Originally Posted by
OrionKhan
What is the difference?
1. Stage 3: A crash that causes the peloton, including the yellow jersey and Contador, to stop. Cancellara, with Andy in tow, drill it and gain a minute on Contador, who was stopped through no fault of his own.
2. Stage 15: Andy Schleck attacks Contador, Sanchez, and Menchov in the mountains. Contador and the other react to cover the attack. Andy drops his chain, through what appears to be rider error. Note that Andy was still on the bike pedaling when they went by, but was definitely slowed trying to figure out what was going on. Contador and the others attack.
I will say that I think the best rider won the Tour, I agree that at no point did AS physically out ride AC.
I do think there is a fundamental difference between between the events of stage 3 and stage 15. Riding in a peloton is a strategic maneuver in the sport of bike racing and with that you have to take both the benefits (drafting) and pitfalls (accidents/stoppages). Teams are constantly jockeying for better positions and AC/Astana simply did not put themselves in an advantageous position to avoid problems, so to me that is his fault. When you are going for a sprint finish in biking or track and field you have to make sure you aren't boxed in by others or else you might not be able to get out, AC did not do this, got boxed in, and lost time. It was a mistake. His mistake.
You can argue that AS dropping his chain was rider error, but it was still a mechanical. AS put himself in a perfect position to attack, did everything right, loses his chain and AC sheepishly countered, to be fair I also think it was a poor showing from SS and DM, but AC obviously gained the most from it, a yellow in Paris. It just has a sour taste to me, AC could have shown great class and sportsmanship but didn't, and for that I can only lose respect for him.