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!

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

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.

: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?

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.

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"?

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. :(

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"

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.

KOM this year? Podium next year?

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

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