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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@Collin
Nice thought, but I think Levi lost a bunch of time because he just doesn't have it anymore. Lots of crashes and no team. He'll try his darnedest to be in the break, but he's running on empty.
I'm gonna change my picks, and piggy back on @Buck Roger's view that Sanchez is the only one who can live with the pace of Spanish Beef (or they get their dinner from the same farm), and they'll work together to gap everyone else in exchange for Sammy getting the win. Cuddles can't hang with them but is best of the rest, Grimplette can't hang and Grimpelder is forced to hang with Basso to have a chance. Sadly, Voeckler's last day in the maillot jaune. :(
VSP PICKS:
1. Sammy Sanchez
2. El Steakelero
3. Cuddles
4. Basso
5. Grimpelder
Team Dirty-Bertie will stay away from the rest of the GC-7 this time, with Bertie gifting Dirty the stage win, Cadel will man-up as he has throughout but despite antipodean Cadelirium, will lack the final punch, and les freres Schleck will finish en retard, wishing they had spent more time in band practice.
But I hope Cadel wins.
VSP PICKS:
1. Sanchez
2. Contador
3. Cadel
4. Noel Schleck, older
5. Liam Schleck, younger
@G'phant
(Video of a whiner)
Make it stop.
Guy's obviously lost his mind... "I'm happy to be healthy and back in the bus" when he's clearly standing outside the bus.
VSP PICKS:
1. Contador
2. Cuddles
3. Dirty Sanchez
4. F Schleck
5. Basso
I think Bertie will go all out to peg back some tim.
Think Cuddles will cover him like a blanket till the last K, then beat Dirty Sanchez acroos the line in a sprint.
Le Frere Grimpeur the Older will come in 30 seconds later with Basso hot on his heels.
Poor Angry Stomach will be too busy looking backward and will end up at the stage Depart.
VSP PICKS:
1. S Sanchez
2. Contador
3. Evans
4. A Schleck
5. F Schleck
@brett
I think he lost his mind along with his jawbone
Alpin is a bastard for living in such a nice place. But hey, he makes up for it with his photos:)
And I must say that anyone living in NZed has no reason to be jealous or complain about natural beauty. I'd pack up and move to the South Island tomorrow.
LOVED Tommy V's bunny hop today. Jeez, the race just keeps getting better each stage.
VSP PICKS:
1. Bobbing Bertie
2. Sammy "Golden Boy" Sanchez
3. Cadel "The Chin" Evans
4. A. Schleck
5. Basso
This Tour has soured me on the Schlecks. They must find it hard to race with their tails between their legs.
VSP PICKS:
1. Contador
2. Sammy Sanchez
3. Evans
4. A. Schleck
5. Basso