wow, what a crazy finish, he said he was going to win today.

Definitely a "disaster" in terms of what a GC contender is to do during the first week. It's certainly going to make the co-leader format of Kloden/Vino a bit more interesting in the mountains.
Not to mention how Kloden should be feeling after he went down and 1 guy helped him back. Vino goes down and gets 6.

yeah, why did his team abandon him like that?

yeah, why did his team abandon him like that?

Vino or Kloden? If Vino, they all blew up trying to get him back.

Not to mention how Kloden should be feeling after he went down and 1 guy helped him back. Vino goes down and gets 6.


vino is their GC contender going into this thing, so Kloden should expect it.

i cant wait to watch the coverage tonight after work. i followed it over at VeloNews, but the video should be great. later.

Vino's got one day to work that injury out before the first climbs this Saturday...be interesting how he performs on the Colombiere...not one of the more difficult climbs of the Tour by any means, but if his leg tightens up, he could lose even more time, regardless of the downhill finish.

I was talking about Kloden...he was out there in no man's land without any help...but with Vino, the whole team died helping him.

Ooh, this one actually has a hill int it, at last. I doubt it's enough enough to separate the men from the boys, though it would be nice to see a break on the Cat 3 hold the peloton at bay over the final 50 km.

Vino FTW!

See above, Post number 2-


Your wreckless predictions have cursed the Vino into his current predicament. How do you feel about yourself now? :D

Not a disaster... yet. Too soon to tell.

I was talking about Kloden...he was out there in no man's land without any help...but with Vino, the whole team died helping him.


He has a team mate with him and another dropped back. The speed was much slower at that time.

Fun stage. I liked seeing Cancellara keep the jersey even though CSC gave up on him. I thought he was going for another stage win until he almost crashed on that corner.

I'd be more concerned about Vino's potential injury than the 1:20.

See above, Post number 2-


Your wreckless predictions have cursed the Vino into his current predicament. How do you feel about yourself now? :D

That's the last time I predict stage winners :rolleyes:

Maybe this will help:

I predict that everyone is going to beat Vino on the Colombiere in stage 7, they're just absolutely going to kill him.

Thank me later :D

I'd be more concerned about Vino's potential injury than the 1:20.

Agreed; as mentioned, Saturday's climbs will be a good gut check on whether or not the injury is a "Disaster"

CSC gave up on him.

Gave up or gave out? :)

Vino or Kloden? If Vino, they all blew up trying to get him back.

Did they blow up or did they get him near the stragglers then sit up to save themselves when they couldn't help much in the traffic?

If they blew up today that is the true disaster for astana not vino's 1:20.

Am I the only one who thinks Kloden being over a minute up on Vino is bad for Astana as a whole? Several people have said this will make it 'interesting' and I agree, if by interesting you mean a recipe for the team splintering on the road over who they will ride for. If they(Vino & Kloden) are in an elite climbing group, does Vino attack when his teammate is there with the lead? If Vino attacks, does Kloden say 'oh well' and let the lead go? Its not like we haven't seen Vino's own team pull back his attacks before. (I understand Vino's standing in that team was different than it is in Astana) I just don't see how good can come of it.

ps When Phil kept talking about how dangerous the roads were today and the peleton would have to 'duck & dive' i kept thinking about Rip Torn in Dodgeball. "Dodge, dip, duck, dive, and dodge!"

Am I the only one who thinks Kloden being over a minute up on Vino is bad for Astana as a whole? Several people have said this will make it 'interesting' and I agree, if by interesting you mean a recipe for the team splintering on the road over who they will ride for. If they(Vino & Kloden) are in an elite climbing group, does Vino attack when his teammate is there with the lead? If Vino attacks, does Kloden say 'oh well' and let the lead go? Its not like we haven't seen Vino's own team pull back his attacks before. (I understand Vino's standing in that team was different than it is in Astana) I just don't see how good can come of it.

ps When Phil kept talking about how dangerous the roads were today and the peleton would have to 'duck & dive' i kept thinking about Rip Torn in Dodgeball. "Dodge, dip, duck, dive, and dodge!"


As we have all come to know, Vino is gonna do what ever he wants to do. I dont think him attacking will suprise anyone on his team. The time will be a challenge, but if he is the best climber(I doubt it) he will make it up.

