Tour de Lance?

quote:

Originally posted by Howlinhounddog:
What about Wiggins for an outsider ?
He's looked magnificent so far and is clearly riding well within himself.

That’s because the peleton is moving so slowly, especially up hill.

Astana are slowing the race down at every opportunity. I suspect they are protecting Armstrong, as he is not yet fully fit.

Cavendish disqualified.

It’s wasn’t as though he did an Abdoujaparov, head down weaving all over the road. He looked to see where Hushvod was, then cut in front of him. Naughy.

I can’t wait to see his next interview.

Wiggins today - stunning mate, I take my Flatcap off to you son.

Contador fears Wiggens in the TT, great!

Jono

Unfortunately Contrador is easily one of the best TT riders in the peleton.
As I said earlier if Wiggins had caught the winning break (Tuesday)he could have been sitting with at least another twenty seconds on Contrador and ahead of Armstrong with the possibility of another mountain break and TT to take the yellow.
Now Astana will cover every move he makes, the element of surprise at his high mountain ability has gone!

The reverse is also true in that at Garmin can mark Contador, but if they do will Lance make a break for it?

Wiggins vs Contador in the flat TT will be a key moment this year. The Prologue had more climbing in it that would have suited Alberto, but Bradley is just getting better and better.

I just want to see a Brit on the podium in Paris on Sunday.

Jono

I too would love to see Wiggins on the podium on Sunday (with Cavendish next to him in green)
but the final TT course is pretty steep and will probably favour Contrador.
No, I think that Contrador has probably got the race in his grasp now (assuming no bad day on Ventou).
However Wiggins now has the belief that given a favourable circuit the tour can be his in the future.
Given the average age of Tour winners, time is still on his side

One cat 3 climb of 200m should not affect the result too much, but I know what you mean about a fast flat route favouring Wiggins.

Jono

Well, it certainly is turning into an interesting end. Can Wiggins do enough to get back on the podium? Can Schleck maintain is 2nd position? Will Kloden do something amazing and make it an Astana 1-2-3?

We shall have to wait and see!

Looking forward to it today...would be great to see Wiggo make a move onto the podium on the Ventoux today and Cav blast out a win in Paris.

I hate to say it, Contador's looked worryingly fresh when toying with the Schlecks. An 'oh so easy' look, we've seen all too often in recent years on yellow jersey holders.

Well that was indeed a fantastic stage. The Schleck brothers really had to fight, but there was just no dropping Contador. Didn't think Wiggin's would keep 4th to be honest, just didn't look like he had enough steam left in him.

Very entertaining final week and good tour overall, even with Cav's disqualification. Looking forward to next year already.

If Wiggins comes into my local, I'll buy him a beer* for a truly amazing gutsy effort - a legend.


*Offer only good for 7 days, conditions apply.

PD

An interesting tour all round. The sponsors loaded hills at the back end to keep the public guessing about the overall GC.
It did'nt work. Perhaps next year with Contrador and Armstrong (plus various domestiques) in different teams we can see a battle at the buisiness end of the race.
The only real challenge to Contrador would come from more than one team still being at the races!
Armstrong, for all that the years are against him would have battled for yellow against Contrador. If that extra dimension had been there then the Schlecks may have stood a chance.
Wiggins has proved that he can be a three week threat with the right balance of guys working for him and the belief that he can ride away from people in the hills (it's not there yet but soon).
Cavendish stayed strong and perhaps deserved the green as the best sprinter in the race. He needs to challenge just a few intermediate sprints to control green.
All and all a positive race for the Brits, and a lack of POSITIVES from the peleton , but watch this space...

There is a real chatter of innuendo about Contador and doping at the moment. A recent Guardian piece fell just one step short of outright accusation.

Is this just the usual scrutiny when a winner emerges or what?

If the finger of suspicion falls on anyone who suceeds is says everything about our trust in these sportsmen, their teams, and the testing procedures.

Bruce

My worry with Contador, is that he never looked in pain - the look of riders in the 90's. I'm sure he's not daft enough to take EPO/CERA though, not so sure about transfusions...but that must be hard to hide in a team - bags of blood and wotnot.

If busted Wiggins moves onto the podium, I'd rather Contador simply be clean however.

The photo of Cav and Renshaw on the CE, with the others a distant blur, must have the sponsors licking their lips.

I can't see Contador testing positive, he's worked hard over the years for this, and i just think its the culmination of a lot of hard work. Its cycling at the end of the day, its always going to be dogged by stories of drugs and accusation.

I am very much looking forward to next year, for all the reason mentioned above. Cav and Wiggo have proven themselves amongst the best and will only get stronger.

Im also interested to see if the 'british team' actually get entered into next years race. It will certainly be a very positive step for english cycling, but at the same time, i think their optimism might be a little too much. Im also unsure about a 'virgin' team supporting already established english riders. But obviously this is all speculation and conjecture. I will be watching the progress with interest.

Not sure if you heard A, but it seems Brailsford has some sort of agreement with the Tour for next year. Hard to see it I would have thought, there may be no decent Brits available...if I was Cav or Wiggo, I'd stay put, they're both onto a great thing.

quote:

if I was Cav or Wiggo, I'd stay put, they're both onto a great thing.

From the interview with Brailsford on Eurosport I think you are correct Matt, neither Wiggins or Cavendish will leave their respective teams to join team 'Sky' but that team will be primarily British made.
So who are we talking about? David Millar would be a possible, but who else? Roach?
Mmmm.

What about Charles Wegelius? No one ever seems to mention him! But then there is some history there....

Good to see Cav and Wiggo are staying with experienced teams, they need a strong set behind them to be in with the best chance, naturally.

quote:

Originally posted by Howlinhounddog:

quote:

if I was Cav or Wiggo, I'd stay put, they're both onto a great thing.

From the interview with Brailsford on Eurosport I think you are correct Matt, neither Wiggins or Cavendish will leave their respective teams to join team 'Sky' but that team will be primarily British made.
So who are we talking about? David Millar would be a possible, but who else? Roach?
Mmmm.

Roche is Irish.

quote:

Originally posted by Howlinhounddog:
So who are we talking about? David Millar would be a possible, but who else? Roach?
Mmmm.

Millar and Wegelius but others such as Geraint Thomas, Johnny Bellis, Ben Swift, Chris Froome etc - lots of young talent. Maybe giving some of the home pro's a bash like Kristian House and the Downing bro's?

Apart from Millar, who's probably seen his best days, there really isn't much scope for any British riders to be TdeF quality at present.
If Brailsford is serious about wanting to enter the TdeF then they will have to go for overseas riders backed up with some young British talent.

Big shout to Eisel, Renshaw, Hincapie et al for getting Cav to the finishing line first.

I think Thomas, Swift and Bellis have all proved themselves with top 10 finishes in classic, the tour or Giro stages, but I know what you mean N, a bit thin after this.

I wonder if Brailsford will build a team around that lot, and back it up with seasoned euro's like Jens Voigt (not that he'd come, but you know...)

quote:

Originally posted by Absolute:
..even with Cav's disqualification.

What?