More than two of the three weeks of this Tour lie in the rearview mirror and the race is impossible to call; nearly every GC Contender has shown some kind of weakness or given something away that makes them look beatable. Contador was dropped on the first uphill finish. The Schlecks have been on the attack but have been unable to make the gains they need to insure a final victory. They’ve also reminded us that what goes up doesn’t always come down as easily. Evans has been the most consistent and oportunistic, but has been racing hard since day one and, while he’s been close, he’s done little to stamp his authority on the race. Voekler has been defying the odds for nine days and continues to hang on to a lead which looks more tenable with each passing day.
So far, the “minor” mountain stages – those without uphill finishes – have proven to be as decisive as those with uphill finishes. Normally reserved for the opportunist breakaway and a non-issue for the GC riders, Stage 17’s rain-slicked descent saw some of the best racing we’ve seen this year buddied up with the biggest impact on the GC since Tommy V took the Maillot Jaune.
Indeed, this year has everyone sitting around the table, questioning the accepted tactics of the recent past. The riders who go fast uphill will need to do something more than just attack a few k’s from the finish. Perhaps they are considering an Hinaultesque attack on a descent before the finishing climb. Or perhaps a Merckxian attack on the first pass, going long to take a huge advantage.
One thing is for certain: the rider who wins this Tour will not necessarily be the strongest one, for we’ve seen they are all closely matched. No, the winner will be the one who decides the old rulebook is better suited for toilet paper than a race manual. The winner will be the one who thinks creatively, leaves caution in the parking lot where Voekler punched his ticket today, and takes an extra dose of Rule #5 (I’m looking at you, Andy).
At this point, whomever rolls into Paris with the Yellow jersey on their shoulders will get the nod of approval from this guy. (Except Contador, obvs.) Vive le Tour, bitches.
Get your picks in by 5am Pacific tomorrow morning for the chance to win 3, 2, or 1 points for the podium spots, and 1 point for 4th and 5th places. Good luck.
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I want to see some effort by the bros. In it to win it??
VSP PICKS:
1. Cadel
2. Frank
3. Andy
4. Sammy Sanchez
5. Cunego
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/video-andy-schleck-again-critical-of-tour-descent
Make it stop.
@Buck Rogers
I like the way you think and, for the most part, agree with your prognostication. But...I just can't see Andy giving it up for Frank. Or should I say Frank taking it from Andy, which is quite a different thing, you dig? And to paraphrase Andy Schleck, no matter how much help Contador gets from Sanchez (and he will get help), he's (Contador) just "too much of an asshole" to give the stage away. Contador needs to send a message to the GC favorites, something along the lines of "Besame churro, putas" or something more profane. Gaining three plus minutes AND winning the stage sends that message.
And agreed, there will be awesomeness.
VSP PICKS:
1. Alberto Contador
2. Samuel Sanchez
3. Cadel Evans
4. Ivan Basso
5. Andy Schleck
@G'phant
Being behind Andy at the top of the last climb (and thus being stuck for a time behind him on the descent) was a mistake that Cadel didn't need to make. His first for the Tour and lucky it didnt cost him...
VSP PICKS:
1. S. Sanchez
2. Contador
3. F Schleck
4. Evans
5. A Schleck
For all you non-Australians, just to let you know, Cadelysteria is taking hold across the nation. Big picture of him taking up half the front page of one of our main newspapers in Melbourne. Everyone I speak to is talking about him, asking about his chances, etc etc.
Hope that this is not the kiss of death.
@Marcus
I love your papers.
VSP PICKS:
1. Frank Schleck
2. Andy Schleck
3. Daylight
Levi pulled a Lance and lost a bunch of time on purpose so the big guns will let him get away. He is the lone survivor in the break. The Schlecks swivel so hard their heads do an exorcist spin. Subsequently, they lose two minutes trying to reorient themselves again.
VSP PICKS:
1. Levi
2. Contador
3. Sammy San
4. Cuddles
5. Bass Ho
This is going to be the stage! Tommy V will valiantly hold on but just lose touch in the final few kms. Clenbutador will attack and look to gain half a minute with Sanchez bridging and taking the victory. Cadelephant will gain the yellow jersey and from here hold it all the way to paris. Basso will be there but not enough to get himself on the podium.
The Schlecks will both be hospitalised for extreme wry necks due to them constantly looking over their shoulders to see where each other is and for acting like extreme Schlecktards - does anyone respect these two now?
VSP PICKS:
1. sammy sanchez
2. clenbutador
3. cadelephant
4. basso
5. grimpeur the elder
Voeckler will hang over le Col d'Agnel and l'Izoard (in tribute to Bobet"”what Frenchman in yellow wouldn't?). Then he'll attack on the descent (probably with Contador & Sanchez). But then crack on le Galibier. There will be some glorious gesturing and hand-waving as he loses the two Spaniards, and lots of head-bobbing and -hanging as the other contenders pass him on the way up. But I'll say it again: Gilbert, Hushovd, and Voeckler. Is there a better trio to have carried le maillot jaune this far? Whatever the outcome from here on out, I'm already happy.