There was a pretty long time between when levi was dropped and when lance dropped back to him. I don't know if he was getting yelled at to drop back that whole time and finally complied, they were hoping levi could get back up(unlikely) or lance has permission to ride for his own top ten but he clearly wasn't being a good teammate today and this was the closest he's been on any stage.

I think Lance pretty much proved that he is throughout this race. He's gotten support when dropped but until today hasn't done a shred of work for levi even though it was clear he wasn't a contender in the first week. Given what a ****ing cock he is even interpreting today's ride as "for levi" requires quite a stretch. I really doubt he dropped back until it was completely clear he would be dropping back whether he wanted to or not.

Battling it out with SaxoBank.

Little doubt that Lance dropped back to help Levi out today. Levi's Giro is through. His only hope for some redemption is to win the final TT.

You haven't been watching much have you? Lance has been pulling Levi along several times during the 2nd week. Yesterday, he pulled Popo and Cunego the last 20K.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/slipstr...ts/3523146368/

First time watching a stage race eh?

Well, yes I do see your point....I understand what your saying here. I just thought it was kinda odd to feel "sorry" for Armstrong because he was Levi's "waterboy". I certainly will never be sympathetic towards anyone who has had the successes he has and now has a different role in the team. I think he SHOULD have the responsibilities of supporting other riders in their successes. I don't think I hit my point accurately.

It was me calling Lance, Levi's waterboy. Levi has failed. Intentions don't matter. Levi has not attacked in any serious manner or taken a stage victory. SRAM (Lance is a part owner), Trek, etc. will not be pleased.

It's all about creating fanboys. 6th place doesn't sell papers and carbon fiber cranksets. At least go for the Cyclamen jersey just to look cool.

This is pro cycling, not the local Cat-3 race. Winning is what matters. Selling more bike crap is what matters. Intentions don't matter.

Oh wow, the other 8 riders must be just out of frame on the ground as well...

They did get 2nd on the TTT stage 1

Fixed.

Now as for your thesis:

Levi started the day 40s out of the lead...Lance was so far down the classification that he has in no chance for an overall. The team was riding for Levi, as of this morning he had the best shot at the podium of any Astana rider....so you think that once Levi started to faulter the team should have abandoned him and let Lance go for what? A possible sixth place? Lance wasn't going to hang with the Sastre/Basso/Menchov/DiLuca group...and even if he could he would have gained zero ground on them. Astana's tactics haven't been great this race but that would have been completely boneheaded.

I think Astana is doing the best it can in this race with the riders present.

I also think it's foolish of us to be so myopically focused on Astana. There are a lot of other teams/riders who are doing some pretty incredible things... like Sastre.

Who would have thought the little Spaniard would have torn up today's stage like he did?

No, Levi--as leader--should not have gotten dropped. I'm really disappointed. I thought Levi had the killer instinct. Maybe the crash really did hurt him more than it appears.

It's crazy how Popo broke down too. WTF was the point of that breakaway without any legitimate result? He basically just wasted enough energy where the rest day probably won't do crap for him and the whole Astana team might simply get dropped on the way up Blockhaus.

I just don't get it...

I, for one, didn't. Cervelo was really hidden in obscurity to me. Sastre showed the killer instinct. This was almost like a replay of last year up Alp D'Huez, except Sastre did it solo (no CSC train taking him to the base). Granted, he let up a little bit at the end but, to me, it was epic.

The stage was 7-something hours long. Popo went as hard as he could and just couldn't hold it any longer. Nothing more to it than that.

Makes Sastre look even better; smart, smart rider.

I wonder how many watts Lance would have threatened? Surely more than 400.

Great pic.

Instinct doesn't ****ing matter when you're legs can move any faster.

The point of having popo up the road was twofold. If levi hadn't cracked popo could have fallen back and provided valuable assistance to him. Further popo had a chance at winning the stage and even though that didn't pan out it was worth a try.

in what sense? Usually when your team leader falters with a few chances left to make up time good teammates will stay back with him to limit the damage or even pull him back to the leaders. Lance didn't do this for quite a while for one reason or another. Given his general reputation as a cock and how he's been acting this giro I don't think it's out of line to assume the worst.

And you called Levi off the podium...

That I did and I expected Carlos to do something like this. Came into this race with intent, instead of just as training.

Also called Menchov as well worthy of being in the conversation, and as a top 5 TT guy.

I did think Basso would be a bit stronger compared to Di Luca and Menchov, but he's still riding at the front and attacking. He just hasn't been able to finish.

I knew Levi wouldn't be able to answer any real attacks; the question was whether he'd have the legs to follow wheels. I pointed out that Basso had him on the rivet several stages ago, I didn't think that boded well. People got fooled by high GC finishes in GT's without taking into account that Levi had AC there to distract everyone else. I pointed out early on when he looked good that he had a lot of racing in his legs and could easily have a Mayo-like crack.

In the end it will make no difference but Astana's and Levi's tactics in this race have been horrible. And if I see "Pop'd like a beach" go on one more failed stage hunt when he's got a guy fighting for GC, I will scream.

There's still some good racing to go, but right now obviously it's Di Luca trying to unseat Menchov, and I think that's a bit of a tall order. They are too close in style and abilities, and Menchov looks stronger.

Both need to be very wary of Sastre though. Blockhaus and Vesuvius are both places where Sastre could make up significant time and both riders need to stay inside themselves and not crack. Remember the little Spaniard made won Alpe D'Huez by 2:15 over Menchov, though he's got no Schlecks to distract the guys here.

quick Giro question,
Just wondering what these classifications are for:

1. T. V. classification
2. Azzuri d'Italia classification
3. Trofeo Fuga Cervelo Classification
4. Fair play classification

thanks.

i agree. my hat's off to lance for being a true team player.

ed rader

Well, Cervelo made it pretty obvious that they were focusing on the last week in general and this stage in particular. But as for how succesful he was, I guess Sastre surprises people with his laidback, humble demeanor.

+100. I tip my hat!

It was his Cervelo.

This cannot be denied.

I loved watching Sastre today, he was flying! At one point I thought he might get anywhere from a minute to two minutes on Menchov but I guess he started fighting back good show, hopefully Carlos can do this two more times on blockhaus and vesuvius!

Then we should expect much better out of you. Yes?