Professional Cycling For the Fans - Stage 17: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Morzine

Is it just me, or is he steering with his forearms?



yep...quite a few riders do that. it's basically a way to get as close to a TT position on a road bike as you can. we have a very dominate rider locally in NYC who uses that technique all the time when he's on a solo breakaway or pulling the pack. i'm experimenting with it myself, but i need a bit more confidence before i use it in a race.

He missed a spot...;)

Well, that's because he was mostly just looking in the mirror, rubbing his chin and saying, "Damn you look good enough today."

Didn't anyone notice he rode with a power meter rear wheel after the bike change. That has to add some serious wieght, but it may been crucial in allowing him to keep from blowing up. He does not race with a heart rate monitor either. I

He has had the power meter on for every stage, OLN did a small segment on how they have gotten lighter and they decided to use them on Flantis' bike

Here is my wild ass guess for tomorrow:

Landis gains 8 minutes in a crazy all out blitz.

Sastre takes yellow by a few seconds and its all blown up real good.

Would somebody please give Panic his f'ing Kewpie doll???

tomorrow will be interesting as CSC and TMobile both push the pace hard, as they know their boys can't TT w/ Flandis. Phonak's gotta turn that hearing aid up to 11. I wanna see domestiques puking on the roadside.

Go Floyd! I've only been watching racing about 5 years now, but I've never seen anything like the last 2 days.

Question for the old-timers: when was the last time anything like this happened (and who was involved)?

I actually think 1992 was a simiilar stage there, the one to Sestriere, and it was a real Epic, a great day in the history of the tour.

BUT, in the overal situation of the race, I think the final mountain stage in 1990 was closer. Lemond was just 2 minutes 24 seconds behind Chiapucchi in the overall situation of the race. There was a penultimate day time trial looming, on a course where Lemond had achieved his first tour stage win back in 1985, Lac D'Vassiviere (SP?). So Chiapucchi needed way more than 2.5 minutes to assure a win. So he went on the attack on the first climb of three: Col d'Aspin, Col du Tourmalet and the climb to Luz Ardiden. Coming of the Tourmalet, Chiapucchi had like a five minute lead IIRC. Finally Lemond attacked and bombed the descent and they caught Chiapucchi at the base of the final climb. Lemond countered an attack by Parra I believe (Fabio not Ivan!) and proceded to reclaim 2 minutes 19 seconds, while Indurain took the stage win. That left Chiapucchi with a slim 5 second advantage on Lemond, which Lemond easilly took in the tt to make a win.

This is my eighteenth tour! A great race like they all are, but this one is special for its GC suspense. Greater even than Lemond's 89 Tour as there are more actors involved.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/09/full.getty-cycling-tdf2006-landis_12_44_03_pm.jpg

Major-aerodynamic descending technique. I'd be afraid to try that.

What else can you do to carry enough speed to make it around a turn with a 75-degree bank? :D

DrPete

What else can you do to carry enough speed to make it around a turn with a 75-degree bank? :D

DrPete

Look slike he's carrying 2 full water bottles to add some weight, might add 0.1mph :)

Is it just me, or is he steering with his forearms?

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/4f/full.getty-cycling-tdf2006-landis_12_26_15_pm.jpg

Hey just loves that praying landis position.

As were so many others here, I was following the stage through the computer at work. When I read that Landis had stopped for a bike change, I couldn't help but to chuckle and think, "He's riding so freakin' hard that he wore out the bike."

(Imagined conversation on the radio from Floyd... "Uh, guys? Can I get another bike? I used this one up.")

Panic, you called it for sure. You sir, indeed, should be scooping up some lottery tickets today. You da man, my friend. ;)

**** YEAH!! I bet he had a double-double for breakfast, once you get all those beef and cheef on your system, you'll be seeing yellow.

Btw, what's the cheapest BMC bike that you can get? Do they built them with sora? :)

Hmmm...who looks more comfortable with their GC position...