Am I the only one who thinks Kloden being over a minute up on Vino is bad for Astana as a whole?

Bad for Vino? perhaps. Bad for Astana? No. (IMO)


While there's certainly an element of media cow-towing in it...both Kloden and Vino have stated that whoever proves strongest and most likely to succeed will ultimately be seen as the GC contender.

Can't compare Vino's situation here vs when he was with T-Mobile; Vino's got a vested interest in the overall success of the Astana team, I don't personally see him putting his own personal goals in front of the team's if he is to in fact continue losing time to Kloden.


Regardless, this is all pure speculation until we get into the Mountains. Saturday will be a litmus test...if he cracks on the final climb, wouldn't be surprised to see a shift come the second week of the Tour.


As we have all come to know, Vino is gonna do what ever he wants to do. I dont think him attacking will suprise anyone on his team.

Vino of a couple years ago, yes. Now, meh, I tend to disagree.

I never understood why Kloden signed with Astana. I agree Vino is different. His performance in the Dauphine proved that. He could have won if he had wanted to, but he was being careful, just judging his own form. 3 years ago he'd have dominated it and probably have been blown for the tour. Of course this is all blind speculation, I certainly don't know these guys well enough to judge how true I think their words are, but with all of Vino's 'now or never' talk for the tour, I don't think he would abdicate early enough for the team to shift their focus to Kloden.

I never understood why Kloden signed with Astana. I agree Vino is different. His performance in the Dauphine proved that. He could have won if he had wanted to, but he was being careful, just judging his own form. 3 years ago he'd have dominated it and probably have been blown for the tour. Of course this is all blind speculation, I certainly don't know these guys well enough to judge how true I think their words are, but with all of Vino's 'now or never' talk for the tour, I don't think he would abdicate early enough for the team to shift their focus to Kloden.


Kloden was actually earmarked to be the captain of T-Mobile, but for whatever reason, did not want the role and looked for a new team (sort of like if you're dating someone and when it comes down to whether or not to get married, and you feel it's not right...why stay together after that?).

His comment on joining Astana:
"The main reason for my decision is especially the fact that I will go to a very strong team with riders like Alexandre Vinokourov and Andrei Kashechkin, with whom we will be able to accomplish much in the coming season"


EDIT: and what Botto said. ;)

Someone answer this for me, was the finish totally flat or did they have the momentum from a hill to cross the line?

cycling news said the finish sprint was at 79 km/h. That's damn near 50 mph!

It actually had a slight rise at the very end; but I doubt it was enough to really slow them down from that down hill run.

Did they blow up or did they get him near the stragglers then sit up to save themselves when they couldn't help much in the traffic?

If they blew up today that is the true disaster for astana not vino's 1:20.

They blew up. The peloton was charging hard and Astana simply didn't have the speed to catch up. There was plenty of room for them to help if they could have. A little group with Vino and Boonen formed towards the end and Boonen did a little pulling until it was clear they weren't going to catch the peloton.

Is Kloden injured?

Early reports indicated that Kloden may have fractured his coccyx.

Apparently he landed on it again? We'll know for sure later, I guess. He and Vino were both taken to the hospital after the stage.

Looks like bad news: according to Reuters France, Kloden has fractured his coccyx, and Vino's knee condition is "just as bad".... FWIW.

http://today.reuters.fr/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=sportsNews&storyID=2007-07-12T185724Z_01_RIV256421_RTRIDST_0_OFRSP-SPORT-CYCLISME-TOUR-20070712.XML

And, btw, it seems no motorcycle was involved. Vino blamed his chain which must have jumped....

What the heck happened to Thor Hushovd!?!

I'm not saying he was a GC favorite, but that kind of ruins his chances. Ay?

I can't believe the bunch splintered into so many groups after that last climb.

For those of us who want to read that story in English, its also here:
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-6775251,00.html

EDIT: Kloden's not broken, just cracked. He'll start tomorrow. No for sure word on Vino's status, though.

YES Yes Yes. Kloden is ok.

"OK" is a very relative term in this situation. A fissure in the tailbone is hella painful

I hope he is ok. I have bad luck in pro races. My favorites always have bad stuff happen to them.

http://thecoinshop.maltaexpo.com/filebank/imagebank/01/EURO%20(Medium).JPG

i thought kloden got comparable money to what he was making at tmob.

