DMF 

Contador isn't a bad TTer. No way Evans takes two minutes from him.

GGDub

That's right homie, maybe this will teach you to proofread.

Randomus

Good rides by Chicken, Contador, "Lazy Leipheimer"...

Cromulent

Now that I'm looking at the earlier time trial, I think you're right. I think Contador can hold him off.

And I've made something out of nothing. Next thing you know I'll be protesting sax and violins on television. So in the words of Emily Litella, "Nevermind".

superslomo

Contador was only 30 seconds ahead of rasmussen in the last TT. Cadel is considered actually to be pretty good in the discipline, isn't he?

Helmet Head

Well, my speculation wasn't that far off. At least he clawed his way to the finish before everyone but Ras.

You have to wonder what could have been had Levi not worked for Cantador today.

godspiral

Evans could pick up 5 minutes on ras for all we know. Levi might finish ahead of contador. Was nice to see Levi and Evans fight to stay with the other 2, instead of letting them go on first try. AC was cracked at the end so Levi edged ahead.

If there's a headwind on TT day, that would spell trouble for the climber guys ahead.

Lithuania

Rasmussen looked so cocky today. Did you see him offer contador a bottle of water when it was down to four? I loved the push he gave Levi too. It almost seems like he could have took off with 2km to go and put a good minute or two into him and evans.

acape

I think if he felt good enough to get an extra minute, he would have done so. He knew he needed as much time as he could get. None of them looked as sharp as before, they were all hurting.

Helmet Head

Probably true. Ras had to get as much time as he could get out of Cantador. But, it did look like he could have gotten more time out of him had he attacked earlier. He only went at what, 1 k to go?

Dolomiti

Wouldn't have been worth the risk to attack earlier. If he attacked earlier and Contador countered and rode away, everyone would have been calling it a stupid mistake.

Lithuania

Yeah I didnt think he attacked because he was worried about a counter.

acape

This is probably true also, but I don't think he had a whole lot left in the tank either.

merlinextraligh

He was pacing Contador, and when Contador couldn't hold his wheel, he kept going to put time into Evans.

Waiting for Contador would have only given Contador 4 seconds, and would have cost Leipheimer a lot.

classic1

Fantastic rides by Leiphiemer and Evans. They were suffering like dogs. Hard barstards.

bbattle

Dang straight. And now it's hard riding all the way to Paris, with a very, very important TT in a couple of days. The Yellow Jersey will put wings on Contador; I think he will pull it off. But if he loses to Evans, no shame there.

gm1230126

Johann gave Ras abottle two days early and Alberto has given Ras a few pushes as well. I think Ras was just paying back and showing some gratitude he was shown by Disco.

Layback

Rasmussen is a pathetic cheater. Today's stage, while very exciting, will be forever marred by his ethics.

Cromulent

Agreed. I watched the stage last night (only following long on cyclingnews.com in the morning). Leiphiemer worked his butt off to keep Contador up there. And Evans was awesome as well.

Paniolo

Exactly, though I kind of expected that kind of ride from Evans. Levi surprised me. He did exactly what he said he would on what most riders considered the Queen stage. Not only that, but he first supported his teammate in trying to win the tour, attacked the yellow jersey and then when AC cracked he rode to 2nd on the day and got time from Evans.

I've not been a big fan of Levi's style, but obviously he is a seasoned professional that knows his strengths and weaknesses. His strength is being able to tempo ride up steep mountains at a steady pace that can ride everyone but a few true climbers off his wheel.

Helmet Head

Indeed. In this case, everyone but one (not counting Ras), and that's assuming he wouldn't have been able to beat Contador if he had not been trying to break Ras.