2009 TDF stage 7: Barcelone - Andorre Arcalis 224 km - Page 2

What about Bradley Evans. He wont win but wot a superb ride so far.

Is Lance unable to follow Conti or was it tactics? He looked like he didn't try. Was it tactics or was it knowledge that the horse power wasn't yet there.

When a team mate makes a successful break you don't want to bring back the group to him by chasing him.
Lance didn't have the legs to go with Contador either.

Lance was pulling Contador all day too...

Contador is a wheel sucker!!!!

Cadel at least tried to do something today.

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Cadels attacks didn't look like they had much power behind them (sorry thats not to say that he wasn't putting in huge effort). He's not elegant on the bike when compared with the likes of Lance or Contador. Unfortunately I think that Astanas got this one sown up. I also think that Evans his runing out of time. He's unfortunate enought ot have been a brilliant rider at the same time as three prodigious talents each with better teams. Perhaps if he was in Astana it would be a different story.

When you possess the supreme ability to accelerate, whether it be on the flat (Cavendish and other sprinters) or mountains (Contador and other true climbers), you suck wheels in order to retain as much of that explosiveness as possible until you need to unleash it. A true "wheelsucker" is someone that has neither ability but gets towed to the line.

Contador is a smart "racer". No need for the derisive adjective.

Must confess I don't think I'd have done anything different to Contador knowing that Lance is waiting.

The old guy wont accelerate as fast and might not have the legs but he's very very very very dangerous and possibly the biggest threat to Conti (unless he cracks and he didn't look like he was inclined to crack )

I think this race is between Conti, Armstrong, Schleck, Martin, Lepheimer, CVdV and Kloden. I think that Sastre seems to be out of it as does Menchov and Evans. I think Evans will stay with them but wont make up the time. Astana will deal with him.

So Podium prediction - I'll go for an Astana whitewash or blue rinse.

1) Contador. (the little tinker)
2) LA. Who will be able to save face by saying he worked for Contador.
3) Lepheimer.

When you are drafting behind your own team members it's called tactics not wheelsucking.
The same as having sex with a consenting adult rather than non-consenting when it is called rape.

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Very aptly put, must remember that definition - I knew there was something sinister about the serial wheelsucker Evans.

AC made a statement of intent today - follow me if you can . . . and they couldn't. I bet the Astana dinner table is fun tonight.

Complete bull**** tactics by Alpuerto. He knew he was doing something wrong when he attacked, because he looked like a teenager running from the cops. Armstrong was the strongest on this day, as evidenced by when he pulled back Evans' attack in about two seconds. Then the wheelsucker comes over the top and attacks all of them. Armstrong, the true pro, drops anchor on Evans' wheel and that's that.

Armstrong has no chance of winning now. If he was riding for AC when he was 20 seconds up, of course he is going to ride for AC now that AC has the lead on him.

The only chance for Lance is if somehow Contador does a Rasmussen in the time trial.

I could tell that Phil and Paul weren't too pleased today either....

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Lance Armstrong’s Last Words, August 10, 2007 - “We're proud of our record. We won eight Tours, a Vuelta, a Giro and other races and not one positive test," Armstrong said. “I’m not sure if there are many other teams who can say that right now. Couple that with our ethical record, despite all the gossip and nonsense that goes on.”

Conti's behaviour looks a bit petulant so Lance looks good all round. If he finishes 2nd its better than most expected. If Conti wins its just be well as expected.

Question as I haven't watched the stage yet. To those who have, did it appear as if Lance couldn't follow? or did it appear that he decided not to?

Looked to me like he didn't try at all. Dunno whether thats cos he couldn't or whether it be tactics of the team.

I have no emotional investment in LA's success or failure and I'm also unbiased pertaining to any of the pro cyclists, but I truly believe that if Lance could've gone with AC, he would've. Maybe several years ago he could've marked AC, but not today...

VeloNews video: Armstrong says Contador attack was unplanned - VeloNews

This story is pretty significant. To be a fly on the wall during one of their team meetings...

That went pretty much as expected. No huge time gaps. Next mountain top finish is Verbier which is even easier. So no huge time gaps there. So pretty much switch off and wait until the last week, only thing to do until then is count how many stage wins Cav gets .

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Wiggins Surprises Many On The Tour Climbs | Cyclingnews.com

said Lance looked good. Dunno. I still maintain I think its going to end up as a contador no 1 LA no 2