Yes and no. I saw an interview with Bert Grabsch (Phonak) and he looked really bad, he said they where having a bad day because some of the Phonak riders have health problems. The way he looked... it's probebly true. TM saved their energy after their work on stage 11. I hope somebody from the top 20 (Zubeldia?, Sinkewitz?) will attack today and create some chaos for the top 5 riders...
Similar to the 1989 tour where Fignon was trying to gain time on Lemond on the flat stages... made the transitions stages very exciting.... we may see some attacks but Discovery have blown their gasket yesterday and we won't see them at the front of the bunch (ie they are a one card trick).... Phonak and T-Mobile knew Popo wasn't a threat otherwise they would of paid QS of DL to ride for the stage....
Although Lance is paying the bills I would hope that Bruyneel would be left alone to manage the team.
Popo had a great win and he tried to pull the break back singlehandedly today in the last 4 km but didnt look like George had it or whatever. Vandevelde almost made it across though!!
No way Lance is gonna suggest Disco ride against FLoyd. First they are not strong enough, plus I think they are friends again
Although Lance is paying the bills I would hope that Bruyneel would be left alone to manage the team.
Actually to increase fan support Discovery are starting a program similar to "Race to Replace" for the position of DS. For the remainder of the tour Johan will be in the car with his Blackberry. Team tactics will be based entirely upon the text messages he receives from fans. The number will be posted on the Discovery channel website prior to the start of Stage 15.
"Two-time winner Laurent Fignon: “Who is going to win? Phonak aren’t a great team and Landis could well face a coalition of Discovery Channel with Rabobank.”
Rabo could find a potential ally in DC. If Rabo and DC each have several riders left in the last portions of a climb (yes, that's optimistc for DC this year) and Landis is alone, there is a natural coalition to Rabo and DC. Rabo may give DC the stage, if DC can help Menchov gain time on Landis.
Bruyneel was interviewed on EuroSport and asked the question would he hire Landis next year; his responce: "At the moment we have nothing, so I would hire any good rider who would join us"...... how things have changed.... he should of hired Vino when he had the chance.... disarray....
Rabobank don't need discovery to help them. Discovery probably aren't strong enough to help them. DC would better serve their own purposes by sticking to getting stage wins, or maybe pushing Popo a bit further up the GC. Two riders in the break today so they might have a chance.
