TdF Stage 15 (Spoiler)

**Kalidurga** · 07-23-2007, 07:35 AM

Oh. My. Goodness. Did anyone watch this stage yet? I can't wait to get home tonight and turn on Versus to see Vino blow 'em all away. He was down over 20 minutes at the end of Stage 14, but he probably didn't make much up today. Can't wait till the full results are posted for today!

And Razzy & Contador, again. Gotta wonder how many days those two will continue to battle it out.

**margo49** · 07-23-2007, 07:45 AM

Yes, saw it from the beginning LIVE ...
Vino was brilliant. Said of yesterday that it was a problem in his head (not his legs). He said his team said he could go home if he wanted and he said no and pulled his socks up today.
There was a great competition 5 min further down the road between Contador and Rasmussen.
Evans is now 4.0 min down on Contador who is 2 min 20 down on Rasmussen.
Wonderful countryside today (esp when you are watching from the sofa out of the wind). I do love the Pyrenees - all that forest and the rivers

**limewave** · 07-23-2007, 08:05 AM

I wish Levi would pull something out of his hat soon! I'd love to see him work some magic.

Go Vin! I don't know if he'll be able to make up all that time he lost yesterday. It's great to see him giving it everything he's got.

**margo49** · 07-23-2007, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by limewave

I
Go Vin! I don't know if he'll be able to make up all that time he lost yesterday. It's great to see him giving it everything he's got.

I wish my father was alive to tell him about this. (Heaven knows there were enough years we had nothing in common and no conversation) He would love Vino's never-give-up attitude and to hear my daily reports.
An inspiration.

**Kano** · 07-23-2007, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by margo49

Yes, saw it from the beginning LIVE ...
Vino was brilliant. Said of yesterday that it was a problem in his head (not his legs). He said his team said he could go home if he wanted and he said no and pulled his socks up today.

It's amazing what our heads can do to us, isn't it?

I haven't seen him finish yet -- I had to leave for work, so set the DVR to record the rest of the stage.

And, Contador/Rasmussen -- what a ride yesterday, and now today too!

Now, where the heck has Linus disappeared to after that day he was so awesome?

Karen in Boise

**TrekJeni** · 07-23-2007, 10:35 AM

I was debating on wearing my Rabobank jersey on tonight's club ride. Wanted to make sure he was still in yellow. (nice to see he stil is)
I have been so happy with Vino (other than yesterday). I was shouting at the TV during his TT.
Likewise I was shouting "Lose them, get off of his wheel" yesterday when Rasmussen was trying to attack with less than 3 kms to go. Wish he could have won the stage but with Contador sucking his wheel for so long at the end (I would have done the same thing), he just didn't have it.

Here's hoping that Rasmussen gets the KOM back! (if he did today - don't tell me!)

So much for me staying away from the spoiler threads! lol

I wanted Vino to win last year and was heartbroken when he didn't get to race. Surely, this year would his. Then the crash, then riding with 40+ stitches in his knees, then the FANTASTIC TT time, then yesterday, and now you say he's BACK again?!. Anyone have any valium?

BF was pulling for Levi but now pulls for Vino as he's incredibly impressed with his abilities. Much respect!

Jeni

**Kalidurga** · 07-23-2007, 12:30 PM

From what I can tell, Levi's a very talented rider. To win the Tour, though, requires an aggression that Levi just doesn't seem to have. Compare him to Lance, Floyd (though we still don't really know if he "won"), or someone like Vino or Razzy, and he comes across as just too laid back, not hungry enough.

**Susan126** · 07-23-2007, 01:21 PM

I agree with kalidurga, you do need aggression. And Levi, so far in my eyes, has not shown any in this year's tour.

Contador almost died in 2004. He suffered a severe aneurysm that almost cost him his life in May 2004 while riding the Vuelta a Asturias. After a long recovery from cerebral surgery to fix the aneurysm not to mention the fractures sustained from the crash plus a metal plate in his head. He sure is taking off. His quick turnover and acceleration reminds me a bit of Lance's style. Just my opinion.

But I am happy that Vino won today's stage. He is a fighter but just has been getting very bad luck. I've heard talk that Vino has said that this year would be his last attempt at trying to win the Tour. But we know the credence of rumors?!

**Kalidurga** · 07-23-2007, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Susan126

But I am happy that Vino won today's stage. He is a fighter but just has been getting very bad luck. I've heard talk that Vino has said that this year would be his last attempt at trying to win the Tour. But we know the credence of rumors?!

The August 2007 issue of Cycling+ UK magazine has a great article about Vino, if you can find the mag on your local newsstand. I think the reason that this will probably be his last chance to win the Tour is his age: He's almost 34, and says in the article that "I think I will ride two or three years more at the most." It's such a shame to think of what he could have accomplished in last year's Tour-- To see him and Floyd battling it out would have really been something.

Contador definitely seems to be a rider to watch. Battling back from a disabling, even life-threatening, illness or injury really does seem to give some riders a heck of an edge (i.e. Lance).

**limewave** · 07-23-2007, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Kalidurga

From what I can tell, Levi's a very talented rider. To win the Tour, though, requires an aggression that Levi just doesn't seem to have. Compare him to Lance, Floyd (though we still don't really know if he "won"), or someone like Vino or Razzy, and he comes across as just too laid back, not hungry enough.

I agree, but one can dream . . .

**margo49** · 07-23-2007, 07:37 PM

I think Vino will be back next year.
Even Julian Dean (who is Thor's lead out man but still basically a domestique) says you curse the Tour every day you ride it and then an hour after you get to Paris you start counting down the days till the next one.
If Vino does well he will be back and if he doesn't he will surly come back to "do it right".

**Zen** · 07-23-2007, 07:45 PM

VINO! VINO!VINO!VINO! VINO!VINO!VINO! VINO!VINO!

I heard somewhere that 37 seemed to be the magic cutoff age.

**Trekhawk** · 07-23-2007, 07:46 PM

It was a great stage. I dont have TV but every morning I get up and check out velonews. My kids laugh at me because I make all sorts of comments to the computer while Im scrolling down the velonews race commentary. Im just hoping Cadel can dig deep and keep a hold on a podium position. Contador is amazing. What a great result so far for his first tour.

**Zen** · 07-23-2007, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Trekhawk

Im just hoping Cadel can dig deep and keep a hold on a podium position.

"Cadel is digging deep into the suitcase of courage"

is that as opposed to the Duffel Bag of despair?

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I wasn't going to look!!!!!!!!!

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