Dominique, did you see today's stage in the Tour de France?

[Cazzie]

Had to bring this one back to top. Great stage today, I kew it would be a rough one. Now I have to go to Mende and take off from the aircraft carrier! :>)

I knew when the gradient got steep, Contador would start to stamp his authority.

I am thinking Andy Schleck has only tomorrow to remain in yellow, the Spaniard will wrench the jersey from him Sunday outright and claim his 3rd Toour a week in advance.

Caz

 

[dominique]

This was indeed a dramatic stage. Contador showed all the gentleman he is (NOT !) coming back on Vinokourov as he did... At least Rodriguez won.

As for climbing up the "montée Jallabert", I'll let you go first

 

[Cazzie]

This was indeed a dramatic stage. Contador showed all the gentleman he is (NOT !) coming back on Vinokourov as he did... At least Rodriguez won.

As for climbing up the "montée Jallabert", I'll let you go first

No, that is the steepest grade they have climbed this year, may be the steepest of all. Maybe on my mountain bike in the granny gear :d. But the Pyrenees are all steep, at least two percent steeper on average than the Alpine climbs. And the Tourmalet, you go first here, especially the day they finish on it. :ernae:

Perhaps the Col d'Aubisque is not so steep, but she is never ending, nearly a twenty mile ascent! :isadizzy:

It will be over Sunday.

Caz

 

[huub vink]

It will be over Sunday.

Caz

Perhaps Contador keeps him struggling a little bit longer, Schleck said he was surprised by the sudden attack and we have seen Schleck can be very tough! However he won't stand a chance in the time trial!

On Belgium television Vinokourov said he was not angry, but just disappointed, as he understood the yellow jersey was more important to the team. Personally I had the feeling it was payback time for earlier this Tour, when Vino, didn't wait for Contador......

The Dutch team Rabobank does well so far this year! Menchov fourth and Gesink seventh. I hope they can maintain their positions, which would quite an achievement.

Cheers,
Huub

 

[Cazzie]

Perhaps Contador keeps him struggling a little bit longer, Schleck said he was surprised by the sudden attack and we have seen Schleck can be very tough! However he won't stand a chance in the time trial!

On Belgium television Vinokourov said he was not angry, but just disappointed, as he understood the yellow jersey was more important to the team. Personally I had the feeling it was payback time for earlier this Tour, when Vino, didn't wait for Contador......

The Dutch team Rabobank does well so far this year! Menchov fourth and Gesink seventh. I hope they can maintain their positions, which would quite an achievement.

Cheers,
Huub

It will be over except for third, perhaps even second if And Schleck given Andy Schleck's poor time trialing and this will be a long time trial. Actually, Menchov is looking stronger day by day and he can hold his own in a time trial too, he is to be watched. I only see Gesink falling further down in the Pyrenees. Sanchev will slip too. But watch Ivan Basso in the Pyrenees, I don't think he has it for the yellow or second, but he could be a danger yet on the podium. Much like Lance's tour wins, it has been an exciting tour except for knowing the overall winner in advance. :ernae:

Alberto Contador rules, as much as I despise him, he is the Eddy Merckx of his era, he can dictate this race any way he chooses.

Caz

 

[dominique]

Hey Caz, this one is for you !

 

[huub vink]

Alberto Contador rules, as much as I despise him, he is the Eddy Merckx of his era, he can dictate this race any way he chooses.

This afternoon I saw an interview made on Friday with Andy Schleck. In this interview he revealed he and is his brother are friends with Alberto Contador and they have spend quite some time together. Andy Schleck also revealed that he had done most of his training in the Pyrenees.

And I hope you're not correct about Gesink

Back to the television as they are cycling now. I have done my private 75 kilometers (47 miles) already this morning (good temperature, however a lot of wind).

Cheers,
Huub

 

[dominique]

Bravo Christophe !

That was weird today, a track rider winning a mountain stage and the two leaders observing each other almost at standstill like if they were on a track !

