Two days in the Alps
A couple jerseys were practically decided in stages 16 & 17.
Franco Pellizotti kept attacking the climbs to pick up points. He didn't make it with the lead group to the final climb on either day, but he lasted longer than Egoi Martinez and even when Martinez was hanging around, Pellizotti was faster. It's not a mathematical certainty (Martinez would have to win every remaining climb and have Pellizotti get nothing), so, really, Pellizotti needs to pass his dope tests and get all the way to the finish line in Paris.
THOR! attacked solo in the mountains to pick up 12 intermediate sprint points in stage 17. Cavendish didn't attempt, so he finds himself down 30 points. He needs THOR! to draw goose eggs in order to make up that gap.
Because I've said all along that 4 minutes is the gap needed for the leader to feel safe heading onto Ventoux, I'll say Contador still has some work to do, but after putting time on Armstrong and Wiggins in stage 17, he's a lot closer. I do think the Schleck brothers have pushed him harder than he expected to go, but they just can't drop him. They aren't great time trialists, so they really need to rely on having a ridiculously good day on Ventoux.
Standing after Stage 17
# 1. Alberto Contador Astana 2910km in 72:27:09
# 2. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank, at 2:26
# 3. Frank Schleck Team Saxo Bank at 03:25
# 4. Lance Armstrong Astana at 03:55
# 5. Andréas Klöden Astana at 04:44
# 6. Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream at 04:53
# 7. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas at 05:09
So, while it looks like Contador vs. the Schlecks for yellow, all the guys from 2-7 are fighting for a podium spot. The time trial will shuffle their positions and time slots to set up the final showdown on Ventoux. Being that Armstrong and Kloden will be protecting Contador's yellow jersey, their tactics for defending or attacking a podium position may be compromised.
Also, Scheleck and Nibali are 1 and 2 in the white jersey competition, so they have a consolation prize to think about too.
Astana built their lead in the team competition up to 16 minutes after stage 17. That gap is probably going to grow. It's a total beat down, and without Levi Leipheimer.
As for the crash of Jens Voigt...I hope that wasn't the last we see of him at the Tour. It won't be as enjoyable without him.
Franco Pellizotti kept attacking the climbs to pick up points. He didn't make it with the lead group to the final climb on either day, but he lasted longer than Egoi Martinez and even when Martinez was hanging around, Pellizotti was faster. It's not a mathematical certainty (Martinez would have to win every remaining climb and have Pellizotti get nothing), so, really, Pellizotti needs to pass his dope tests and get all the way to the finish line in Paris.
THOR! attacked solo in the mountains to pick up 12 intermediate sprint points in stage 17. Cavendish didn't attempt, so he finds himself down 30 points. He needs THOR! to draw goose eggs in order to make up that gap.
Because I've said all along that 4 minutes is the gap needed for the leader to feel safe heading onto Ventoux, I'll say Contador still has some work to do, but after putting time on Armstrong and Wiggins in stage 17, he's a lot closer. I do think the Schleck brothers have pushed him harder than he expected to go, but they just can't drop him. They aren't great time trialists, so they really need to rely on having a ridiculously good day on Ventoux.
Standing after Stage 17
# 1. Alberto Contador Astana 2910km in 72:27:09
# 2. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank, at 2:26
# 3. Frank Schleck Team Saxo Bank at 03:25
# 4. Lance Armstrong Astana at 03:55
# 5. Andréas Klöden Astana at 04:44
# 6. Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream at 04:53
# 7. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas at 05:09
So, while it looks like Contador vs. the Schlecks for yellow, all the guys from 2-7 are fighting for a podium spot. The time trial will shuffle their positions and time slots to set up the final showdown on Ventoux. Being that Armstrong and Kloden will be protecting Contador's yellow jersey, their tactics for defending or attacking a podium position may be compromised.
Also, Scheleck and Nibali are 1 and 2 in the white jersey competition, so they have a consolation prize to think about too.
Astana built their lead in the team competition up to 16 minutes after stage 17. That gap is probably going to grow. It's a total beat down, and without Levi Leipheimer.
As for the crash of Jens Voigt...I hope that wasn't the last we see of him at the Tour. It won't be as enjoyable without him.
posted by uberschuck at 8:43 PM
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