Professional Cycling For the Fans - Big Fan of Thomas Voeckler

Since winning the Yellow Jersey I have become a big fan of Voeckler. He has shown so much courage in defending the jersey by countering every attack. He appears to be a very humble guy by saying there is no chance for him to keep the jersey.
Being able to keep up with Contador in the mountains is a great accomplishment.
He reminds me of the energizer bunny, just keeps plugging away.

He might and probably will lose the Jersey tomorrow or Saturday but I would not be surprised if he is wearing the jersey in Paris.

Even if he loses the Jersey in the Alps, he has earned my respect.

No argument from me.

A very, very respectable performance.

Man knows how to make his tongue work for him, doesn't he?

Whether it be cycling, or any other endeavour in life, some people are successful because they were born with the necessary resources, and some people are successful because they work hard. Voeckler is the latter, and that demands respect.

Whether it be cycling, or any other endeavour in life, some people are successful because they were born with the necessary resources, and some people are successful because they work hard. Voeckler is the latter, and that demands respect.

eh i think its probably a generous helping of both, but i do agree that the man's showing great heart. hoing he keeps it. (or loses it to an american)

eh i think its probably a generous helping of both, but i do agree that the man's showing great heart. hoing he keeps it. (or loses it to an american)

Well, compared to the super-skinny climber types that he's keeping up with, Voekler's built like a normal human.

He deserves the win just because of his gutsy riding. It was a shame that he lost time on the descent today. He now needs to attack Evans in the mountains.

Well, compared to the super-skinny climber types that he's keeping up with, Voekler's built like a normal human.

Not really. His thighs are really skinny.

I give him an A+++ for effort. Can't say I'm rooting for him to win, but he's definitely earned my eternal respect.

If you are french and find yourself in the yellow jersey at Le Tour, then you feel very inspired. I think that is what we are seeing with TV.

If you are a professional cyclist and find yourself in the yellow jersey at Le Tour, then you feel very inspired. I think that is what we are seeing with TV.

fify

have any of you read Flecha's take on Voekler?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/flecha-the-driver-didnt-even-stop
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/flecha-wont-be-surprised-if-voeckler-wins-tour-de-france

I don't get the impression that Flecha's prone to whining (ala AS).

Marty

eh i think its probably a generous helping of both, but i do agree that the man's showing great heart. hoing he keeps it. (or loses it to an american)

You do realize that the best placed American is in 9th place and realisticly the only way for him to take yellow is for some drastic accident that knocks teh leaders out of the race don't you?

Since winning the Yellow Jersey I have become a big fan of Voeckler. He has shown so much courage in defending the jersey by countering every attack. He appears to be a very humble guy by saying there is no chance for him to keep the jersey.
Being able to keep up with Contador in the mountains is a great accomplishment.
He reminds me of the energizer bunny, just keeps plugging away.

He might and probably will lose the Jersey tomorrow or Saturday but I would not be surprised if he is wearing the jersey in Paris.

Even if he loses the Jersey in the Alps, he has earned my respect.
He is going to crack - crack bad. Watch.

I'm also very impressed with Voeckler and wish him the best. However, I don't see him staying in yellow past tomorrow (18th stage), but I am wondering how high he can finish the tour this year. Anyone know his best placing prior to this year?

At this point it's apparent he's going to be out of yellow by Friday afternoon. Then again, that's been said about him for the last seven or so days, repeatedly, and everybody's been wrong so far. At this point, I don't really care. I just keep cheering for him to hold on to the yellow one more day. Followed by one more day. And yet one more day.

And no matter which of the big guns finally stands on the top step of the podium on Sunday, Voeckler's going to be my memory of this year's Tour. Along with Thor. As to who of the favorites finally wins it, the best I can come up with is, "So what?"

I'm also very impressed with Voeckler and wish him the best. However, I don't see him staying in yellow past tomorrow (18th stage), but I am wondering how high he can finish the tour this year. Anyone know his best placing prior to this year?

