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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View Comments
Looks like Spanish Steak is coming good this week, and he is going to need to stamp his authority on this stage if he wants to win Le Grand Boucle this year...
VSP PICKS:
1. El Steakelero
2. Cuddles
3. Grimplette
4. Basso
5. Cunego
VSP PICKS:
1. Contador
2. Cuddles
3. Angry Stomach
4. Schleck the elder
5. Basso
Tough one man. Am I the only one out there that wants to see frank ditch his bro and go for it? Andy is just sounding brittle and hard to love. Sanchez has got some sort of chops to get back where he is now and I think he'll go hard. Too many steep ramps on the agnel and galibier will put the hurt on cuddles and let basso be profundo. Check c-odor if Frank puts less than 20s into him.
VSP PICKS:
1. schleck sr
2. contador
3. schleck jr
4. sanchez
5. basso
VSP PICKS:
1. Clenbutador
2. Cuddles
3. Sammy Saycheez
4. Schleck the younger
5. Ivan Bassomatic
VSP PICKS:
1. Evans
2. Contador
3. A. Schleck
4. Basso
5. Uran
Contador to pick up a much needed 1:30 on Cuddles, who cracks just a little (see: Zoncolan @ 2010 Giro). I actually expect the Schlecks to go on the offensive (and both will probably finish in the top three), but Contador really needs to put time into Evans"”he's the only continuing threat at this point in the TT: two minutes in Grenoble is a big ask. Will need to whittle that down tomorrow and Friday.
VSP PICKS:
1. Contador
2. Sanchez (the S one)
3. Basso
4. Peraud
5. Cuddles
There's still going to be some cat-and-mousing on the Queen Stage. Thus, Vanendert FTW. Sanchez sneaks away and Frank gets 10 seconds on Contadork.
VSP PICKS:
1. Vanendert
2. Sanchez
3. F. Schleck
4. Contador
5. Evans
The shit is going down tomorrow.
VSP PICKS:
1. Conti
2. Basso
3. Andy
4. Sanchez
5. Cunego
It's going to be AWESOME!!! Cuntador and Sammy take off together and Cuntador gifts the stage to Sammy. The rest struggle in. Voeckler cracks and concedes 5 minutes to the overall GC favs.
VSP PICKS:
1. Slammy Sammy Sanchez
2. Cuntador
3. Schleck the Elder
4. Cuddles
5. Basso
Cadel will dig deep to limit his losses by hanging onto Sanchez after Contador drops him. Basso will have a late surge. Cadel will lose the Tour in the final TT by less than 10s. Its tragedy at its most excruciating, but that's how he rolls.
VSP PICKS:
1. Contador
2. Evans
3. Basso
4. S Sanchez
5. Frank