Stage 17 : Bourg-Saint-Maurice > Le Grand-Bornand

[Horneius_Maximus]

Good Post White H20.

 

[WhiteH2O Horn]

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[RayDog]

Every single bit of speculation says it's Nike, with Livestrong and Trek as a secondary sponsors.

 

[El Torito]

I think folks are being a bit too hard on Contador. I see less mal-intent on his part and more inexperience. His attack on Kloden today was, I think, more of a panicked reaction to the Schleck brothers very serious threat than a devious undermining of Kloden or Lance. Overall, Alberto has shown magnificent athletic form draped by immature decision-making.

I do agree that Lance has demonstrated elan worthy of everyone's respect.

 

[WhiteH2O Horn]

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[JohnnyM]

I don't think it was necessarily malicious, but AC knows that if Lance were to get the jersey, the overwhelming pressure (inside the team and out) would be to ride him to victory. So he did what he had to do to make that a near impossibility, but in doing so he hurt his team and put himself at risk. It was more immaturity than anything else IMO.

 

[Napoleon]

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[WhiteH2O Horn]

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[Hu_Fan]

Thanks, H20 and others for rounding out and focusing the conversation more than I can.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this Tour!! and did not think I would, not this much. I don't know Lance personally, but in spirit I never felt closer. I appreciate now more than ever what he represents on and off the bike trail. Many lessons in life to be gleaned from this man. Many.

Thanks, H20 and others for rounding out and focusing the conversation more than I can.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this Tour!! and did not think I would, not this much. I don't know Lance personally, but in spirit I never felt closer. I appreciate now more than ever what he represents on and off the bike trail. Many lessons in life to be gleaned from this man. Many.

UPDATE.. .just saw this on Levi's twitter, via Astana... puts better light on Alberto...Astana report... quotes from Alberta... not happy that Andreas fell behind

 

[Horneius_Maximus]

Just watching the replay on versus.

What a colossal screw up by Contador. I don't think it was intentional, because after his acceleration he looks back for Kloden and you can see he is having a "Oh ****!" moment.

He has almost ruined an excellent chase for an Astana Podium sweep

 

[accuratehorn]

Contador made a giant mistake, which hurt three of his best teammates. He destroyed the chance for an Astana podium 1-2-3 finish. Maybe there will still be two up there.
Speculation for the new sponsor is pointing to Radio Shack, but we will soon see what the announcement brings.
Lance still is not out of it, even for the top spot, but he may have gone from a likely second place overall finish to fighting for third, thanks to Contador's ill-timed move yesterday.
Good point about the press, they must realize how much interest and drama Lance brings to the tour, and how this Contador/Armstrong duel next year will really create an epic race in 2010.