TdF 2010 - Comments and possible spoilers

[Hot Flatus]

I've just seen Hummers running alongside Schleck and Contador.
 

[lemonjiffy]

Well done ITV - ad break when shleck went!!

not unexpected really considering the poor coverage through out the tour

[Karla]

It's a lot better than it used to be!

My new prediction: Saxobank pull out a Spartacus special two-up break tomorrow with Schleck tied to his back wheel in a last bid to put time into Contador before the ITT.  I can always hope.

[SpaceBadger]

Well done ITV - ad break when shleck went!!

not unexpected really considering the poor coverage through out the tour

I disagree. If it wasn't for ITV picking up the TdF, we'd all be reliant upon satellite, cable or t'internet. I'd rather have their coverage, which is good apart from the odd ill timed ad break, than none at all on terrestrial TV.

[SpaceBadger]

Hopefully there won't be any sheep on the road while descending, like on the way up   

I reckon if the camera had panned back to Geraint Thomas at that moment, he'd have been the most excited rider in the race. 

[Tewdric]

I've just seen Hummers running alongside Schleck and Contador.
 

In a mankini by any chance?

[SpaceBadger]

Schleck has got to develop a better way of celebrating a win. That's twice I've seen him do that one handed arm waving-dance thing with an odd facial expression to match. Remminds me of a Dad at a school disco, or perhaps an irate orang-utan. 

[Aidan]

Well done ITV - ad break when shleck went!!

Eurosport is my friend

[Aidan]

Schleck has got to develop a better way of celebrating a win. That's twice I've seen him do that one handed arm waving-dance thing with an odd facial expression to match. Remminds me of a Dad at a school disco, or perhaps an irate orang-utan. 

Could be worse, he could do a daft pretend pistol shooting or something

[JJ]

It'll make for an interesting discussion if Contador wins overall by 30 secs or less.

[Adrian]

I've just seen Hummers running alongside Schleck and Contador.
 

In a mankini by any chance?

And brandishing a root vegetable?

[AndyH]

well I am now am now an Andy Schleck fan.

[Tewdric]

well I am now am now an Andy Schleck fan.

Gr-Granville! F-fetch yer cloth!

[Adrian]

Anyone else hoping for a karmic mechanical on Saturday?

[Rig of Jarkness]

What an epic stage today !  Chapeau's to them both 

[andygates]

well I am now am now an Andy Schleck fan.

Lots of guts out there.  But Contador is being the absolute Terminator.  I'm liking and admiring Schleck, but hugely impressed with the C-800.

Anyone else hoping for a karmic mechanical on Saturday?

Naughty thought!

[citoyen]

What an epic stage today !  Chapeau's to them both 

Yeah, that was pretty impressive. I thought Schleck had Contador on the ropes towards the end, but Contador just hung on in there magnificently. The highlight for me was Schleck staring out Contador with a few km to go.

d.

[GruB]

In the interview after the win I think it was Ned Boulting that asked Andy Schleck whom was the better climber out of him and Contador as today they had looked identically brilliant.
Schleck replied brilliantly with force but not rudely - "You tell me" and then did a Jens Voigt at the camera 
He was also humble towards Contador's performance and laughed when he explained what he had said to Contador on the run up to the finish.
He is certainly a very likeable 25 yr old.
I hope in the near future he can get to the top.

[Rhys W]

Yes, he's still at the age where just finishing the Tour is good progress.

He'll make a better champion than Contador, more personality and passion, rather than just ending up in yellow by default as the race hits the mountains.

[Jord]

He'll make a better champion than Contador, more personality and passion, rather than just ending up in yellow by default as the race hits the mountains.

That is a bit harsh on Contador - he is a very good all rounder. He won the TT last year and this year coped well with the cobbles - what the hell last year he even won with his own team was against him!

They are both outstanding riders and a joy to watch.

[Rhys W]

Yes, you have a point there. He's had Vinokourov attacking him for a week as well!

The duel today was indeed a joy to watch, especially the Schleck Glare, but it's a shame that it ended as practically a draw.

[Adrian]

He's had Vinokourov attacking him for a week as well!
 

Employ Vino as a team-mate and you can expect that.

[Jakob]

I don't like Contador, but you cannot deny that he's an outstanding cyclist, having won both the Vuelta, Giro and Tour the same year and seemingly keeps on winning the tour. That alone makes him a better rider than Lance ever was.

[IanDG]

He'll make a better champion than Contador, more personality and passion, rather than just ending up in yellow by default as the race hits the mountains.

That is a bit harsh on Contador - he is a very good all rounder. He won the TT last year and this year coped well with the cobbles - what the hell last year he even won with his own team was against him!

They are both outstanding riders and a joy to watch.

+1.

Agreed. 'Yellow by default' is a bit harsh. Schleck hasn't managed to demonstrate the capability to put significant time into Contador (and the ITT is still to happen). If there hadn't been a neutralisation on stage 2 he would have been in yellow a lot earlier. Also Cancellara/Schleck took advantage of Contador and attacked when he was trapped by the crash involving Frank Schleck on the cobbles. Contador did a great job to limit his losses on that day and didn't winge afterwards - unlike Schleck after the chain incident.

[LEE]

I don't like Contador, but you cannot deny that he's an outstanding cyclist, having won both the Vuelta, Giro and Tour the same year and seemingly keeps on winning the tour. That alone makes him a better rider than Lance ever was.

Yes but Contador is obviously doping.