I think he could stay in Yellow for at least a bit. I would not say his chances to finish in Yellow are zero. I also think he is twice smart to say his chances are zero. It sure helps his image to not be a bragart having it and his best chance for yellow (or more realistically a podium spot) is for other to play cat and mouse with each other long enough that they cannot put big time on him. (one tenth of one percent is not zero. His chance to win is not zreo but pretty small).

I'm not rooting for him in yellow at the end as the most likely way for that to happen includes crashes. But a #3 spot seems possible without serious bad luck for other riders.

He is going to crack - crack bad. Watch.

He is expending far more power and energy than he is used to, the poor guy. An extremely great inspiration. Trouble is, his legs are cooking, real nice, real slow, real hot. He is going to be blasting through the mountains as he has been then- BOOM!!! instant toast, carbon. I really do hope I eat my words though, he seems like such a great chap.

On the other hand, since this is a team sport, Im sure his team mates can just "block" Contador and Schleck to help give him the yellow in Paris... easy enough, Im sure they are going to think of that.

have any of you read Flecha's take on Voekler?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/flecha-the-driver-didnt-even-stop
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/flecha-wont-be-surprised-if-voeckler-wins-tour-de-france

I don't get the impression that Flecha's prone to whining (ala AS).

Marty

I remember Voeckler sitting up briefly after the crash with Sanchez and Casar before going on the attack again. What were they supposed to do, wait for them? It's not like it was a GC battle; if the three leaders had waited, they all would have been caught. They briefly talked, then rolled on.

Clearly Flecha doesn't like Voeckler, but his specific complaints don't hold water. Sometimes you don't know how to respond when someone you know has had some ill befall them. It can be awkward, and maybe Voeckler felt awkward. Go ahead and appreciate the fact hat the others visited you, but don't begrudge others who don't.

Voeckler has done great. His odds on the booking sheets though are dropping like a stone, he's now a 33 to 1 shot, after being as high as 5 to 1 just two days ago.

I remember Voeckler sitting up briefly after the crash with Sanchez and Casar before going on the attack again. What were they supposed to do, wait for them? It's not like it was a GC battle; if the three leaders had waited, they all would have been caught. They briefly talked, then rolled on.

Clearly Flecha doesn't like Voeckler, but his specific complaints don't hold water. Sometimes you don't know how to respond when someone you know has had some ill befall them. It can be awkward, and maybe Voeckler felt awkward. Go ahead and appreciate the fact hat the others visited you, but don't begrudge others who don't.

According to Lance Armstrong they should have waited, and Lance is the greatest cyclist ever. For those with fuzzy memories youy will remember his tweet comments last year about the contador/Schleck chain event. (Chain event, coz of the chain then all the controversy thereafter, get it)

This BS of waiting needs to be squashed. So lame. I know Phill is on my side on that one at least. This comment from Flech does come as a surprise to me though.

have any of you read Flecha's take on Voekler?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/flecha-the-driver-didnt-even-stop
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/flecha-wont-be-surprised-if-voeckler-wins-tour-de-france

I don't get the impression that Flecha's prone to whining (ala AS).

Marty

Flecha's got it pegged.
Thomas is driven...
to win
to perform
to take advantage whenever he possibly can
because he doesn't have all the best potential, because he's not the best at any one thing.
so he wins races because of his determination
sometimes he makes mistakes, he knows he will pay for them
he's not especially humble, just know that he can't be a braggard
he rides hard, means well, rarely whines
would be a boring tour if he wasn't there
if he pulls off the win, that would be awesome
if he podiums, that would be awesome :thumb:

it would be great to see voeckler podium. he has certainly put the work in.

If every rider waited for every rider who crashed or had a mechanical, and went to visit every rider who crashed during the day to see how they were feeling, there would be no time for racing, eating, or sleeping.

No argument from me.

A very, very respectable performance.

Man knows how to make his tongue work for him, doesn't he?
http://imgboot.com/images/CyclingInquisition/comp11120807.gif

I went back and watched Flecha being taken out by the car,
Voekler looked back briefly which given the circumstances
would be appropriate, not much he could have done really.

I'm just puzzled by Flecha who isn't one known for whinging and moaning

If every rider waited for every rider who crashed or had a mechanical, and went to visit every rider who crashed during the day to see how they were feeling, there would be no time for racing, eating, or sleeping.

