TDF 2010 stage 14 - Revel - Ax 3 Domaines 184.5 km, Sun. Jul 18
 

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first pyrenees stage is difficult enough to further reduce the contenders; likely lose two or three here while gaining
another potentially in the stage winner.

ouch

that's gonna leave a mark

This is the stage where Levi dies forever and ever. And this is the stage were contador needs to look like the champ he is, and take a few minutes off AS. If he takes only 10 secs again it means that he is sucking big time or that AS and everybody else are getting better and catching up with him.

you realize there are mountains in stages 15, 16, and definitely 17. I guarantee Contador isn't trying to "get minutes" in stage 14 when everyone is fresh especially with the Tourmalet looming. If he does then eveyone else got bad blood :) Schleck needs to take 3 minutes on Contador by the ITT, so all Bert needs to do is cover Schleck and counter if possible.

Like you said, there are more mountain stages and the ITT. The pressure will be on AS to attack and gain time. I think AC will cover as well. Then maybe counter attack near the top. Try and get 10-20 more seconds.

I see AC gaining 25 seconds tommorow. I dont think he wants the yellow just yet..

The last climb was in the 2003 tour de france, with Lance losing time to Jan Ullrich

Also I just looked at the final climb on google street view, and it looks fun, see link here - google street view.

My guess is: AC will mark Schleck, but probably won't attack him or take out more time.

Leipheimer, Sanchez will get shredded. I'd love to see Menchov attack this week, but I don't think that's his style.

Which Sanchez? LL Sanchez will get toasted. Sammy will be trying to hold on and prevent getting jumped by Rodriguez - who is probably his biggest worry for holding on to 3rd.

as phil and paul would say, Narstee! It will rip the legs off the peloton!

really expecting one of the big 3 spaniards (rodriquez, ll sanchez, sastre) and possibly contador to nab one of the next three stages here in the pyrenees. also waiting for gesink to attack to give menchov an easier time of it...perhaps on the steepest climb...

Here comes the PAIN

Looks like Astana drank a lot of coffee today ..... they're all jacked up.

Can they continue, or implode on the climb? Makes for good viewing for sure.

I meant Sammy. Perhaps he'll prove me wrong. ;)

Well, Contador clearly wasn't content with sitting on Schleck's wheel, but they look about equally strong today imo.

Hm, too much tactical playing around by Schleck and Contador? Quite arrogant of them imo.

I love it! ...a thing of beauty these two fighting...man...

can't believe they're letting menchov go like that

Not that much advantage for Menchov but I think that was not very intelligent of Contaleck.

^The Eurosport cast I was watching mentioned a rumor of "Contaleck" as teamates next year. Am I late here or is this a long-standing rumor?

Track-standing on the slopes? For a moment I thought Schleck had dropped a chain or something.

I agree that someone has some 'splaining to do re: the track standing. Unfortunately I just can't understand what Schleck was saying in his Versus interview. ;)

Great stage, but obviously nowhere near as much devastation as I expected. Guess I'll have to wait a day or two.

Did Cav not make the cut-off?

Never mind. I think he did.

From the post-stage interview, Andy seems to be waiting for the right stage to attack. Tomorrow? Thursday on Tourmalet? He was content to a fault to just cover Alberto today. He seems confident of being able to follow Contador's attacks, but very wary of what he can do to him from behind. He'll have to do something at some point. I think he needs another minute or two lead over AC to hang on after the TT. Looks like stage 17 is shaping up to be the big showdown.