Posted on 07/02/2010 11:30:15 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy
Thanks, Mr_B!
Man, I hope he wins, but I don’t like Alberto creeping up.
Se ya’,
Ed
Me too. I was a huge fan after it looked like he was fully willing to make his heart explode to give Frank a shot at winning. Several times he would be leading a climb and then fall back and Phil and Paul would say well he has totally cashed himself in and then a few minutes later he would be back up there doing the work again.
Unfortunately, Contador feels inevitable. I saw today he said his plan tomorrow was to stay on Andy’s wheel and if he felt weakness he was going to go, but otherwise just wait on the TT.
Yeah. Boo hiss. That Petacki is such a RINO.
Oh wait. Wrong thread. ;-)
Oops I meant Pataki. Darn it, I blew the joke. This is why I flunked out of clown college.
That’s OK, leilani, it was still funny.
That’s OK, leilani, it was still funny.
Stage 14 - Revel > > > Ax 3 Domaines - 184.5 km
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Km 155.5 - Port de Pailhères - 15.5 km climb to 7.9 % - Category HC
Km 183.0 - Ax-3-Domaines - 7.8 km climb to 8.2 % - Category 1
Click the 'To' option to go to the start of the Stage 14 posts.
The Stage started at 12:05 local time CEST (6 hrs ahead of US EDT).
velonews.com - "This stage is making its third appearance in eight years, and is quickly turning into a classic. It hits riders with two hard climbs in the last 40km. The 15.5km, 7.9-percent hors-cat Port de Pailhères softens riders up for the 7.8km Cat.1 climb to the Ax-3 Domaines finish. The last 5km of the Pailhères switchbacks up a 10-foot-wide road. The final 7.8km climb is much wider, but is still plenty difficult, with an average grade of 8.2 percent. "
FReepmail me to get on or off the 2010 TdF Ping List.
Km 155.5 - Port de Pailhères - 15.5 km climb to 7.9 % - Category HC
Km 183.0 - Ax-3-Domaines (formerly known as Ax - Bonascre) - 7.8 km climb to 8.2 % - Category 1
(Graphics - climbbybike.com)
I’ve been waiting for this stage.
Andy picks up at least a minute on this one.
Let's hope so, WS, but as Mr. Blonde said upthread, "Unfortunately, Contador feels inevitable..
The rarified air of multiple Tour winners. Contador woild leap-frog into 11 of the 20 were he to win this year:
Cyclist Total Years
Armstrong, LanceLance Armstrong (USA) 7 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil (FRA) 5 1957, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964
Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx (BEL) 5 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974
Hinault, BernardBernard Hinault (FRA) 5 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985
Indurain, MiguelMiguel Indurain (ESP) 5 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
Thys, PhilippePhilippe Thys (BEL) 3 1913, 1914, 1920
Bobet, LouisonLouison Bobet (FRA) 3 1953, 1954, 1955
LeMond, GregGreg LeMond (USA) 3 1986, 1989, 1990
Petit-Breton, LucienLucien Petit-Breton (FRA) 2 1907, 1908
Lambot, FirminFirmin Lambot (BEL) 2 1919, 1922
Bottecchia, OttavioOttavio Bottecchia (ITA) 2 1924, 1925
Frantz, NicolasNicolas Frantz (LUX) 2 1927, 1928
Leducq, AndréAndré Leducq (FRA) 2 1930, 1932
Magne, AntoninAntonin Magne (FRA) 2 1931, 1934
Maes, SylvèreSylvère Maes (BEL) 2 1936, 1939
Bartali, GinoGino Bartali (ITA) 2 1938, 1948
Coppi, FaustoFausto Coppi (ITA) 2 1949, 1952
Thévenet, BernardBernard Thévenet (FRA) 2 1975, 1977
Fignon, LaurentLaurent Fignon (FRA) 2 1983, 1984
Contador, AlbertoAlberto Contador (ESP) 2 2007, 2009
Yeah, I totally agree...I think Contador will crush any and all opposition, he’s great at climbing, much better than Schleck at TT’s.
I think Alberto will be the next winner.
I had hopes for Lance, then Levi, then Tyler to win a stage or two...but I most wanted Alberto to NOT win, followed by Andy Schleck winning!
See ya’,
Ed
Watching yesterday night, they were talking about how the Pyrenees favor Schleck being a grind more than the quick steep one he lost time on the other day. We will see, still takes one kind of a performance to actually get away from Contador. Even if the climb does favor you, I don’t think you can exactly leave Contador in the dust.
Flying so far today. Looks like Contador was telling stories when he said he was going to hang back and see what Andy did. Today it looks like he is going to have Astana torch everyone before the climb even starts. Dude does not lack for confidence.
Yep. The pace they are setting is definately designed to burn everyone and set up a mano e mano with Andy on the climbs today.
I am thinking the Tour will be won today (even with a week left) if Alberto can crack Andy or vice versa. In reality all Alberto has to do is stay even with Andy and wait for Saturday’s TT, so it all favors Contador.
The pressure is already on Schleck to distance himself from Contador now, and Astana is pushing the pace in an effort to prevent Schleck from being able to even attempt it much less pull it off.
15:17 - Top 10 Of Pailheres In 2005
The last time a stage of the Tour included the Port de Pailheres climb, the top 11 at the 2,001 high summit were:
1. Totschni
2. Garzelli - at 52”
3. Beneteau - at 315”
4. Ullrich - at 350” 5. Landis - at 350”
6. Armstrong - at 350”
7. Leipheimer - at 350”
8. Basso - at 350”
9. Mancebo - at 430”
10. Rasmussen - at 430”
11. Evans - at 430”...
16:20 - Evans Behind By 355”
At the top, Cadel Evans is at 355”. The yellow jersey is at the front of his peloton on the descent....
16:19 - Result Of Port de Pailheres...
1. Riblon (ALM) 20pts 2. Moinard (COF) 18pts at 37 3. Van de Walle (QST) 16pts at 130 4. Valls Ferri (FOT) 14pts at 155 5. Sastre (CTT) 12pts at 155 6. Kiryienka (GCE) 10pts 7. Charteau (BTL) 8pts 220 8. Cunego (LAM) 7pts at 240 9. Moreau (GCE) 6pts at 245 10. Garate (RAB) 5pts at 245
16:15 - Riblon At The Top
Riblon has taken the 20pts for first at the top of the Port de Pailheres. Moinard is next over the top - at 37”...
Survey on letour.com
The mountain top finish in stage 14 will help...
Schleck increase his lead 26.48%
Contador reduce his deficit 30.73%
Schleck win the stage 10.39%
Contador win the stage 23.12%
Another rider take yellow...! 9.29%
7452 votes
Quite a few names in the ‘delayed’ group, incl LA
16:26 - Wiggins Back With Yellow Jersey
Wiggins, who was dropped on the climb, has returned to the yellow jerseys peloton which is still in pursuit of the polka-dot jersey Charteau who attacked in the final kilometer of the Port de Pailheres.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.