limerickman said:Stage 11 -first day back after the rest day.
Yep for the bolded part.Cobblestones said:Ok, it is said that a rest day can adversely affect the form of the rider, so conventional wisdom is to ride a few hours. Is this really true or is it more likely that some (most?) of the unexpected performance drops in the past should be attributed to possible side effects from doping (say homologous blood doping).
Ah, about the stage. Flecha might take it in a breakaway.
That's what I was saying about Kirchen yesterday regarding the Alps. He always rides well in the Alps - but I didn't know the exact reasoning for why he does until now.adamastor said:Interesting comments by Kim Kirchen in local press:
I feel much better in the Alps, as we are staying constantly above 1,000 metres. i don't like the Pyrenees, have difficulties to breathe.
I am very happy, have never been in better position after Pyrenees. My aim is clearly top5 in Paris.
In the Alps I will particularly watch, and I'll try to follow Cunego and Valverde (yes, he said it). Menchov, Evans and Schleck will be marked by many others anyway !
Then I'll fight for the green jersey. I'll take part at all sprints, even for minimal points. I don't want to be in a situation, where I fall back in GC after the Alps, then moan: "****, should have fought for the green jersey. Oscar Freire? Freire has got it, but will he finish the Tour?"
Interesting.
Pozzato? Nibali? Liquigas has not exactly had a stellar Tour so far.Grater said:Surely Flecha tries a break today considering its more likely going to succeed? That Cat 1 climb comes too late to even consider a bunch sprint. If it was earlier on, then I say bunch sprint. But it's 50km from the finish. Too much for the sprinters.
Who is in the break today?
Flecha? Millar? Voeckler? Moncoutie? Martinez? Jalabert? Arroyo? Dessel? Chavanel? Pineau?
Anyone of those guys.
1. Flecha
2. Dessel
3. Millar
Good point!Powerful Pete said:Pozzato? Nibali? Liquigas has not exactly had a stellar Tour so far.
Definately not a sprint and I highly doubt the main contenders will chase. Breakaway!Crankyfeet said:Let's get some pictures in here...
![]()
![]()
AFAIK...The leading GC team or even any of the GC'ers are not that concerned about breaks unless a GC threat is in it. They'd probably be happy if no one else gave a **** about the guys in the break fighting it out for the stage. It's those teams that want to win the stage that chase down the GC nobodies in the break.Grater said:Also you gotto remember who will be leading the Peloton. Silence Lotto. Who is the captain? Evans. And what is Evans famous for? Defence. Therefore what does that equal? Successful breakaway.
Point taken. Long day at work!Crankyfeet said:AFAIK...The leading GC team or even any of the GC'ers are not that concerned about breaks unless a GC threat is in it. They'd probably be happy if no one else gave a **** about the guys in the break fighting it out for the stage. It's those teams that want to win the stage that chase down the GC nobodies in the break.
You really think that he will be allowed to get in a break???Grater said:So we could see Kirchen venture in a breakaway on one stage! Maybe today? He knows there will be bunch sprints tomorrow and Friday so if he jumps in a break today, then the onus is on all other teams to chase it back and not Columbia so Columbia can be fresh tomorrow?
Grater is on the mary jane ...TheDarkLord said:You really think that he will be allowed to get in a break???
I'll let others contribute too so that I don't have a monopoly around here.Crankyfeet said:I don't know where our resident commentator TDL is but... I'll stick this in here anyway, knowing that most are following it independently...