TDF Discussion - here be spoilers

**kenyonchris** · 07-18-2009, 08:48 PM

So I hopped in the car with SO for dinner, all ready to discuss todays tour with him...he and I both follow diligently but usually from separate houses! He was in a retched mood (problems at work) and his view upon Astana and Garmin riding when they didn't have to and depriving George of the yellow for the night was, "you don't let a guy like george get up on the clock. That is the end of that. George is a big boy and this is professional cycling." I was feeling badly for George. I don't think you F*&(K your buddies and this felt like buddy F*$king. SO, in his irritated, grumbly mood, maintained that George needed to put his head down and stop worrying about who was with him and get going. Since he didn't do that, he deserved to get caught.
I see SO's point, and I was certainly not arguing with him tonight....even after a bit of wine...but I still don't think they had to ride at him like that. But I believe Lance is a great, great tactician, so I doubt he would be expending useless energy if not needed.
What thinks the group?

**Eden** · 07-18-2009, 09:40 PM

I don't think Lance or Astana intended to deprive George of the win. In fact I think they worked towards helping him, but also had to think about the big picture too. They did take charge near the beginning of the race. They brought the break back to about 5 min, but then slowed down and let it get back out to around 8 or 9 if I am remembering correctly. They proceeded to sit on the front and just do tempo, keeping the gap pretty steady. The other teams didn't help out until it was way too late to bring the break and in any case no team, except for AG2R had any reason to do any hard work to and they had proved to be relatively weak. The real unknown is why Garmin started pushing hard at the end too... Without them it seems highly likely that George would have had more than the needed 5 seconds and been in yellow today.

I can't really blame Astana for not letting the break out to excessive amounts of time. There were a lot of guys up there and its never a good idea to let guys run, even if you think they are down enough. There is an overall win that they have to really think hard about. Their tactic of letting it out to a certain amount of time really did almost work - heck it was only 5 seconds. If Garmin hadn't stepped in it would have worked.

**papaver** · 07-19-2009, 01:09 AM

Me too, I don't think you can blame Astana, it was Garmin who tried to close the gap. Why? Who knows. And his own team too because of the green jersey. Pretty stupid considering the disqualification of Cavendish.

**papaver** · 07-19-2009, 08:25 AM

Finally! what a race, what a winner! And Bradly Wiggins what a surprise!

Lance was not a surprise, he is not number one any more. But still respect for what he is still capable of.

**tulip** · 07-19-2009, 08:28 AM

I missed yesterday's stage, but just saw today's. Contador is a fantastic rider, that's for sure. He's proven himself to be the top dog. He just said "my teammates will work for me now..." I gotta agree with that.

**redrhodie** · 07-19-2009, 09:48 AM

I smell a possum.

**jobob** · 07-21-2009, 09:37 AM

Crud!!! Poor Jens!

He must have hit something wrong on the descent. After watching his awful crash, Lee turned to me and said, "See hon? It happens to the pros too."

That didn't give us much solace, though.

Geeze I hope he's OK ...

**Possegal** · 07-21-2009, 09:38 AM

I swear I got road rash just watching that crash. I want to hear some updates on him! I guess I could go search the net and see if anything is out there. Hopefully Andy will update via twitter.

Dang - Phil's twitter says "he is in hospital with head injuries, but we are hoping he is OK." I'll keep watching for updates and post what I see.

**trinena** · 07-21-2009, 10:17 AM

I feel for Voigt. I read he briefly lost consciousness and is in the hospital. I came across these pics below but DO NOT look if you are squeamish.

http://www.daylife.com/photo/04Ec69x1ob4RP

**Kalidurga** · 07-21-2009, 10:17 AM

Latest word from Velonews, though it's not saying much: http://tour-de-france.velonews.com/a...jured-in-crash

I was listening to the coverage and have only been able to find a 10 second video over at YouTube. And, of course I have plans for after work tonight, so I can't go home and watch the Vs. extended coverage. Has anyone found any other video of the crash?

**papaver** · 07-21-2009, 10:30 AM

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielr...rit16_verslag#

It's the fourth clip on your left.

**Possegal** · 07-21-2009, 10:41 AM

Nothing really new about Jens on Twitter, just lots of well wishes from rider. But this from Lance. I think it is pretty much what most had expected - that he and Johann would be forming a new team for next year. Johann already announced that he and Astana would be parting ways after this year.

Making a very cool announcement on Thursday re: a new American partner for our team in 2010 (and beyond). Stay tuned!

**arielmoon** · 07-21-2009, 10:42 AM

OMG! What the heck happened? Did he slip on the white line?

*gah* poor Jens!

This tour certainly has been exciting.

and

I do love Lance but it is hard to deny that Contador looks incredible. Kudos to Lance for staying with the best climbers in the world.

**Kalidurga** · 07-21-2009, 10:49 AM

Here's a slo-mo version of papaver's video: http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=33n926f&s=3. It appears that he hit a bump and then slipped on the white line.

Some very graphic photos have also turned up. Don't click if you're squeamish: http://www.daylife.com/search/photos...d?q=jens+voigt

Between Stuey O'Grady's crash (last year or the year before...?) and this, it's so scary to see the tough guys go down. I hope we hear some good news about Jens soon.

**arielmoon** · 07-21-2009, 10:53 AM

ah! thanks for that link. Looks like a sort of speed table/bump that got him a little airborne.

Just need an update on how he is doing!

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