Professional Cycling - Will Evans attack tomorrow?

23 seconds down... will Evans and Predictor/Lotto attack tomorrow for the yellow jersey or is it over? Had Contador been in yellow for a while like Rasmussen was, I would think they would not. However, given the way the jersey changed hands who knows.

They've both stated they won't attack; Levi saying he won't "pull a Vinokurov"...which isn't accurate; Vino was racing for the stage win, not time bonuses out in the course...he may very well not of realized (just as Levi didn't) that there were in fact a time bonus for the Stage winner.

23 seconds down... will Evans and Predictor/Lotto attack tomorrow for the yellow jersey or is it over? Had Contador been in yellow for a while like Rasmussen was, I would think they would not. However, given the way the jersey changed hands who knows.
I doubt it simply because I don't think Discovery would stand for it. Discovery will be controlling at the front, especially on the stretches approaching the time bonus sprints, and will probably make sure that Disco boys get the time bonuses. I don't see how P/L with Cadel could do anything about it.

Now, will Levi attack? I wish he would, but he has already said he wouldn't (WIMP!). We'll see if Johann and Lance don't disagree and think of something for Levi to do.

I think he hasnt ruled it out:
"Evans, too, figured the final podium was set despite the small time gaps.

"Theoretically it's possible, but let's digest today's stage first," said Evans, who is set to become the first Australian to make the Tour's final podium. "I'm not too disappointed. All along my aim was to do better than last year, when I came fifth. This year I'm second, but of course when you're so close to winning. . . . I could be disappointed, but what's it going to change?""

Nope. The race was today. Tomorrow is just the parade and champagne...and Levi has earned a glass or three.

All three guys understood that when they got up this morning. Today was the race...they went all out, and Contador won.

This has been the Tour tradition for many years. Merely getting to Paris is a great feat. Many pro cyclists have never gotten to the Tour. Many pro cyclists have been in the Tour year after year, and never made it all the way to Paris.

So, the last day is always a party, and a parade. The sprinters will put on a 400 yard show at the end, and then its time to hand out the jerseys...

Greg LeMond won the Tour in a year where the last day was an official time trial. But, that meant the riders finished one at a time, hour by hour. In tomorrow's parade finish, the entire peloton will finish together...a much more colorful sight for the millions of fans who will be in Paris.

I don't really get it though. Yesterday they rode like little old ladies out for a spin, and they'll do it again tomorrow. You've been racing for three weeks, why not race to the bitter end instead of all this silly pomp and circumstance. It's anybody's race if they really do choose to race.

Are they just too tired?

Evan's also said:

"It is not worth the risk after what happened yesterday." in reference to sprinting for points or the stage win ("yesterday" being the run in with the spectator in Stage 18).

Even if both Evans and Levi were to attempt to sprint for points, c'mon, those two? Niether one of them would have a prayer in getting the Stage win and both teams would throw it all on the line for the points out on the course, taking the possible points away from both.

I don't really get it though. Yesterday they rode like little old ladies out for a spin, and they'll do it again tomorrow. You've been racing for three weeks, why not race to the bitter end instead of all this silly pomp and circumstance. It's anybody's race if they really do choose to race.

Are they just too tired?

:rolleyes:

Don't forget all the sprinter's want the stage too, so it's not like they'd just give up the stage. Fat chance that Levi, Evans, or Contador would win a sprint between Boonen, Hunter, or Zabel.

I think the peloton should let Levi, AC, Cadel and Horner (to make it 2 against 2) go on a 4-man breakaway at the start of the stage and let them duke it out for all of the time bonuses.

No.

Le Tour has been decided. Let the champagne flow, and may the best sprinter win.

They've both stated they won't attack; Levi saying he won't "pull a Vinokurov"...which isn't accurate; Vino was racing for the stage win, not time bonuses out in the course...he may very well not of realized (just as Levi didn't) that there were in fact a time bonus for the Stage winner.


You are wrong my friend. Vino attacked for the intermediate time bonuses. Gerolsteiner (Levi's team) chased him, but couldn't get Vino back in time. Yes, he went on to win the stage as well later in the day, but it was the earlier attack for 6" that Levi was talking about.

They've both stated they won't attack; Levi saying he won't "pull a Vinokurov"...which isn't accurate; Vino was racing for the stage win, not time bonuses out in the course...he may very well not of realized (just as Levi didn't) that there were in fact a time bonus for the Stage winner.

Right, and this was just setting himself up for the stage win. http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/tour05/?id=results/tour0521

Stage 21 - Sunday, July 24: Corbeil-Essonnes - Paris Champs-Élysées, 144 km

Sprints
Châtenay-Malabry - km 74.9
1 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team 6 pts
2 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner 4
3 Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Gerolsteiner 2

23 seconds down... will Evans and Predictor/Lotto attack tomorrow for the yellow jersey or is it over? Had Contador been in yellow for a while like Rasmussen was, I would think they would not. However, given the way the jersey changed hands who knows.

the tour is over unless there is more scandal or an unfortunate accident.

evans has had plenty of time to attack but really hasn't.

evans will be the first aussie to hit the podium. second is evan's TDF victory and i don't think evans or PL will jeopardize that :eek:.

ed rader

Personally, it's fine with me that it's over. I won't be tethered to the tv watching endless hours of it or rooting around on the internet for news about who did what and when...and where!

