Stage 7

[RoyalTennenhorn]

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[Bevo Incognito]

Can you imagine how Feillu must feel right now? No matter what happens for the rest of his life, he will walk into every bar in France as a winner of a stage of the TDF. Outstanding.



And Nocentini! Isn't that a pasta? I honestly have to admit that I have never heard of him before.

 

[CanaTigers]

Lance is winning over the team if he hadn't already and is in great position. Contador will probably find himself odd man out.

 

[Bevo Incognito]

From Cycling news:


""No one had specific instructions to attack," said Bruyneel, who added that he would have been happier if Nocentini had more of an advantage on Contador. "Six seconds is not a lot. We'd hoped for a bit more. Our second strategy was just to set the tempo and wait for the attacks. I thought a rider like (Carlos) Sastre, (Cadel) Evans or (Andy) Schleck might attack."



To me, that reads like Contador broke the team's plan of attack.

 

[Texas_Rocks]

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[TexonLongIsland]

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[WhiteH2O Horn]

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[El Torito]

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[triplehorn]

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[Hu_Fan]

These quotes (from above) sum it up for me. Given the circumstances of the makeup of this team (four deserving leaders in the top 5 after Stage 6 -- deserving professionally, and as fine individuals to boot) -- it was important they ride as a team and let unusual situations meter out seconds here and seconds there.

What Contador did was completely off the map after just one week of racing and with two weeks to go and on your team is only a 7-Time tour winner, (plus yourself), and two podium finishers. All gentlemen and fine individuals, and your Director is The Man in the sport.

You do not want to show a lack of class.

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[giveemhell]

Bruyneel didn’t want Contador to attack

 

[l00p]

Levi for sure spelled it out that Contador was not given the go to attack and that it was his decision, not the GM's or the teams. Levi looked put out because of it and very resolute.

Here's to Contador becoming a footnote.

 

[Texas_Rocks]

Holy ****! Todays pre-stage show was a rehash of yesterday's post on this thread. Good work, guys.

 

[RayDog]

It was a bad move by Contador especially since he was being a tire sucker while Levi made pace and Lance countered the key moves.

I've read some speculation that Contador's move may have tipped Kloden to Lance's favor. With Popo, Zubeldia and Levi already in Lance's camp, if Kloden supports Lance when the critical time comes that leaves Contador with only Paulinho in the climbs if his other teammates decide to not support him.

Things could get real interesting in the alps. The more I look at the stages the more I think there will be an elite escape group in stage 16 or 17 on a rapid descent following a big climb. That could be a place for Lance to make a move.

 

[Hu_Fan]

Well it was a rehash of our unofficial non-Versus point of view perhaps, -- but sure was good to hear Paul, Phil and Bobkee voicing similar sentiments. Not to mention Eddie Merkx and his son (who commented to Paul Sherwin).

I noticed that Contador and Lance are in the same hotel with the Versus crew tonight!!