Tour talk -- Spoiler alert

[channlluv]

Okay, who the h-e-double-hockey-sticks is in charge of chain maintenance? Oy.

I actually did feel badly for Contador, as I'm not much of a fan of his, but I do think he only took advantage because he couldn't do anything else, not at that point in the race, even if he had realized that Andy had had a mechanical failure and hadn't just popped on the climb. If he had waited, they'd have both been passed up by that whole group of lead riders and the time splits would be even narrower. I think he did the only thing a competitive contender for the title could do.

Andy, however, made an amazing come back. Did you see him passing all those guys on the ascent like they were standing still? I wonder what Lance thought as Andy blew past him.

Roxy

[Zen]

I actually did feel badly for Contador

So did I. It was poor sportsmanship on the part of the fans to boo him. Like you said, what else could he do?

"My stomach is full of fire"
Andy will be back with a vengeance.

[BikeHN]

I partly agree channlluv, but I think if Contador would've sat up and called off the attack Sanchez & Menchov would've followed suit. It wasn't Contador's fault that Schleck's chain popped off, but I wouldn't want to be the one to take adv. of that situation. Just sit up, call it even for the day, then come out tomorrow ready to battle.

[Triskeliongirl]

Don't forget how Schleck took time on Contador in the first place on the cobbles. You didn't see Schleck wait for him then so why should Contador wait for him now? Its a bike race. S--t happens. There are crashes, mechanicals, etc. Its just part of it.

[Veronica]

What did Ullrich do when Lance hit the deck with a musette? He sat up! What did the riders do when Lance took his little sojourn across the field to avoid Beloki. They sat up!

It's not a very sporting way to take the lead. As I recall Contador rode well on the cobbles. Certainly much better than anyone expected.

Veronica

[BikeHN]

Well said Veronica. But, I guess if you feel comfortable winning a bike race by taking time on people with mech. failures or crashes then go for it. It is indeed a race.

[arielmoon]

It is a race but one that has a tradition of respect and sportsmanship out on the course. I dont like that he attacked while the yellow jersey had a mechanical but technically he was not wrong. AC is there to win the TDF not to win fans. Personally I have respect the man's ability and talent but not much else.

On the Eurosport broadcast the commentators said a poll was split 50/50 as to if AC did the right thing. However, they were sure it would have 100% in favor if AC had waited.

[Dogmama]

Hey - didn't he say he'd be a domestique for Levi? Has he actually done that? Maybe I missed it.

[XMcShiftersonX]

"I want to take my revenge." I love Andy Schleck. **** Contador!!

[ny biker]

I partly agree channlluv, but I think if Contador would've sat up and called off the attack Sanchez & Menchov would've followed suit. It wasn't Contador's fault that Schleck's chain popped off, but I wouldn't want to be the one to take adv. of that situation. Just sit up, call it even for the day, then come out tomorrow ready to battle.

I also think that if Contador had sat up and told Menchov and Sanchez to wait, they would have done so. I don't even think they would have had to call it even for today -- they could have waited for Schleck to catch up and then start racing again.

[redrhodie]

Gotta add--Yay to Tommy Voeckler! Awesome ride today.

[Veronica]

And Hesjedal!

I hope he can hold on to a top ten. He's really coming through for the team.

Veronica

[ny biker]

Comment on today's stage by Gerard Vroomen of Cervelo: Contador just gained a great chance to win, but he lost the chance to win greatly.

Seems like opinions are pretty divided among the cycling community. I don't believe that Contador didn't know what happened to Schleck -- even if he didn't see it himself, the team manager would have known.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how the battle continues tomorrow. Andy is clearly climbing well right now. Astana will have to work at the front tomorrow so maybe Saxo Bank will have a teammate or two who are able to stay with Schleck on the climbs, unlike today.

As for Lance, he's been pretty quiet lately, on the bike and off. He hasn't even been helping with the team's fight for the team classification. I'm wondering if he was more seriously hurt during that crash in the Alps then they let on.

[channlluv]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm rooting for Andy all the way. I'm just not sure Contador really had an alternative that late in the stage. And I'm not sure he actually saw the chain pop off -- he said so in a post-race interview on Versus. He may not have realized that it was a mechanical problem and not just that Andy was done on the mountain.

On the other hand, he must have realized it as he blew past Andy...

Regarding Lance serving as domestique for Levi, I, um, think you have to be able to ride in front of the GC in order to be domestique, yes? The way he's riding, I think Lance is happy to hang in the front half of the peleton.

Roxy

[laury]

So sad and frustrating to see Andy lose like that today. He has so much exuberance and joy for cycling that I cheer like mad for him. But he is still a young guy with a lot less experience than Contador, Menchov and Sanchez. I think today will be part of his overall growth and maturation as a team leader. It's nice that he is buddies with some of his rivals but now he knows this isn't sleep away camp. These guys will eat you alive if they get the chance. Hope he can channel his anger and disappointment into taking back the lead. Riis needs to guide him well tonight.