Author Topic: TdF 2011 general discussion thread - likely to contain spoilers (Read 81091 times)

citoyen · « **Reply #575 on:** 23 July, 2011, 02:19:44 pm »

Cadel rides with True Grit. Just cos he can't dance up the mountains, that doesn't mean he has no panache. Not his fault he doesn't have a climber's physique. Just look at his ride on the Strade Bianche in last year's Giro to see how much class he has. Or his World Championship win.

d.

citoyen · « **Reply #576 on:** 23 July, 2011, 02:26:08 pm »

Quote from: Grub on 23 July, 2011, 11:31:17 am

Okay, I know what you mean, I think. Paul S and Phil L were talking about his diesel engine and how he doesn't respond as well to fast changes to the speed of the peleton. Bradley Wiggins doesn't seem to have a kick either - but in my mind that doesn't make them bad or boring to watch. If anything it makes it more exciting as there is the 'will he or wont he' catch them question.

Cadel hasn't needed to respond instantly to the attacks on the mountains - he's known he can reel them in by riding his own race. The Schlecks have raced hard without really achieving much by it - they should have established an unassailable margin by now.

I'm convinced Wiggo would have ridden a similar race to Cadel, would have matched him in the mountains (based on his form in the Dauphiné), and then would have clinched yellow today.

What might have been...

d.

lord hereford · « **Reply #577 on:** 23 July, 2011, 02:29:22 pm »

I will be yelling for Cadel, particularly as I will win £160 if he wins.
My partner asked what we would spend the winnings on if does do it.

I said "New road shoes?" It didn't go down too well.....
I think he will win it by 7 seconds from Andrew.

I am wearing my Cuddles t-shirt, just for luck.

GruB · « **Reply #578 on:** 23 July, 2011, 03:42:05 pm »

Jeez this is close. Schelck looks like he is dieing out there.

Justin(e) · « **Reply #579 on:** 23 July, 2011, 03:43:07 pm »

Quote from: lord hereford on 23 July, 2011, 02:29:22 pm

I am wearing my Cuddles t-shirt, just for luck.

12 seconds to make up!!

Go you good thing.

Aidan · « **Reply #580 on:** 23 July, 2011, 03:44:30 pm »

Looks like Cadel can do it!

Justin(e) · « **Reply #581 on:** 23 July, 2011, 03:46:03 pm »

Quote from: Justin(e) on 23 July, 2011, 03:43:07 pm

2 seconds to make up!!

Now 1 second.

Is he out too fast

Aidan · « **Reply #582 on:** 23 July, 2011, 03:47:02 pm »

Cadel in virtual yellow

Justin(e) · « **Reply #583 on:** 23 July, 2011, 04:01:17 pm »

Quote from: Aidan on 23 July, 2011, 03:47:02 pm

Cadel in virtual yellow

Virual:

1 Cuddly
2 Andy
3 Bertie

Maybe

1 Cuddly
2 Bertie
3 Andy

Justin(e) · « **Reply #584 on:** 23 July, 2011, 04:09:50 pm »

newsflash
One day in yellow is all he needed.

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!

lord hereford · « **Reply #585 on:** 23 July, 2011, 04:35:36 pm »

£160 cher ching!

Cheers, Cuddles.

lord hereford · « **Reply #586 on:** 23 July, 2011, 04:50:39 pm »

Just thinking. Tomorrow is a 'procession' into Paris, BUT if Cadel was, for instance, bitten by a rabbid dog or struck by a Leopard trek team car this evening and limped in tomorrow 30mins, down would they have to award it to Andy on time or would Cuddles get it even if he loses time?

Justin(e) · « **Reply #587 on:** 23 July, 2011, 04:51:57 pm »

Quote from: lord hereford on 23 July, 2011, 04:50:39 pm

Just thinking. Tomorrow is a 'procession' into Paris, BUT if Cadel was, for instance, bitten by a rabbid dog or struck by a Leopard trek team car this evening and limped in tomorrow 30mins, down would they have to award it to Andy on time or would Cuddles get it even if he loses time?

Dont spend your money yet.

ie: It aint over till ...

pcolbeck · « **Reply #588 on:** 23 July, 2011, 04:55:11 pm »

I've always wondered what would happen if someone broke the "no attacks on the ride to Paris" understanding. A surprise breakaway could net a couple of extra minutes for someone.

gonzo · « **Reply #589 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:00:42 pm »

Any GC contenders attack, riders from all other teams with GC interests band together and pull them back whilst telling them to stop being stupid and breaking the rules of cycling!

Also, if Cuddles rides into a wall tomorrow, losing 10 minutes while waiting for his team car to come up and the gap's maintained, he loses Yellow.

Justin(e) · « **Reply #590 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:07:20 pm »

Quote from: pcolbeck on 23 July, 2011, 04:55:11 pm

I've always wondered what would happen if someone broke the "no attacks on the ride to Paris" understanding. A surprise breakaway could net a couple of extra minutes for someone.

Simeoni attacked Armstrong a couple of years ago. Stopped him sipping his champagne for a few clicks.

GruB · « **Reply #591 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:07:41 pm »

That was still the most exciting TdF I have watched so far. Now we just need Cav to bring it home tomorrow.

pcolbeck · « **Reply #592 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:10:14 pm »

I was thinking that if Voeckler had managed to stay within a minute of the lead today the French riders might have been tempted to support him in a breakaway for the glory of France.

citoyen · « **Reply #593 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:12:48 pm »

Quote from: pcolbeck on 23 July, 2011, 04:55:11 pm

A surprise breakaway could net a couple of extra minutes for someone.

There's always an attempt at a breakaway once they get onto the Champs Elysées but it's never successful. Never. Ever.

And it's even less likely to be successful with HTC chasing a third straight win for Cav.

d.

Honest John · « **Reply #594 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:16:40 pm »

Quote from: lord hereford on 23 July, 2011, 04:50:39 pm

BUT if Cadel was, for instance, bitten by a rabbid dog or struck by a Leopard trek team car this evening

Or even mauled by a Leopard?

Honest John · « **Reply #595 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:17:41 pm »

Quote from: gonzo on 23 July, 2011, 05:00:42 pm

Any GC contenders attack, riders from all other teams with GC interests band together and pull them back whilst telling them to stop being stupid and breaking the rules of cycling!

The real rules, that is, as opposed to the UCI's rules

Domestique · « **Reply #596 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:30:45 pm »

Quote from: pcolbeck on 23 July, 2011, 05:10:14 pm

I was thinking that if Voeckler had managed to stay within a minute of the lead today the French riders might have been tempted to support him in a breakaway for the glory of France.

Anything is better than an Aussie winning, anything!

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #597 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:39:08 pm »

What a great tour it's been!

Aidan · « **Reply #598 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:44:20 pm »

Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 July, 2011, 05:39:08 pm

What a great tour it's been!

Yep, best for a while, really enjoyable

MSeries · « **Reply #599 on:** 23 July, 2011, 05:48:13 pm »

Quote from: lord hereford on 23 July, 2011, 04:50:39 pm

Just thinking. Tomorrow is a 'procession' into Paris, BUT if Cadel was, for instance, bitten by a rabbid dog or struck by a Leopard trek team car this evening and limped in tomorrow 30mins, down would they have to award it to Andy on time or would Cuddles get it even if he loses time?

The Tour ends tomorrow not today. Tomorrow is still a proper stage with time limits, sprint points and everything. If Evans fails to start or manages to faff around on the last lap, due to a mechanical or something, and lose 2 minutes to a Schleck, then he'll not win the Tour.