I don't really get it though. Yesterday they rode like little old ladies out for a spin, and they'll do it again tomorrow. You've been racing for three weeks, why not race to the bitter end instead of all this silly pomp and circumstance. It's anybody's race if they really do choose to race.

Are they just too tired?

They won't do it, not because it's traditon, or they're too tired. They won't do it because it won't work. Conceivably Evans could gain 12 seconds in the 2 intermediate sprints.However that would still be extremely unlikely, because others will also want points, and Discovery can suck up sprint bonsues at least ahead of Evans with Hincapie.

But even if he could get 12 seconds on the road into Paris (which is extremley unlikely) he's still 11 seconds short. He could get 20 seconds for the stage win, but there's this little problem of a guy name Boonen, and his like. Lots of people want toorrow's stage win that Evans has no prayer of beating in the flat field spirnt that is the final day of the TDF.

It's very unlikey that Evans would even give it a go, and if he does, the odds of success are astronomical.

He won't do it. 1) He would not only fail, but also would lose 2d place. 2) He would become the final villain in a TdF that's been full of villains.

I think the peloton should let Levi, AC, Cadel and Horner (to make it 2 against 2) go on a 4-man breakaway at the start of the stage and let them duke it out for all of the time bonuses.

An excellent idea.

The tour has ruined it's image and "tradition" means nothing these days. It's time for a new tradition.

This would be the greatest positive news for the tour after all the negatives.

The sprinters would still give a great show at the end.

it just makes you wonder what would have happened if Levi, or Evans for that matter, pushed harder in the last time trial...

You are joking right? Please say you are.

Richard


it just makes you wonder what would have happened if Levi, or Evans for that matter, pushed harder in the last time trial...

it just makes you wonder what would have happened if Levi, or Evans for that matter, pushed harder in the last time trial...

You mean to insinuate they left something in the tank during the time trial?

Wha?

I think the peloton should let Levi, AC, Cadel and Horner (to make it 2 against 2) go on a 4-man breakaway at the start of the stage and let them duke it out for all of the time bonuses.
An excellent idea.

The tour has ruined it's image and "tradition" means nothing these days. It's time for a new tradition.

This would be the greatest positive news for the tour after all the negatives.

The sprinters would still give a great show at the end.
I'm glad someone liked it. I thought it was pretty cool. We can dream.

i didn't mean the one today, i meant stage 13. i guess you're right though, push harder on stage 13 and feel it on stage 14, and so on. i just wish Levi would either look into Rogaine, or shave his head, because enough is enough already...

Good you had me worried there for a minute. Hindsite is 20/20 though. 2 Disco riders crashed, so Levi was very cautious on that stage. Can't really blame him.

Today's stage does illustrate why Rasmussen was able to hold yellow on stage 13. Look at the difference in the winning times vs 13.

Richard


i didn't mean the one today, i meant stage 13. i guess you're right though, push harder on stage 13 and feel it on stage 14, and so on. i just wish Levi would either look into Rogaine, or shave his head, because enough is enough already...

i didn't mean the one today, i meant stage 13. i guess you're right though, push harder on stage 13 and feel it on stage 14, and so on. i just wish Levi would either look into Rogaine, or shave his head, because enough is enough already...

or paint the discovery logo on there and get rid of the helmet. he's got such a perfectly aerodynamic head

it just makes you wonder what would have happened if Levi, or Evans for that matter, pushed harder in the last time trial...


or if vino hadn't cheated?

and rasmussen hadn't lied?

it is what it is.

the three top riders are the three best and they are pretty evenly matched after the 3-week race.

ed rader

When they're so close I'd say go for the intermediate sprints. The sprinters want the Champs sprint so that's out of the question. Keep the pace up during the stage and fight it out. Save the champagne for the first lap of Paris or after.

Levi says 'No' today - sure he likes TTs where he has no choice but to go, and is aggressive on about 5K of all the mountain miles available where he prefers to not risk losing time, as opposed to attacking to gain time. Which is why even on equal performances, the fans will always prefer a Contador over Levi.

What would Levi had gained by attacking Rasmussen? Remember all of the mountain stages included Ras, and Levi said at the end of stage 16 that he knew Ras was going to drop him and Contador.

I thought Levi stayed with Vino too long on stage 8. He did burn up a lot of energy catching the group after the chain problem though, so he may not have had the gas to leave Vino sooner.

Richard


When they're so close I'd say go for the intermediate sprints. The sprinters want the Champs sprint so that's out of the question. Keep the pace up during the stage and fight it out. Save the champagne for the first lap of Paris or after.

Levi says 'No' today - sure he likes TTs where he has no choice but to go, and is aggressive on about 5K of all the mountain miles available where he prefers to not risk losing time, as opposed to attacking to gain time. Which is why even on equal performances, the fans will always prefer a Contador over Levi.

or paint the discovery logo on there and get rid of the helmet. he's got such a perfectly aerodynamic head
hey, i actually like his TT helmet...

hey, i actually like his TT helmet...

Yes, Discovery Channel really has a thing for sharks.

Personally I think this helmet would have suited him better.
http://gallery.rei.com/media/628873.jpg

It would probably fit him too.

I respect the tradition but I think it would still be cool to see Discovery and Predictor/Lotto scrap it out in a total team versus team sprint from flag to flag.