Condator was either a little out of shape ot just playing safe waiting for the Bordeaux-Pauillac TT. I don't understand why Schleck didn't try to test him. He lost a great opportunity today. So much the better for Riblon.

 

[Cazzie]

Unbelievable, a Frenchman may not win the Tour this year, but they sure are eating up the stage wins.

And Contador actually looked vulnerable, I wonder if it was a ruse.

I am disappointed in Armstrong, I want him to make one good show in this year's tour and he is looking weak and dejected like he just wants the Tour over. There are three days left for him to make a show. If he isn't interested in helping Leipheimer or trying for a stage win, he should abandon and go home! Vino really has looked good the last three days, he has done everything he could for his team.

But Menchov is really looking good and he can turn in a decent time trial too, if Contador and Schleck try playing their hesitation games, they could find the top two spots on the podium at risk. What a beautiful day they had in the tour today.

Caz

 

[Cazzie]

This afternoon I saw an interview made on Friday with Andy Schleck. In this interview he revealed he and is his brother are friends with Alberto Contador and they have spend quite some time together. Andy Schleck also revealed that he had done most of his training in the Pyrenees.

And I hope you're not correct about Gesink

Back to the television as they are cycling now. I have done my private 75 kilometers (47 miles) already this morning (good temperature, however a lot of wind).

Cheers,
Huub

The Tour came on too early for me to ride Huub, I'll have to wait until later this afternoon and ride in the heat and low sun. I had to work a 5K Run yesterday morning, but I rode before and after for 31 miles total. My weight is down to 165-lb and the hills feel good again. But the heat and humidity is oppressing here this July.

 

[huub vink]

Bravo Christophe Riblon, a brave ride and definitely a deserved win. I think it will take two days at least before he realises what he has achieved!

When Schleck and Contador started their poker game, Menchov had 32 seconds on them at one point. However at the finish they only lost 14 seconds on Menchov and Sanchez. When I see how quick Schleck and Contador closed the gap, I don't think neither of them had a weak moment.

Menchov is indeed strong and I'm convinced he will try tol attack again tomorrow. First he will try to pass Sanchez and he will try to make the gap towards the yellow jersey as close as possible and he will try to pass them in the time trial. ALthough I think more than 2 minutes is already quite a distance.

Tomorrow the last climb will be longer, which will be good for Gesink. Today Leipheimer lost 45 seconds on him and Gesink took over sixth place in the general standing. As Levi Leipheimer will most probably be better in the time trial, Gesink should make a gap in the Pyrenees. And of course this will be good for Menchov as well.

You should not be disappointed in Armstrong, he had an incredible carrier, however this is just one Tour too much. When I see the amount of times he fell from his bicycle, I conclude he is not focused and will most probably just try to finish the Tour. Perhaps he can do or even perhaps does something for Leipheimer in the first part of the stages. We don't see everything.

Cheers,
Huub

 

[dominique]

Doing road cycling is a bit dangerous where I live so I did only 45 minutes of continuous swimming and one hour of beach cycling... and I'm still at 183 pounds (for 5'11''). I'd love to be at 165 !

I am with Huub about Amstrong. He was very gracious on French TV with poor Fignon on his side and confirmed that he wanted to go Paris.

 

[huub vink]

Euhmm I got reason to be jealous on the both of you. I'm currently 214 lb and 6ft and 3 inches. In which region do you live Dominique? My experience with cycling in France is very positive, despite the horror stories I had heard in the past. Most French car drivers leave you lots of space, which is quite a difference with the Netherlands and Belgium.
In the Netherlands we have lots of cycling tracks and car drivers are not used of bicycles sharing the road with them. In Belgium..... well that's Belgium

Not so long ago I was 185 lb, but somehow it is much easier to gain weight than to loose it.......

Cheers,
Huub

 

[Cazzie]

Euhmm I got reason to be jealous on the both of you. I'm currently 214 lb and 6ft and 3 inches. In which region do you live Dominique? My experience with cycling in France is very positive, despite the horror stories I had heard in the past. Most French car drivers leave you lots of space, which is quite a difference with the Netherlands and Belgium.
In the Netherlands we have lots of cycling tracks and car drivers are not used of bicycles sharing the road with them. In Belgium..... well that's Belgium

Not so long ago I was 185 lb, but somehow it is much easier to gain weight than to loose it.......

