reef58

Looks like the other GC hopefuls are going to let Sky ride at their own pace?? It seems if someone was serious about challenging Wiggins they would use their team to set the pace. For crying out loud EBH is still up there. Now if someone attacks there are 5 or 6 Sky riders to chase them down.

Shadco 

Group rides seem to be the theme of this years tour.

Boring

reef58

I think we will see attacks, but if there are 3 or 4 Sky riders with Wiggins they will fail. Someone needs to use their team to splinter the group a bit and then go head to head. 1vs5 you lose.

FriendlyFred

It's another day where the other teams allow SKY to dictate and don't attack. They should have just stopped the race and given the yellow to Wiggins after the TT a Monday ago. Another group ride across France. By allowing SKY yo set the tempo, the others have just given up. I'm sure there will be one or two of those 10 second 'attacks' then the 'attacker' will fall back into the group. The lack of mt. top finishes has doomed this Tour to group ride status.

Tommy Volkler has more courage than all of the other GC 'contenders' combined.

Alekhine

From UK.Eurosport: "66km - It's a mighty shame that a climb as brilliant as the Tourmalet has been treated with disdain by the main pack - it's a mere procession, a training ride led by Sky."

Laggard

Or just maybe there is no team capable of challenging sky. Yes, that's it.

knoxtnhorn

Does anyone know the name of the song that led in to today's broadcast on NBC Sports? It was during the montage of Schleck. I want to say the group is Dead Can Dance but I could be wrong.

reef58

It is not like Sky is setting a blistering pace. Look at how Andy's team handled the race in 2009, 2010, and 2011. He didn't win, but they decimated the field, and then the GC battle was on. Has anyone used their team to try and isolate Wiggins? Maybe they can't, but at least try.

knoxtnhorn

Correction. The song was played during the opening montage of today's stage. Also, it's on the American broadcast on Universal Sports.

reef58

Sagan still with the yellow jersey group. They are racing hard

chasm54

Liquigas turning up the wick to squeeze Wiggo. Or try to. The main victim is Evans, who is straight off the back. We're going to be down to very few riders on the final climb. Those who think this is a "group ride" ought to try staying with these guys.

FriendlyFred

Oh come on. Of course NONE of us on this board could stay with these guys. Just like no one on the Yankees board could hit or play like those guys, and so on. I hear that old chestnut trotted out so often. The overall point is...you can't hope to win if you're willing to just ride along and allow SKY to lead and set the tempo. Get out there and try to mix things up. Some of these other teams need to at least TRY to challenge SKY, not just follow along.

Joel Aaron

Turning up the gas for real is one thing. All of Liquigas' efforts have seemed like nothing more than a demonstration of doing their due diligence for TV and sponsor. Nobody has the form. What a sterile race.

chasm54

Someone - Nibali, Evans, VDB - has attacked Sky on almost every significant mountain stage. The fact that those attacks have failed does not mean that they weren't serious, or that those making them lacked guts or determination. The simple fact is that Sky in general, and Wiggins in particular, are just too strong for them. You may not like that, you may think it's boring. I don't, as it happens, there is plenty going on to keep me interested. But you can't put it down to a lack of effort, or sense of adventure. If you're the weaker rider, attacking on these climbs is just a very short suicide note.

FriendlyFred

Obviously I've VERY happy to have the opportunity to watch the Tour every day, and I personally don't find it boring. That said, the way the race is laid out, with the lack of Mt. top finishes and, it seems, fewer days in the Mts, overall, there's very little drama remaining in the race. That lack of drama for two weeks, since the individual TT, and the lack of any real apparent stages where the other GC contenders could take time back, make it rather frustrating when there ARE places where attacks could happen and they don't, or are half-hearted, at best.

reef58

I agree with your post. My point is cruising along at warm up pace for 90% of a stage and trying to drop Wig and 4 or 5 of his teamates is not a good strategy. This has been shown.

Joel Aaron

It probably goes back to the drug thing. We're used to seeing guys who have recovered fairly well during the tour due to drugs. They have the legs to attack dramatically. These guys are shot already. Wiggins looks great, but a few years ago someone on drugs would have been able to accelerate away from him. No one can even accelerate 10 sec on him

Nick Bain

looks like voeckler took his computer off.

Jquest

Amen to that.

For the love of God!!!! TeJay ATTACK!!!!!! Other than Tommy this stage is being won by guys who Alberto and Andy spat out the back during stages like this, last year on the first climb. The tour director is on suicide watch!!

Laggard

Its a good thing we know more than all those riders and directors do.

chasm54

We have our answer. Nibali goes for it. Froome and Wiggins in no trouble. Nobody else in the picture. Super impressive from Wiggo, really, he looks easy.

Joel Aaron

Who said that? I hear people (including me) complaining that no-one has the legs or talent to attack. You could say that's a fact at this point. Not saying anyone knows better than riders.

As far as the course, who knows.

DropDeadFred

I keep telling that old fart pcad Evans is in bad form...this goes to show...he never had it this year and it was obvious from the start.

jgf310

not that i have a clue...

but wouldn't the tour be more exciting if they got rid of the time trials?

reef58

no