Astana playing possum?
07-12-09, 05:37 PM
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Astana playing possum?
Clearly Astana has the strongest team with Alberto, Lance, and Levi. Their tactics so far have been to sit back and watch. The only time they've really gained on their rivals is in the TTT and ITT (except for a clever 40 seconds by Lance in a flat stage.).
There are only three mountain top finishes and the first is already over. At first we all heard "wait till Arcalis to separate the men from the boys". Pretty much a pack finish. Now we're told to wait for the Alps and stage 19.
Granted I don't race professionally and haven't won a TdF before but it seems like Astana has the power to crush their rivals early. Then just defend the yellow all the way to Paris. Lance did this a couple times with USPS. Astana's plan for Arcalis was to make others attack; why not tighten the screws and gain some more time? Today had some tough climbs with a flat finish and another pack finish. Astana didn't try to put the hurt on anyone as conventional wisdom dictates they'll be able to catch up on the flat. The last couple days the break has succeeded. I was glad to see Evans attack and get in the break yesterday even though it was for nothing. The other riders in the breakaway like Hincapie wanted nothing to do with him for fear of being chased down.
There are only three mountain top finishes and the first is already over. At first we all heard "wait till Arcalis to separate the men from the boys". Pretty much a pack finish. Now we're told to wait for the Alps and stage 19.
Granted I don't race professionally and haven't won a TdF before but it seems like Astana has the power to crush their rivals early. Then just defend the yellow all the way to Paris. Lance did this a couple times with USPS. Astana's plan for Arcalis was to make others attack; why not tighten the screws and gain some more time? Today had some tough climbs with a flat finish and another pack finish. Astana didn't try to put the hurt on anyone as conventional wisdom dictates they'll be able to catch up on the flat. The last couple days the break has succeeded. I was glad to see Evans attack and get in the break yesterday even though it was for nothing. The other riders in the breakaway like Hincapie wanted nothing to do with him for fear of being chased down.
07-12-09, 05:42 PM
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You do know this race isnt a week long, but three weeks? Why does everyone think Astana wants to win every single stage and have an even bigger target on their backs then they already have......
07-12-09, 05:53 PM
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Astana clearly doesn't want to win a stage (except for TTT) and I don't think "everybody" thinks that. I think the race is actually between Lance and Alberto and being on the same team it's causing issues so they're just "hanging" in there for now.
07-12-09, 06:26 PM
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If anyone thinks this thread should be in the TDF cesspool called Professional Cycling, speak now or forever hold your peace.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
07-12-09, 06:32 PM
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And of course Ventoux.
07-12-09, 06:44 PM
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^ that looks like fun to ride up
This makes me want to plan another trip to Europe.
Lets have a BF:RC meet in France next summer
This makes me want to plan another trip to Europe.
Lets have a BF:RC meet in France next summer
