Does Lance Have Any Chance of Winning... [Archive]

alanbikehouston

07-19-05, 05:43 PM

Does Lance have any chance of winning a stage in the Tour, other than the time trial? How often has someone won the Tour without winning a single "regular" stage?

There are only three "regular" stages left. If Lance intends to win a stage, which one will he target? My guess is Stage 18 on Thursday. Five little climbs to tire folks out. Finishes on the fifth climb. Not an ideal stage for the sprinters. This is the third time I've picked Lance to win a stage. Sigh...time to trade in the old crystal ball.

So, WILL Lance win a stage (other than Saturday's time trial)? If so, which one?

Tatt2Rider

07-19-05, 05:48 PM

He has said that he doesnt care about winning stages this year, only his 7th overall Tour. Sounds like a good safe plan.

SunSwingsLow

07-19-05, 05:50 PM

No.

He wont risk getting involved in the sprint finishes.

webist

07-19-05, 05:51 PM

I'm not certain that it matters. Didn't Lemond win without winning? Bye the way, did you notice that Lance was ESPN's male athlete of the year for the third year running?

reef58

07-19-05, 07:05 PM

I really think Lance targeted stage 10 for a win. I don't think he anticipate Valverde being there at the end. I really don't see him winning one now, but I would not put anything past him.

Richard

Don Gwinn

07-19-05, 09:53 PM

Don't see why he'd care. He's playing by the rules of the game,which is smart.

There's a really great NASCAR analogy there, but I like you, so I'm not going to post it.
:)

chemcycle

07-19-05, 10:28 PM

There's a really great NASCAR analogy there, but I like you, so I'm not going to post it.

I think someone has put a restricter plate on Basso!!

ZappCatt

07-19-05, 10:47 PM

What is this preoccupation with considering TT stages somehow less valid than "regular" stages?

Wasn't one of the most thrilling stage wins ever the Lemond TT to win the Yellow Jersey on the last day?

What is a "regular" stage? One with a HC climb? One with many climbs? I think winning the TT is more impressive than some of these stages. i.e. the stage where the breakaway leader fell, Vino clipped out and the third guy through got the win.

Or for DoctorSpok, how about Georgies stage win? ;-)

SteveE

07-19-05, 11:24 PM

I don't think that Big Mig ever won a stage other than a time trial.

roadgator

07-20-05, 12:43 AM

he should mix it on the champs elise'. once he's in that last kilometer he'll have technically won the tour regardless of if he wrecks or not. wouldnt that be the ultimate bad ass move to win the final stage?

however, the only thing more boring than watching lance dominate a 7th tour, is watching him do it without even winning a stage. snore........

Crank It Up

07-20-05, 12:51 AM

I think Lance should win at least one stage! That'll shut up all the Frenchies who'll undoubtedly criticize LA for winning the 2005 Tour with no "panache"!:crash:

Dolomiti

07-20-05, 06:47 AM

I don't think that Big Mig ever won a stage other than a time trial.

So that means during 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 2000, the Tour winner didn't win an open stage.

Armstrong still has a (small?) chance on Mende.

oboeguy

07-20-05, 07:31 AM

I think Lance should win at least one stage! That'll shut up all the Frenchies who'll undoubtedly criticize LA for winning the 2005 Tour with no "panache"!:crash:

I think he's done caring about what the French press thinks. :D

Bockman

07-20-05, 08:25 AM

You lose battles in order to win the war. I'm certan that if Lance wanted to go after specific stage wins he could do so very well, however his goal is to win the General Classification and let other riders win the various smaller competitions within the race-- so long as those wins don't threaten his standing in the GC.

Many of other teams, knowing they don't have a rider who can challenge Lance in the GC, field riders who specialize in winning the different types of stages-- most dramatically the big sprinters.

Smoothie104

07-20-05, 09:47 AM

He tried to win the 1st TT, and tried to win or Courchevel, I think he will win the Final TT. Someone posted on another thread how funny it would be if he mixed it up in the bunch sprint in Paris, even if he went down in the last 3k, he would get the same time, as long as he was able to cross the line. I think he should have Hincapie lead him out.

hi565

07-20-05, 09:55 AM

Does Lance have any chance of winning a stage in the Tour, other than the time trial? How often has someone won the Tour without winning a single "regular" stage?

There are only three "regular" stages left. If Lance intends to win a stage, which one will he target? My guess is Stage 18 on Thursday. Five little climbs to tire folks out. Finishes on the fifth climb. Not an ideal stage for the sprinters. This is the third time I've picked Lance to win a stage. Sigh...time to trade in the old crystal ball.

So, WILL Lance win a stage (other than Saturday's time trial)? If so, which one?

I have a good feeling that it could be stage 18, But not sure...

allgoo19

07-20-05, 12:06 PM

I think he proved last year he could win three mountain stages in a row, 6 in total. I think he could have won a few stages this year, if he tried, but that's not his goal.

Edit: I think he could pick up one or two flat stages each tour if he tried. He's a great sprinter. It's just that it gives him more disadvantage to over all winning than advantage.