For all the talk about Contador’s attack, whether it was necessary or not, etc… According to Contador, he discussed the attack with Bruyneel and with Kloden, so clearly there was some kind of miscommunication.
But the key thing is that his attack was less than 1 km from the summit. I think Kloden was going to crack anyway if he lost that much time to the Schlecks over 800m of climbing and 10 kms descent. He was continuing to lose time on the descent, and looked horrible as he crossed the line as well.
Frankly, Kloden just didn’t have it today. I think the real mistake that Contador made was that he didn’t try to attack the Schleck’s again.
So what the hell are Bruyneel and Armstrong and Lepiheimer crowing about? Until Kloden speaks, and he rarely, if ever, speaks, no one will really know what went on. It was clear AC could have bolted clear of the Schlek’s if he wanted, but sat up and waited. Didn’t look like a guy trying to be a dick. Looked like a guy who was trying to set up a counter attack for Kloden, but Kloden just fell apart.
So why is it that Contador is the dick teammate when Armstrong tweets something negative about the team leader every day, Lepiheimer tweets something negative, and Bruyneel gives a negative interview about him? Winning the TDF takes precedence above all other goals, including a podium sweep. Funny, now that it’s Armstrong is stuggling to keep his place, it’s all about the podium sweep when that wasn’t even mentioned a week ago. If LA was in first and AC and Kloden were holding him back and jeopardizing his yellow everyone would be screaming holy hell. Ridiculous double standard.
So why is it that Contador is the dick teammate when Armstrong tweets something negative about the team leader every day, Lepiheimer tweets something negative, and Bruyneel gives a negative interview about him? Winning the TDF takes precedence above all other goals, including a podium sweep. Funny, now that it’s Armstrong is stuggling to keep his place, it’s all about the podium sweep when that wasn’t even mentioned a week ago. If LA was in first and AC and Kloden were holding him back and jeopardizing his yellow everyone would be screaming holy hell. Ridiculous double standard.
Exactly! You don’t hear Contador complaining or being negative, do you? He simply goes about his job (even though he may make some mistakes from time to time). The bottom line is that in something as long and arduous as Le Tour (or an Ironman) the strongest man wins, and, as it currently stands, the strongest man is doing just that. I think all these Lance Lovers need a new Bro-mance. In a few years, all this will be forgotten and Contador will be hailed a hero. And the irony is that Bruyneel will surely tout that he was the director sportif for yet another Tour victory, despite what he says or tweets about Contador right now. One thing is for certain: this tour has been far more entertaining than all but maybe one of Lance’s victories.
Until Kloden speaks, and he rarely, if ever, speaks, no one will really know what went on. It was clear AC could have bolted clear of the Schlek’s if he wanted, but sat up and waited. Didn’t look like a guy trying to be a dick. Looked like a guy who was trying to set up a counter attack for Kloden, but Kloden just fell apart.
This is how I saw it as well. Contador was looking back in confusion I think because he expected to be setting up Kloden for the stage win as thanks for his work to date. Kloden melted.
+1
Lance is the 3rd best rider on his own team, yet you never see him lift a finger to help Alberto. He’s selfishly riding his own race instead of setting pace at the base of climbs. Then he trash talks about Alberto not being a team player.
Yes, Kloden showed his mettle today…unless you’re referring to Levi…
yet you never see him lift a finger to help Alberto.
?!?!?! Did you not see Lance almost come to a complete stop to force Wiggins to haul his own ass up Colombiere? Lance probably could have tried to bridge more of the gap to yellow by going sooner than he did, but he waited until he knew Wiggins wouldn’t be able to hang. He did exactly the right thing for the team (and might have hurt his own podium chances in the process selfish prick!]): keep Wiggins from climbing back in and then try to do what he could for a podium sweep. Then he went by the second best rider on the team.
Then he trash talks about Alberto not being a team player.
Seems that other important Astana members agree with Lance here. Check out tweets/comments by Bruyneel, Levi, Gallopin.
If you want to keep believing that Lance isn’t willing to do what’s best for the team after today, you are simply stubborn.
I think that titanflexr was trying to say that is that what lance has done to support the team leader is somewhat less than what he demanded of his teammates during the postal/disco days. I seem to recall Heras, Azevedo, Hincapie, and numerous others setting a blistering pace at the bottom of climbs until the rest of the pretenders cracked, leaving just Lance free to attack on his own. That’s a little more support than simply not bridging a gap.
