2010 Tour de France: Stage 8, Station des Rousses - Morzine-Avoriaz, 189 km
- Thread starter steve
- Start date
Awesome work by the Astana boys to separate the wheat from the chaff. Daniel Navarro is the man. The work he did personally to decimate the peloton was impressive. The amount of time he spent on the front up those climbs was ridiculous!
Schleck's power at the end was impressive as well. Thought Sanchez had 'em for a moment. Entertaining stage for sure.
Schleck's power at the end was impressive as well. Thought Sanchez had 'em for a moment. Entertaining stage for sure.
Some interesting bits, some less interesting bits. Really bad luck for Armstrong, crashing hard before the last climb and now he's out of the running. I guess he can still domestique and go for stage wins. Wiggins suffering hard on that last climb and losing 1:45, doesn't bode well for his podium chances.
Contador not as strong as expected, Andy Schleck as fast as expected and Sammy Sanchez looking good. Evans looked like he was struggling towards the end as well.
But really, what a boring climb up to Avoriaz. Astana (mostly Navarro) just sat on the front and no one wanted to attack. They didn't even try until the last km. They just let Navarro tap out a fast rhythm and only after he was dropped did they give anything a go. I guess everyone is waiting for the Pyrenees to try something serious.
Contador not as strong as expected, Andy Schleck as fast as expected and Sammy Sanchez looking good. Evans looked like he was struggling towards the end as well.
But really, what a boring climb up to Avoriaz. Astana (mostly Navarro) just sat on the front and no one wanted to attack. They didn't even try until the last km. They just let Navarro tap out a fast rhythm and only after he was dropped did they give anything a go. I guess everyone is waiting for the Pyrenees to try something serious.
There were some really interesting performances today I reckon. Some congrats to Andy and Cadel for their efforts today. In addition, Navarro was amazing and most certainly deserves his day-off tomorrow.
Most interestingly was how Contador couldn't/didn't get across to Schlek and Sanchez.
Most interestingly was how Contador couldn't/didn't get across to Schlek and Sanchez.
Armstrong was unlucky (x 3 crashes) but he didn't have the legs either. Bittersweet for me. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing him get owned but at the same time felt a little bit sorry for him.
Chapeau to Schleck. Perhaps he doesn't need Frank? Evan was hardcore again. He's been awesome since he became world champ last year.
Chapeau to Schleck. Perhaps he doesn't need Frank? Evan was hardcore again. He's been awesome since he became world champ last year.
Eldrack said:
perhaps. but the main contenders just whittled the field down a little more today, having whittled it down some yesterday. no point in trying to claim the top step in paris today with the pyrenees yet to come. and still one of the big guns took the stage victory. in sum, plenty of games left to play before the itt in week three.
i'm really surprised that Lance didn't go all out with Shack, fully depleting themselves, and try a breakaway early on and stay away to make up some time seeing as how tomorrow is the rest day. that's what i really thought they would do and should've done today.
ack.
ack.
Evans is looking good with one minute in front of Contador.
He should be in even better shape in the last week of racing. If he doesn't lose much time on Ax 3 Domaines, he could be in striking distance from the Yellow jersey with time trial more by his taste this year.
It's time to see BMC's potential.
He should be in even better shape in the last week of racing. If he doesn't lose much time on Ax 3 Domaines, he could be in striking distance from the Yellow jersey with time trial more by his taste this year.
It's time to see BMC's potential.
can't agree, andrija. in the back of my mind is week three and a.c.'s much feared acceleration on the steep portions. bmc will have to strike in week two to buy insurance for their yellow jersey. one minute back of evans is not enough for comfort, but it should make for interesting viewing as evans puts it all out on the road to limit his losses in the mountains down south. i think this tour will cement evans reputation as a worthy heir to the legacy of poulidor. to be plain, i am really liking the manner evans is wearing his jersey.
It will be hard to keep Contador on striking distance, that's sure, but Evans is a factor in the race now. Contador will have to think about him too. He doesn't have to think about Armstrong anymore, but there's an even more dangerous opponent in Evans.slovakguy said:
I think he learnt a lesson in the Giro about following attacks and limiting losses.
Andrija said:
agreed on all points. i'd make it a wash on relative team strength. so close in the balance between the two should keep this interesting all the way to the itt. upping my pick on kreuziger a touch because i see a.c. and c.e. marking each other too closely. i can see leaky sneaking in an attack in week two to put r.k. in yellow and still having enough in reserve to defend to the itt where it will all be on r.k.'s shoulders.
Yes. That's what's missing... A Liquigas rider inside a minute of Evans.slovakguy said:
With Basso further in GC, Kreuziger should be given freedom. Rabo's duo looks good too, but I can't see them challenging Contador. Already behind him but with podium ambitions... Some interesting coalitions could be created.
TimEaston said:
Wiggo cracked on the fianl climb to be sure.
Flecha did a massive turn at the front.
Did he go too hard?
yes a great great ride by Cadel today.
The last time a world champion was in Yellow at the TDF was Tom Boonen.
Cadel has been superb wearing the world champions jerseys.
Best world champion I've seen riding.
The last time a world champion was in Yellow at the TDF was Tom Boonen.
Cadel has been superb wearing the world champions jerseys.
Best world champion I've seen riding.
Wiggins is willing to make up lost time in next stages. Sky can make the race hard and they've showed that today. Hard racing in transitional stages could hurt some of GC contenders.limerickman said:
Today he just didn't have the legs on last climb. And I doubt he'll be better in the Pyrenees. But it's good to hear he's still ambitious... The race will be more interesting.
Contador was the surprise of the day for me, he tried to follow Andy Schleck and Sam Sánchez, but had nothing left in the tank. Surely a sign of weakness the others will be happy to see.
Cadel was also in the hurt box towards the finish, he's got hold the yellow about a week to early IMO.
Ivan Basso knows how to suffer
Kreuziger looks like the Liquigas leader.
Cadel was also in the hurt box towards the finish, he's got hold the yellow about a week to early IMO.
Ivan Basso knows how to suffer
Kreuziger looks like the Liquigas leader.
limerickman said:
cadel has been something of a welcome ambassador for the world's jersey. did yeoman's work for his team in the autumn classics after winning in mendrisio. spring classic victory. couple of maglia rosa's. now a maillot jaune. not trying to tell australia what to do, but he is a credit. and he has a really cute wife (although not really an australian, she's still fetching.)
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