Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France, Stage 20
Reach for your recovery drink of choice, grab a little massage if you can, load up on carbs tonight, and get ready for the ultimate showdown for final Tour glory tomorrow to be contested in 41 kilometers contra la montre. I’m talking about the fans, not the riders, obviously. Because these last two days have nearly killed us.
This is anyone’s time trial. At 41km, it’s just long enough for Cadel to pull one out, and it’s just short and hilly enough for Andy to retain enough of his lead. Sure, Evans will certainly beat the Grimplette, but by how much? In last year’s final ITT, Andy almost pulled out the upset, until the wind kicked up and the youngster’s sit up and beg TT position had him more sail that sailor. It’s hilly enough to give the climbers a chance of staying in it, and the long descent to the finish will play to the fastmen against the clock.
Will his new Maillot Juane play Redbull to Andy and give him wings? Or will the scent of Yellow drag the Cadelamonster to his prize? Both Andy and Cadel know what it’s like to stand on the second step of the podium. Neither wants to stand there again. And both riders are different men than they were the last time it happened. Both have been hardened by the bitter taste of defeat that lingers long on the tongue.
I, for one, can hardly take it any more. Vive le Tour.
You know the drill, get your picks in by 5am Pacific tomorrow morning. Good luck.
@mouse
+1. IIf anyone Tommy Voclker a beer, it’s good Cadel. Followed by bad Cadel. Followed by everyone waking up in the morning with raging Cadelehpantitis. He’s been the one to control the race this year, no doubt about that.
@Leroy
Hahaha! It’s like you were watching some other race.
Got nothing, not even milk.
VSP PICKS:
1. Martin
2. Faboo
3. Millar time
4. Cuddles
5. Kneehigh eggtimer
@Leroy
You’re out of your brain.
Cadel has taken responsibility for his own race this year and let the Schleckette do the whinging.
Lead them in from the front waaaaay back at the TTT. Stage victory, chasing down breaks (up hill) mostly on his lonesome.
He deserves it.
But to be fair, Andy rode a great St18 and if he hangs on, this little one-eyed Aussie will be enormously disappointed but will applaud the winner (so long as it’s not Fronk…)
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Martin
3. Cadel going into yellow
4. Millar
5. Cuntador
@Oli
Agreed. The race I was watching I saw a very strong Cuddles asking and gesticulating to the Brothers Swivelneck to put some effort into getting away from the fast closing peloton containing one TV and then shaking his head in disgust at their lack of doing anything. Even Andy hung his head in shame from what I could see (which in his defence was probably under instruction). Then later Asleck has the audacity to try to get Cuddles to work to help him bring back Bertie due to brother Fraulein Schleck, after performing what is now their trademark neck pirouettes, realised he had nothing to offer!
@Jamin
and another on the same page/stage too!
VSP PICKS:
1. Good Cadel
2. Faboo
3. Asleck
4. My Favourite Martian
5. He ain’t thommo
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Evans
3. Contrador
4. Martin
5. Millar
@Leroy
“In my eyes, Andy’s long solo yesterday was the best moment the Tour’s seen in decades”
At least since Floyd’s remarkably similar escapade in 2006… did anyone else notice the same aggression in their victory salutes? One could almost say ‘testosterone fuelled’?
(Puts on flame retardant suit…)
@Leroy
Find a new sport champ. You have no idea.
VSP PICKS:
1. Fabian
2. Tony martin
3. Cadel
4. Leipheimer
5. Contador
Vive le Tour. Best one I’ve watched in the 10 or so years I’ve been following. It almost doesn’t matter who wins to me it’s been such an outstanding race. But who would I really like to see on the top step? Go Cuddles, we have the same dog and bike.
VSP PICKS:
1. Millar
2. Faboo
3. Cadel-inside out
4. Bertie
5. Martin
VSP PICKS:
1. David Millar
2. Spartacus
3. Tony Martin
4. Levi
5. TJ Van G
I really really really really hope Evans pulls this off. He has A LOT of time to make up over a short distance. Merckx, I want him to win.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Millar
3. Martin
4. Evans
5. Leipheimer
C’mon Aussie! It’s now or never Cuddles.
VSP PICKS:
1. Der Panzerwagen
2. Spartacus
3. Cuddles
4. Porte
5. Millar
@Marko
Couldn’t agree more about this being such a great race. With Rolland winning today, youth (and France) has even been served. What a great kid! (Though I fear he’ll lose out to Taaramae””another great young rider). Doesn’t matter to me who wins””it will be an afterthought after such great performances. Thor over l’Aubisque; Voeckler over just about every other mountain. And this, from Rolland, today:
Beautiful.
