Posted on 07/22/2010 12:56:43 PM PDT by Todd Kinsey
Andy Schleck and his Saxo Bank teammates threw everything they had at Alberto Contador but despite their best efforts the Spaniard was up to the task. It was a classic stage with foul weather creating a dramatic backdrop for the battle that ensued. One by one Saxo threw the gauntlet down. First Cancellara took his turn on the front and blew the field apart, followed by Nicki Sorenson who reduced the field even further, and then Schleck launched his attack. Only Contador was able to respond to the massive acceleration setting up a mano-a-mano fight to the finish.
The two dominant GC men battled all the way to the top of the mist shrouded Col du Tourmalet. Contador seemed to be suffering with the pace but stayed stuck to Schleck’s wheel. In the final few kilometers, Contador put in a violent counter attack but neither man could gain an advantage. As Schleck came up along side him, the two men exchanged words and seemed to call a cease fire to the finish line.
Schleck took the stage just in front of Contador and the two men shook hands in mutual respect just after they rolled across the finish line. Schleck said “I’m not going to give up until we get to Paris – last year I was four minutes down and this year it’s eight seconds – anything is possible.”
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Thanks for posting. Sounds exciting.
Contador is a very strong rider. I wish he were around when Lance was in his prime. Their battles would have been epic.
When all is said and done, Contador could wind up being even better than Armstrong.
he's done a lot today by not contesting Schenk's finish more vigorously. He might have the distinction of winning the Tour without winning a stage.
Lance is a beast. Time will tell if the spaniard has it in him to persevere like Lance did.
Can you believe over 19 mph up that last hill... oh my. I like when they put the Heart rate, speed and work (watts) up under the rider. Helps keep it all in perspective that my riding is to the Tour what my driving to the grocery store is to NASCAR. Not even closely related other than I'm making contact with the rode on tires.
nah... you'd like it a lot if you rode. No ties, possibility of death and broken bones, playing with pain (riders go on for over 20 days with fractured ribs/elbows etc..) and there is nothing like watching a guy go down a 20 mile stretch of road at over 60 mph with over 100 ft drop offs wearing spandex and a bucket for his brains.
The fans are idiots and sleep by the road for days.. just a real hoot. I thought it was boring till I started riding and doing endurance rides like the Hotter-N-Hell 100. Then I understood how interesting the sport is.
I like football and MMA but the Tour is like the Kentucky Derby, Indy 500 and Dayton all mixed into one.
Of course that's only my opinion and I could be wrong.
My son & 14 yr old grandson ride every weekend with a bike club and I see how strenuous these rides truly are!
Lance is the beast, don't think Cantadore will every out-do Lance!
it is also a test of mental toughness. fighting through the pain of the climbs is what amazes me after 20 days on the bike.
I remember the very second of a ride when I brake down and can't go on. Either i get behind on my carbs, fluids or let my heart rate drift up above my threshold.
These riders are so disciplined that they are almost a part of the bicycle. I sat there and was shocked to see the power output above 500watts and HR above 130-140's for hours and in climbs that are >9% with average speed of more than 19mph.
If Contador hangs on, this will be his third, and he is still younger than Lance was when he won his first.
But there is a lot needed, including luck, to achieve greatness.
Luck and style. Like Ty cobb vs babe Ruth / Joe DiMaggio. You fan be great but respect and being seen as a classy individual makes some champions “ more equal “ than others. Lance was a hard ass but did respect his team mates and traditions. We’ll see what the time trials hold.
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