stage 8 predictions please

[claggy]

wild bet but im going for mercado he was looking very good over the top of the last 2 climbs today , is a bit down on gc so is likely to be allowed a bit of freedom.
never seen alpe dhuez approached from the galibier , but there is a very long decent from the top of the galibier to bourg d oisans so unless someone gets a big gap at the top it will all come back together before the final climb.

 

[matt_ttu]

I'm going to have to go with Armstrog here. He's about 2:30 behind for the Yellow jersey, and it's the time for him to make his move as Virenque is probably shot from todays race.

 

[steve]

Originally posted by claggy
wild bet but im going for mercado he was looking very good over the top of the last 2 climbs today , is a bit down on gc so is likely to be allowed a bit of freedom.
never seen alpe dhuez approached from the galibier , but there is a very long decent from the top of the galibier to bourg d oisans so unless someone gets a big gap at the top it will all come back together before the final climb.

km 10: Cote du Megeve (9.9km @ 5.1%)
km 125.5: Col du Telegraphe (12.1km @ 6.8%)
km 149: Col du Galibier (18.5km @ 6.7%)
km 211: l'Alpe d'Huez (14.1km @ 8%)

I'd like to see Michael Rogers get on the podium in this stage he was 4th in stage 7 so he can climb.

I doubt anyone can beat lance up l'Alpe d'Huez he's my pick for the win!

cheers

 

[Tour de Lance]

Originally posted by steve

I doubt anyone can beat lance up l'Alpe d'Huez he's my pick for the win!

I wish you were right...

 

[Vo2]

Damn, that was awesome!
I'm sad for Ullrich tho. Imagine if he was part of the Armstrong/Beloki/Hamilton group. It would of been even more spectacular.
Can't wait for tomorrow!

 

[Tour de Lance]

do ya think Lance is in a slump or he just didnt care about mayo knowing that mayo isnt that good in TT?

 

[gymbob]

i thought ullrich rode really well - he got dropped early on because the pace set by postal was so high, but he kept his cool and managed his losses. granted i doubt he'll be on the podium now - unless he pulls something great off in the pyrenees or time trials

Martin

 

[i2ambler]

Its almost like Armstrong doesnt care if he wins a stage.. He looks strong, but didnt bother even reacting to mayo.. It will be a little sad if he wins the whole thing and doesnt get a stage win.

 

[Tour de Lance]

i think he'll win the individual time trial on 18th July.

 

[i2ambler]

Originally posted by Tour de Lance
i think he'll win the individual time trial on 18th July.

Yeah, he probably will. However, I think it would be more fitting a champion to WIN a couple of the tough mountain stages. I guess its still early!

 

[claggy]

i was annoyed with the other riders on the galibier when they didnt attack , there was a moment with about 5k to go where the posties slowed (i dont know if hincapie was tired or lance was) and someone should have had a go.
at alpe d huez though i think the posties went far too hard at the bottom which is the hardest part , it looked like beltran was sprinting !
didnt think armstrong looked great but he didnt have any difficulty hanging on to beloki and hamilton. wasnt tyler brilliant though , although he looked as if he was in a bit of pain (understandably ) when getting out of the saddle.
was a fantastic stage though , who knows there might be more to come.

 

[claggy]

incidently this is what tyler told cycling news

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Hamilton continued, "I still have problems with the accelerations because of my collarbone and my own attacks were partly launched in an effort to keep a steady and high pace. It looked as though Mayo and Armstrong were playing a little cat and mouse game and I was afraid that I would not be able to survive if the accelerations kept coming. As long as I am able to stay in the saddle, I can deal with the pain but whenever I have to stand up in the pedals and pull with my right arm, it is extremely painful."

"Tomorrow's stage may not look difficult on paper, but the penultimate climb has a very steep section where I will have to stand up in the pedals and I am a bit anxious about that. At the moment, I choose to be happy about my performance today and I hope that I will be able to maintain my current level all the way to Paris."
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