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. T-Mart
3. Millar
4. Petey V.
5. Oo Alberto
Three Super Prestige stages in a row?! I’m tapp’n out.
VSP PICKS:
1. Evans
2. Martin
3. Cancellara
4. Millar
The suspense is exquisite!
VSP PICKS:
1. Good Cadel
2. Bad Cadel
3. Bumchin
4. Cadelephant balls
5. Cuddles
My dislike of Cancellara won’t stop me from tipping him for the win. I hope Millar takes this one though. Evans for yellow and let it be a lesson for Andy to work on becoming a more complete rider.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. T. Martin
3. Millar
4. Leipheimer
5. Evans
Wow… a little flame fest from my comments huh? LMAO… did I offend some aussies or wtf?
What issue could you possibly have with what Andy did? He went from a long way out and left it all on the road and then followed every big move today until he couldn’t… did about 40% of the work with Alberto off the front and then about 85% of the work chasing late today when Cadel was sucking his wheel into the last km. He was tested TWICE between that victory and the start of today’s stage so, if he comes up clean, you can stick the “testosterone fueled” talk right up your ass. As for me not knowing tactics… I’d rather see men race like men than more of the same Armstrong style of racing that Cuddles is pulling. He throws a hissy fit that Voeckler wouldn’t sacrifice himself and Roelandts in the chase yeseterday and then similarly refuses to work in the chase today. You say he’s deserved and he’s led chases and led the TTT across the line and blah, blah, blah… I say whenever it’s been mano a mano among the GC boy’s he’s sat at the back and sucked wheels waiting to attack at the end. If Andy loses, he can say he left everything at the Tour an have no regrets… if Cadel loses, he can thank his refusal to take hold of the race and always wonder what might have been.
And as for the ‘find a new sport’ comment, whomever that one was from… GO FUCK YOURSELF. What kind of douchebag, dumbfuck, dickneck, asshole comment is that?? No one’s here telling you to go buy a Segway cause you’ve got a mouthful of Cadel’s cock you fuckin prick. Way to make shit personal over nothing…
Talk all the shit you want, hate on Andy and jock Cadels nuts as much as you like but I for one have had enough of the bullshit Armstrong style of tactics that have been common for the last decade for the next ten lifetimes. Cadel may get the jersey and it may even be called well earned but he won’t be a worthy champion with the way he rode the race in comparison to the two men who were willing to lay everything on the line. I’d say the same about Frank or Basso but neither has a realistic shot. I guess we’ll see who’s wearing yellow tomorrow night…
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Martin
3. Simple Jack
4. Evans
5. Millar
@Jamin
I’d agree actually… I’d be crushed for Andy if he pulled up second again but I sure couldn’t hate on Cadel. He’s been the definition of steady this year. I couldn’t be mad as long as it’s Andy, Cadel, or Alberto pulling on yellow tomorrow. I just think that, with their dramatic long shots to take hold of the race the last couple days, it’d be tragic to see ‘slow and steady’ win the race.
Meh!
(ps way to go Cyclops!)
VSP PICKS:
1. Fabio
2. Cadel
3. Millar
4. A. Schleck
5. Steakmouth
@Leroy
I’m not sure tragic is how I would describe it, but yes my heart is with Andy for the win, which by the way only went that way after stage 18.
Not any fan of Huevo, but he did lay down some rocket fueled V on occasion. Just sayin.
While actually watching a TT is like waiting for grass to grow, I’ll be up early, jacked up on coffee, waiting for cuddles to bring home the fluffy lion. God knows he could use a bit of comfort. ‘Sides, I like the folk from down under.
VSP PICKS:
1. can accelerate
2. cuddles
3. mmiillarr
4. bertie
5. martini
Anyone have the start times for the final guys?
@Leroy
I’m not “hating on Andy” at all. I thought his raid was epic and magnificent and worthy of a Tour winner. But Evans two stages in a row was the guy doing the bulk of the work chasing Shleck then Contador. Also when a rider is isolated in a group and facing two, three or four riders who are surging and attacking it is smart riding to mark them – did you notice how he would drive hard near the end of each stage when he knew he could hold it? He might not be as exciting as those guys but to say he just sucked wheels is just plain ignorant.
By the way, I’m no Aussie. That’s just uncalled for.
