Professional Cycling For the Fans - TdF Stage 4 - Tuesday July 7 - 38km TTT - Montpelier

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how much time will the gc contenders on garmin-slipstream, saxo-bank, astana & columbia-high road
put into the contenders on weaker teams on this stage? could be 2-3 minutes on some. thank goodness
they're back to gauging it in actual time/time lost instead of the graduated/maximum time loss of the last time(s) they held a ttt. forces teams to ride a little harder.

Love the TTT! Glad it's back!

Love the TTT! Glad it's back!

^+1 - i cannot wait for tuesday's stage!!! :thumb:

thank goodness
they're back to gauging it in actual time/time lost instead of the graduated/maximum time loss of the last time(s) they held a ttt. forces teams to ride a little harder.

Very true! That adjusted time loss scale was a big steaming pile of merde.

Spoiler Alert: Jens Voigt is a surprise winner after he repeatedly attacks and eventually drops all of his Saxo Bank teammates including stage 1 winner Fabian Cancellara and the Schleck brothers.

When asked during a post-race interview how he did it, Voigt looked down at his thighs and responded, "I would like to introduce you to my two friends, 'Power' and 'Glory'. Sometimes I like to call them 'Thunder' and 'Lightning'.'

The Tour de France organizers immediately decided that Power, Glory, Thunder, and Lightning could all be considered teammates of Voigt. Because the team time is based on the fifth rider to cross the finishing line, the remaining eight members of the Saxo Bank team were all disqualified for finishing beyond the time limit.

Spoiler Alert: Jens Voigt is a surprise winner after he repeatedly attacks and eventually drops all of his Saxo Bank teammates including stage 1 winner Fabian Cancellara and the Schleck brothers.

When asked during a post-race interview how he did it, Voigt looked down at his thighs and responded, "I would like to introduce you to my two friends, 'Power' and 'Glory'. Sometimes I like to call them 'Thunder' and 'Lightning'.'

The Tour de France organizers immediately decided that Power, Glory, Thunder, and Lightning could all be considered teammates of Voigt. Because the team time is based on the fifth rider to cross the finishing line, the remaining eight members of the Saxo Bank team were all disqualified for finishing beyond the time limit.

:D Jens doesnt T-bag he potato sacks.

Anyone hoping for some excitement like a rain shower for this stage? I'm a bit concerned that some of the people I am secretly rooting for (Cadel) might lose the darn race in the first week because of their lame teams. :D

Love, love, love the TTT.

Could Astana pick up 41 seconds on Saxo Bank and Columbia?

Could Astana pick up 41 seconds on Saxo Bank and Columbia?

If it happens, Lance is in Yellow. So in a sense, Contador will be working for Lance tomorrow. :D

1. Astana
2. Columbia
3. Garmin
4. Saxo Bank
5. Liquigas

Sorry. I won't predict the time gaps.

1. Astana
2. Columbia
3. Garmin
4. Saxo Bank
5. Liquigas

Sorry. I won't predict the time gaps.

Agree 100%. Lance gets the yellow.

Yep, ditto on all that. Might be his one day on the podium this tour, and why he worked hard for tomorrow. Should be exciting tomorrow to be sure, but I predict Astana, and I'm going to be bold. 50 seconds time difference between #1 and #2.

Gonna be fun! What kinda speeds you think we'll see if the weather is fair?

Question(s) I'm pondering:

If Silence-Lotto loses something absurd, like 5 min.+, is it even worth it for Cadel to try at that point for podium?

Isn't he better off just going for stage wins?

Or, is 1 stage win (he does have 1) in the TdF enough to justify his legacy as "The Bridesmaid"?

Question(s) I'm pondering:

If Silence-Lotto loses something absurd, like 5 min.+, is it even worth it for Cadel to try at that point for podium?

Isn't he better off just going for stage wins?

Or, is 1 stage win (he does have 1) in the TdF enough to justify his legacy as "The Bridesmaid"?

He could have a legitimate shot at KOM if he weren't riding for GC.

He could have a legitimate shot at KOM if he weren't riding for GC.

