who's watching the TDF coverage?

originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:
originally posted by Ned Hoey:
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:
I didn't think it was any more likely that he hadn't doped than that Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens hadn't.
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And in this case, I suggest not making that assumption. Doing so makes a smear campaign effective,
just by "leaking" the "result". If someone is pursuing an agenda, they've succeeded.
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Barry Bonds information is all leaking. Clemens information hardly comes from an agenda free source. My assumption comes from the much larger basic situation that given what we expect from athletes, the rewards availabe if they meet those absurd expectations and the absolute absence of them if they are merely extraordinary in their performance, they will use the advantages available to them if they have a reasonable expectation of getting away with it.
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Well OK, but even with the larger context you speak of, leaks happen and agendas gain traction by giving them credence. It's marvelously diabolical because once some have been proven as cheaters, others can be effectively tarred by accusation.
 
originally posted by VS:
Contador rules!

(No, not the wine.)
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Stunning. Perfectly timed, when Andy was off the back and to his right, he snuck around the left and by the time Andy saw him, he was already accelerating. Even if they started from a an even vantage point, Contador would probably still beat him, but combine that sort of cleverness with Contador's ability and the pooor Schleck never stood a chance.

I love Cancelara riding himself into the ground. What output.

What a great stage overall. Lived up to the hype for me. How about Wiggins? Who would have thunk he would be the biggest threat to Contador?
 
Great stage. It's now Contador's race to lose, to state the obvious. Wiggins transformation is impressive.

I'm guessing Astana has a new goal -- Alberto winning and Armstrong and/or Kloden on podium as well?
 
I wonder how much Wiggins can put into Contador on the ITT? Contador beat him by a second in Monaco, but would you count on it again?

Here's the thing about Lance, he might have more to gain by being a super-domestique (and putting Kloden on the podium) than he does from finishing second. He doesn't give a shit about being first loser, but he does care about his reputation. I think that European cycling fans would fall in love with an Armstrong who attacked the Schlecks into submission and led out Contador onto the Ventoux. I don't know how realistic that is for the personalities involved, but it would be a huge PR move.

I think the Schleck brothers will throw everything they have at Contador, but it's two versus three and as a team they haven't looked as strong as Astana.

I'm still bummed about Levi. It's a cruel sport.

Contador-Wiggins-Schleck-Armstrong-Kloden?
 
originally posted by Warren Edwardes:
Anyone see the Thor Hushovd / Mark Cavendish "blocking" incident?
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Seemed a harsh judgment to me. Essentially ended the green jersey competition.
 
originally posted by Warren Edwardes:
Anyone see the Thor Hushovd / Mark Cavendish "blocking" incident?
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I caught a glimpse of it. The moment in question is pretty fleeting as such moments are. For that reason it's also difficult to assess intent etc, but the idea was that as TH was attempting to pass on the right,along the barrier, MC swerved forcing TH to brake in order not to crash into MC or the barrier.
MC claims no intent and an "incidental" and natural small swerve that did not rise to a block; TH claims an intent to block and a swerve that was wider than just "holding your line".
I think it is hard to tell with certainty who is right. The incident can be viewed either way. The officials
agreed with TH obviously. From what I saw, MC was a bit nonchalant about his line and could easily
prevent TH from passing without being very overt about it. I thought calling the foul was reasonable,
I'm not sure about the penalty.
 
originally posted by Warren Edwardes:
breaking awayI really liked the movie Breaking Away
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Me, too. I think all of the main characters went to my high school.

Armstrong's ride to rejoin the Contador group today was unexpected and fun to watch.
 
originally posted by Bwood:

Armstrong's ride to rejoin the Contador group today was unexpected and fun to watch.
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I haven't seen it but I've read about it. Is this just the media grasping for an Armstrong story, or does he perhaps have a few things up his sleeve?
 
originally posted by Arjun Mendiratta:
originally posted by Bwood:

Armstrong's ride to rejoin the Contador group today was unexpected and fun to watch.
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I haven't seen it but I've read about it. Is this just the media grasping for an Armstrong story, or does he perhaps have a few things up his sleeve?
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I think he's trying to pull an Astana 1-2-3. He won't attack Contador. Wednesday is going to be a brutal
day.
 
originally posted by Arjun Mendiratta:
originally posted by Bwood:

Armstrong's ride to rejoin the Contador group today was unexpected and fun to watch.
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I haven't seen it but I've read about it. Is this just the media grasping for an Armstrong story, or does he perhaps have a few things up his sleeve?
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No, it was pretty amazing. Caught everyone by surprise. Did you see Schleck when Lance passed him? He just sorta stared in disbelief.

Contador doesn't have the best bike skills so I think Lance wants a shot if he eats it. No one really thinks he could beat Contador. Wiggins looks to be the main threat.
 
It's done now. Wiggins just couldn't hold. I could imagine him putting a minute or even two into Contador on the ITT, but not four. Only way for Andy to win is to totally crack him on Ventoux.

What a great race.
 
What a tough day, those Schlecks are impressive. Even if Lance can fight back to 2nd in the ITT, it looks like he would lose again on Ventoux. Seems like Kloden will be sought after as a team leader, seeing as how he's better than almost all the other current team leaders...
 
originally posted by Ned Hoey:
What a tough day, those Schlecks are impressive. Even if Lance can fight back to 2nd in the ITT, it looks like he would lose again on Ventoux. Seems like Kloden will be sought after as a team leader, seeing as how he's better than almost all the other current team leaders...
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My guess is that Kloden will end up on whatever Lance's team is. I don't think he has the mentality to really go after a GC win on a grand tour and will take the $$ that Lance will offer. Or he might stay with Astana since he and Vino are homies. I wonder what Levi does?

Lance could really put a hurt on the Schleck's in the ITT if he shows some form of old. It wouldn't shock me if he won it, although I don't expect him to.

I really think this has been a great race this year. So many riders I admire doing great stuff and the Schleck brothers have really won me over.
 
Each day looks to reshuffle the final podium now.

They say Lance played the good team mate by marking Wiggins. I don't think he could go with the Schleck attacks and just rode his pace. He has certainly been very good at managing his being just short of dominant form well.

Today was a huge effort. Who will recover best from today I wonder?
 
originally posted by Cole Kendall:
Was Contador's move to lose Kloeden as stupid as it seemed?
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It was if you think this is a team sport. Probably ruined an Astana 1-2-3 in Paris. Oh yeah, and his attack was totally unnecessary.
 
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