Zammo Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 What a great start for Cadel and team BMC. Contador in all sorts of trouble, and will need to dominate in the mountains to make up significant time. Andy Schleck sitting in the box seat, but would love to see Cadel pull it off and wear yellow in Paris this year.
proftournesol Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 2 minutes down isn't the problem for Contadoper...er, Contador, it's whether the public hostility and losing time early in the race affects his morale. The third week will be the decider, even more so for Contadoper...er, Contador as this is when his tough Giro may catch up with him. Cadel has had some good luck for once, and a better team, but it's a long way to go and we'll see what he has in the mountains. Hopefully Cadel can avoid any first week banana skins and then still be strong and relatively fresh in the third week. Andy Schleck has has a pretty poor season so far and doesn't look to have the form this year, perhaps he underestimated the stress of running his own team, even if he has brought his friends along with him from Saxo Bank. I don't think that Wiggins will be there after 3 weeks despite his good showing over 6 days in the Dauphine. I've done many of the Alps and Pyreneean climbs in this year's route so I'll enjoy it even more this year
mondie Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Exciting start for sure, l can see many sleepless evenings coming up. Cadels great start makes it all the more fun as l would love to see him do it this year after being close a couple of times and having some bad luck in the past. This will be the ultimate test of Contadors mental strength, l reckon he will crack under such extreme pressure.
k-k-k-kenny Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I've done many of the Alps and Pyreneean climbs in this year's route so I'll enjoy it even more this year Respect! For my own part I can say that I've done le Ventoux twice. By car.
Full Range Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I love the race and cycling I myself am just a hack weekend warrior that enjoys the wind in his face Total respect for Cadel on last years never say die performance, by riding with a damaged arm for half a race and still finishing well Its his time this year, I have a gut feeling that all the stars have aligned for him FR
nzdans Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 What a great start indeed! I'm still rooting for team Luxembourg and wonder whether the Shleck's have been saving themselves for this as a new (tried and tested for others) tactic for them. The nitrous oxide boosted Contadork could still make up the deficit in the mountains although this will be a deciding year for him and his bad beef - hah! The television lives for JULY!!!
Jake Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 If you don't already have it, the SBS iPhone app for the TDF is great. Just don't check it in the morning before you have watched last night's recording It's always a great event, so glad it is annual and not every 4 years like the World Cup
Zammo Posted July 5, 2011 Author Posted July 5, 2011 Really looking like this will be Cadel's best chance this year. Early days, yes, but with a brilliant stage win last night, and excellent support from his team (moved so well to the front of the peloton after stopping to change bikes) he is a real contender. The real test will as always be the mountain stages. He is not a climber of the class of Contador or Schleck, but looks to be peaking at just the right time this year, so anything is possible.
proftournesol Posted July 5, 2011 Posted July 5, 2011 Yes, Cadel had his usual bad luck but triumphed in the end (for once). More importantly he beat Contadoper. Andy Schleck isn't looking so strong and Frank doesn't have the class to win the Tour.
mondie Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Brilliant stage, l was yelling at the box over the last km. Great to see Contador get pipped by just centimeteres. l agree this could be Cadels best chance at winning the tour. Cheers, mondie
Full Range Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 If Cadels team doggedly support him as we have seen so far then he has a better than a great chance FR
proftournesol Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 There's another potential 'banana skin' tonight with crosswinds. We should see some splits in the peleton tonight, this was the type of stage last year where Contadoper got caught out and left behind.
Super Mustud Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 This must be playing havoc with attention deficit at work. I am glad I have retired and can enjoy in luxury. Congrats to Cadel. He is one Aussie sportsman I am very much supporting.
Jake Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 careful Mustud, he's a mate of BBQ! Yep, Cadel brings the red.
Super Mustud Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 careful Mustud, he's a mate of BBQ! Nope, Cadel does not cry when he is beaten.
Zammo Posted July 6, 2011 Author Posted July 6, 2011 Geez Jake, can't a couple of grown men have a teary embrace whilst wearing tight lycra every once in a while without judgement???
Jake Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Geez Jake, can't a couple of grown men have a teary embrace whilst wearing tight lycra every once in a while without judgement??? Ive got pics of me in lycra too. Best I don't post them I suppose
Super Mustud Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Hhmmm..... Tears of joy for those who have performed with supreme dignity. Such dignity is the quality possessed by all cycle racers.
davidsss Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 I'm loving it. Cadel looks like he is having some luck and I've always been convinced you need some luck to win the TdF. Let's hope he keeps going well and has a red hot go for the GC win. I don't think Schleck should be too worried, he may yet win the 2010 TdF! DS
Jake Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 I'm loving it. Cadel looks like he is having some luck and I've always been convinced you need some luck to win the TdF. Let's hope he keeps going well and has a red hot go for the GC win. I don't think Schleck should be too worried, he may yet win the 2010 TdF!DS +1 David. I would love to see Cadel win even though he is a grumpy bugger at interviews.
Full Range Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Loving it I watch it live every night Thats why my DIY projects & SNA post have slowed a little I needs my sleep FR
nzdans Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 A bit of a crashorama tonight; had to wince upon seing Contadork throwing his bike (tosser!). Go the Shlecks!
Zammo Posted July 6, 2011 Author Posted July 6, 2011 Yeah, rough stage in Brittany with all those narrow roads. Sad to see riders having to pull out from such apparently innocuous crashes. Interesting interview with Cavendish after the stage win. Think he might be a little p!ssed off with the organisers and race officials. I agree that losing his points for the contact with Hushovd in stage 3 was simply nonsense.
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