I think it's really been a pretty exciting tour. I like tactical racing and team interplay. That's the heart of the sport. It is somewhat like baseball where most fans would like to see a lot of hits and booming home runs and a pitcher's duel seems boring. But if it goes beyond 7 innings with two pitchers battling it our the tension over what team might break the game open becomes the entertainment.
Who would have thought Andy would break on a Cat2 climb and lose time to the leaders? And who would have thought Voekler could protect yellow as he has done repeatedly in the hills over the last three climbing stages?
Nut now it looks like a battle between Cadel Evens and Frank Schelck unless something dramatic develops in the final mountains.
Maybe it will all come down to a classic duel on L’Alpe d’Huez. Or what about the clock deciding the race in the Grenoble TT on Saturday?
I think this is good stuff!
(On the subject of strategy and tactics: I've always wondered what might happen to the GC if the tour ever started out with some climbing days, then went to the long flat windy routes to force the teams to work.)
i am finding the tour intersting this year, since it isnt really clear who the leader is at this point. it really is a race.
i was thinking schlecks, then maybe even voelckler.
but today, schelcks faded badly, i think they arein trouble. cadel is looking strong, and so surprisingly is contador whom i absolutely hope doesnt win.
if i had to call it today: cadel evans
Evans and Sanchez didn't seem to have any problem staying with Contador today. Evans is Contador's biggest problem, I would say, and I think Evans is a strong TT rider.
Frank probably hung with Andy too long today.
Voeckler doesn't have any team help so he has to get in a strong group and take whatever the groups gives him. He's earned my respect, BTW, that's for sure.
They were talking snow on the Galibier today. Maybe a route change coming up. Lots of question marks weather wise. I think Contador is one of the better technical riders. If so, he may try to pick up time near the summits knowing he can hold it on the descents.
It will be an interesting few days.
I wouldn’t write Andy off just yet. As in today’s stage when I ,for one, was counting AC out, again we are shown that it’s never over until it’s over. Andy and Frank both could gain time in the coming stages. There could be crashes or injuries, one of the top GC contenders could crack on a steep incline and Voila: the GC gets scrambled up again!
I am pleased with Cadel’s performance today. He is clearly very strong this year. He always seems to fade when the attacks start coming fast and furiously but this year he’s matching them all and going one better. He could pull it out this year.
Although I, too, respect Voekler, I am sick of him being in yellow. I want this TdF to get down to serious riding and spit out a winner. He’s not it IMO. He is pesky, that’s for sure.
So disgusted that AC appears to be back in the mix. BLEH! I really don’t care for him. I was so hoping that he had been marginalized by the earlier time losses. If he wins I am going to start throwing things! ;-)
It has had its moments. I guess some of my disappointment is I was hoping it was Andy’s year. I had envisioned an epic duel between Andy Schleck and Contador like the LeMond Fignon or Armstrong Ulrich years...
We will see what happens going forward.
I’m loving this Tour. Carnage. Poor bastards.