Yes, I'm really thinking he's better off doing something like this because I fear his team will be taken to the cleaners big-time tomorrow. :(

Yes, I'm really thinking he's better off doing something like this because I fear his team will be taken to the cleaners big-time tomorrow. :(

Results for Lotto Stage 1:


5. Evans Cadel
op 23"

25. Van den Broeck Jurgen
op 1'11"

92. Wegelius Charles
op 1'49"

104. Delage Mickael
op 1'55"

119. Lang Sebastian
op 2'02"

139. Van Avermaet Greg
op 2'15"

142. Vansummeren Johan
op 2'17"

146. Scheirlinckx Staf
op 2'20"

161. Lloyd Matthew
op 2'34"

1. Astana
2. Columbia
3. Garmin
4. Saxo Bank
5. Liquigas

Sorry. I won't predict the time gaps.

I think that looks like a good line up, although I'd be tempted to put Garmnin ahead of Columbia, based on the work Columbia did today.

Yes, I'm really thinking he's better off doing something like this because I fear his team will be taken to the cleaners big-time tomorrow. :(

KOM this year? Podium next year?

I think that looks like a good line up, although I'd be tempted to put Garmnin ahead of Columbia, based on the work Columbia did today.

I wouldn't be surprised if the 2-3 order I predicted were reversed. I went with Columbia because I don't think the course favors Zabriskie.

I am sticking with my choice of Columbia, I think they are pumped to take another win.

I am sticking with my choice of Columbia, I think they are pumped to take another win.


I think they will be a little emotionally spent from todays rage.

Don't count out Liquigas...solid team.

Okay... what teams NEED this TTT to get their sh*t in gear? Sastre's & Evan's??

Okay... what teams NEED this TTT to get their sh*t in gear? Sastre's & Evan's??

Rabobank (Gesink, Menchov)

Katusha, otherwise, they will never be heard from again. They disgrace all that Barloworld stands for; and I'm not sure it's all that much.

Rabobank (Gesink, Menchov)

Katusha, otherwise, they will never be heard from again. They disgrace all that Barloworld stands for; and I'm not sure it's all that much.

We'll hear more from Katusha, no matter what - but their GC chances could be cooked by a bad TTT.

Is the default assumption here that Astana is going to win?

I think Garmin still has a shot... VdV, Millar, Z, Wiggins, Maaskant are all quite capable.

Wiggins is in a decent spot to get Yellow if they can put 20 seconds into Astana and 60 seconds into SaxoBank.

Is the default assumption here that Astana is going to win?


'A game' vs 'A game' i dont think there is a team that can run with Astana in this TTT. They are just to stacked from top to bottom. The shorter distance should mitigate gains but i expect 25-40 seconds to be put into 2nd place tommorow by Astana.

Stage 3 changed the Astana dynamic.

Now they will be riding to put Armstrong, not Contador, into yellow. What will that do to team tactics/cohesion?

Discuss......

If Armstrong gets yellow tomorrow, you think he can keep it in the mountains?

If Armstrong gets yellow tomorrow, you think he can keep it in the mountains?
Lance is gonna crack next to Simpsons memorial.

I hope Sastre wins this year, I REALLY hope he wins. This TTT has me worried though, you get the actual time of the TTT. Cervelo might have nice TT bikes, but lord help them. He could lose 3min tomorrow, and im not sure if he can get THAT much time back.
Sastre I think is done for. :(:(:(

Astana
Garmin @ 42 seconds
Columbia @ 1:04
Saxo Bank @ 1:38

Start order for TTT:

http://www.cyclingfans.com/node/412

My picks:

1. Astana
2. Columbia
3. Saxo Bank

Really, Astana got last? Really?

Edit - The list for those who don't feel like clicking:


14:30 (8:30am U.S. Eastern): Caisse d'Epargne

14:37 (8:37am U.S.): Team Katusha

14:44 (8:44am U.S.): Rabobank

14:51 (8:51am U.S.): Lampre

14:58 (8:58am U.S.): Bbox Bouygues Telecom

15:05 (9:05am U.S.): AG2R-La Mondiale

15:12 (9:12am U.S.): Skil-Shimano

15:19 (9:19am U.S.): Française des Jeux

15:26 (9:26am U.S.): Agritubel

15:33 (9:33am U.S.): Silence-Lotto

15:40 (9:40am U.S.): Quick Step

15:47 (9:47am U.S.): Cervélo Test Team

15:54 (9:54am U.S.): Team Milram

16:01 (10:01am U.S.): Liquigas

16:08 (10:08am U.S.): Euskaltel-Euskadi

16:15 (10:15am U.S.): Cofidis

16:22 (10:22am U.S.): Garmin-Slipstream

16:29 (10:29am U.S.): Team Saxo Bank

16:36 (10:36am U.S.): Team Columbia-HTC

16:43 (10:43am U.S.): Astana

Astana has a big advantage going last.

