Le Tour de France 2009

[Angry Angel]

Half a minute between the first group and the big pack. They've been warning for the wind today and that it could break the pack, can't believe that the big teams keep falling for it.

edit: Could become interesting if Team Columbia blows itself up in a futile attempt to stay away, Cavendish might lose some mates to support him in the last kilometers that way.

 

[Shaytan]

Did I say "Cavendish Festival" ?

The seconds lost means nothing right now.

 

[Roger Wilco]

edit: Could become interesting if Team Columbia blows itself up in a futile attempt to stay away, Cavendish might lose some mates to support him in the last kilometers that way.

But Cavendish is Cavendish...

 

[Angry Angel]

So it seems

Did I say "Cavendish Festival" ?

The seconds lost means nothing right now.

Well for Armstrong maybe, seemed like loyalties shifted a bit within the Astana team when some of his team mates started riding for him while Contador was in the 2nd peloton. The rumors will be flying around anyway.

It was an interesting end anyway, not something you see every day, and definitely not boring.

 

[Shaytan]

Well for Armstrong maybe, seemed like loyalties shifted a bit within the Astana team when some of his team mates started riding for him while Contador was in the 2nd peloton. The rumors will be flying around anyway.

Because you believe Armstrong is not riding to win this Tour ?
Contador or no Contador, I don't think he cares.

 

[Roger Wilco]

I believe Armstrong always cares. He may not be captain of Astana right now, but if Contador has just one weak day, Armstrong will be there imo...

I really think he may win this again.

 

[Shaytan]

He may not be captain of Astana right now,

He is. I heard an interview 10 minutes ago, he said that his 7 Tour gave him the experience to be the captain of the team.

I really think he may win this again.

Because you think he's back for something else ?
He can already be in yellow tomorrow.

 

[Angry Angel]

I don't see him giving it up either, if it suits him he will go for it, the man has too much ego in him to just give it to Contador. Besides, his "main goal," more focus on the fight against cancer, won't be hurt by another win either. I could be wrong of course, but there's always a certain weight in his words that give me the feeling that he's there for Lance Armstrong and Lance Armstrong's goals alone. I don't see him handing those 19 seconds back to Contador out of the goodness of his heart anyway.

He can already be in yellow tomorrow.

With the time trial team Astana has, most likely yeah.

 

[Roger Wilco]

He is. I heard an interview 10 minutes ago, he said that his 7 Tour gave him the experience to be the captain of the team.

Because you think he's back for something else ?
He can already be in yellow tomorrow.

Well, I wasn't sure before today since Contador also is really, really strong, but you're right of course.

 

[Angry Angel]

Ah well, Contador can still go for the polka dot jersey. I'm sure he'll find great satisfaction in that one.

 

[Shaytan]

but you're right of course.

Mh...Yes

polka dot jersey.

I had no idea that was the English name
For some reasons it makes me want to drink vodka

I'm sure he'll find great satisfaction in that one.

He can, it's a very popular jersey

 

[Angry Angel]

polka dot jersey.

I had no idea that was the English name

I had to look it up to be honest

For some reasons it makes me want to drink vodka

Now there's a good idea!

I'm sure he'll find great satisfaction in that one.

He can, it's a very popular jersey

I've always liked the maillot à pois, especially when they try and work for it via a long grueling solo through the mountains.

 

[Angry Angel]

39 km team time trial today around Montpellier:

Astana, Saxo, Garmin and Team Columbia are the favourites for today where Astana had 4 of their riders among the first 10 in the individual time trail of last Saturday.

 

[Jono]

So far it has been carnage...the best crashes I've seen so far were the lead rider taking four of his team mates off the road when he ran the wrong line on a corner and when the second last rider of Silence-Lotto touched wheels and went down, separated from his bike and they were skiding along the road as the rider behind him threads his way between man and machine...very cool and painful looking.

 

[Angry Angel]

It's definitely turning out to be an interesting race so far. Very technical course it seems. Shame it has to affect so many.

 

[Roger Wilco]

I wouldn't mind if it affected Astana a little.

I would put my money on Cancellara retaining yellow today regardless though, I don't think Astana can take that much time off Saxo.

 

[Angry Angel]

It would only be fair

Becoming interesting now, the big teams are gonna set times. Astana won't be hurt if they don't get yellow today, would just put more strain on the Saxo team to direct the next stages.

 

[Shaytan]

Glad we're not going to see Armstrong in yellow today, even for half a tyre...

 

[Angry Angel]

Well, not that many surprises there, even Menchov toppling over is hardly a surprise any more these days nor is his lack of interest at the end in an interview. Evans won't be too happy I'd imagine, for the rest most of the favorites remained within a minute of each other.
Can't wait till they go into the mountains and see some real action.

 

[Shaytan]

Well, not that many surprises there, even Menchov toppling over is hardly a surprise any more these days nor is his lack of interest. Evans won't be too happy I'd imagine, for the rest most of the favorites remained within a minute of each other.

You can't win a Tour on a team time trial but you can lose it (c) someone on TV who this time had something not too stupid to say...

Can't wait till they go into the mountains and see some real action.

We're all waiting that