Posted on 07/02/2010 11:30:15 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy
Of the 18 men in the lead of stage 12, four have previously won at least one stage of the Tour de France. They are: Alexandre Vinokourov (a winner in Gap in 2003, and twice a stage winner in 2007 - although he would later lose them because bad blood was found in his system), Sandy Casar (who has won at the Tour in 2007, 2009 and earlier this year), and Thor Hushovd (who has won eight times at the Tour, including stage three this year).
From Lance on Twitter, “Headed 2 the start of st 12. Very difficult day 2day. Up/down/small roads/hot. Only time I saw Indurain “on the ropes” was this stage in ‘95.”
Looking at the profile it doesn’t seem like one where Contador would make a move. On the other hand, Saxo Bank might try to shake him.
Your Tour de France thread has been a most excellent one this year. Thanks for all the hard, dedicated work.
Thanks also for all the great graphics and running commentary. Makes us feel like we are there.
I have been following here and on Versus but this is my first comment for the 2010 year.
Tyler Farrar abandons.
Whoa. I didn't see all that - just saw the headbutting of Julian Dean at the final yards when it happened and didn't see the Bobke Show or any slow-mos or reruns later in the day.
It's one thing to pull these kinds of moves on a cycling track. It's quite another when you're riding perched precariously on cliffs & such. They have to nip this stuff in the bud because road race officials KNOW that if you give riders an inch they'll take a mile. And in this sport (as opposed to track racing) even minor transgressions can get somebody seriously maimed or worse.
(I, however, am a lazy good-for-nothing bum who's done nothing to contribute at all this year.)
Say hi to NCTexan for us! Don't be une étrangère!
Goodness. They’re practically climbing vertically right now - 3km from the finish. Painful just to watch this.
I agree. The “head butt” looked just like a little move to keep space — I’ve seen riders to that with their elbows, shoulders, and hands as well, and if both hands are tied up, using your head is a reasonable way of signalling that the rider is drifting.
I don’t think Dean was purposely drifting, I noticed they were at a point where the road lines werent’ straight.
But after the head butt, Renshaw moved to his left, so much that he cut off Tyler, and Tyler then moved inside to follow Cavendish instead of being able to follow his own leadout rider.
Which is OK, but then Renshaw whipped back to the inside to cut Tyler off from Cavendish’s rear wheel, pushing so far over that Tyler had to use his hand to push Renshaw.
And Renshaw clearly looked back before moving over, so he can’t say he assumed Tyler was coming around the other side.
Given that they already have a couple of severe crashes caused by riders wandering around the track cutting people off, and given that this was the sprint to the finish and his move not only prevented a rider from catching his team’s rider, but also nearly put the rider into the barrier, I think the penalty is justifiable.
Now, I would have been fine with some lesser penalty — I’m just saying that I don’t think the penalty was irrational.
I know Ready4Freddy has done the work but your heart is always here year around and wanted to say hi.
I am hoping to get a glimpse today of the weird land formations around Le Puy en Velay. this whole part of France is tres different.
Thanks for that replay - better than slow-mo tape. I totally missed all that.
Aargh. Did Alberto just win the tour here? I can only hope Andy has an ace up his sleeve for the TT.
Aargh. Did Alberto just win the tour here? I can only hope Andy has an ace up his sleeve for the TT.
oops, sorry for the double post. (*hic!*)
He only conceded 10” and still has the yellow jersey, but that does not bode well at all.
No, darnit. I guess we can always hope that Alberto gets snagged in an "Operation Puerto"-type deal.(Operation Jerko?)
But all overwhelmingly intense feelings of heartbreaking pessimism aside, this is road cycling. Anything can happen at any moment. Heck, even Thor could still conceivably pull it out of his viking hat.
Oh no!! Did they give a reason? He was so upset after yesterday's stage, I was hoping that he would funnel that energy into his ride today.
On another (related) subject: Is it just me or are Phil and Paul less enthusiastic this year? They are going through the motions and saying the right things but there doesn't seem to be any passion behind the commentary IMO. Thoughts?
I agree with you, and before I went to bed last night I double-checked that he did, indeed, look left before that move on Farrar. Phil Liggett says they should have put Renshaw at the end of the pack and Julian Dean with him as punishment, not a DQ of only Renshaw. Hm.
Halfway through today’s broadcast they said Farrar has abandoned. What’s up with that?
I haven’t gotten to listen as much this year. If they are, some of it is probably just less drama surrounding this year. Lance (unfortunately) can no longer hang, only Andy Schleck can even think about going with Contador in the mountains but he can’t totally hang. Probably just resigned to Contador winning without much drama.
I’m still hoping for Andy though.
Just looked at the profile of the next two stages, tomorrow isn’t too rough, but Sunday is brutal. An HC climb of 15Km followed immediately after the descent by a 1st category climb of 7.5Km to the finish. I will definitely be watching that one. Probably going to be pretty decisive.
From Andy on Twitter: “Hard day didn’t feel to good today!my team was awesome @albertocontador got your 10 second back from so we equal again;)”
” Probably just resigned to Contador winning without much drama.
I’m still hoping for Andy though.”
I’m with you. He seems like a good guy. Shame his brother isn’t there to help him.
One good thing about the tour, is we can sincerely root for individuals that aren’t from the US, and feel good about it.
No politics, just pure admiration for their ability and effort.
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