Since when did it become OK to tweet negatively or give a negative interview about a teammate? Oh, I know, NEVER. Talk about being poor teammates.
All Lance tweeted was that he didn’t know why Alberto attacked…oh well. Are you seriously going to weight that tweet more heavily than him almost coming to a complete stop in front of Wiggins? As I said, stubborn.
I think that titanflexr was trying to say that is that what lance has done to support the team leader is somewhat less than what he demanded of his teammates during the postal/disco days. I seem to recall Heras, Azevedo, Hincapie, and numerous others setting a blistering pace at the bottom of climbs until the rest of the pretenders cracked, leaving just Lance free to attack on his own. That’s a little more support than simply not bridging a gap.
Agreed, but with a bit of reservation. At this point in the race, Astana is seriously looking at the first podium sweep since (I think) 1914. Sure, the primary goal is making sure Contador wins the GC, but if Astana can accomplish both without meaningfully hurting Contador’s chances, why not?
How Lance picked up about a minute on the downhill on Kloden and didn’t make up a nickel on the Schlecks and AC who have reputations as poor handlers is beyond me.
AC by dropping Kloden he sure got the Schlecks to gas it up the hill and got rid of Lance today. Maybe that was his intention as he sure isn’t getting any support from his team in the press. I hope he picks a good team next year like Columbia, Garmin , Saxo or the Italian Gas outfit.
Be interesting to see if Andy can lay down a good TT tomorrow he might be able to regain second place on the big hill. He was only 15 seconds behind Lance in the 15 k TT earlier in the race. He might only give back a minute half in 40 k. He should be motivated. Lance is going to need a good one to ward off the wolves of the mountains.
Just to clarify what happened - AC dropped everyone, the Schlecks and Kloden. The Schlecks then dropped Kloden and were bridging to AC, but he clearly shut off the gas before they got up to him, because he saw that Kloden wasn’t there anymore. Not that I would really blame AC if he made a little deal with the Schlecks…
I don’t think he winds up with Saxo, they have their rider for the present and future in Andy Schleck. I’d love to see him get on the podium, I have a soft spot for pure climbers, and Andy is a lot of fun to watch, as is Contador. I’m guessing that Schleck junior will give back a bit over 2 mins to Lance and Kloden in the TT, but watch for him to go apeshit on the Ventoux. No way Lance wins that stage…
Shouldn’t he, as a good teammate, have talked to Alberto before he tweeted, and maybe found out why he attacked?
Even if he tweeted to be a complete ass, don’t his actions on Colombiere speak louder than his words on Twittiere? This isn’t the first time Alberto has gone without Johan’s blessings - maybe he needs a few more public lashings from his own teammates…
again, given the history of the last 3 weeks: why should Contador do anything they say? He’s in yellow, not Lance. If this were the other way around there wouldn’t even be a question.
Johan didn’t prohibit Alberto from attacking, he just gave him guidance and advice that he didn’t NEED to attack to win the TDF. Same advice that he gave to Lance back in the day.
Alberto is young and decided to get fancy. Big deal.
again, given the history of the last 3 weeks: why should Contador do anything they say? He’s in yellow, not Lance. If this were the other way around there wouldn’t even be a question.
Johan didn’t prohibit Alberto from attacking, he just gave him guidance and advice that he didn’t NEED to attack to win the TDF. Same advice that he gave to Lance back in the day.
Alberto is young and decided to get fancy. Big deal.
There hasn’t been a situation like this since 1914 - a podium sweep isn’t just any old outcome.
Alberto’s chances for GC were not improved at all by attempting a break. In fact, he probably exposed himself to more risk than it was worth.
I disagree with your assertion that, “if this were the other way around there wouldn’t even be a question.” I would’ve thought Lance was an ass had he pulled a similar move.
I love that fact that despite AC having to fight his own team, and his own DS, in the future Bruyneel will once again talk about how he guided another rider to TdF victory
Finally forget any obsession with the 'Team" podium sweep. They care nothing about this team or this sponsor
Getting on the podium is all about satisfy individual egos (and nothing wrong with that) but lets not mask it