- what sticks out to you?
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Levy Leipheimer vs Andreas Kloden
101 Levy Leipheimer
102 Andreas Kloden
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Cadel Evans vs Carlos Sastre
103 Cadel Evans
104 Carlos Sastre
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Roman Krueziger vs Lance Armstrong
105 Roman Krueziger
106 Lance Armstrong
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Alberto Contador vs Andy Schleck
107 Alberto Contador
108 Andy Schleck
7/10/2009 4:10 PM Vladimir Efimkin vs Mikel Astarloza
109 Vladimir Efimkin
110 Mikel Astarloza
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Vincenzo Nibali vs Frank Schleck
111 Vincenzo Nibali
112 Frank Schleck
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Haimar Zubeldia vs Yaroslav Popovych
113 Haimar Zubeldia
114 Yaroslav Popovych
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Tony Martin vs Fabian Cancallera
115 Tony Martin
116 Fabian Cancallera
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Vladimir Karpets vs David Arroyo
117 Vladimir Karpets
118 David Arroyo
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Jens Voigt vs Gustav Larrsson
119 Jens Voigt
120 Gustav Larrsson
7/10/2009 4:10 AM David Moncoutie vs Igor Antov
121 David Moncoutie
122 Igor Antov
7/10/2009 4:10 AM Luis Leon Sanchez vs Oscar Pereiro Sio
123 Luis Leon Sanchez
124 Oscar Pereiro Sio
Kinda strang day. Astana team Manager made the decision that they would not chase any breakaway that didn't contain any of the real contenders. Therefore the real leaders stayed pretty much in command. however the real change was when Contador decided to break away from his Astana team in the closing meters of the climb. Why ? Did He do it to show that He was the real leader of the team ? He now leads Lance by a scant 2 seconds which is nothing when it comes to the big climbs still ahead. Also did Lance let him peddle away or was Lance simply unable to keep up. Perhaps Lance was playing possum ? We will find out tomorrow but I really think the Astana team will take the yellow tomorrow and it looks like it might just be Contador. However it remains to be seen if Lance was simply holding back because now I feel He is free to go on a breakaway on his own. One must remember that Lance gained 41 seconds on the team by no instigation of his own a few days back. This gain was Contador's own doing as He attacked his own team mates. Fun tomorrow !
I have again watched the end of today's race. I have also read some of the comments from Astana team Manager and other observers. Armstrong followed the team plan of staying together and answering any attacks from their main opponents. It is clear to me that Contador acted on his own and that He was making a statement. He wants to establish himself as the clear leader of the Astana team. He is really the leader in essence as the new Yellow Jersey holder has no chance to win the Tour. I see some decent forming with some of the members of the Astana team. Like I said earlier, if Lance has the ability to beat Contador, now He will do so without hesitation. My only wager from the start of the tour is on Contador and I believe his younger legs will prevail in the end. However the race will perhaps be decided on the final huge climb on stage 20 in the climb up Mont. Ventoux.
If Lance wanted to when Contador broke away Lance could have tailed Contador. If not directly behind him he could have stayed in the neighborhood and not surrendered 21 seconds to him. There is a lot of racing left I wouldn't count out Lance or Levi. They both want to win this tour. Hopefully Lance can pick up the lost time sometime soon. Stage 18 the ITT is going to be very interesting.
True Lance could have done so but He chose to stick with the team plan which was to stay together and ward off any break attempt by any of the real contenders. Contador didn't make any points with Lance or most of his Astana mates by going solo. I have a wager on Contador but I really didn't think Contador acted in the team concept. It could turn out to his disadvantage down the road if He need his teammates's help. Levi and Lance showed their displeasure as did the team Manager.
They definitely did. I think Lance and Levi will both attack later in the tour and leave Contador behind. What Contador did was totally fucked up. Team Astana set the pace the whole entire race then he just decides he is going to break off. What a dick..... The team will soon turn into everyman for themselves.
We are in 100 % agreement on this one ! I think Lance is still winding himself into top shape and I would love to see Contador and Lance remain 2 seconds apart going into the last climb up Mont. Ventoux. That would be an epic battle. The Lance of old would blow him away but even though Contador might be a dick ..... He is an awesome Cyclist. Today's race is already over and no real action anywhere to speak of. Kinda surprising that the Peloton had over 30 seconds on the yellow Jersey but he somehow managed to catch up and retain his Yellow Jersey. One more day in the mountains and then they head into the flats.
Interesting and scenic stage today. I enjoyed all the chaos crowd coverage at summits. For those who call Contador a 'dick' for jumping the line yesterday, you might consider that he is under tons of pressure to perform, probably more than Armstrong, and the 19 second distance to yellow might have rattled the ego of his sponsors. His breakaway climb yesterday was inconsequential to the overall race ( incidentally, I never heard any media noise about Lance leaving Contador behind in stage 3) and I don't blame Contador for sending a strong lightning powerful climb message to his sponsors and overall media to counter the prevailing non-Spanish speaking media that he was a sleepy dope for missing the breakaway that cost him the 19 seconds. If you think Lance or Levi or anybody will ride away from Contador, then rewind and rewatch the end of stage 6. I'm still pulling for Armstrong, but also respectful of Contador.
Let's keep the record correct here. The reason you never heard any media noise about Lance leaving Contador in stage 3 is because Lance never initiated the attack and was simply alert and doing what He was supposed to do. He quickly responded and was able to tag along and keep up with the breakaway group. Contador was sound asleep and missed the breakaway and lost 41 seconds because of it. However in stage 6, contador initiated the attack against his own team for his own benefit.
Armstrong showed class and team ethics and stayed with his teammates to insure that team Astana main opponents didn't mount an attack that could damage the entire team Astana tour chances. As for asking us to rewind and watch Contador at the end of stage 6..... You can watch it as many times as you want but I see nothing but a self centered dick acting for himself only ! My $$ is on Contador and I still think He will win but it doesn't change my mind that He is without class ! Lance and the rest of his teammates stayed at home and manned the store. Go Lance ! I hope I lose my wager on Contador after yesterday's stage antics by Contador.
Not sure what you are saying ? In the tour De France 20 seconds is not insignificant. A tour De France has been won by as little as 8 seconds. However if a Racer is doing something selfish for his own good, it doesn't matter if it's minutes or seconds. I make my own judgements and I didn't like what he did. If you approve of his actions... so be it ! It's a free country and We're all entitled to our opinions. GL :toast:
Good post Kermit. There is a long way to go and I hope to keep reading your observations.Not sure what you are saying ? In the tour De France 20 seconds is not insignificant. A tour De France has been won by as little as 8 seconds. However if a Racer is doing something selfish for his own good, it doesn't matter if it's minutes or seconds. I make my own judgements and I didn't like what he did. If you approve of his actions... so be it ! It's a free country and We're all entitled to our opinions. GL :toast:
