[Closed] TdF stage 19 (spoiler)

Go Schleck. Just taken 6 seconds out of Contador at the first split, can he keep it up??

Two seconds at the first time check - GO SCHLECK

Blimey!

NOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooo!

4 seconds, I assume they know the differences if they are wearing radios. Pressure is on and it's goign to hurt.

Venga! Venga! Venga! Venga! Animo Alberto!

Go Schleck! show that spaniard....

A lot tighter than many people thought. Wonder if the chain issue last week will matter!

I have a feeling it might, and not in a good way. 😐

They both must be going through mental and physical hell at the moment.

c'mon Schleck. fair do's, that's gotta be hurting. nnnngggg...

Still 6 secs to Schleck at point 2!

I feel tired just watching. Go schleck!

Strikes me that Contador is poor this year rather than Schleck improving. Last year Contador beat Cancellara in the last tt but they are both down around 30th.

Both on same Sworks bike and Sram gruppo I think

Damn, Contador is up by 27sec at the final 3rd check.

merde, ce conard contador..

maybe his chain will come off.

Game over, enhorabuena campeon! 😆

I wish muppets would stop going on about "the chain incident" while pretending "the crash incident" never happened on stage two, which allowed schleck to open a lead on contador, if one is cheating so is the other.

Is my maths right?
So schlek lost 39 seconds on the mechanical.
And Contador wins by 39 secs overall.

I wanted Andy Schleck to win.
🙁

me too, shame for Schleck.

not saying anything about either incident (so im hoping that i avoid the muppet remark MSP) but i dont like the spanish cont..

I wish muppets would stop going on about "the chain incident" while pretending "the crash incident" never happened on stage two, which allowed schleck to open a lead on contador, if one is cheating so is the other.

Quite. I hate all this waiting for mecahnicals stuff. If you have a mechanical or a crash then tough, you lose. If you want to have a race without those risks then go and take up competitive speed walking or something. Makes a bit of a joke of the sport IMO. But hey, each to their own I suppose. Champery was more fun to watch than that, even with the mud.

another one who doesn't get road race etiquette

another one who doesn't get road race etiquette

Yes I agree that I don't. This year is the first time I'd heard of it, and it sounded pretty dumb. Whats the reason for it? I genuinely would like to understand how it can be a good idea and not just make a bit of a joke of it being a race. Seems a shame to have the overall winner tainted by something that just isn't a factor in other cycling disciplines (unless it is, as I said, my road racing knowledge is very poor).

And while we're on it, why is it so unlikely that Shleck's lot will attack tomorrow and try to win? Would they try? Is there any point? Or is it another etiquette thing?

[i]And while we're on it, why is it so unlikely that Shleck's lot will attack tomorrow and try to win? Would they try? Is there any point? Or is it another etiquette thing? [/i]

If the gap was a few seconds then they probably would but there's no chance they'll get 40 seconds on tomorrows stage, not a hope in hell. Partly "convention", partly that the sprinters teams will always bring back any breakaway. There would need to be a split on the finish line with Schelck in the front group and Contador 40 seconds back for it to change and the only way that could happen is a huge crash which would probably neutralise the race anyway. A crash in the last 3km wouldn't count cos it's race rules that everyone gets the same time if that happens (a rule brought in to try and make sprints less dangerous).

If saxo bank or schleck make a break then everyone in Astana will chase them down, no chance of making 40 seconds. Also HTC will want a stage win and no teams will be able to open up a 40second gap on a flat stage against those guys.

OK, thanks guys.

You don't attack when your rival has a mechanical as it's about rider strength and fitness not how well his bike is set up, Mr Contador doesn't subscribe to this obviously. it's a shame this tour will now always be known as the "chaingate" tour

Did anyone else hear Paul Sherwen get his vowels mixed up and correct himself during the commentary?

"Cun... Contador etc, etc..."

there's still tomorrow people
anything can happen...

racing etiquette is that you do not take advantage of the [b]tour leader[/b] if they have a mechanical or an accident. It is a bit silly listening to MTBers, who admit they dont understand it, defending it when even contador apologised [ish] for the breach of etiquette. Think of it as having the wrong tyres or not enough travel when you are at the trail centre....it is just not the done thing. 😯

Fair enough. I am becoming better informed, if still not quite understanding how it can still be about rider strength and fitness if a) it only applies to the leader and b) they all ride different bikes anyway.