Yeah, that's my point. Gonna keep the crowds there.

I thought that TTT starting order was normally inverted team rankings or that the team's had choice of starting slot based on team position which usually resulted in the same. But, I might be wrong. I am from time to time.

1. Astana
2. Columbia
3. Garmin
4. Saxo Bank
5. Liquigas

Sorry. I won't predict the time gaps.

For the sake of my fanasty league i hope this is correct, ps i love the line up for tomorrow

My picks are:
1. Astana
2. Garmin
3. Columbia

But when the race starts the bs stops, so only time will tell.

I thought that TTT starting order was normally inverted team rankings or that the team's had choice of starting slot based on team position which usually resulted in the same. But, I might be wrong. I am from time to time.

You appear to be correct: (pardon the odd spacing)


Overall Team Standings: Stage 03

Rank Code Team Time Gap
1 AST ASTANA 29h34'04'' 00''
2 THR TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 29h35'50'' 1'46''
3 SAX TEAM SAXO BANK 29h35'57'' 1'53''
4 GRM GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 29h36'51'' 2'47''
5 COF COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 29h37'18'' 3'14''
6 EUS EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 29h37'29'' 3'25''
7 LIQ LIQUIGAS 29h37'32'' 3'28''
8 MRM TEAM MILRAM 29h37'49'' 3'45''
9 CTT CERVELO TEST TEAM 29h37'52'' 3'48''
10 QST QUICK STEP 29h38'11'' 4'07''
11 SIL SILENCE - LOTTO 29h38'20'' 4'16''
12 AGR AGRITUBEL 29h38'35'' 4'31''
13 FDJ FRANCAISE DES JEUX 29h38'47'' 4'43''
14 SKS SKIL-SHIMANO 29h38'49'' 4'45''
15 ALM AG2R-LA MONDIALE 29h39'02'' 4'58''
16 BBO BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 29h39'04'' 5'00''
17 LAM LAMPRE - N.G.C 29h39'04'' 5'00''
18 RAB RABOBANK 29h39'11'' 5'07''
19 KAT TEAM KATUSHA 29h39'17'' 5'13''
20 GCE CAISSE DEPARGNE 29h39'32'' 5'28''

I thought that TTT starting order was normally inverted team rankings or that the team's had choice of starting slot based on team position which usually resulted in the same. But, I might be wrong. I am from time to time.

I believe team ranking is according to the first three riders and they had that with Armstrong, Popovich and Zubeldia (sp?).

HI you all...

I'm not a big fan of LA but today he showed up what he is made of. Well somebody said something about ESL and contador? well... contador apparently doesn't speaks English to start with, if he speaks something else, who knows... so wonder if LA was right saying that he was not there because he couldn't figure it out what to do, clever way to say that AC was stupid and i agree.

Regarding the TTT, hmm... Astana will rock big time. I'm not a super LA fan but if he gets yellow tomorrow will be because he really deserved it.

Cancellara, awesome move today. How he could figure it out and the others wont? Swiss precision maybe?

Lotto and evans, Sadly evans doesnt have a team this year again. He will be toasted in the mountains, in the ttt lotto will do so so to pretty bad. Evans needs to get a new team.

Skil shimano? that could be the surprise... the team wants to show off, motivation to bright i guess.

Thanks.

Evans is gone for all money because of his team, he should just concentrate on KoM and come back with a better team next season to have another crack at GC. Sastre will still be in the hunt even after an average TTT imo, he could make up a lot of time in the mountains.

No one will get close to Astana in the TTT, especially with them going last.

i'd personally love to see saxo bank show up but astana is just too strong imo. columbia looked good today. i think they might surprise some people.

Yeah, but did columbia give up too much energy pushing that split?

Columbia pushed that great leadout in stage 2 as well, and it didn't seem to keep them from doing well today. That team is really putting the hammer down.

You could tell that they were hurting a little today and that was to be expected after driving the break and the stellar lead out yesterday. I think Astana will take it followed by Garmin and then HR-HTC

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand we're off....