bauhaus92

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdOJLuePexs

xfimpg

Two more who believe Contador would have seen what happened.

trobinson017

My heart broke for Andy today. When he thought he fixed the problem and hopped on but it still was there, he got off in frustration and looked backward for the team car. I could almost feel his panic in my chest. I think AC knew of the problem as he passed Andy but with Menchov and Sanchez rocketing ahead I feel he had to go too. So sad. I've been rooting for Andy and that will become more fierce now!!

T

chuckb

Contador is a weasel, pure and simple. No class and that little "gunshot" thing from the podium, under these circumstances, while half the crowd boos? Tonedeaf, arrogant and uncaring. GOD, I hope AS kicks his ass.

mcoomer

It's certainly setting up to be one helluva stage tomorrow.

Laggard

Drama king much?

memorex88

Oh here's something else!!! Congrats to Thomas Voeckler. Well deserved stage win.

BluesDawg

Yes. A great victory by Voeckler.

FL_MarkD

And with Andy in the white jersey we get to see the young rider podium girls on Versus, which is NOT a bad thing.

Props to Voeckler for a great ride today.

Mark

OrionKhan

Ha! I just got home from work and new BF would be jumping after today's stage.

Incredible ride by Voeckler.

My take the AC/AS this is this...
Don't know when AC figured out AS had the mechanical trouble. Only AC knows for sure. But I don't really feel bad for AS because he was on the attack and probably was some of the cause for the chain jumping. Probably a mis-shift or something. I they were just riding along together and it happened, I would feel different. But AS was on the attack and AS, with others, was moving to cover. To me, that makes it a different situation. It was just one of those racing incidents. In addition, I think AS has some goodwill in the bank after Fabian regulated that stage to allow AS to get back into the race following his crash. Otherwise AS is still down by a couple of minutes. AC lost some time when his wheel broke inside of km from the finish. Both guys have had some bad luck and fortunate luck. Both guys have managed to launch attacks and drop to other rider to gain 10 seconds or so. So I see as being about where they stand, damn near even. In fact, I think AC continuing on is the best thing for the race. It creates controversy and rivalry. What will the ratings be tomorrow? People actually have a quantifiable reason to hate AC now instead of the BS Lance situation from last season. This is what makes for great rivalries. Barring injuries or positive tests, we could be looking at the beginning of 3 or 4 years like this.

I hope Andy stands by his word and puts in the ride of his life tomorrow. He's been talking quite the game for a guy who's never won a grand tour. Its put up or shut time now. Can't wait until tomorrow.

One thing I found interesting in the broadcast was Phil and Paul seemed fairly neutral in covering it. That was refreshing.

Allen H

I have to wonder if Frank might have been riding in that group if he hadn't crashed out; that would have allowed AS to switch bikes and limit the loss probably altogether.

Well, at least this makes AS the sentimental favorite in most quarters.

JonnyHK 

I watched the replays a few times and I think that people are being a bit harsh on Contador.

Schleck attacks, people respond (Vino, then later AC).

Schleck looks down and starts to slow. But he is still pedaling - chain is not 'off', not yet.

Vino pulls through and doesn't even look down. AC is hot on his heels.

It isn't until after both Astana riders are past that Schleck has stopped and is working on the chain (I didn't pick up on when it actually fell off). Why would the Astana guys be looking back?

My guess is that Vino just saw Schleck slowing. Contador probably saw that Schleck had a problem but might have thought "ha, ha, the idiot has messed up a gear change, so-long sucker!" - which isn't an unfair thing to think since Schleck IS STILL PEDALING at this stage. Taking advantage of someone screwing up is fair enough.

If there was more distance until the end of the stage, perhaps the situation would be different. AC would have had time to know what had happened and time to think about slowing up for Schleck to catch up. As it was the riders were powering for home only a few km (3?) away.

OrionKhan

That's pretty much how I saw it as well. There was more than 3km to go though. For me, it seemed more like a self inflicted mechanical problem. That's why I give the guys (AC, Menchov, and Sanchez) a pass. Andy wants to win. Part of winning is avoiding those troubles. A lot to winning a stage race is getting to the finish and avoiding mishaps. He was on the attack and probably mis-shifted. The others were covering Andy's attack and then continued on. What are they supposed to do? Stop and wait for Andy because HE messed up HIS attack on them?

daytonian

I don't see Schleck complaining here? How quickly stage 3 is forgotten. When it's not favorable for Saxo, everyone should sit up. When it is favorable, it's racing.


Funny, Saxo and human land missile Cancellara with Andy in tow never had issues drilling it right after that stage 3 crash that took his brother out of the tour.

wabbit

I've had a few discussions on this and my impression is that Contador didn't know right away exactly what had happened and took off. That's what cyclists do in the grand tours. You see someone in difficulty, you take advantage...unless it's a horrible tragedy or something. What's he supposed to do, wait and make a diagnosis?
If lance did the exact same thing, everyone would be saying what a tough competitor he is, and 'that's bike racing' and 'hard cheese'. S*** happens, and as much as I like Andy Shleck and would like to see him win, you can't blame anyone, it was a mishap. And keep in mind, he is very close behind so it's not like he's out of contention.

SunSwingsLow

Exactly. AC is making a huge move to either cover the attack or launch one of his own. He's not checking the guys chain to make sure the guy is hooked up. Hes making a split second decision to drop the hammer and not looking back. AC is looking up-road and plotting his path and hoping he leaves destruction behind him.

Shadco 

It was a cheap move by ContraPeirto.

ContraPeurto attacked immediately before Menchov, or Sanchez, Vino slowed but once ContraPeurto attacked Menchov and Sanchez had to follow.

Too bad there weren't a few more clicks on the climb before the summit AS probably would have caught ContraDoper.

AS appears to be good and pissed I hope he buries ContraDoper

SunSwingsLow

Yeah lost in all this.

WAY TO GO Voeckler. With his win today and Vino's yesterday i have been all smiles. 2 very deserving wins.

Laggard

You're trying too hard.

OrionKhan

Yes, its been a good couple of days for the stage hunters. Gotta love the guys how consistently go out on breaks in hopes of one day getting one to stick. Great wins for them.

SunSwingsLow

Oh...and could Paul and Phil say the 100 year anniversary of the Pyrenees ONE MORE time??!!

For god sakes.

stop.

please.

daytonian

AS should be watching Menchov at 2:05 back or he's gonna get buried.

OrionKhan

I will say they were fairly neutral on the Contador/Schleck thing. I was rather surprised. They often are hardly the model of impartiality.

Shadco 

He learned at the hands of the best.

jetjock

Im sure you wouldnt have given Lance a hard time if he would have pulled a move like that.

Hypocrites