VSP PICKS:
1. Evans
2. Martin
3. Cancellara
4. Millar
‘clops ‘clops clops! Good on you, mate!
And I’m just gonna say it here once. Yes, I know there is a thing called the Tour of Utah. I will care about it *after* le tour, so just shut the hell up about it for now. Really? With it all on the line on the Galibier, le Alpe and now this ITT for all the marbles, you somehow thing something going on in Utah is really interesting? BTFO dudes. Call me next week.
@Oli
Also, it’s hard to know how Evans might have handled the climbs if he hadn’t been forced onto the defensive by the attacks of others or his unfortunately timed mechanical – it’s quite possible he would have played more of an aggressive role, although I’m aware history doesn’t give too much weight to that scenario, although it’s not like he’s never attacked in races before.
VSP PICKS:
1. Evans
2. Martin
3. Cancellara
4. Millar
That was supposed to be @Leroy.
VSP PICKS:
1. Evans
2. Martin
3. Cancellara
4. Millar
On second thought.
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Millar
3. Levi
4. Evans
5. Martin
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Millar
3. Martin
4. Porte
5. Tjvg
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Tony Martin
3. David Miller
4. Contador
5. Cadel
I’ll be wearing my Leopard Trek cycling cap rally cap style tomorrow morning. what ever it takes to keep and in yellow. Can’t wait!
Delerious from lack of sleep. As long as Cadel wins overall, I’m happy.
VSP PICKS:
1. Sylvain mother fuckin Chavanel
2. Faboo
3. Ayyy, Big Tony (Martin)
4. Cadel
5. MIllar
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. Tony Martin
3. Boasson Hagan
4. Millar
5. Cadel
@Oli
Most of the harshness there wasn’t actually toward you Oli, sorry about that… that assumed doping BS and the ‘find a new sport, you have no clue’ set me off though. I agree that he’s been tactically sound and, if not for the incredibly bold moves by Alberto and Andy the last two days, I’d have no issues with him at all. He has done a ton of work chasing guys alone… but he’s been alone because he wouldn’t/couldn’t follow moves and had to laydown that slow and steady diesel chase. When it’s been time to put on the gloves with the other GC boys, he hasn’t made any big moves. Wheelsucker is addmitedly a bit harsh but he just hasn’t done as much to take the race, he’s been more focused on not losing it before the TT which is just too ‘Lance’ for me. How epic would it have been today if he’d been dieseling along after Alberto and managed to dislodge Andy instead of sitting on his wheel until the final 100m and managing to do nothing? He’s shown tactics and great form but the last two stages brought out historic efforts and guys like Tommy V, Sanchez, Berto, Andy.. they rose to the occasion and, win or lose, they took their shots on the road. Guys like Cadel, Frank, Basso, their efforts just pale in comparison to the brilliance of the efforts launched by others. If Andy wins, it comes from an historic climbing performance… if Cadel wins, it comes from another Armstrong style tour strategy. It’s certainly been proven effective, I’m just over it… especially after seeing the big guns racing with old school guts the last couple days.
@Leroy
Hahaheeheehohohaja
Hissy fit of the season. Way to go nuts :-)
@Leroy
…and the most gratuitous use of the word ‘FUCK’ in a post reply goes to…
Ok, seems we’re all of this getting a bit ‘passionate’ about all of this.
You like Andy. You’re right, His attack on the Iozard Galibier was fantastic, well executed and ballsy. Got no qualms about that.
Equally, from where I stand, Cuddles response to drag the ENTIRE peloton single handedly back was equally amazing.
Those of us in AUS may be a be a bit one eyed about Cuddles and so are more likely to defend him, but, we (I) must respectfully disagree that he’s a wheelsucker. He is a very smart rider and will not ride aggressively when he has nothing to gain. Years in Lotto taught him that if you are showing form with no team support others will ride defensively and rely on Cuddles to make moves to drag back breaks because he has more to lose (GC ambitions). Whats more annoying in my mind is others throwing away their tour because they think Cuddles should pull.
It reminds me a bit of the scenario this spring in Ronde Van Vlaanderen where everyone was so intent on shutting down Faboo, they made him lose the race even though he was clearly the stongest.
Lets just strap ourselves in and enjoy the show tonight, yeah?
VSP PICKS:
1. Millar
2. Cancellara
3. Evans
4. Martin
5. Contador
@Blah
Wow… if that gets ‘season’ honors, this is an easy field. I love that my opinion sparked flames in a half dozen users yet I’m the one on hissy fit status, lmao.
