OK folks, what are his odds now?? He kicked the shit out of everyone of the climbers, except Evans, and even then he held him in check to keep the yellow. What a ride, the yellow really does have wings…
He lucked out with no rain. There is just something about the guy I can’t stand. GO CONTADOR! Or Vino. Or Kloden. Or Evans. Or anyone else.
I can’t jump on the band wagon, cos I’ve been there since July 15th after Stage 7
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1397852;search_string=;#1397852
If the Pyrenees cause the carnage that KNY has warned of, then the carnage will be behind Rasmussen.
The French commentary team hardly mentioned his name again until they realised that there was a chance that he might hold onto the yellow. They were too busy hailing Vino and Kloden and wondering which one would be in yellow at the end of the day. hmm. Then the chicken pulls off the most amazing TT. Beats his team rival and comes in 11th in the stage. Unbelievable. I vote he has a huge day in the pyrenees and holds on until paris.
The French commentary team say that the peloton won’t let him get away in the mountains now. But how on earth do you stop a climber get away. He didn’t even attack in stage 7, he just let them fall off when they were done which is much tougher to come back from.
Rasmussen is being interviewed right now. Just said he had the TT of his life. Was lucky with the weather. The yellow jersey was a huge motiviation and seeing Valverde at the end was huge for him and made him go even faster. He said for the first time ever he did a TT 100% from start to finish.
GO Chicken
Ahh. For the FIRST time on French TV one of the commentators just said that the Chicken could win the TDF. And it took a TRIATHLETE to say it. None other than Laurent Jalabert. Nice one JaJa.
I joined you several days ago and had been rooting for Ras. However, the Velonews article ruined the fun.
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i am hoping for contador, would be nice to see levi go back for water for him
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I’m not ready to get on board with the chicken. He has a shown us before that when he has a bad day- it can be very bad for him. Evans and Vino are less fragile- they are durable riders. Evans and Vino have a nearly perfect apprenticeship. Rasmussen still carries the stigma of his time trial debacle of a few years ago. When the chicken crqacks- he cracks in a big way.
One small chink in the armor and this chicken will be soup.
I see a disaster in the offing for Rasmussen that will segueway to a battle between Evans and Vino.
This could be a big Tour for Australia.
OK folks, what are his odds now?? He kicked the shit out of everyone of the climbers, except Evans, and even then he held him in check to keep the yellow. What a ride, the yellow really does have wings…
Nothing against the chicken at all… I think the bigger question would be after putting in such a great performance today, did he shoot his wad? How much will he have left tomorrow when the GC contenders start attacking?
This is when I started to think he could do it. Will Menchov support him now or will this split the team?
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1399131;search_string=Spiridon%20Louis;#1399131
Rasmussen still carries the stigma of his time trial debacle of a few years ago. \
No offense Tom, but I think today put that ride behind him, I know it put it behind in the other riders minds…What would have been the odds that he would get 11th in the tt today, 1000 to 1??? Of course he can have a bad day, but no reason to think there is one in his future right now, especially since he has shown the best form of his life. You may not want him to win, so wish bad things to happen to him, but as of now there is no indication, quite the opposite…
And as to him being split as team leader, that is long gone now. Menchov will bury himself for the chicken now. He has no chance, and that 600 grand 1st place is looking possible for the team. I think Astana had a great day, and now have 2 contenders again, but I would put Cadel in as the favorite now for the win. With no problems, I up my prediction for the chicken from top 5 to top 3 now…Disco had some good rides, but I believe thay are all riding for a 3rd now…You can forget about Mayo and ValVerde, and several of the other great climbers. OF the top ten Levi had the worst performance based on tt ability. He may be just about done, one more day of losing time to Contrador, and he is super domestic…
Hey Monty -
If I climb on board the bandwagon, do I need to bring a Sidi box full of Biopure through customs with me?
