bigbadwullf

Please do not make any reports on today's ride(today) so we don't spoil the fun for someone else.

As much as I like Andy Schleck and admire his ride yesterday and would like him to win, I see this as Evan's race to lose. I doubt the French guy is gonna hold the jersey for one more day.

NOS88

I don't know, and don't really have a big favorite. I guess if there is a preference it would be for the fairy tale of T.V. to be completed with a win. There has been tons of great racing this year, and baring any unfortunate incidents, whoever wins has worked hard for it.

RonH

I'd like to see Schleck, Schleck and Evans on the podium, in any order.


I'm actually wondering what kind of "contaminated beef" Contador had last night. He's riding better than yesterday.

bigbadwullf

Please, no comments on today's ride

Looigi

Went for a 45 mile early this morning (hot humid New England!) on my BMC and was trying to channel Cadel figuring he was probably riding in the tour at that same moment.

CraigB

That's what I think we'll see.

Pamestique 

I don't like any of the 3 although Evans I would like to see over the Schlenks (My favorite would be Ivan Basso). The GC this year has not been interesting to me. The other categories have - and stage wins. Alot of courageous riding out there.

make mine steep

I think it all depends on who has the best form left over for the time trials. Which rider will show up? One with contaminated beef? In 2009 Contador obliterated his competition. In 2010 he was not very impressive. Since he has had all sorts of trouble this year, and his form has been less than previous tours. Winning the Giro may have sapped his abilities. The Alps were amazing competitions. The tour has not been this unpredictable or full of surprises in years. The crashes this year seemed to outnumber previous years as well. More prominent exceptions like the 87 riders who missed the cut off time by a couple of minutes yesterday were still permitted to continue with only minor penalties instead of being sent packing. Specialist riders have been more prominent as well. Sprinters, climbers, time trial riders, solo riders, agressive riders, team competitors, friends, nationalistic minded riders, and the self-sacrificing riders have never been so pronounced or obvious. How many times did your guy fall? Who fell the most? Who didn't ever fall? Who lost the most time through being the victim of fans, press, organizers, or fellow riders? Who showed the most class as a rider? Who displayed a lack of character? Those are the questions that perhaps matter the most. If the 2009 Contador shows up, he beats everyone by 5 minutes on Saturday. If the 2010 Contador shows up he is not a factor. Contador has been in the worst form of his recent career and still been in the running. His words after being broken by Andy and then by Frank, Cadel, and Voelkler really showed that he has class. I never liked Alberto very much before. He said that he wasn't in contention to win this tour and praised Andy's agressive ride to come within 15 seconds of the yellow jersey. No doubt about it Andy Schleck rode like a champion yesterday. Cadel Evans might be capable of riding a better time trial than his competition. How much better will he be after riding like a super-hero in the mountains? Without his pursuit Voelkler would have lost the yellow jersey yesterday, and Frank Schleck would also have not been able to get close to his little brother. However it turns out in the time trial, Cadel Evans should be highly admired for his true grit. He gave the tour its backbone. Andy Schleck seems to have the wits to know how to win. Frank Schleck is more of an opportunistic rider. Alberto Contador is more the heart of the tour. He as always wants to win, but his body just isn't what it was. Johnny Hoogerland is my choice. He won't win. He never had a chance to really win the polka dot jersey, but to get launched into a barbed wire fence, requiring 35 stitches to his thighs and butt, looking like The Passion of the Christ stripes, and trying to come back and compete for the polka dot jersey at the end of the tour is real class! Who will win? I guess I'm hoping for Evans, but Andy Schleck must be pretty confident of victory after blowing away the field in the toughest day yesterday.

Pamestique 

I posted on the Contador thread that Contador is winning me over... he has been a courageous rider and still hanging int here. If for whatever reasonhe wins, I would be excited!

Andy had a good ride yesterday but he doesn't compare to Armstrong who would really opened up time on the others. Cadel just seems to be destine to a podium placement but not the yellow jersey. He has to win stages in order to win the tour... all I can say he better win tomorrow but there are other, better time trialers in the Tour.

jbman100

Schleck, Evans and Schleck.
No way Contador can make up the time he's down. Andy will have to have the TT of his life in order to hold off Evans but Evans will pass by Frank.

Garfield Cat

Phil Ligget says Contador has the most important event coming up on August 1 this year, his drug hearing.

TejanoTrackie 

The winner is Cadel Evans

Only the mods can see this, heh heh.

NOS88

Incredible finish in the TT today. Just a great tour all around. 1989 was the last time I thought there was such a finish. There are five riders who all rode like champions. Evans, both Schlecks, Contador, and Voeckler. What a race!

RonH

I'm happy.

jdon

Me as well. Because of the win, not because of the loss of others.

volosong

This edition is worth purchasing the 12-hour DVD version.

stapfam

Only if they don't do a full length version.

Have been an avid follower of the TDF for over 20 years now and This year has had everything. Won't comment on the result as barring some catastrophy occuring- I think the result is already made but still one Jersey to win or lose. Just hope this rider can get a result.

BluesDawg

Amen, brother.