Apologies if it’s a hissy fit where you come from but where I come from, you don’t back down and sit quietly in the corner just cause a few ignorant dickheads want to gang up on you and exert their opinions as some sort of fact. Let’s keep in mind here, I’m not the one that started insulting others because they’re hoping Cadel pulls it off. It’s pretty simple really… If you can’t be respectful of other opinions, shut the fuck up.
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. Millar
3. Martin
4. Bossen Hagen
5. Lepheimer
@mouse
Apologies for the excessive vulgarity but I don’t take kindly to personal attacks and some traces of my ghetto youth just won’t be washed away by any amount of Yale & UC education. Didn’t mean to offend…
As for the rest of your statement, I fully agree… everyone has an opinion and that’s fine. I’m not about to tell you that you don’t know the sport or that you should give it up because your opinion differs from mine. To me, apart from Andy and Alberto, none of the main GC guys have really stood out and I’d have the same criticism of Frank & Ivan… they’ve all been mostly following wheels and riding not to lose. I’m not a fan of that type of racing but I have no issue with anyone hoping Cadel, or anyone else, wins. That’s my whole point… why a bunch of people got a giant hard-on when I mentioned Andy is entirely beyond me.
@Leroy
Meh, say what you want to. All good until it isn’t. For what it’s worth, I don’t have any probe with Cadel’s style versus Andy this year. They’ve ridden to type. Andy is a climber; he attacked in the mountains. Ballsy attacks, too. Awesome to watch. Cadel is a diesel; he slowly brought Andy back. With Frank on his wheel along with a peleton of 35, it was a badarse way to do it. Awesome to watch. It’ll be a deserved win for either of them.
Go Cadel. Beat that creepy fucker.
I’m serious you know…
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. Good Cadel
3. Bertie
4. Martini
5. ASchleck!
woah, chill kids, remember, words are temporary, being a cotho lasts for ever…
Good Cadel and Schlecklette have both been awesome.
Doesn’t matter who wins, but I’d prefer Andy for Thursday’s ride.
VSP PICKS:
1. cancellara
2. eggtimer
3. bossenhagen
4. millar
5. cadel
@Leroy
“If you can’t be respectful of other opinions, shut the fuck up.”
“good sentences and well pronounced”
“they would be better if well followed”
shakespeare
listen to yourself.
(GO CYCLOPS)
For what it’s worth, The Prophet rates the performance of both Andy and Cuddles (as well as that of Bertie) – http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/video-merckx-talks-about-a-spectacular-couple-of-days-in-the-alps
I can live with that.
Sentimental favorite for me is Cuddles, because he’s going to run out of chances before Andy does. But whoever wins it, this has been an awesome race, and everyone involved deserves massive kudos for making it so.
Ok… Saturday morning now, red wine goggles off, have realised that this course has hills… Gravity won’t be Spartacus’ friend today. It’s Millar Time!
VSP PICKS:
1. Millar Time
2. Spartacus
3. Tony Martin
4. Cadel Evans
5. Levi L
@al
Wow… Since your reading comprehension seems to be failing you, let me point out yet again that I was perfectly respectful until people, as you yourself are now doing, wanted to make it personal in response to my opinion.
I’m fully respectful of other opinions and have no issue with anyone wanting Cadel to win or thinking his style of racing is the best thing ever, I just disagree. I am not, however, respectful of people insulting me in response to my opinions… or to clueless douchebags who hop on the bandwagon and then quote Shakespeare in some attempt to make a point.
@Leroy
It was me telling you to find a new sport – and it was because you showed such ignorance. ALL GC contenders have been pretty much magnificent in terms of their preparedness to lay it on the line. Not sure how cadel wheel sucked up to Galibier on Thursday. For about the last 9 kms the wheel in front of him was minutes up the road
As for claims of being personal – well I will forgive your immaturity. Although that little cry for attention about being a Yale man was pretty pathetic. This site is all about robust opinions and good humor. Your emotional outpourings may be better expressed at cyclingnews.
Suggest u go race your bike too. U might learn something.
VSP PICKS:
1. Fabian
2. Tony martin
3. Cadel
4. Leipheimer
5. Contador
Leroy, your understanding of bike racing is matched only by your understanding of bike positioning, although both viewpoints are certainly enhanced by your robust debating style and impressive tangential reading comprehension. Obviously your Yale education is a classic example of the old adage “A little learning is a dangerous thing”…
VSP PICKS:
1. Evans
2. Martin
3. Cancellara
4. Millar