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 3’15”
4. Ullrich - at 3’50” 5. Landis - at 3’50”
6. Armstrong - at 3’50”
7. Leipheimer - at 3’50”
8. Basso - at 3’50”
9. Mancebo - at 4’30”
10. Rasmussen - at 4’30”
11. Evans - at 4’30”...