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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Tom D goes in a break and they let him have a bit of leash, and he makes it to the line but with almost no time to show for his efforts.
VSP PICKS:
1. Tom Danielson
2. Sammy Sanchez
3. Cadel Evans
4. Tommy V
5. Frank Schleck
I think *hope* that Andy will stop fanning about and actually make a move on the rest of the favourites. I definitely think he had what it takes but he's going to have to lay down to V like a bad ass motherfucker in the TT.
Cadel is looking strong and I think he really wants it but I'm not sure about how much support BMC are able to give when the going get tough.
Frank, well I don't really he's going to have the legs on the next alpine stages to go balls out and will ride in support of his bro.
Contador just doesn't have tge edge he had in the Giro. He's had a but of a mare so far with crashing and his knee. I think he'll just edge Sammy at the line.
Sammy has had a sterling tour so far. He's been in a lot of breaks and really going for it but because if it I think he's going to start to fade in the coming days.
VSP PICKS:
1. Andy
2. Cadel
3. Frank
4. Contador
5. Sammy Sanchez
Pretty much what Buck said (great minds). Ivan has laid low the last couple but the Galibier suits him. Shits gonna be on fire!
VSP PICKS:
1. Dirty S.
2. Dirty Bertie
3. Basstardo
4. Go Cadel!
5. Frank Schlucks
VSP PICKS:
1. Jr.
That's my dream.
VSP PICKS:
1. Basso
2. Evans
3. A. Schleck
4. F. Schleck
5. Contador
VSP PICKS:
1. Jr.
2. Sr.
3. AC, PS, Cruise, Sunroof
4. G.C.
5. Frank Strack
I think the Spaniards will turn the tables and start double teaming the anemic duo. Basso with more help from Szmyd will hang tough. Frandy will continue their puppet show, with Cuddles their only audience.
VSP PICKS:
1. Sammy Sanchez
2. Clentador
3. Basso
4. Cuddles
5. Andy Schleck
VSP PICKS:
1. Conti
2. Basso
3. Andy
4. Sanchez
5. Evsans
@Rose City Rolleur
Love it! And maybe, just maybe, possible as well.
Man, I cannot WAIT until tomorrow!!!
VSP PICKS:
1. Slammy Sammy Sanchez
2. Cuntador
3. Schleck the Elder
4. Cuddles
5. Basso
@Marko
Totally dead-on about Basso on the Galibier. Nobody can crank out tempo and spit bodies out the back like that guy on a long steady climb.
Cadel learned about that at the 2010 Giro.