Big TT tomorrow. I’m betting that Evans may be able to take the lead with Levi being a dark horse.
If, after the TT, the margin is still very close, will they actually try to make a genuine race of it to Paris on he last day or would they stick to tradition and hold formation?
Evans took 4 seconds out of Contador on the run-in today, so he’s now only 1:50 back. I wouldn’t wonder whether Levi can win, but rather whether either can hold off Evans.
Bob
Big TT tomorrow. I’m betting that Evans may be able to take the lead with Levi being a dark horse.
If, after the TT, the margin is still very close, will they actually try to make a genuine race of it to Paris on he last day or would they stick to tradition and hold formation?
I hope Levi does it. GO LEVI!!!
I don’t think they’ll be racing last day though, unless Evans attacks or one of Disco boys is a few seconds behind Evans…but hard to imagine either Contador or Levi would attack each other if either one of them are in the lead.
GO LEVI!!!
I doubt Levi can make up that much time. I think it’s a 2 man race. My guess is that after the TT only 15 seconds or less will seperate Contador and Evans, and I’m not sure which order they’ll be in. It will make for an interesting final stage, but I don’t see how either one of them could make up any time on the final stage. Man I wish the TT was the final stage…that would be cool.
i don’t think Cadel can take 1:50 out of Contador. Contador only lost 1 min to Cadel in the first TT. Levi is way too far back, but a podium spot is a solid result for him. I don’t think the standings will change, just a little closer.
Cadel is going to actually wear shoe covers in the TT tomorrow and go much faster. What will that give him? 3 seconds a mile? That will put him on the top step of the podium.
Levi will crack.
yes, if I believed in santa claus
Yet G_d did part the Jordan for H_s rebellious people.
They did in the past with the TT being on the final day…
If I recall correctly Fignon had a 50 seconds lead over Lemond and ended up losing by 8 seconds blaiming a soar ass (typical French!)
Cheers,
Fred.
I’m rooting for Levi even though he’s probably too far back. I haven’t liked how Johan Bruyneel has never shown any confidence in Levi even though he was the designated team leader. Johan has never once said that Levi could win the tour. Once Contador rode well in the Alps and had a good time trial Johan immediately started saying that the team has to ride for Contador and the Contador is the next Lance.
I hope that Levi wins just to shut up Bruyneel.
i think Contador can hold of Evans and maybe Levi can bring it in the TT and secure a nice podium. But Levi can still pull off the upset. he needs the TT of his life.
“Man I wish the TT was the final stage…that would be cool.”
Not sure if this has ever been done, but I would like to see them seed the top ten GC according to their time gaps – Contador goes first, Evans goes 1:50 later (or whatever the gap is now), etc. – first guy to Paris wins. It would be boring in years where there’s a huge gap, but would be fun on a year like this.
ha that would be awesome. It could come down to a sprint on the TT bikes.
Vino raced the final stage 2 years ago. I don’t recall who got screwed out of 5th place, but I seem to recall it was Levi. It was raining when they started the circuit in the city and announced the final standings would be set based on the end of the first lap, yet they would still do all of the laps and the stage winner would still be determined at the end of the sprint on the final lap. They said time bonuses would not be given out. The weather cleared up and Vino went for it with a few K’s to go. He won the stage, and they still gave him a time bonus that launched him to 5th, bumping Levi (I think). Who knows? Cadel might try to go for it with a couple K’s to go on Sunday if he is only a few seconds down; however, I have a feeling he would be so well marked that he would be no more than a lead out for Quick Step. Also, the rain and the fact the RD went back on his word that the standings were final were a major factor in how Vino got away…that and he was probably doping, although with his own blood that time 
It was levi, he ended up in 6th
.
ha that would be awesome. It could come down to a sprint on the TT bikes.
that would be cool
except there would have to be more drafting police than racers
Lemond vs. Fignon 1989… here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyvwtOQYQ-E
Very dramatic voice-over.
Mark
Evans to have the TT of his life and step up to the yellow jersey for teh run into Paris and then its all on for teh last stage as it will be a close one!
If Levi wants to have any hope of winning he’d better get Lance to hook him up with his “doctor” real quick. I’m sure a few “vitamin” injections could do wonders.
Here is a random question…Are there time bonuses on TT stages or only road stages? If so, should Vino lose the TT win and Evans ascend to the top of the podium, does Evans get more of a time bonus?
Bob
If Levi wants to have any hope of winning he’d better get Lance to hook him up with his “doctor” real quick. I’m sure a few “vitamin” injections could do wonders.
Actually, if I remember right, it was GL who got an “iron shot” from his “doctor” during the Giro and then busted out an awesome TT, wasn’t it?