OrionKhan

Since this is the internet where wild ass speculation is to be expected...What if Voeckler goes nuts and attacks on the second climb to try and summit first and get everyone in a crazy chase down the mountain? On 17 he clearly was going to the edge and a little over on the descent trying to catch back up with Contador. He seems like a guy who might throw caution to the wind and try to attack when no one is expecting him to.

Kind of Blued

Attacking and breaking away are very different things. He has the panache to attack, though. Hell, he has a suitcase of panache.

yellowjeep

I sure hope so.

SouthFLpix

The problem with attacking on the Col d'Izoard is that there is a huge distance before the final climb and a group working together will almost certainly catch up to a solo breakaway. If a group of 3 or 4 escapes and works together they have a chance of staying away, but I don't think one person can do it.

That's something we might see if someone like Cadel Evans is dropped on the Col d'Izoard. In that case whoever makes the summit will work together to keep him away because at this point he has to be seen as the favorite.

Kind of Blued

Why won't my dvr fast-forward into the future?!?!?!?!

900aero

Should be epic. My 0.02c worth:

Contadors team will show up today: AC to pull serious time on everyone except CE
Even if they don't, Sammy Sanchez will
Leopard will go strong with their Voigt/Ogrady/Cancellara combo but I don't know if A &F have the mongrel to take it from there :
Evans does have a couple of climbers as well as a bunch of good roleurs. Bookwater, Burghart, Amael Moinard + Steve Morabito will step up after George has given everything : CE will get serious time over TV but perhaps not AC
Voeckler may go nuts on a dezcent but as per yesterday, he's not really up to a really full-tilt effort

Of course, the whole defensive chess game may go on for one more day and we'll have no changes at all........Which would suit Cadel pretty fine I guess.

Kind of Blued

I find it interesting that, taken individually, the climbs are ordered from hardest to easiest. If Bjarne can think of a tactic to make it stick, I hope Contador attacks on the Agnel; early, and often.

ultraman6970

What wil happen tomorrow is that nothing will happen until the last climb. I would love to see AC and SS just go in the iozard but doubt it will happen. What It could happen tho is a bunch of non sense attacks from contador in the second climb just to softer the meat and end with a final blow in the last 10km of the last climb.

CastleRock

I want to see somebody attack really hard. I really want to see somebody seperate themselves from the rest.

skyrider

I enjoyed how AC and sanchez worked together, seems like everyone is racing clean, I dont think will see a Floyd ride like a few years ago. Im wondering were Cav and Petachi will finish, will they make the time cut.

900aero

Cadel ate a powerbar at the top of the climb outside Gap. You don't do that if you're really hurting. He still has plenty in reserve I suspect. PLus we haven't see the real climbers in BMC come out to play yet. Look for Morabito & Moinard to step up. At least thats what I'm hoping.

Kind of Blued

As much talk as there has been about Contador not being in good form for the first two weeks, it's easy to forget that he attacked on Stage 4, and he was the first GC guy to attack. He's also been the only GC guy to really execute a sudden and powerful attack on a climb for this entire tour. A few other guys have done light-hearted attacks, looked back, and if nobody had countered, they continued on, like Sanchez on his stage win. The only reason Contador has looked like crap is because he didn't drop EVERYBODY immediately, which is what many of us expect out of him.

My point is that, regardless of how he does, he's ridden like a champion, and that's the only reason I like him; it's more fun to watch him race than watch a race that he's not in. I think that mentality is going to run its course over the next couple of days. I think Contador will either win this tour, or lose it by a hefty margin. He leaves it all out on the road, and there's nothing more to do.

reef58

Agree on AC and AS they are fun to watch.

Richard

chasm54

The moment of truth for Evans today. Stay with Contador and win the Tour.

TommyL

fify

xfimpg

If today isn't gangbusters, I'm going to eat my shorts.

skyrider

100 km in the books half way gorgeous scenery, my Aunt has a cottage near Pinerollo. Long pull up Hope Ivan gets a good placing today.

skyrider

Gilbert is running 36 - 27

chasm54

Contador doesn't look too comfortable, and we're only on the first climb. Too early to rush to judgement, but I'd have expected him to want to be visible towards the front of the bunch.

USAZorro

Andy just went over Izoard about 2 min up on other contenders. I think he'll be less than 1 min ahead by the time they start the final climb.

FriendlyFred

why on earth would they allow Andy Schleck to go out like that and not chase him? Especially when he has two team mates up ahead. What am I missing?

LannyD

Really going to be an interesting final climb... If they catch him, will Frank immediately attack? How much does Andy have left for that final climb? Glued to the TV and not much work getting done here in this office at the moment.

NathanL

Maybe they thought on the desecent Andy would stop and throw a hissy fit about how dangerous the descent is and they could catch him.

OrionKhan

I'd like to see Andy stick it to them. I like to see aggressive moves pay out.

FriendlyFred

I still can't believe they didn't react and didn't react and just let him take 2:30+ out of them.