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060720/capt.6ed2e5467a9e45898e7eb4e1a7f914a8.cycling_tour_de_france_tdf168.jpg

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/79/full.getty-71013818fv042_2006_tour_de__2_36_23_pm.jpg

Hey just loves that praying landis position.

Of course, he's a Menonite, the "Menonite Menace".

Corsaire :rolleyes:

I agree on "Panic." I thought Floyd had a chance to catch up 5 minutes today (a 40% chance at best, but a chance) given his past history when he's mad (anyone read in "Lance Armstrong's War" about the 2004 stage where he dropped everyone riding at the front 'cause he was mad at Bruyneel?) but I never thought he'd catch up 7+ minutes!! I figured he'd get maybe 5 max and then ride his butt off in the TT and try to take another 3 minutes (not easy). WOW, did he ever put himself in a great position.

And remember the first TT was just a tad shorter than this one and even with an unfamiliar TT position and a bike change, he still placed second, only 1 minute back. And his bike change probably cost him 30-40 seconds (10 seconds to slow down, 10 seconds to change bike, 10+ to get back up to speed again -- which isn't easy). He's gonna kick some butt on sat. He just needs to stay with the leaders tomorrow.

you got that right. that was the first stage i was actually able to stay awake the entire time.


. . .I fell back asleep about 4:30 AM because the cameras were all hanging with the MJ group and then woke up in time to see the last climb. I really expected Sastre to close the door but I almost wet myself when Landis still had almost 6 minutes at the top. I can't imagine the adrenaline on that descent for Floyd, and he kept looking over his shoulder all the way to the finish line. I think this was one of the classic stages in Tour history.

They executed Eddie Merckx's plan. ;)

"My [John Lelangue (Manager, Phonak)] father called me and said that we had to try everything and attack on the Col des Saissies. After all, we had nothing to lose. To finish sixth or 26th… it’s the same thing, so why not? Then this morning, Eddy Merckx called and told me the same thing..."

I'll say it again: this stage must be what it was like to watch Merckx, aka the cannibal, race.

Holy **** holy **** holy ****!

I just got into the office at work after meeting and that is all I can say. And this........

reading Bjarne Riis' comments intimating doping seem like sour grapes. I was thinking just the opposite. Maybe, in recent years, you haven't seen these types of wild time swings because everyone was doping and their Hemocrit level was going to stay at 50 for the whole tour and everyone was going to recover fully at the end of everyday. Therefore, there was no room for anyone to get crazy time because everyone was at full strength all the time.

But this year, maybe they aren't doping and this is what you get. A wild tour where some days you don't recover well from the day before and some days you feel superb. I don't know, but it could be a reason for the wild time swings.

This has been one of the oddest and most fun tours ever. GO FLOYD!!!!!!!!!!!!

SB

If Floyd doesn't win, I'm going to be mad!!!!

...he seemed pretty quick today...

Ruf,

I didn't see any trolling from Euro today, she must have got her food stamp check in the mail this morning

Wow. This played like a movie script.

I'm just wondering how long it will be before I see green and yellow jerseys on my rides.

Big props to Floyd's teammate Perdiguero, who abandoned after the initial pacing up the Col des Saisies.

I was originally critical of Team Phonak... it's fairly obvious they're doing their best to help their Captain take the lead.

...he seemed pretty quick today...

Ruf,

I didn't see any trolling from Euro today, she must have got her food stamp check in the mail this morning

I'm just wondering how long it will be before I see green and yellow jerseys on my rides.

...and in the praying mantis position

I'm just wondering how long it will be before I see green and yellow jerseys on my rides.

What? You didn't catch Tyler Fever back in 2004??? Everybody was rockin' the Jolly Green Giant bibs back then! :p


Actually, I saw a guy riding along a fairly main road last summer in a Phonak kit. He wasn't riding a BMC, though. Very visible on the road for those of you who are into safety!

i think it's pretty clear that floyd is only looking to win the tour. doesn't care about stage wins, podium, or anything else like that. it's a good way to race, as we saw. fighting with your back against the wall and no where to go but up.


oh by the way: i'm fine with people adopting bmc bikes, green and yellow jerseys, etc. as long as that god awful facial hair doesn't become popular!

