7/14/14 10:27 PM

Thought someone else might post before now. ;)

Anyway, great stage. And some good and bad surprises to be sure...

Nibali shined on that real steep stuff.


Martin is a total freak! I felt so much for him when he finally pulled off that insane pull. The bike was about stopping just before the top of the peal stroke for a bit. He was going so slow he almost fell over once or twice.

Last edited by Sparky on 7/17/14 12:01 AM; edited 2 times in total

7/15/14 1:52 AM

I have been following on the "live feed" and making "refresh" predictions as to.what the distance covered will have been based on the slope profile. There were some pretty dramatic effects yesterday! Nibali was amazing in that final push!

7/15/14 1:23 PM

AND THIS:

Eight-time Tour de France stage winner Fabian Cancellara will not resume the Tour de France after Tuesday’s first rest day.

“I will travel home now and take a little break,” Cancellara said. “The season has been long for me, starting back in Dubai. I have done 59 days of competition this season so far and I have another big goal at the end of this season: the world championships. It’s not a secret that I’d like to be in my best shape there, so it’s important that I take some rest.”

Note that the link sez 'will-start'.

Read more at http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/07/news/fabian-cancellara-will-start-stage-11-tour_336461#EPeUaZ6OEkeJmJLv.99


AND THIS: On Contador broke bike and broke leg.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/07/news/timeline-details-alberto-contadors-tour-ending-crash_336328

7/15/14 3:24 PM

I find it highly implausible that bert's bike blew up, especially based on the break and location.

Him auguring in while eating in the rain. Yep that makes perfect sense.

BTW, I have not been a fan of the arrogant Bert in the past but seeing a humbled man try to race on with a broken leg and giving it everything he could. My hat is tipped to Bert now. Kudos for that effort. He is human like the rest of us.

7/15/14 5:44 PM

Yeah, I am actually liking him these days. Maybe just getting a little tired of the Froome show...

The guy is standing there with a broken leg, spinning his had in the 'like let's move it' gesture after the 3rd minute... Focus galore...

7/16/14 4:54 AM

...that he showed some real character and the tragedy of the whole scene wasn't lost on me. I'm still not a fan, but I'd rather see him beaten by his competition than by the road and weather conditions.

7/16/14 7:37 AM

I am not sure why people don't like Contodar, I think he is absolutely the most dynamic and exciting GT rider these days, is always willing to work. Uphill, Downhill, Wind, etc...
Win or lose he always puts on a show and always gives his all.
He was the only one that did anything at all to try and rattle Sky last year, while everyone else was content to follow Froome around France.
I would much rather have him win then the brailsford power meter robots.

Last edited by henoch on 7/16/14 5:25 PM; edited 1 time in total

7/16/14 5:06 PM

Bucking for Andrew Talansky to have a good day tomorrow, and a few more after that.

I was sure he would abandon today, but he is too stubborn and has too much heart it would appear.!

Miami represent!

I would love to have heard that guardrail convo with Talansky and Hunter.

7/16/14 7:16 PM

Andrew won over about a billion fans today. He was human like you and me and did not give up.

I love to see a person fight through an apparent loss because they believe in themselves and they TRY. Quitters never win anyone over.

7/16/14 10:57 PM

Did you see the tweet from Cippolini: "Talansky demands apology from French asphalt for repeatedly hitting him".

7/16/14 11:03 PM

That's fooking cold. Or did I miss some aspect of attempted pier humor on his part??


Not saying it isn't funny though...

7/17/14 6:08 AM

I think Talansky's refusal to quit yesterday reflects the same stubborn, driven part of his character that led to a couple of his crashes. He will bull through even if it isn't the wisest thing to do.

As to Contadore, i've never been a fan either but he did show a remarkable amount of courage and character after his accident. And, no, his bike didn't break and cause the accident. The Specialized guys must have been apoplectic when that was first reported.

7/17/14 6:50 PM

Tenacity is an admirable character trait. He and Bert have it as we can see.

7/17/14 7:06 PM

Talansky non starter today. I guess if he did not make the cut yesterday he could not have made a decision today.

7/17/14 8:28 PM

quote:

---

And, no, his bike didn't break and cause the accident.

---

7/17/14 8:37 PM

Seems odd and interesting that there in just the one Time Trial, and on the day before the ride into Paris...

I guess the Team TT has gone away again, as this one is an Individual TT.

7/18/14 5:37 AM

nm

7/20/14 10:48 AM

Well seems like that is the bike he crashed on in the pic in one piece. Seem like he had his race number on the one he rode away on after the crash though...

That must be Roche's bike he was first given before the team car got there?

7/21/14 3:48 PM

That's not Contador's bike in the picture - it doesn't have number 31 on it, but 37 - Roche's number. And why would be need to be offered Roche's bike unless his own was broken.

7/21/14 3:55 PM

Roche's bike unless his own was broken.

Good point. But the broke one looks WAY to clean to me.

7/21/14 8:49 PM

The broke bike was due to a collision with the Belkin car and roof rack of the Saxo car.

7/21/14 9:33 PM

Only the number on the bike on the roof and the one he crashed too is interesting. Not that having a number pate on several bikes is out of the question. But not usual?

But some browsing shows in fact 3 of AC bikes have numbers on them. Including a little 1, 2, and 3 on the cards.



http://forums.roadbikereview.com/pro-cycling-tour-de-france/contador-crash-discussion-thread-327441-7.html

7/22/14 3:50 AM

I like the "Aliens" did it.

7/22/14 7:13 AM

Was surprised that the thread lacked a Kiser Sose reference.