Stage 17 TDF : Pau - Revel : Spoiler

limerickman

I can only relate what I saw on Eurosport :

The crash happened : riders came down : CE and Landis were behind where the crash happened.
DC and JU/Vino/Rasmussen where ahread in the group as the crash happened.

The group split and DC/JU/Rasmussen up the pace.
Vino came to the front, I think maybe once.
JU came to the front and did a couple of turns.
LA did a turn. GH did a few turns. Popo did a few turns too.

Sean Kelly and Dave Harmon on Eurosport were saying that it was in Vino's interest to try to put time in to CE and Landis and to also help Telekom in the team competition.
At one stage Vino even gave JU a gentle push in the back !

The commentators felt (and I agree) that with the DC boys pushing at the front that he (Vino) should have worked.
Instead he sat at the back and only came to the front in the last 50 metres.

Dave Harmon said "very very strange - no team tactics on the part of Vino"
(Harmon would be a Vino fan).

Girotour

Vino was the pace maker for Ullrichs attack on Rasmussen in first place. That he gained 10 seconds, nice, but not his main intention. Main intention was to make pace so that Ullrich can attack and gain seconds vs Rasmussen. Btw, another attack by T-Mobile, most active team by far in this Tour and Ullrich has attacked the third time in last four days, so noone can say he wouldn't attack. Last two days he looked very strong, seems as if he reaches his peak, tomorrow will be intresting and on Saturday I expect Lance and Jan to crush the other riders in Time Trial.

rejobako

'

This does seem like the most likely possibility. Jan definitely feels good these days. Jan can't make up enough time to threaten Basso, but at this point, it looks like the biggest suspense of Saturday will be whether Jan can pass Rasmussen for that podium spot. I certainly hope so, as I think his conduct in this Tour deserves a reward.

mareblu

What's with Vino and his attacks?????? it seems a little childhish...attack for a few seconds so they can get speed up, caught him and leave him behind. And then. what is with the Phonak complaining to Discovery for yesterdays stage????

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limerickman

Great win for Savoldelli today.

He worked hard to get that victory and he deserved his win today, i thought.

whiteboytrash

Have you seen tomorrows stage ? There is a long cat 2 40km from the finish then a short sharp 3 then another short sharp cat 2 to the finish line... its going to be a great stage and expect more attacks again from everyone below LA trying to sort out the top 10........ there is going to be more shake-ups then a martini bar !

(http://www.letour.fr/2005/TDF/LIVE/us/1800/dprofil.html)


Km 53 - Côte de la Béssède - 8.3 km climb to 2.9 % - 4 Category
Km 99 - Côte de Raujolles - 2.7 km climb to 5.2 % - 3 Category
Km 131.5 - Côte de Boyne - 9.2 km climb to 5.3 % - 2 Category
Km 180 - Côte de Chabrits - 1.7 km climb to 7.1 % - 3 Category
Km 187.5 - Côte de la Croix Neuve (montée Laurent Jalabert) - 3.1 km climb to 10.1 % - 2 Category

rejobako

I agree; there are many different ways an opportunistic rider/team could choose to try to exploit the stage. Although the serious climbing is over, that last little rise to the top tomorrow is at over 10% gradient. After a long day in the saddle, someone's bound to hit the wall . . .

whiteboytrash

Also after 2.5 weeks of racing there is going to be some tired bodies trying to hang on....... the hills are not big enough or long enough to gain a lot of time but some could get up to a minute if others are not watching.... Vino will do his normal stunt of attacking like an axe murderer and then going out the back and hanging on..... he must be bored sitting in his room every night with no one talking to him ! Ullrich did some good stuff today but its annoying when he attacks then sits up expecting someone to help him.... he is a good TT'ler why does he not just go for a big 10km attack ?