Tour de France 2011

[brownie]

The 18th stage of the Tour de France with its finish line at the top of the steep climb to the Col du Galibier proved breathtaking with Luxembourg's Andy Schleck attacking from the start of the climb for his chance at the race lead.

To the delight of his French fans, leader Thomas Voelcker managed to save his yellow jersey by a mere 15 seconds.

The spectacle of the riders making their way up the French Alps was pure delight!

Tomorrow's stage may prove to be as dramatic as today's with a second climb to the Col du Galibier.

[mjazzg]

Aha! I was wondering whne Le Tour 2011 thread would start...

Looks like Schleck laid down a marker today. Considering his poor showing on the descent in stage 16(?) this is a turnaround, although he and his brother were always going to come into their own in the mountains. Evans appears well placed and poised, Contador's taken a bit of a knock today. it's been a fascinating day.

I'm rooting for Voeckler to somehow hang in there (especially since Wiggins isn't there for my patriotic support) - loved his quote about a descent where he went off-road- "Imountain biking is not my speciality". Seeing as he's only got 15 seconds' he needs to become a mountain biker pretty soon - overnight really

I've enjoyed this year so far and I hope it goes as far as possible before the winner emerges. My heart says Voeckler, my head Evans

[miles65]

Evans could win if he showed more courage to attack. Today he was good but attacked a little too late. After Andy's attack the pack was a bit lame.

What could happen tomorrow and Saturday?

A number of scripts:

Andy tries again for the Yellow Jersey if he succeeds he most probably wins the Tour.

if he fails then either Voeckler, Evans or brother Frank still have a chance.

Evans attacks instead of looking at what the others do and then he reacts. If he succeeds depending on the margin he gets it's all down to the time trail.

If Voeckler hangs on to the Yellow tomorrow who knows what he might do in the timetrail Saturday.

A Frenchman in the Yellow so close to Paris. He would be the first French winner since Hinault in 1985.

I don't count on Contador any more.

Anyway tomorrow I'll have the afternoon off from work to watch it live.

[T.D.]

Very exciting today, and surprising as well.

Schlecks had been very timid (almost comically so), but Andy threw down big-time on the last 2 climbs. I was shocked that he managed to expand his lead on the big descent, after the prior two days' downhill follies. Voeckler amazed by hanging in there, but between Alpe d'Huez and the ITT, I don't believe he can survive (would love to see it, though!).

Evans still looks like the favorite, since I think he can easily take back 1+ minute in the ITT. The Schleck bros. will have to attack again tomorrow, so there should be more fireworks.

Contador and Sanchez both showed that this year's Giro d'Italia was too tough to attempt a Giro-TDF double.

Edited July 21, 2011 by T.D.

[Clunky]

I'm totally hooked on this years Tour. Having taken up road cycling myself last year, I cycled a Raid through the rain and cold in the Pyrenees in early june (Biarritz to Perpignan), we covered some of the climbs in this years Tour, Tourmalet, Aubisque, Portet de Aspet, . I really take my hat of to the amazing stamina of these guys, awesome. Love that man Voelcker, it'd be great if he won. Seems like a nice guy.

[Sundog]

Evans still looks like the favorite, since I think he can easily take back 1+ minute in the ITT.

That's my take on things as well.

[brownie]

Another epic lap today that saw Andy Schleck grab the yellow jersey of race leader with Frenchman Pierre Rolland winning the stage at L'Alpe d'Huez.

The 19th stage also featured a nondecisive attack from Spain's Alberto Contador.

Too bad that Contador lost precious minutes in a mass crash in the Tour's opening stage. He might have been in the overall standings lead today. On the ride up to l'Alpe d'Huez, he managed to break free from Schleck's close surveillance.

France's Volcker lost his lead in the first of the day's three steep climbs. The gallant rider will get an ovation from spectators in the next two final days.

[T.D.]

Evans still looks like the favorite, since I think he can easily take back 1+ minute in the ITT.

That's my take on things as well.

Should still be very interesting! Evans needs 57 seconds, and I'd ordinarily expect him to gain 1 minute easy (both Schlecks looked awful in the early TTT), but: (a) Andy S. may get a psychological kick from the yellow jersey; (b) Evans didn't overwhelm in the 2008 TDF Stage 20 and 2010 Giro Stage 21 ITTs (granted, the latter was kind of short).