Cheers,
Huub

Ah, but I am a small man Huub, I am only 5' 7". When I was racing criteriums 25 plus years ago, I weighed only 150-lb and my body fat of only 7%. Sure wish I could say the same now. :>) I ballooned to 181-lb after my two operations in 1995. but lost back to 175 in a year. It has been an uphill battle ever since to get my weight below 170-lb., a feat I finally attained this year. But I have dedicated myself to exercise more this year than the past. Lazy boy fun like constructing models and sitting at the computer have taken a back seat to exercise. And I watch my food intake also.

But beer is my downfall, I love beer. All of the body fat I carry today is due to beer! :d

Caz

 

[dominique]

. In which region do you live Dominique?

I'm from Paris but I've been working and living in Tel Aviv for the past few years.

My experience with cycling in France is very positive, despite the horror stories I had heard in the past. Most French car drivers leave you lots of space

When I was working in Paris, I was riding my bike to go working without too much problem. One has to be careful though.

somehow it is much easier to gain weight than to loose it.......

Don't tell me the story of my life, fruits and cheese these are my main ennemies ...

 

[dominique]

Bravo Thomas, beautiful fifth victory on the 2010 Tour !

As for poor Andy Schleck, very impressive, comes to mind the Yiddish saying : Man makes plans, God laughs.

 

[Cazzie]

I am still breathing heavy and shaking. Partly our of abnger and partly out of fear on that descent. Whew!

And another French victory, five so far this tour. Champagne for Thomas Voeckler, he pulled a superb breakaway.


I do not lnow whether to curse Alberto Contador yet again or praise him for keeping Sanvhev and Menchov in check! Poor Andy Schleck, for me it is a rule of cycling to wait up for a mechanical, it is just the chivalrous thing to do. Lance Armstrong waited for Jan Ulrich after an accident even, it is the difference in a gentleman and a cur. But Sanchez and Menchov are also to blame, to take advantage of a rider who has a mechanical is just not my way of behavior, but I am old school. And the cur Spaniard tried to win his group finish, pushing one rider aside. I hope Andy Schleck eats him alive tomorrow and again Thursday. It is good to hear the French people booing Contador as he dons the Yellow. He will have few fans except for his Basque comrades tomorrow. I have come to despise him that much more, only some arrogant rider like Fignon could pull a move like that.

But the stage rates a 10, it was beautiful for the scenery, the descent down the Port de Bales was nail biting. I went on a 20 mile ride early this morning

Caz

 

[dominique]

Le Tourmalet and l'Aubisque, now we're talkin'. Every rider finishing the stage will deserve applause !

And this is win or loose today for Schleck ! Merckx won in '69 after a 180 km solitary breakaway on this stage (I suspect he was doped up to the gills but the other riders too )

 

[Cazzie]

Le Tourmalet and l'Aubisque, now we're talkin'. Every rider finishing the stage will deserve applause !

And this is win or loose today for Schleck ! Merckx won in '69 after a 180 km solitary breakaway on this stage (I suspect he was doped up to the gills but the other riders too )

Oui and the event is under way on Tour Tracker, as Kreuziger and Roche have jumped at the official start. It's up the Peryesourde now. See you in about six hours Dominique.

Go Andy.

Caz

 

[dominique]

Should I gloat ? hmm, well yes... Bravo To Pierrick Fedrigo and Sandi Casar . Allez la France... French riders may not do a great Tour if you look at the "general" but gosh you see them ahead in 2010 ! Feels good.

to Barredo too who tried to pull a nice stunt, 30 km ahead against the wind after passing all the big ones, you need not only legs but also balls ! He almost succeeded !

Schleck stayed put with the excuse of a very weak team. Or does he think too much ? Thursday ?