Re: Tour de France 2011
 

I wasn't able to watch todays race, but damn, I had high hopes for Gesink this year and he sucked today.

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

You missed a good one, Ferdie! I don't know if you have access to watch at least parts of it somewhere, but as far as highlights go, the Leopard-Trek train up the Col du Tourmalet was amazing (Cancellara did a tremendous amount of work at the front for quite a long time), as was the group with the Schlecks, Basso, Evans, and Contador over the last 5K or so of the stage.

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

I might be able to see the highlights of yesterdays stage today. I was at the Amsterdam dungeons with some collegues yesterday, guess who they picked to demonstrate a torture chair ............ I need to learn to keep my mouth shut at certain times ;)

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

WHAT A GREAT RACE TODAY! I am surprised and actually a bit disappointed that Voeckler kept yellow.

Now with "57 on Cadel, AS has his odds go to dead even with Cadel, both the odds on favorites now to win....

Tomorrow is going to be fun....and here is to hoping Andy and Frank put more time into the field...:chr

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

finally some fireworks, Andy Schleck killed Contador which I didn't expect after the last few days. I'm not disappointed in Voeckler, he's doing great and I kinda like that he kept yellow with just a few seconds to spare, just like in 2004 when he fought to keep yellow and managed with 22 seconds to spare. What a fighter.

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

I agree with Ferdie on Voeckler. As much as I love Andy, Stage 18 must have really been the ride of Voeckler's life, and and I'm impressed with him hanging on to the yellow. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he lost it today on l'Alpe d'Huez, but congrats to him for fighting and holding on to it one more day. Extremely impressive riding by Andy and a great plan by Leopard-Trek overall. Today will be interesting, because I think Andy really has to put more time into Evans before the time trial. Both worked hard yesterday, so maybe one of the sleepers who didn't do so much work (Frank?) will be able to make something of himself today.

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

I'd love to see Voeckler win, but it's a long shot. Perhaps the other GC riders will beat each other up today and Voeckler can just hang on? Time trial will hurt his chance if Evans or Schleck stay close. I hope for a battle royale today.

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

Voeckler doesn't stand a chance, it would surprise me if he ends up in the top 3 at all with his time trial skills. Andy & Frank Schleck will have to attack today otherwise Evans will win the tour.

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

I'd love to see Evans win via TT today!

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

Agreed, by 2" over Andy Schleck....:tu

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

impressive

and I must say, kudos to Contador the last few days, he tried, attacked where he could and did his utmost best to win some time back.

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

I went on a ride instead of watching today....glad I did.... It isn't that I don't want Cadel to win, I just was hoping for AS....

Agree Ferdie....Contador went to another level the past 2 days.... Hell of a run after dominating the Giro.

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

Voeckler and his time trialing skills? Surely you jest. Prior to this tour, his ITT time was always in the bottom half of the standing.

Re: Tour de France 2011
 

Yes, that's what I'm saying Noodles, please read carefully.