Yes, exactly. He was also a Frenchman wearing the yellow jersey. Imagine how busy he was. Flecha was whining.

He is going to crack - crack bad. Watch.

Hmm. You are obviously an astute observer.

Yes, exactly. He was also a Frenchman wearing the yellow jersey. Imagine how busy he was. Flecha was whining.He wasn't in yellow at the time. That crash happened on stage 9 - of the three remaining riders in the breakaway, Luis Sanchez took the stage, Voeckler came in second & took the jersey, and Sandy Casar came in third & received the other two's warmest personal regards. I'm not saying that the breakaway should have waited (Nobody seems to criticize Sanchez & Casar), I'm just clarifying that Voeckler wasn't in yellow when it happened.

Well, here is what I have to say ... Will he keep the yellow till the end -- I don't know . I can flip a coin, heads he keeps, tails he doesn't ! This is sports. Anything could happen. What we have in front of our eyes is what he DID. And KUDOS to what he has done so far. Keeping up with the main-stream climbers when everyone says he is gonna loose it any day takes some serious mind games.

I'm also very impressed with Voeckler and wish him the best. However, I don't see him staying in yellow past tomorrow (18th stage), but I am wondering how high he can finish the tour this year. Anyone know his best placing prior to this year?
Damn, I was wrong. But have to admit that I'm very happy to be wrong in this case.:thumb:

Anyone know what kind of TT he can do? I'm still a little skeptical about him getting the overall, but a podium-finish is looking better and better.

And again, I'd be very happy to be wrong again:D

talk about heart sheesh.

......I give him an A+++ for effort. Can't say I'm rooting for him to win.....

Im surprised! Im curious, why not? He is a likable fellow isnt he?
And he has actually EARNED the jersey, as in, his team didnt nurse him into that jersey, and I dare say that they really havent made or broke in him keeping it either. One can legitimately say he has worked for it entirely on his own. Any pacing his team has done could pretty much have been done by any other team protecting their own priorities.

Wasn't Team Europcar a wild card team that wasn't even supposed to really be in the tour to begin with. This has turned out to be a great tour for them. Congrats to them, however I say he has zero chance of keeping it, AS will take it tomorrow.

Hmm. You are obviously an astute observer.

Keep watching. Alpe d'Huez... Watch.
Like I said, I hope he makes me eat my words...

He wasn't in yellow at the time. That crash happened on stage 9 - of the three remaining riders in the breakaway, Luis Sanchez took the stage, Voeckler came in second & took the jersey, and Sandy Casar came in third & received the other two's warmest personal regards. I'm not saying that the breakaway should have waited (Nobody seems to criticize Sanchez & Casar), I'm just clarifying that Voeckler wasn't in yellow when it happened.

You missed the point. He took yellow on that stage, which means that right after the stage the press was all over him, he had to go stand on the podium, shake hands, etc. He's been in yellow ever since, and that hasn't really stopped. He's giving tons of interviews, signing jerseys, and doing everything else that comes along with being a French hero. He may not have had yellow at the exact moment the crash happened, but he did have yellow before he had time to talk to Flecha.

That said, I don't buy the argument that he was too busy to offer Flecha some kind words at some point. All he would have to do is ride over next to him during a slow moment in the race. In fact, the cameras would love it and I'm sure people would be saying how great of a guy he was for doing that. Who's to say he has a responsibility to do that, though? He didn't cause the crash and I don't blame him for not waiting. It was too late in the race to stop, and IMO all bets are off when you're in a breakaway to begin with.

He wasn't in yellow at the time. That crash happened on stage 9 - of the three remaining riders in the breakaway, Luis Sanchez took the stage, Voeckler came in second & took the jersey, and Sandy Casar came in third & received the other two's warmest personal regards. I'm not saying that the breakaway should have waited (Nobody seems to criticize Sanchez & Casar), I'm just clarifying that Voeckler wasn't in yellow when it happened.