Floyd's disappointment: "I wanted 6 minutes." (Said to Amber just after FA ended the pre-podium interview.)

My disappointment: Not seeing El Diablo kowtowing to Mr. Landis on the Joux-Plane.

Nevertheless: :beer:

Good ride from Floyd - at last he's riding like a champion, but there was some crappy Mexican standoff tactics between the other three teams. Great way to not capitalise on the collapse yesterday.

Timmhaan...I would think you'd support the facial hair based on your avitar!

Good ride from Floyd - at last he's riding like a champion, but there was some crappy Mexican standoff tactics between the other three teams. Great way to not capitalise on the collapse yesterday.


That's a pretty weak response. Good is all you can say, good. He put the entire peloton into a hurt at the beginning of the race and kept it up for 150K. That would be a GREAT ride.

I know you hate the US but give the guy his credit. He kicked ARSE today.

I cant believe I read all 17 pages of this thread. Thanks everyone for your comments.

Tomorrow promises to be insane.
Attention Phonak doms.... if you fall behind on this stage you are fired!!!!!
edit *** except for Axel*** You were there the other day and fell back for the boss.

Yes, Axel's has been the most visible help he has received. On the other hand we can't see some water carrying the rest of the guys have done thus far. I do feel a bit bad for them though, it must hurt to know that you really couldn't help your leader as the other teams have done. Floyd showed today that you can win without a strong team. This was obviously not a break the peloton Ok'd, he just dropped them and rode away, because he could! Truly amazing!

good ride?
you have got to be kidding.
It sure looked to me (and I watched the stage) like CSC and T-Mobile were
doing their damnedest to pull landis back and with the exception of
Sastre just didn't have the juice to do it.
Mexican standoff? nah, I'd say more like old fashion azzwhuppin ala Eddy or Hinault
(not that I'm comparing floyd to either rider on the basis of this one ride).

Great analysis and comments everyone. Truly a historic day in the tour de france. I am going to ride my bike now and drop everyone I can!

Did you see the 30 second OLN post race interview? Frankie Andrieu was studdering asking him questions he was so excited. Floyds responses left no doubt in my mind. No more mistakes. His focus and determination reminds me a certain someone...

There is no way he will perform below the first time trial where he put at least a minute into his rivals. I just can't see it happening!

There is no way he will perform below the first time trial where he put at least a minute into his rivals. I just can't see it happening!

Right.... like everything else so far that's gone according to prediction and expectation in this Tour!

Anything can happen...

He put the entire peloton into a hurt at the beginning of the race and kept it up for 150K. That would be a GREAT ride.
Nah, the peoton didn't chase because they thought he would blow up on the final climb. Riis' own words.



I know you hate the US but give the guy his credit. He kicked ARSE today.
I love the US. Floyd is back in contention because of a plucky ride and silly tactics. Same reason Pereiro is in the position he is.

"No matter what, whether I win or not, I'm going to prove to my team that I deserved to be a leader," said Landis. "But I didn't expect that I could do it quite so well."

These words by Floyd defines his double sided nature of the man: lion heart and candor well combined.
The candor of clean soul man but who knows to fight like a bear when it's called for.
Just great.

Corsaire :)

OK, I’m a huge Floyd fan, so don’t bite my head off. I agree with those who say his triumph today was in large part a result of idiot team tactics. No matter how strong a man is, he can’t get 6-7 minutes on a stage on legs alone. Even Lance never did that. If CSC, T-Mobile, etc. wanted to bring him back, they could have at least gotten a bigger portion of it back. But they just sat there sucking on Casse D’Espargne’s tires while they cracked, thinking, oh good, they’re cracking. We’ll be able to take it to Oscar. Floyd’s ride was amazing, to be able to hang out there alone for all that time and never fade. But the other teams need to fire their managers.

