Stage 8: Le-Grand-Bornand - Tignes
 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007...phics/map8.gif
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007...s/profile8.gif
Images ©:www.letour.fr

Meaty. Love the look of this stage!!

It'll be decided on the last climb. I hope Levi has enough gas in the tank.

I think Rasmussen, Contador or Valverde will take the stage.

Might get a breakaway winner again with this one. I guess it depends on how hard the tempo is done. I suspect Vino is playing a little possum.

Richard

I also think if Levi has any hope of being a contender Discovery will be on the front tomorrow. If he does not attack then all of the talk about him wanting to win, and how good he feels is hot air. We will find out if he is a pretender or a contender.

I doubt if Skeletor is allowed to go on a breakaway. I really think it would be a major mistake if that was allowed to happen.

I thought Moreau(sp) looked cool as a cucumber today on the climb.

I only hope tomorrow someone rides to win the tour instead of everyone riding not to lose.

Richard

+2

With a rest day following, good day for anyone with big hopes to show something.

Team Discovery has been noticeably absent from the front. Granted they didnt have anything to really protect but I think they have been conserving their legs for a push for Levi tommorow.

I really look for a big time effort from team discovery and Levi on stage 8.

I'll be in my chair chastising everyone that can't keep up with him :P

They quoted Rasmussen as having hopes to win the tour this year, but has he learned to TT? If not, a lot of GC guys will probably wait to take back time from him in TT instead of killing themselves to stay with him if he "decides" to win this stage. Given the mountain top finish and his innability to descend, its very well suited for him.

Rasmussen will go for points early in the stage (and will be caught before the end), Valverde may win, but not Contador.
What do you think about the Lampre leader Valjavec ? Lampre presentation video

I know next to nothing about Valjavec.

I expect that under certain circumstances, someone might try to make a move on the 2nd to last climb - otherwise, it will be on the last climb.

As for Rasmussen being "allowed" to break away, if he decides to go on the last climb of the day, and if he's in better form than the rest of the main contenders, there might be nothing they can do to stop it.

I think Cadel Evans and Dennis Menchov could lose a little time on some of the other contenders if there are fireworks on the last climb. Possibly Mayo as well.

What a beast of a stage!
I'll pretty much agree with this.

If Kloden and Vino really are hurt, I look for a couple of the teams to see if they can't put the duo under serious pressure.

Yikes talk about poking a wounded lion. Here is what Valverde had to say courtesy of cyclingnews;

Alejandro Valverde finished with Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) in the finale of stage seven to Le Grand Bornand. The Spaniard of Caisse d'Epargne is vying for the overall classification and would like to rid himself of Vinokourov before Monday's rest day.

"We would like that," said the 27 year-old to Cyclingnews on Saturday. "After yesterday, where we watched him, we would like to leave him behind."

It's going to be war on that last climb. Any breakaways will not survive. Gerdemann will lose yellow and Valverde will win the stage. Levi's been quiet though, too quiet, he will be up there too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by reef58

Might get a breakaway winner again with this one. I guess it depends on how hard the tempo is done. I suspect Vino is playing a little possum.

Richard

---

I hope you're right!

HI u all...

Hmmm... I still have hopes in Vino and Kloden, yes they are hurt but Kloden and vino are really tough guys, especially vino. If something happen it will happen in the beggining of the second cimb. In the 1st climb for sure we will see almost the same group we saw today. sadly I dont give a damm about "hincapié" anymore, Vino has stitches, the other one has a bone fisured and he was not able to keep up with the group... he will be a "gregario" forever.

Everybody knows that in the mountains vino and Cloden are dangerous, even now that they are hurt Valverde is still thinking in how get rid off them w/o killing themselves trying. Well wathching the tv it was easy to see that vino and kloden were both was relaxed in the group. Tomorrow both should show what are they made off (more than ever) Probably they won't attach for sure but they will defend themselves "ninja style", Silent but deadly!!!

Today's kid did an awesome work, I'm happy for him and for T-mobile, they have done Nothing this year, this kid save the team's dignity somehow. Good for them.

Levi? levi wont do a thing tomorrow... he is not at the same level than the astana guys at all. I havent seen Levi in the climbs attaching again and again to lance armstrong as vino did 2 years ago, I have more faith in the kid who won today than in levi. The Kid showed spirit and big BALLS...!!!

Skeletor? (that was funny) if he wants to win the race so badly why he didnt do much more today? I mean... u need to get rid off of some people also, it makes sense wait untill tomorrow but come on! show something else... a crappy attach in the summit? what the hell is that? Probably he doesnt have more to show up********** At the same time than think that people is taking care of themselves for tomorrow's stage it can be interpretated just the opposite, that "they dont have nothing else to show" just like with Skeletor.

Spanish riders are always dangerous because no body knows what they will come with and at what time they will make their moves...

Nites :) good luck guys.. and please pray to god so we could see an stage with many attacks tomorrow. I'm tired of group stuff, even today it was like that... it sucks! Lance needs to come back !!!!!!! :P

Nights :)

Levi still just reserving, though he did look a little worn on that last climb. Why would levi
attack now on stage 7, tomorrow hopefully we will something on that last stage 1 . The German
rider attacked ,and did cause he knows the peleton wasn't worried by him in the long run.
I will say he did a heck of ride, it made me want to ride the bike after watching him ride that
race. I am keeping my eye on the Rabo team they looked strong today.

Dynodan

Yeah, the puffing out of the cheeks and signs he's been making seem a little obvious. ;)

And imaginary "cutting" his neck with his hand...

Gerdemann will surely lose the yellow and probably white jersey. Just look how tired he was yesterday at finish. Video stage 7

I can't agree with you. Only the greatest can recover over the night.

I can't believe Rogers is in the break. Other teams have riders to, but jeez T Mob is getting the better of that deal.

Richard

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos...7st05-vino.jpg

maybe.

Why would T-Mobile lead the peloton (as they seem to be) if Rogers is in the break?

Looks like T Mob is back to their old tatics. Chasing down their own guy.

Richard