But I am pretty certain I'm a) in a minority of thickies when it comes to this b) not in the right thread for this discussion.

I bid you au revoir. Enjoy the final stage.

You don't attack when your rival has a mechanical as it's about rider strength and fitness not how well his bike is set up, Mr Contador doesn't subscribe to this obviously.

I'm still trying to work out how you can be attacking and looking over your shoulder at the same time. He did slow down and wait for Schleck to get running again. He stopped the attack. More of this is being made than should, IMHO, of course.

Well he won the de Tour on the same time he gained from Schleck's mechanical.

But thats what the make the Tour de France more interesting!

It wouldve been nice for Schleck to win, but it's racing after all. You really expect ANY rider in with a chance of winning the biggest race in the sport not to take advantage of an opportunity to gain much-needed seconds when it arises? All the riders I saw interviewed said they'd have done the same. Absolute nonsense. And yes, I do ride a road bike.

Aren't they all doped up anyway? 😉

And lets not forget there were riders placed 3rd & 4th pushing on at the same time as Contador during Shlecks mechanical!

You could also argue that Shleck needs to learn how to change gear! if it was a mechanical why didn't it happen again? or is that going to upset the Shleck fans?

Alberto Contadors reaction to his 'win' says it all. He is forever tainted. You let the road decide, not see your sole opponent get into mechanical difficulty and hare off.

The reaction of the crowd also spoke volumes. The TT today would have been the most exciting finish in history [i]if[/i] he had done the decent thing. Contador robbed us of that, the same as he robbed Schleck. I hope he's happy.

Chapeau Andy, great tour.

Time they scrapped this etiquette crap, one thing is headbutting an opponent, another thing altogether what happened with Schleck and Contador. It's not like it's always been this way, 40 years ago it certainly wasn't. Chain fell off, tough. A spectator brings you down, tough. It's a race, FFS.

Sigh.

This thread reminds of the jeremy vine show on radio 2: "get me the most opinionated least informed person now!"

I'm still trying to work out how you can be attacking and looking over your shoulder at the same time. He did slow down and wait for Schleck to get running again. He stopped the attack. More of this is being made than should, IMHO, of course.

I know that the rear disc wheels on the TT bikes have less drag once up to speed, so why don't they use one on the front as well? Is it to limit the effects of any crosswinds?

I think they may be banned they are in British tts.Even wheels like spinergys are crap in a side wind

we were watching different races he cycles past during the incident as Shleck was attacking him to wait means to either sit up[pedal slowish] or stop and wait till he regrains the group then start racing again Again we were watching a different race if you think this occured.

As I look at [url=

video[/url] again I see that Contador passes Schleck as something happens. Schleck has attacked and Contador is slow to react. As Contador arrives and passes, Schleck has slowed down but not stopped. Foot slipped out of the pedal? Chain slipped? But nothing to warrant stopping and waiting. Also he was in n ar5eup head down attack, did he see?

A couple of seconds later Contador is looking over his shoulder. Attack over.

This obviously is going to run and run. Taking the football analogy, people still consider Arsenal to be a good team, don't they?

Wonder when he'll be caught (if ever) over his doping. Spanish authorities have sat on that one haven't they?

Saying that they are all smackheads. Then when they are caught they whine and bleat or write for a newspaper/books and claim to be holier than though.

I'm curious as to why they don't 'race' on the last day? 39 seconds is probably too much to claw back on a flat 100km stage, but if it was only 8 or 10 seconds then surely it would be worth risking a well planned attack to try and win overall.

Or is there another unwritten rule that says whoever leads before the final stage wins regardless?

Pretty much but really it's just not practical. You can't break away from the bunch on a flat stage without being caught if they don't want you to get away.

Contador apologised for his attack after Schleck's mechanical and said it wasn't right. That counts for infinitely more than a load of poorly informed mtbers' opinions.

A couple of seconds later Contador is looking over his shoulder. Attack over.

he did wellto gain 39s without attacking and while being chased 🙄

...and people complain about team orders in F1.

and said it wasn't right

Can I end this now.