I'll still pick Evans. He seems a stronger and more aggressive rider since winning the World Ch. in 2009 (though his public and media presence is far from lovable...).

[JohnS]

Great race so far. I'm not betting on Evans though.

[mjazzg]

great ride by Evans today. He's riden a very impressive tour, knowing that if he came out of the mountains on par with the climbers he'd take the Tour in the Time Trial. His efforts to stay with the Schlecks in the Alps were the rides of a champion. He had no need to attack himself but just to match anyone else's.

worthy wearer of yellow tomorrow

[JohnS]

great ride by Evans today. He's riden a very impressive tour, knowing that if he came out of the mountains on par with the climbers he'd take the Tour in the Time Trial. His efforts to stay with the Schlecks in the Alps were the rides of a champion. He had no need to attack himself but just to match anyone else's.

worthy wearer of yellow tomorrow

Agreed a great ride, sorry but I just cant bring myself to like the guy.

[brownie]

Evans was just perfect today. Wish TV had concentrated more on his ride during the against the clock stage. He deserves to win this Tour. The Tour goes past my place tomorrow. Will be in the streets to applaud him and the others. It was a very good race!

Plus Evans is a very interesting character which is a nice change compared to many riders.

[miles65]

Evans was realy great today. Personaly I think that Schleck Brothers themself are to blame for Andy not to win the Tour because he was too much looking out for Frank wanting him to be second. If he realy wants to win the Tour he should let go of his brother and go for his own chances. Frank is off course als a great rider but not as good as Andy might be.

Now they are both on the podium tomorrow but not on that all important first place. It is a first in the Tour for two brothers to be on the podium.

Here in Holland all eyes are on Johnny Hoogerland with his 33 stiches.

[T.D.]

...

Here in Holland all eyes are on Johnny Hoogerland with his 33 stiches.

Ouch! In addition to the insane training/fitness requirements, it takes a lot of courage to be a pro cyclist!

Bravo to Evans, btw.

[brownie]

It was very nice to see Cadel Evans win the Tour.

He used his brain as well as his legs, staying close to the lead in the overall standings for most of the Tour until the next to last stage when he won the timelap race.

A victory that went unquestioned, a nice change for recent Tour winners.

AP story on a cleaner Tour de France.

[Sundog]

This was probably Cadel's last best chance to win. BMC gave him the team, he scaled back his training to focus entirely on the tour, and he rode the right spring schedule (including a preview of the ITT). Bravo Cadel!

[Ed S]

Thought it was an excellent tour - lots of great moments throughout. I was pulling for Andy Schleck, but Cadel Evans did what he had to do to close the gap in the Alps and then take it with the TT. Great ride by Cadel.

I watched all 21 stages and had a great time watching.

[clifford_thornton]

I've dug Cadel Evans since his mountain biking days. Glad he got to wear yellow at the Champs.

[Ed S]

NOT the Tour de France and not worthy of its own thread, but I just wanted to throw in that I went to my first pro cycling event this past weekend. It was the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. In two words - it was WAY COOL. Sort of a festival atmosphere. The weather was ideal - sunny and in the 70's. It's a circuit course, so I got to see 17 laps of the course, and since I walked to different spots, got to see several vantage points.

It is indeed a thrill to see the peloton race by, only inches from where you are standing - so close that you can feel the wind as they go by. I loved seeing up close the colors of the teams as they sped past me. For several laps American Danny Pate either lead or was in a group of 4 breakaway riders, so it was fun cheering him on. I stood by the hair pin turn on Avenue du Parc for a few laps and watching them make that turn was exciting.

Have to say that it is tough to tell who's who as the riders go by - so it was nice to see the video boards - but they were only around the starting area. The one identifiable guy was Phillipe Gilbert - as he wore the colors of the champion of Belgium. He's one of my favorites and I got to see him overcome an early crash with the help of his teammates and finish 3rd overall. He won the Quebec City event 2 days earlier.

Great time, great atmosphere and a good time visiting Montreal. It was the first time for me in Montreal in the summer when the Jazz Festival was not going on. So I did a few other things like check out the Botanical Garen, take in an Irish Pub - Hurleys - and spend an evening in Old Montreal and have a great dinner with my wife.

Edited September 16, 2011 by Ed Swinnich