Stokes

Anyone watch this? I started watching when Lance was dominant and I'm into it this year with him back. Anyone else a fan?

STFarmy

Hey! What are you doing out of the political forum?

I don't follow it really closely, but I must say that it is interesting how Lance can be so dominant at it. Pretty incredible. Is there any other competitor that might give him a run for his money?

reflexblue

I've been watching it and i have been really immpressed by Armstrong. I don't know where he is in the standings after todays race, i didn't hang around to see the results. I think the Astana team is the best i've seen in the ten years i've watched th race. In any given year most on that team would be in the running for the championship or the best rider on his team.

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Scouse Patriot

Don't really watch it, all I know is Mark Cavendish is meant to be doing well.

Stokes

No change in the standings from yesterday, I was pissed Contador (on Lance's team) went against the team (and Lance) and attacked yesterday to pull himself 2 seconds ahead of Armstrong. What he did was a major no-no in cycling, going against the team for himself. Belichick would have benched his *****.

Astana is crazy good, their 3rd best could probably win this year easy.

In general I'm fascinated watching these guys pull themselves up these huge mountains at high speeds after riding all day. Pretty crazy stuff. Plus all the drunks that line the streets and run with the guys while they're going through hell is hilarious.

Hey STFarmy, I DO love sports you know! Its just that by the time I read a thread in the Pats forum there usually isn't anything to add, someone has already said what I'm thinking. Also SOMEONE has to keep an eye on the animals in the political forum and try and talk some sense!

alvinnf

Lance and a Domestique were contrlling the front of the group, and countering attacks. That takes allot out of you. I almost think it was their plan to slingshot Contador up the road. You have to realize even Lance did'nt know how he was going to react to the climbing. So, I think it's safe to say that the team decided to put him out in front and control the pace and let Contador sit in. Because at the end of the day they have two guys poised for yellow.

Stokes

Although multiple people, including Leipheimer, have said Contador's move was unplanned, and once it happened Lance had no choice but to play good teammate and hang onto competitors' wheels rather than pulling them up to Contador.

I am wondering if we'll see a stage where those two pick off everyone else and we can see them go mano a mano. That would be good stuff. Lance has looked pretty strong so far, Contador climbs awesome but I can't remember ever seeing Lance break on a climb.

alvinnf

That team is so strong, at some point the gloves are just going to come off...... And at that point all bets are off!

patsfan13

Astana could end up with all 3 podium positions in the GC. I think contador called his own play when he attacked. Astana doesn't wnt the yellow jersey until the Alps. Thy ecaught a break then Hushold (sp?) took the Green Jersey from Cavendish this week, Theri teams along with the Yellow Jersey will have to control the peloton this week.

The final week will be epic, 2 Alpine stages with a individual time trial, 1 stage of rolling hills and then a ride up Mt Ventoux on the 2nd to last stage??? Insane.

IMO the 2 stages in the Alps won't seperate Contador, Armstrong and Leipheimer. The stages that will determine the Yellow Jersey will be Stage 18 the Individual Time Trial and Stage 20 Mt Ventoux. If Armstrong builds up a lead in the TT will Bruyneel allow Contador to attack on Ventoux? or will he be told to protect the Yellow Jersey?

Great stuff, best tour IMO since Lemond won the TT on the Champs Elyesee on the last day.

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"Some guys play in all-star games, some guys don't. I don't know who picks all those all-star teams. In all honesty, I don't know who picks the combine, for that matter," Belichick said. "How does (Miami-Ohio offensive lineman Brandon) Brooks not get invited to the combine? How did Vollmer not get invited to the combine? I don't know. We can't really worry about that. We just have to try to evaluate them the best we can."

alvinnf

I think Armstrong will maintain his control at the front while Contador will lurk and wait for his moment. In the end it's will that will survive. Contador is an opportunist, while Armstrong is a champion. Yet, time might be the only thing keeping Armstrong from winning. Father Time, that is....