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If I climb on board the bandwagon, do I need to bring a Sidi box full of Biopure through customs with me? \
Does anyone really believe, that over 5 years ago, that any rider in the tour today, would not have a similar story to be told of them??? Let’s stay in the present please, and talk about what we know to be true today. I mean, how many are riding today, having served suspensions in their careers??? If you don’t like the race, turn it off, but let’s not keep beating the old doping drum every time someone has a great ride…
I say his odds are better than anyone else. One minute however will not be enough for the final, dead flat and straight TT BUT Rasmussen will surely attack on one of the final 3 mountain stages. Evans was the big winner today but I still don’t see him winning the Tour, No knockout punch. Contador on the other hand could win. If I’m Astana I send Vino on the first HC climb tomorrow, if he stays away and gains time then great, if not make the other contenders chase like hell and have Kloden folllow the leaders. I would have Kash protect Kloden, not Vino tomorrow.
Dave in VA
Ignorance is bliss … right?
If I climb on board the bandwagon, do I need to bring a Sidi box full of Biopure through customs with me? \
Does anyone really believe, that over 5 years ago, that any rider in the tour today, would not have a similar story to be told of them??? Let’s stay in the present please, and talk about what we know to be true today. I mean, how many are riding today, having served suspensions in their careers??? If you don’t like the race, turn it off, but let’s not keep beating the old doping drum every time someone has a great ride…
You know, normally I would be with you on this Monty, but given the fact that his national federation just supended the guy, I’m more than a little sceptical about The Chicken. It’s a shame - he’s a nice guy- but my credulity meter is pretty much bottomed out on Rasmussen right now.
I had a long conversation with a friend supporting Rasmussen on Thursday night, but that was before I heard the Sidi box story.
“Does anyone really believe, that over 5 years ago, that any rider in the tour today, would not have a similar story to be told of them???”
Actually, yes - I don’t believe that most riders would turn a “friend” into an unwitting drug mule, regardless of their own doping proclivities. This story - if true, and it rings true to me - is indicative of a level of duplicity and callous disregard that I find particularly reprehensible, and combined with the Danish federation charges begins to establish a pattern of deceit that calls into question everything he is in the process of accomplishing.
…and I’m not even going to get in to the “great ride” argument; “great ride” isn’t even close to an adequate description of what Rasmussen did today. Heck, the last time we saw a pure climber turn in a TT like this, with absolutely no history of accomplishment in the discipline, was back when Heras pulled that TT out of thin air to win the Vuelta
Remind me again how that story turned out in the end, would you?
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If I’m Astana I send Vino on the first HC climb tomorrow, if he stays away and gains time then great, if not make the other contenders chase like hell and have Kloden folllow the leaders. I would have Kash protect Kloden, not Vino tomorrow.
Dave in VA
That’s a great strategy, Dave.
Actually, yes - I don’t believe that most riders would turn a “friend” into an unwitting drug mule, regardless of their own doping proclivities. \
I agree that that part of the story if true, is really shitty. My point was though, that I would guess that there were a lot of shoe boxes back in those days…
And to the ignoress is bliss comment, it’s the only way one can watch cycling these days… Just hoping that is is getting better now… I have no guess though, but bringing up stuff from years ago will never let the sport move foreward…
Pretty sure he rode in the same conditions as everyone else who is a contender. In fact, the section where it was dry actually would have hindered his performance, as it is faster to ride in the rain on a straight-away as there is less rolling resistance. Why do you feel the need to slam the guy? I’m pretty sure he disproved all the nay-sayers today, and to attempt to detract from his performance is pathetic. Who’s still in yellow? Scoreboard baby!!!
At this point if there’s a bandwagon to get on its Contador’s and I’m on it. The next few days are going to be fun to watch.
Also, speaking of the Chicken’s collapse in 05 its equal to the collapse of Evans wearing pink in '01 I think for Mapei???
At this point if there’s a bandwagon to get on its Contador’s and I’m on it. The next few days are going to be fun to watch. \
I agree, only problem for him and Kloden, are that they are not their own teams favorites… Could be some T-Mobile like infighting these next few days, but the chicken is definately clear of all that now…As a team manager it is great to have 2 or 3 possible GC contenders, but I think the individual riders aren’t so stoked about it… It’s like every time a French rider goes off the front, who chases the hardest, other French riders…IF you don’t win the race overall, there is some glory in being best on team, or country…