There is an etiquette in road racing and that is to not attack the race leader when he has mechanicals, crashed, etc. YOU may not like it or agree with it but that's the fact.

Contador attacked when he should't have. He's admitted it through his apology. That's another fact.

Scleck was originally pissed off but he's now moved on and forgiven. Christ, any more man-loving up the Tourmalet and they'd have needed a mattress in the broom wagon. It might still rankle inside but he has accepted his fate now, and has even suggested that continuing to boo Contador disrespects the race.

All that said; if he can let it lie why now can't the rest of us?

And I really wanted him to tear Bertie a new arsehole on Thursday too, but he couldn't, so that's that.

Key: Contador disrespected the yellow jersey? The wearer is immaterial.

don simon - As I look at the video again I see that Contador passes Schleck as something happens. Schleck has attacked and Contador is slow to react. As Contador arrives and passes, Schleck has slowed down but not stopped.

I think you mean Vinokourov - Contador is a bit further back.

Its all very well using the etiquette card when its in you favour, but Andy and Co didn't wait for Chavanel when he had 2 punctures on the pave did they... oh and let's remember AS didn't have a mechanical he just fluffed a gear change and actually lost the majority of the time on the descent. Nearly every single ex-pro has come out and said what happened that day is fine including AS's team manager Mr 60% himself

Crashes and bunch splits in the early stages of the race are entirly diferently and if you can't see why you should give up now.

What nobodys mentioned is how close Menchov and Sanchez would have been if Contador would have stopped - dislike Contador but he could have throw the tour away at that point.

Also Schlecks teams antics have cost Hushovd the green jersey.

Schecks time over Contador was gained after Contador crashed.

I hope Scheck wins next year though after that TT

The RTTC state wheels must have an open area of 45% (I think) this is to do with wind effect and getting blow into traffic/handling

So, what would happen if two riders did have the very same finish time, to the second, it could happen with a TT as the 2nd last stage ? Do they go to hundredths of seconds ? That might make the Commissaires' jobs on the Champs Elysees a bit interesting.

Whatever cynic-al

Hels. It'd go down to 100th on the tts. All riders in a group get the same time on road stages like today.

Girlfriend: Tour de France Looks really dull/boring
Me: Its partly down to the politics/team tactics/saving energy in reserve etc etc.
Girlfriend: So its about fixing results and its not really a sport?
Me: Hmmmm.

Notice how Frenchmen were winning this year?

Hi - yes thanks for that clubber - I know they get the same time in a bunch finish not a total amateur !! BUT if there was enough of a split in the bunch today (and they don't all get the same time) e.g. even one second and somebody was on the wrong side of it ? Wouldn't want to call/judge that time split. And it was only hundredths of seconds between them ? I am sure the ASO will find a rule for that.

The French press are claiming that their riders are doing better as the drugs are being phased out of the sport, and their riders are clean.

Road stages are timed to the nearest second iirc so it's pretty easy to judge. As I said, effectively the tts would decide it if they were tied on time otherwise and so any split in the peloton would make the difference. And splits tend to be at least 3 seconds unless the riders come in one by one which is unlikely on the last stage.

And on the doping front, Vaughters twittered this link

http://www.sportsscientists.com/2010/07/power-from-tourmalet-6wkg-anyone.html

igm - Member
don simon - As I look at the video again I see that Contador passes Schleck as something happens. Schleck has attacked and Contador is slow to react. As Contador arrives and passes, Schleck has slowed down but not stopped.

I think you mean Vinokourov - Contador is a bit further back.

Ive spoken to a lot of people and they all say it was Contador. It shows how many none cycling fans have been taken on by this amazing Tour.

It was Vino that was first to react and thats why it was a harder pill to swallow when Contador said he didnt know he had a problem, even though he had a good look at it.

Now, its passed, Contador has won. I have no doubt Schleck will win the yellow multiple times in the future.

That's an interesting link, and gives me a lot of heart. In every sphere of sport people are getting faster, jumping higher...., etc. But here riders are on better equipment and yet are 5-10% slower / lower power than their equivalents from 10 and 20 years ago.....

Does make you wonder.

I think you mean Vinokourov - Contador is a bit further back.

I meant the second Astana rider who went charging past, if that was Vino then forgive me.

A couple of seconds later Contador is looking over his shoulder. Attack over