Stage 12 TDF : Briancon - Digne les Bains : Spoiler

patch70

No, they just need to be realistic. Basso has maybe one chance to attack only. Rasmussen and Vino look more like they could attack a few times. But they might as well save up and try to make it work rather than doing a Sastre on the climb to Courcheval.

If you had ridden well over 1000km at about 50kph, do you think you'd be feeling like attacking a strong DC team?

spockroyaltea

no sir, not one bit..i was just making sure we are clear on things . i just want some excitement is all.

__________________

patch70

Me too. I am glad Vino is in the tour because his frequent attacking makes it much more exciting. I would love to see somebody really take it up to DC/LA. I think the only other one capable of a successful attack now is Rasmussen. Maybe Ullrich will come good in a few days but I think he is injured worse than he is letting on. I hope I am wrong and we see plenty more attacks but DC sure make that difficult.

Going up Courcheval, I was hoping for pressure but instead we just got to see great riders unable to keep up. Hard to expect any attacks when even these guys can't hold their wheel!

tinks

I would expect Moreau to maybe make a serious bid to get into the yellow jersey for Bastille Day. Rabobank might also see this as an opportunity for Rasmussen.

I just hope someone in the race for GC does something.

limerickman

Re : Thomas Voekler : part of the reason as to why he's not as prominent this year is because he has raced for his team practically from day one of the 2005 season.
He's done a heavy program already before this TDF.

I'd be surprised to see him do anything.

Capt.Injury

I am not sure how easy of a day this could be, it has been mention that Lance thinks this a very tough day. I know in the past he has made comments like this on stages that doesn't seem to be A "Thin the Contenders Put" stage, and has been right, so it be interesting to see.

I think Rasmussen is going to wait till a late stage climb in the Pyrennes, like Ax 3 Domaines or the Pla-D'Adet. It has been noticed that Armstrong just doesn't quite have the breakaway speed that he used to afew years ago. The stage the other day where Rasmussen, ValVerde, and Mancebo, a few years back Armstrong would have put a major acceleration on them and start pulling away from 3 of the 4 back in 2000-2001. This is where the age factor has crept in a little.

The best way to get to Armstrong is to wear down his shield, or team. It appears by Phonak is keen on this by sending Pereiro on attacks for 2 days, and Botero yesterday. This stage presents itself from its appearance as a stage where attacks are very possible and reasonable. Wouldn't be surprised if they try to attack again today.

EDIT: Of note for the rest of the Tour, CDC lost an important cog in the team after Voigt either abandoned or was out of the time gap yesterday ( i have read different reports saying both).

jhuskey

Attacking during the next few stages is the only option. Stage 13 is meaningless to the contenders except for burning up a little energy.
The attacks have to come during the hard stages 14,15,16.
Effective against DC,I doubt it,but if you don't try you might as well stay on the couch and drink vino.

__________________
Sobriety is over rated!

mitosis

Hope the break stays away. I don't care about the green for O'Grady but I've no doubt anyone would begrudge him a stage win after all his years in this job.

limerickman

Good win for Moncoutie today.

Several riders have packed today Boonen, Furlan.

Big talking point is Manuel Beltran abandoning today :

whiteboytrash

- This is drugs related I bet you..... they told him to leave the Tour and they won't mention anything. We all know it. Go home drug cheat ! Go home !

- There is only one explanation for his super human riding on the peleton. Cheat.

thebluetrain

Out of retirement in only 39 minutes? What happened the old lady already get on your nerves?

alibat

Good to see a Frenchman win on Bastille day,well done Moncoutie. Unfortunately I missed the end driving home from work (sorry, I just have far too much to carry to cycle in). Sad to see Boonen retire, I'd hoped to see him win the green jersey this year. What effect does everyone think Beltrans retirement will have on DSC?

limerickman

Less dramatic, I'm afraid.

Beltran fell and lost consciousness : once that happens the commissaires don't allow you to continue.

whiteboytrash