Professional Cycling - TdF Stage 2 - Sunday July 5 - 182 km - Monaco → Brignoles

Cav?

Cav?

I would like to agree with you and I just know I will be kicking myself for not doing so, but against my better judgement, I am going with Hushovd. I do think that there will be a fairly serious break that gets away and perhaps even gains over 10 minutes, but they will get reeled in before the finish. It could be a tactic for either Armstrong or Leipheimer or Popovych to try to get into it. Maybe not tomorrow but eventually. I seriously think this multi-pointed weapon is a tool that Bruyneel will use eventually. Is everyone going to watch Contador at the expense of his other team mates? I see internal fighting ahead!

I love TTs and all, but to me... THIS is when the racing begins. Looks like a cool stage. I like that, what 15kms of flat bit then up up up! All the big boys will want to get a jump there, right?

This reminds me of a stage where a top 15 to 25 gc rider might try to take this. On paper it is a sprinters stage, but this seems to be a bit more difficult than on paper. Karpets?

Richard

Cav?

That's my call. No change to the GC unless there's a crash.

Voeckler will try a break to take the KOM jersey.

Kreuziger?

That kid's getting plenty strong. Still under the radar a bit but, I think he's approaching Andy Schleck's level for great, young talent.

Voeckler will try a break to take the KOM jersey.


He better not mess up my polka dot jersey pick!!! :lol:

He better not mess up my polka dot jersey pick!!! :lol:

No way he could hold it.

Kreuziger?

That kid's getting plenty strong. Still under the radar a bit but, I think he's approaching Andy Schleck's level for great, young talent.

Agree.

Liquigas has a really talented roster of young riders. Nobody seemed to notice they had 2 guys top 10 in the Stage 1 TT.

Cancellara for the solo break at 1km to go

would absolutely love to see cancellara defend the yellow/win tomorrow shades of 2007 (stage 3??) from way out to hold off the sprinters. probably my favorite flat (sprinter's) stage in any gt since the new millenium.

but you know that wiggins would really really like to go out on that inevitable long break, snatch up
the sprint time bonuses and wear the yellow.

too many nerves and too much energy in the group this early, to let a break stay away. cav.

You watching this now or waiting til Vs. covers catches up? Race is about halfway over! Didn't realize vs would be running everything so behind.

Frank Schleck is pretty classy.... after the crash, works his ass off to catch up to the peloton, catches up, stops to get a new bike, then catches up again, loads up on water bottes to start passing out. Nice..

Frank Schleck is pretty classy.... after the crash, works his ass off to catch up to the peloton, catches up, stops to get a new bike, then catches up again, loads up on water bottes to start passing out. Nice..

Why was he yelling at Riis when the car was trying to give bottles to Schleck? Phil Liggett was a bit vague on that.

cav!!

Why was he yelling at Riis when the car was trying to give bottles to Schleck? Phil Liggett was a bit vague on that.

Did you see the replay? The car almost took him out!

Did you see the replay?

No


The car almost took him out!

Sweet!

Typical sprinter stage.

I wonder how much Columbia paid that guy in red to go the wrong way at the end.

Been watching these bunch sprints for 20 years now and they never fail to amaze, thrill and terrify me. Whole different breed of riders they are.

Typical sprinter stage.

I wonder how much Columbia paid that guy in red to go the wrong way at the end.

I've been thinking the same thing. This new rule -- same time if there is an accident within 3km of the finish can be abused. And could be very well be specially how the accident happened or was conjured

What a finish. He's such a monster, it wasn't even close!

So what happend to Tom Boonen? I could have sworn he got 11th but I cant find him in any results pages and Cyclingnews and Velonews dont even mention him in their write ups?

I've been thinking the same thing. This new rule -- same time if there is an accident within 3km of the finish can be abused. And could be very well be specially how the accident happened or was conjured

Jeez! I thought I was cynical, but you guys can spot a conspiracy where none exists. Have any of you ever crashed at 40 mph? In a bunch?? It could just end your career, let alone your tour. Do you really think these guys are dumb enough to take that chance?? Hell of a risk to do it deliberately and pesonally I'd want a huge pay-off!

I watched at the roundabout before the red 1km kite, was a good day out.

So what happend to Tom Boonen? I could have sworn he got 11th but I cant find him in any results pages and Cyclingnews and Velonews dont even mention him in their write ups?

I saw someone holding out a mirror and a straw just after the last right hander.

This new rule -- ...
Pretty sure it's not the rule that's new.

I'm watching my DVR'd morning coverage now.
I thought Schleck's near collision with the team car might have been his own fault. Seemed to me the car was holding tight on the right with the wall and Schleck got a bit wobbly.

I noticed that Astana had yellow on their numbers. Why was that? A protest maybe because ASO wouldn't let AC wear the yellow jersey on stage 1?

^^^ yellow for Top Team

Jeez! I thought I was cynical, but you guys can spot a conspiracy where none exists. Have any of you ever crashed at 40 mph? In a bunch?? It could just end your career, let alone your tour. Do you really think these guys are dumb enough to take that chance?? Hell of a risk to do it deliberately and pesonally I'd want a huge pay-off!

Yeah I did crash at 40 mph but not in a bunch. A crash hurts nonetheless. Luckily it was winter when it happened to me... but that last crash seemed liked a judo roll compared to the earlier crashes. And if you did not notice, after that, some guys who were following just stopped and called it a day. I was WTF until the announcer reiterated the 3 km crash rule.

But you should not take everything so seriously man! It's a spectator sport.

^^^ yellow for Top Team

Thanks for that; Phil answered my ? as well just a few minutes later in my delayed coverage.

Jeez, he just rides away from all of them. I know the crash kind of screwed up the tempo, but damn is he fast.

watching today's race now.... well, it's Vs. so not "watching", watching more commercials and "commentary" about how awesome Americans are. The ratio of actual race footage to bullcrap is ridiculous. It's almost unwatchable.....

Nice! :)

Two things;

-Why is AG2R still on Campy Record 10 speed? Mavic support cars probably don't have 10 speed Campy stuff anymore.

-Is this the first Tour without a single Colnago?

Boonen had to swerve to avoid another rider trying to avoid another rider
things were very wild out there...