He was in yellow that evening. The evening that Flecha was whining about Voeckler not coming to see him. The evening that he would be extremely busy. He was riding for the yellow jersey just as Flecha said he was.

I didn't say he was wearing the jersey on that stage. I was referring to him receiving it at the end of the stage & being extremely busy as a result.

Let me clarify again since it seems you are confused. Kind of Blued posted this "
If every rider waited for every rider who crashed or had a mechanical, and went to visit every rider who crashed during the day to see how they were feeling, there would be no time for racing, eating, or sleeping." Flecha whined about him not visiting him. Voeckler was in the yellow jersey that evening when Flecha would have liked him to come visit him & see how he was doing.

Whether or not Voeckler wins, this will probably be the image of the 2011 Tour that I remember. TV has just be amazing to watch.

http://cdn2.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net//2011/07/21/2/bettiniphoto_0086520_1_full_600.jpg

Voeckler is saying... just one more day, just one more day...... It's a short race tomorrow, he'll cling to Evans wheel and just prays he is on his wheel when the race is over. If so, then maybe the miracle happens and Voekler hangs on yellow with enough cushion to withstand EVans TTT.

Regardless, the last stage might have to become a racing stage into Paris.

This has been a great Tour and TV deserves all the accolades he gets, the man has ten tons of heart.
it would be very cool if he can podium or even win, just think if he had not lost time on the descent Wed
he would be 45 sec on front of AS instead of 15.

I couldn't find a picture of the TV picture I'll remember. Stage 18 and he fought so hard and kept his jersey. After he crossed the line and rolled into the finish paddock he just collapsed on his handlebars surrounded by officials and handlers. The image reminded me of a painting of removing Christ's body from the cross.

But this picture by Casey Gibson will have to do. I can almost hear the words in his head.

http://velonews.competitor.com/files/2011/07/000_DV1006538-660x439.jpg

What a fighter.

I wish he would have saved his "fight" towards the end and not have been so aggressive in the beginning.

Why do people not like veokcler?

mucho respect for Voeckler!

Why do people not like veokcler?

I haven't seen many people not cheer for Voeckler. He even wins over non-French fans with the heart he puts into his riding.

He is like Hector in Homer's the Iliad, who realizes he has no chance against Achilles, but bravely fights on anyway.

"My doom has come upon me; let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter."

One can legitimately say he has worked for it entirely on his own. Any pacing his team has done could pretty much have been done by any other team protecting their own priorities.

Voeckler's teammate Pierre Rolland, who won yesterday's Alp de Huez, did a tremendous amount of pacing for Voeckler in the mountains to help keep Voeckler in yellow, although I don't think he helped Voeckler yesterday. Voeckler made a tactical error yesterday by riding in no man's land by himself between the Evan's led peleton and the Contador group on the Galibier.

I wonder what his team was telling him, I thought at one point they showed him pulling off his radio and earpiece and throwing it into the crowd. Don't know if he had a technical issue with it or didn't want to hear what they were saying to him.

I wonder what his team was telling him, I thought at one point they showed him pulling off his radio and earpiece and throwing it into the crowd. Don't know if he had a technical issue with it or didn't want to hear what they were saying to him.

I would guess it was the latter --- that his director suggested dropping back to the Evans-Basso led group, and Voeckler didn't want to listen. He had got where he was by giving everything he had to stay with the leaders, and probably did not want to "back down". I don't have any evidence to support this speculation though.

Since winning the Yellow Jersey I have become a big fan of Voeckler. He has shown so much courage in defending the jersey by countering every attack. He appears to be a very humble guy by saying there is no chance for him to keep the jersey.
Being able to keep up with Contador in the mountains is a great accomplishment.
He reminds me of the energizer bunny, just keeps plugging away.

He might and probably will lose the Jersey tomorrow or Saturday but I would not be surprised if he is wearing the jersey in Paris.

Even if he loses the Jersey in the Alps, he has earned my respect.

In the Tour edition of VeloNews, Hinault said the following about Voeckler:

"He really is a fantastic rider, one who presents a good image for cycling. I wish him every happiness on this Tour - based on all the happiness he has already given us."

Prophetic indeed! :thumb: