What did I tell you about these ‘Sprint’ finishes?
After what are basically 5 of 7 no results, Armstrong and Team Radio Shack are 2:30 out of the race lead and :50 behind his main rival, Alberto Contador of Team Astana (Schleck and Cancellara the race leader of Saxo are also considered contenders to watch).
Justin Davis of AFP thinks Armstrong is looking at week 3 to make his move but I don’t know, age and guile may suggest otherwise.
It’s not that today’s stage is particularly hard climbing, but tomorrow is and then there is a day off Monday and more mountains Tuesday.
And goodbye Alps.
That recovery day sure looks tempting and if I were a team boss I’d have a plan for it I’d have to reveal today- am I going to bring it or keep up and hope for the best?
Today’s special extended coverage (wtf?) is 103 miles of Tournus to Station des Rousses with 6 climbing sections, most of them 2s and 3s.
Armstrong- “I think there’ll be some guys attacking on Sunday, and Tuesday could be a complicated day, difficult and right after a rest day which is sometimes deceiving for guys.
But this race is so weighted towards the last week that my impression and my opinion would be to wait (to attack)”
I wouldn’t wait too long. It’s not that Tiger is such a good player, but he’s bringing his A game on Thursday not playing for the cut.
The official commentary–
An initial cull
This medium-altitude mountain terrain will be more difficult than Liège-Bastogne-Liège, because the climbs last for between 6 and 12 kilometres, starting at the 40 km mark. Thereafter, there is not even a single centimetre of flat road; it will be up, down, up, down and so on and so forth. At the finishing line, there may still be around thirty riders together. The slopes are not massively difficult, so it is not necessarily a stage for a major climber, more so for a rider like Cadel Evans or David Moncoutié. However, an initial cull will take place and those who are not on form, who will not reach the front of the race, may already be looking at a Tour that is lost.
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And guys?
Why don’t you stop pretending that anyone cares about those stupid point scoring classifications and the weird colored jerseys.
Even you don’t care about them.