bac

Ah, Cadel seems to be doing just fine with his team's tactics. I see nothing wrong with Sergeant's plan at all.

... Brad

stonecrd

Tactics are all about what risks you want to take and clearly Lotto bet on Cadel having no problems and wanted the stage win with Popo. It worked 50%, no problems for Cadel but no win for Popo. If Cadel had a mechanical or got dropped it would have been a big failure but I guess they were willing to risk it. Me I liked CSC, Jens dropping off handing out his bottles and then moving to the front to help attack Cadel for 3k. I love that guy

Shadco 

Especially since CSC is living up to past performances. They sat there and watched LA keep up with them and didn't really ever succeed pressuring him. They need to get minutes on CE if they wanna win but they just let him suck wheel, they are going to hate the TT.

disclosure haven't watched stage 17 yet but I bet Sastre and Schlek will be looking right behind them as Evans gets the same finish time as they do on stage 17.

MDcatV

20/20 hindsight, but Johann B. agreed with this during his commentary of todays stage. For fear of spilling the beans on a spoiler and getting the wrath, I'll not comment any further, but I've been on the forums long enough to know Racer Ex has figured out how to win some races, and I've followed enough grand tours to know that Johann B. knows a thing or 2 about winning them.

Dolomiti

Sometimes going in a breakaway is a more efficient way of riding a stage. How do you think Landis almost won the Tour? They can ride at a more steady pace. The yellow jersey group doesn't necessarily ride efficiently. Consider flat stages where a breakaway might gain up to 20 minutes. The yellow group just cruises along leisurely, because they have no need to chase. How do the riders in the lead group have "easier work" when they go all out late in the stage? You're making an assumption, not necessarily accurate, that Arveson would have been with the lead group at that point had he not been in the breakaway.

skinny

Of course sometimes is the operative word. I made no absolute statements. Every case is different. If Cancellara sits in a break then drops back to help on the flats, obviously he will be able to make a larger contribution than if he goes all out in a break then drops back to ride tempo on the lead up to the steep part of a climb. Add in any other possible permutations and you have endless possibilities. I never said otherwise.

Landis did not "almost" win a tour. He cheated.

You read this into what I wrote. Please don't put words in my mouth. I never made this assumption. I only stated what actually happened and that it shows that having a rider in a breakaway then bringing him back to help the leader can sometimes backfire.

veloGeezer

The Lord Alps those who Alps themselves

skinny

sign seen over French buffet: