a little late, I know...

http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2008/100/PROFIL.gif
http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2008/100/CARTE.gif

Just so everyone knows: can we clear up the spoiler rules in these threads? Because I really want to post about this stage.

Just so everyone knows: can we clear up the spoiler rules in these threads? Because I really want to post about this stage.
noted

In the break was the Euskaltel ride Perez using electronic Dura-Ace? Looked like a battery pack next to his water bottle.

In the break was the Euskaltel ride Perez using electronic Dura-Ace? Looked like a battery pack next to his water bottle.

I thought I saw something too. Not sure...

Brilliant win by an expert in losing.

Welcome back Laggard. That was a great show of power. Pulled away from everyone in that last 100 meters. Shows that he has great form, but can he stay consistant through the alps?

I'm just hoping Soler is fine and will be riding well in the mountains.

I'm just hoping Soler is fine and will be riding well in the mountains.

me too.. i hate to see guys like that go down so early in the race.

Display of sheer power, most entertaining. Which is why some of us find Evans and others boring.
Very few guys can do this (like Ricco) and still be a GC contender.
As 2wheeled mentioned though, lets see if he can be consistent in the mountains.

I wonder how many gears the guys used on this stage. Funny how this was an 'easy' stage, but it would've killed me (especially the winds). And to know there's 2000 miles to go. :)

What was Valverde thinking? Clearly contrary to the Armstrong model (i.e. don't waste energy early, don't defend the yellow early)

It was Merckx like. But to paraphrase Loyd Bentson, "I've seen Eddy Merckx, and you Valverde are no Merckx."

Perhaps the move was intended to show his form and dominence.

But to me it comes across, as lack of confidence. i.e., "I'm not sure of my podium chances over 3 weeks, so I better grab a stage when the profile suits me."

Always grab a stage when it suits your style of riding. The finish was tailer made for him. He'd be stupid not have pounced on it. It's doubtful the team will do a lot of work defending it right now.

What was Valverde thinking? Clearly contrary to the Armstrong model (i.e. don't waste energy early, don't defend the yellow early)

It was Merckx like. But to paraphrase Loyd Bentson, "I've seen Eddy Merckx, and you Valverde are no Merckx."

Perhaps the move was intended to show his form and dominence.

But to me it comes across, as lack of confidence. i.e., "I'm not sure of my podium chances over 3 weeks, so I better grab a stage when the profile suits me."

Having no prologue changed things. Lance definitely relished a prologue win in his day. And without the prologue on the first day this year, riders placed a lot more importance on it -- it was almost like a one-day race out there; and Valverde's pretty good at those. But you can't compare Valverde to Merckx or Armstrong. But you're right in that Valverde lacks the confidence of those riders.

Just so everyone knows: can we clear up the spoiler rules in these threads? Because I really want to post about this stage.

Good point. I'll leave this one alone, but future stage threads need Spoiler in the title.

1 stage and VANSEVENANT only needs 3 more places in his threepeat quest.

Good point. I'll leave this one alone, but future stage threads need Spoiler in the title.

I thought the protocol had always been to post all spoiling comments in the Stage thread.

If you don't want to know the outcome of a Stage, you stay out of the Stage's thread.

It's the most workable way to allow people to discuss the Stage,and allow those who are waiting to watch later to avoid spoiling comments.

Having no prologue changed things. Lance definitely relished a prologue win in his day. And without the prologue on the first day this year, riders placed a lot more importance on it -- it was almost like a one-day race out there; and Valverde's pretty good at those. But you can't compare Valverde to Merckx or Armstrong. But you're right in that Valverde lacks the confidence of those riders.

However, the difference is in the prologue yo can actually gain some time, albeit 10-15 seconds, depending on the length of the prologue.

Yesterday Valverde got same time, as many (or perhaps 1 second if they changed it on review), and paid a higher energy cost, than you spendin a hard effort in a 5 mile prologue.

I thought Valverde's comments were somewhat telling. He said he had 3 goals, and he accomplished 2 yesterday. Those aren't the words of someone who's confident of winning GC. It was almost like he was hedging his bets, by at least winnig a stage, and wearing yellow

But to me it comes across, as lack of confidence. i.e., "I'm not sure of my podium chances over 3 weeks, so I better grab a stage when the profile suits me."

BAD ASS. That's what he was showing everyone. Expending energy on the 1st stage? Naaaah. He was just being a competitor. Why the hell not?

Now, I'm sure everyone will point to this stage if Valverde drops by the wayside, but I don't think this stage will be as much a downside for him if he falls behind as it could be an upside if he remains among the top of the GC for the run of the tour.

I like it. Good form.

However, the difference is in the prologue yo can actually gain some time, albeit 10-15 seconds, depending on the length of the prologue.

Yesterday Valverde got same time, as many (or perhaps 1 second if they changed it on review), and paid a higher energy cost, than you spendin a hard effort in a 5 mile prologue.

I thought Valverde's comments were somewhat telling. He said he had 3 goals, and he accomplished 2 yesterday. Those aren't the words of someone who's confident of winning GC. It was almost like he was hedging his bets, by at least winnig a stage, and wearing yellow

You're right, there is a certain amount of non-GC short-sightedness expending that kind of energy early on. True contenders would be thinking about how to avoid a crash at this point, and with Valverde's record, it's surprising he's playing it so risky. His comment makes it sound like he's thinking small. He's happy with the yellow jersey. And it remains to be seen if his team can coalesce around him. For example, Pereiro and Arroyo are great but are they ready to be his full-fledged domestiques?

I think Sherwen today (stage 2) got it right regarding Valverde. He wants to go last at the 1st TT. He had no problem holding the yellow today and stage 3 should be easy for him as well. I imagine he'll let the yellow go pretty soon. We'll see if he can take it back.


:beer:

I thought Valverde's comments were somewhat telling. He said he had 3 goals, and he accomplished 2 yesterday. Those aren't the words of someone who's confident of winning GC. It was almost like he was hedging his bets, by at least winnig a stage, and wearing yellow

If I had Valverde's record, I would be hedging my bets, too. Confidence is good, but to go in sure that you can win the Tour takes either some serious hubris or the proven ability to do it. If Valverde races smart, he can conserve energy over the next week and half or so, let someone else wear the jersey for a while and still have a chance at winning the whole thing three weeks from now.

What was Valverde thinking? Clearly contrary to the Armstrong model (i.e. don't waste energy early, don't defend the yellow early)

It was Merckx like. But to paraphrase Loyd Bentson, "I've seen Eddy Merckx, and you Valverde are no Merckx."

Perhaps the move was intended to show his form and dominence.

But to me it comes across, as lack of confidence. i.e., "I'm not sure of my podium chances over 3 weeks, so I better grab a stage when the profile suits me."

That was 20 secs of bonus time with about 3 days till a time trial.