2009 TDF stage 16: Martigny Bourg-Saint-Maurice 159 km - Page 2

Breathtaking panaoramic views on this stage.
Three countries on todays route : Switzerland, Italy (where they are now) and finishing back in France.

We are indeed a mixed tribe here in Europe.

karpets and pelizzotti have a 4min gap on the chasers

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

Great closeup shot of Cancellara on TV.

He's got the build of a rider with total power.
Reminds me of BigMig : power.

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

Hi! This is my first post in the forum.

I'm watching the stage and wondering who others think will attack on the last climb. Frank or Andy Schleck? Others?

I'm thinking Andy will go for it... and if Frank is ahead in the descent, everyone behind better be careful!

I'm not sure that any of the so-called favourites will try to do anything today.
Tomorrow is a tough day, four category 1 climbs.

I think the GC contenders will hold their powder today.

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

That's what I think they should do as I posted earlier.It really would be good if someone would make Contador work today.
Sastre is the only good choice in my opinion. Garmin and Saxo need to colaborate tomorrow.

__________________
Dope,when training and talent just aren't enough.

They're on the petit-Bernard and the breakaway is working hard,

Bouygue boys are working hard at the front.

hard climbs today.

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

Andy Sckelck and Frank Schleck have now started to burst from the group.

Kloden still there, Contador still there.
Nibali there.
Armstrong can't respond and is dropped.

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

this is a good stage.

Contador is able to stay with the Schlecks, Nibali.
Kloden is with Contador.
Wiggins is there too.

Great climbing.

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

Very heavy crash by jens : looks really painful (lost grip his bars while descending).
Very painful

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

Did Cadel Evans have another bad day? I was really hoping for a better performance from him. It looks like he won't even make top 10 this year.

***** of a fall i cringed when i saw it

He didn't have a good day, lets say.
He finished 4 mins down on GC.
he had a chance to latch on to the sastre/armstrong/wiggins group but he couldn't.

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

hoping this stage is a prelude for the fireworks of tomorrow's stage. looks like the future belongs to contador and andy schleck. and armstrong shut my mouth by bridging up to those two. shame that saxo got weaker with voigt's crash.

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"Kick over the statues and the tyrants die. Wave bye bye to their heroes with a hammer."
--The Redskins, Kick Over the Statues

Missed the end of this stage, I was in the lab so I've read through the live report. Happened pretty much as predicited. Nobody was goingto win the tour today but it did eliminate Cadel Evans completetly from contention. No way he's going anywhere at 7 minutes back unless he pulls a Landis move tomorrow .

Also saw that Armstrong missed the initial split then rode himself across to that front group with Contador in? So Astan still have three in the top 4. So nothing really interesting today but it'll have softened everyones legs up for tomorrow!

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"Hope is the first step on the road to dissapointment."

Evans would be good sacrificial lamb now to draw out Contador. I mean what does he have to lose by going for it tomorrow.
I do not see Contador being dropped but anything is possible.

__________________
Dope,when training and talent just aren't enough.