deliriou5

Why isn't team Bianchi attacking Armstrong during the last couple of days? It seems to me that Jan could gain at least a couple seconds if his team launched him in front of the peloton during the last couple of stages. Does he really think he can make up a minute in the TT!!??

Rich Clark

The USPS team simply would not let them succeed. And remember that every rider in a group is awarded the same finishing time.

Bianchi, knowing all this, isn't going to burn up Ullrich unneccessarily. The most that would happen is that Lance and Jan would end up gaining on the rest of the leaders by the same amount, something they don't need to do.

RichC

Ajay213

Because the Postal squad would cover any attacks, they are much stronger team, so all that would do is waste a lot of energy that JU and LA need for Sat. Although I was suprised to see JU go for the time bonuses, and he did take 2 more seconds out of LA today.

Andrew

~LongRider~

I bet they'll be attacking on Sunday.

Ajay213

Anybody have any idea how many seconds of time bonuses are available on Sunday?

That would make this race REAL interesting, to come into Sunday with the ability to win the race through the sprint bonuses...

Andrew

Cipher

The Sunday ride on the final day is typically more ceremonial than anything... (Until the final few Kilometers, then the riders will jockey for the stage win). If something is going to happen regarding the GC, you will see it tomorrow.

brent_dube

there are two intermediate sprints which give out 6, 4, and 2 seconds for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. the top three in the stage itself get 20s, 12s, and 8s. i think, but am not sure

Ajay213

That sounds about right, as long as they keep up with the standards they have used this race (with final time bonuses and intermediates).

So there's 32 "free" seconds up for grabs tomorrow. Hmmm. But there are what, 3 teams going for the gree jersey, then add in Bianchi and USPS...

Cipher raises a good point though, the "tradition" and part of the unwritten rule is not to "Attack" the yellow jersey on the last stage, but with a race like this and providing that there was such a close finish, would the peleton allow that to happen?

Andrew

Rich Clark

But that's because the GC leader can't be overtaken by then. But this year the scenario that Lance and Jan go into Sunday in a virtual tie is entirely possible. And neither one of them will be interested in standing on ceremony then!

And if the green jersey is still up for grabs (and it is), the sprinters won't be willing to let the GC guys nab any of the intermediate points if they can help it.

It's within the realm of possibility that we could see Armstrong and Ullrich sprinting for the whole bag of marbles in Paris itself.

Yeesh!

RichC

SamDaBikinMan

I honestly do not think tradition will be observed very strictly if Jan and Armstrong are divided by seconds. I'd be fighting all the way to Paris.

Of course there are a number of bonus seconds to be won during the laps in Paris where attacking traditionally begins anyway.

don d.

How many laps do they do in Paris, what laps are the time bonus' on, and how much are they worth? Thx ahead of time.

SamDaBikinMan

I'll need to check but I think they may do 10 laps or so and there are bonus points every lap I beleive. Don't take my word for it though I am sure it is on the tour website which can be linked through www.lancearmstrong.com

brent_dube

Every lap********************????

don Just look on the tour site, and look at the stage profile.
(although the tour site has been down all day for me )

fubar5

What an exciting Tour!!!

don d.

Yes, the tour site was just down when I tried to go there to.

Intermediate sprints in gay Paris happen at the entrance onto the Champs-Elysees, and at the end of the first lap, with one more sprint, at the finish. Lookin good for Robby-he's my man.

Cipher