Nah, the peleton didn't chase because they thought he would blow up on the final climb. Riis' own words.


I love the US. Floyd is back in contention because of a plucky ride and silly tactics. Same reason Pereiro is in the position he is.

Plucky with silly tactics. Come on I had written Landis off too, but this was a great ride, not just plucky with silly tactics.

Also since when did Riis' run all the teams in the peloton? Did he make the decision for all the teams?

[QUOTE=Greg200] LeMond recovers from a gunshot wound, Lance overcomes cancer, Floyd rides with a hip that needs to be replaced. There are simply no words to describe this.

Two words: "Bionic parts" LeMond has bionic lungs. Floyd has bionic hip. Lance has bionic... whatever.

/just kidding

...but there was some crappy Mexican standoff tactics between the other three teams.

They didn't have a choice in the matter. Oviously doubted their own ability today to sustain a four hour chase over some major climbs - they were right, they couldn't!



...Great way to not capitalise on the collapse yesterday.

In hindsight, hardly a major 'collapse' - he gave away 10 mins and at the end of a gruelling stage, not 45mins!

They didn't have a choice in the matter. Oviously doubted their own ability today to sustain a four hour chase over some major climbs - they were right, they couldn't!
Explain to me how that sentence makes sense? They were chasing hard or they weren't?

If they were chasing hard then how come Pereiro was pictured looking back into the group and begging them to chase?

... I am going to ride my bike now and drop everyone I can!
...

Very inspiring ride today from Floyd. Next group ride, I'm attacking immediately, leaving everyone 15mins behind. :D

Years ago Lemond pulled one out of his ass, nothing like this though.
Apparently they are calling heatstroke and not a bonk for yesterday.

I could believe that. Did you all see how many times he made a point of dumping his water bottle over his head to make sure he wasn't overheating?

Koffee

Nah, the peoton didn't chase because they thought he would blow up on the final climb. Riis' own words.


Didn't chase? With 40 km left, they were giving it everything they had - obvious to any one watching. They couldn't pull back hardly any time from a lone rider - because Landis what that good on this day.


I love the US. Floyd is back in contention because of a plucky ride and silly tactics. Same reason Pereiro is in the position he is.

Those two stages were a different as night and day. Pereiro' stage was a pure gift of 28 minutes. The peleton didn't break a sweat. On today's stage, they tried to go with Landis when he first broke, and simply couldn't. The last 40 km, every man in contention went as hard as they could.

Sure, it took some disorganization by the peloton but, read the live updates on letour.fr and you'll notice at a point where Landis was 6'30" ahead of the peloton, it states that the Peloton has decided it's time to reel Landis in and begins an "attack" to catch him. Then the next update states that Landis was 7'10" ahead of the peloton!! He was riding ALONE at that point and he STILL put time into them.

Explain to me how that sentance makes sense? They were chasing hard or they weren't?

If they were chasing hard then how come Pereiro was pictures looking back into the group and begging them to chase?

He was begging them to pick up the pace, being one of the only guys feeling a bit OK today, the rest were ready to peel off to the side and vomit. Make any sense yet? You've got to be daft to imagine that the peloton ALLOWED Floyd to go!

***That 'ALLOWED' suggestion usually comes for overweight support sitting in a car(like Riis) or folks watching TV and who have'nt done a six hour fast paced ride over a couple of climbs in a while!

...No matter how strong a man is, he can’t get 6-7 minutes on a stage on legs alone. Even Lance never did that. ...

Lance never needed to do that, so even if he could(I believe he could), he didn't.

Agreed, they didn't give him that lead, he took it.

A quote from Schleck:


The Luxembourg rider denied that CSC could have done any thing more in their attempts to reel in Landis after he attacked with so much pace on the Col de Saisies. "We didn't let him go," said the 26-year-old, "he was just so strong at the beginning and we didn't think he would make it to the end. He made it to the end and he's a f***ing strong rider. Chapeau to Landis."