TdF Stage 17 - Wednesday July 22 - 169 km - Bourg-Saint-Maurice → Le Grand-Bornand
07-22-09, 06:40 AM
#52
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07-22-09, 06:49 AM
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The TDF isn't all about mountaintop finishes, and they have to mix it up from year to year. Gong up fast takes fitness, going down fast takes skill. The TDF requires it all.
Thumbs up for the "jail break" finishes. . . whoever can get over the last climb and descend best wins.
Thumbs up for the "jail break" finishes. . . whoever can get over the last climb and descend best wins.
07-22-09, 06:53 AM
#54
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07-22-09, 06:54 AM
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Yes, because yesterday's stage sucked so much.
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OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
07-22-09, 06:54 AM
#56
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07-22-09, 07:08 AM
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Thor crashed but brushed it off. Now a few others crashed in the chase group. That will net the break some time when the peloton gets instructions to slow down that corner. I agree with Garthr, I love a good descent!
07-22-09, 07:22 AM
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I just tuned in. How did Thor get away from the peleton? With a breakaway group? On a climb? Or solo? I'm surprised the sprinters teams let him go w/o sending someone to sit on his wheel.
07-22-09, 07:23 AM
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Thor traded bodies with Richard Virenque, and is solo-breaking the alps. Ho hum!
He wasn't shadowed because Cavendish is a sucking the back of the peloton. Thor bridged to an established break, covering the 1:15 gap in 9 minutes! He then lived up to his descending cred by pulling away on the downhill. He's making the day a lot less boring!
He wasn't shadowed because Cavendish is a sucking the back of the peloton. Thor bridged to an established break, covering the 1:15 gap in 9 minutes! He then lived up to his descending cred by pulling away on the downhill. He's making the day a lot less boring!
Last edited by Ceiliazul; 07-22-09 at 07:27 AM.
07-22-09, 07:23 AM
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Menchov? . . . . wow . . . he just can't stay upright. He's having a really hard time regaining confidence, and it's a bit painful to watch someone go through it.
07-22-09, 07:25 AM
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The green jersey leader getting 6 minutes ahead makes for an exciting race. Cavendish is really looking like a one trick pony now.
07-22-09, 07:29 AM
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Although, if a pony's "one trick" is to win multiple Tour de France stages in back-to-back years, it's still a very impressive animal.
07-22-09, 07:30 AM
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Wait a minute... Stuart Ogrady leading the peloton and Thor on a training ride. Maybe today isn't a mountain stage at all and they just posted the wrong stage profile??
07-22-09, 07:31 AM
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Quote of the thread (so far).
07-22-09, 07:35 AM
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^^^
Thor is still the second best sprinter in the tour this year, IMO. A lot of that comes down to the team though.
Not denying that. I'd rather be the second best sprinter in the peloton and be capable of things like this, than be unbeatable in sprints. I appreciated Cavendish's Milan-San Remo win for that reason. Maybe he can show some form in the classics next year and sway me. I'm sure he cares 
Thor is still the second best sprinter in the tour this year, IMO. A lot of that comes down to the team though.
07-22-09, 07:37 AM
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Thor is just after the sprint points, after he gets the second sprint he'll fall back and conserve his energy.
07-22-09, 07:43 AM
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I believe garthr is right, and I also believe Thor is all-around awesome.
07-22-09, 07:57 AM
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Eurosport reporting De Luca tested positive at the Giro. This **** never stops.
07-22-09, 07:58 AM
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Hushovd must feel all warm and fuzzy inside rolling through sprint points at a leisurely pace.
07-22-09, 08:00 AM
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The thing is, that the green jersey isn't exactly the jersey for the best sprinter, although it's often seen as such, but rather one for consistency. And there's no doubt Hushovd is better in that regard than Cavendish, so I guess he deserves to win it. Cavendish has a lot to learn about road racing still...
07-22-09, 08:00 AM
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07-22-09, 08:01 AM
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This just in on Velonews live feed
" According to the UCI Danilo Di Luca has allegedly tested positive for EPO during the Giro d'Italia in which he placed second. "
" According to the UCI Danilo Di Luca has allegedly tested positive for EPO during the Giro d'Italia in which he placed second. "
07-22-09, 08:01 AM
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