If he fractured his tailbone he'll be in massive pain and will probably end his Tour. My guess is that if he's out and Vino's knee is as bad as it's been reported to be Astana is now just along for the ride.

This of course now f's up my podium:

Valverde
Kloeden ?????
Menchov

What the heck happened to Thor Hushovd!?!

I'm not saying he was a GC favorite, but that kind of ruins his chances. Ay?

I can't believe the bunch splintered into so many groups after that last climb.

Uhh, the same thing that happens to him everytime the road goes uphill?

In 2005, he barely made the time cut up the Pla d'Adet. He was screaming during the final 100 m!

It was a cat 3 climb, I'm more surprised that Zabel, Freire and co. were there to the end.

I'm starting to think that Moreau has a fighting chance at the podium now, as long as his coccyx stays together.

Tho it's all speculation until tomorrow's start to see if they'll make it...but it sounds like Vino's injuries are worse than Kloden's.

What the heck happened to Thor Hushovd!?!

Big guys can't climb.

Right Botto? :p

This was the most interesting flat stage I have watched in my short time of following Pro Cycling.

I was hoping Robbie Hunter would do better (BWorld is my favorite team). He still has a shot at the sprinters jersey, but MUST do better tomorrow before they meet the Alps. Hunter may even drop out of the tour anyways if the mountains prove too much.

OK, money and the fact that he doesn't have to deal with the full on pressure of being a team leader.

ALSO: don't forget the fact that his good buddy Matts Kessler was NOT offered a new contract at T-Mobile, but was offered one at Astana, so it was a 2 for 1 deal.

this seems to be his biggest issue. he no like the pressure. later.

Kloden took what seemed like under 5 minutes to get back to the group.

Cancellera made another gutsy move today after Hincappie. Another pretty amazing display of power... he might be the only rider that can break away seated (going downhill too).

I doubt vino would attack kloden in the mountains, but if one of them can't keep up, I'm not sure he'd wait either.

Someone answer this for me, was the finish totally flat or did they have the momentum from a hill to cross the line?

cycling news said the finish sprint was at 79 km/h. That's damn near 50 mph!

finish was slightly uphill :P

OK, money and the fact that he doesn't have to deal with the full on pressure of being a team leader.

ALSO: don't forget the fact that his good buddy Matts Kessler was NOT offered a new contract at T-Mobile, but was offered one at Astana, so it was a 2 for 1 deal.

ok thats what i thought but i wasnt sure.

i wonder why he doesnt want to be the leader. he has to realize that hes going to be pressured anyway if he wants to win a tour.

but arent they all? ;)

What the heck happened to Thor Hushovd!?!

I'm not saying he was a GC favorite, but that kind of ruins his chances. Ay?

I can't believe the bunch splintered into so many groups after that last climb.

He had some problems with the muscles in his back after peeing. Now his 14 minutes behind, what a shame ... :(

"OK" is a very relative term in this situation. A fissure in the tailbone is hella painful

+1000

NO please keep going Kloden. I'm pulling for you. First Ullrich now you I'm going to have a breakdown.

NO please keep going Kloden. I'm pulling for you. First Ullrich now you I'm going to have a breakdown.

Please take Zabel off your sig. We wouldn't want to jinx him. :p :D

A very unfortunate stage for Astana, I hope the whole team can recover after today, Saturday will tell.
Current GC of the favorites:
2 Klöden 0.33
7 Karpets 0.46
8 Astarloza 0.49
14 Kashechkin 0.55
15 Evans 0.56
17 Rogers 0.57
18 Pereiro 0.57
22 Leipheimer 1.00
25 Valverde 1.03
32 Popovych 1.08
36 Moreau 1.09
47 Sastre 1.16
48 Schleck 1.17
49 Zubeldia 1.17
53 Mayo 1.20
57 Beltran 1.22
68 Rasmussen 1.36
81 Vinokourov 2.10

Not exactly disastrous from a time stand point, but certainly a more difficult position to be in for Saturday. It's really whether the injuries will prevent Vino riding 100%

If Kloden & Vino recover you can be sure they will be packing some fireworks in their musette bags.

Its not google. I am French.

Nobody is perfect... :)

Big guys can't climb.

Right Botto? :p

I agree... hehehe.... thats the real and painfull truth.