Cycling 2011

[Macy]

Itching to get to Thursday, to see how everyone's going. Reassessing Roche a bit - he's managed to avoid any trouble, so if he's managed to build up any form top 10 is really achievable now, given how many who he'd be fighting with are out.

[Mr A]

Sam Bennett takes a win in Belgium: http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gp-...l-2011/results

And in case it was missed Brammeier was pipped in a photo finish in Austria: http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/int...tage-6/results

[Mr A]

Gadret has quit the tour. In retrospect it was a mistake to select him as he never looked in any sort of shape. It would have been better for Roche to have another domestique in there instead.

[Macy]

Gadret has quit the tour. In retrospect it was a mistake to select him as he never looked in any sort of shape. It would have been better for Roche to have another domestique in there instead.

He was dropped on a cat 4 yesterday, wasn't he? In hindsight he shouldn't have been selected - whatever about the form he showed in the giro, his heart was never in the tour.

Great stage yesterday. Hope to feck I'm right to continue to have faith in Gilbert.

[Dodge]

Don't even joke Macy. One of the last hopes we have...

Great seeing the green and Yellow jersies attacking yesterday. Can't remember who said it but the stage finish yesterday reminded me of the Milan San Remo finish. A testament to Cavendish that he lasted longer than Renshaw and Goss.

Should be easier for HTC today. Suits the likes of Petacchi too

[the 12 th man]

Rain again today at the start and finish according to Eurosport,Cavendish fancies himself to make amends for yesterday.

[Mr A]

He was dropped on a cat 4 yesterday, wasn't he? In hindsight he shouldn't have been selected - whatever about the form he showed in the giro, his heart was never in the tour.

Yeah, he was dropped quite early and has been struggling most days at some point. He was 25 minutes down by the end of yesterday.

[the 12 th man]

Good ride by Roche today,now in 10th spot overall,looked to be in trouble on the final climb but dug in well.

[Mr A]

Yeah, did well to limit the losses, was worried when he seemed to struggle relatively early.

Still, he'll probably need to do better to still be in the top ten at the end.

[Stuttgart88]

Good effort.

Why did ITV only show the GC caption down to 8th today, when they've been showing up to 10th so far?

I wonder how Dan Martin would have fared on this type of stage.

[Macy]

Why did ITV only show the GC caption down to 8th today, when they've been showing up to 10th so far?

From what I recall they've always shown top 8 on page 1? Actually I'd be 99% certain. They were mentioning Roche, but not including him on the graphics, in the second page until a couple of days ago, if you want something anti-Roche stuff from ITV.

As has been said, Roche did well to limit his losses. I'd say he was starting with a bit of advantage over some of the climbers coming up from behind. But that's stage racing. He should be alright today, and then tomorrow the next big one.

Hard to know whether Dan Martin would've had the freedom to do anything - the two "leaders" really struggled. Mind you, their super domestique was given freedom to ride so maybe he would've been let do something if he was able.

[paudie]

Watched a great stage win by Hushovd into Lourdes today. No change to GC leaders though. Tomorrow is a big day I think.

[Dodge]

SPOILER: Have I mentioned how much I love Thor!!!

[BonnieShels]

Not at all!

Have thought you were fairly indifferent to the Viking god. *swoon*

[Battery Rover]

Watched a great stage win by Hushovd into Lourdes today. No change to GC leaders though. Tomorrow is a big day I think.

Think there are four very big mountain stages this week in the Alps including an Alpe D'Huez finish in Stage 19 of the 21

[Macy]

I've come off the fence - Andy Schleck, what a dick. They should ban descents into the finish because I'm a mard arse who can't decend (or words to that effect). Him and Contador already complaining about tomorrow. It's pretty simple, slow down if you think it's dangerous. Voeckler is being too unbelievable. So it looks like it's Cuddles or sammy sanchez I'm left to want to win out of the contenders.

Another poor day for Roche, but maybe far enough down to be allowed in the break tomorrow, if he has the legs obviously.

Another fine day for Thor - maybe another one tomorrow!

[Dodge]

I believe Voeckler. I particularly liked his "I'm on the same legs I was on 5 years ago and there's no way I could've stayed with Armstrong" comments. Think the stats back him too. That stage the other day with the Schlecks jsut loking at AC was a joke. Attack him ffs!!!

Anyway, hope Evans wins. Sems like a good guy. Like that he's attacked twice on 'transition' stages including a great descent today. Think he'll win it with a good time trial

[Real ale Madrid]

Is it not reasuring to see Voekler still up there? Evans was someone whom I thought was always very consistent also, it would be good for the sport to see him win.

I don't think Contador has it in him to win, he almost looked desperate today, even though he made the day today a lot more interesting than it normally could have been.

[Macy]

Is it not reasuring to see Voekler still up there? Evans was someone whom I thought was always very consistent also, it would be good for the sport to see him win.

I guess I should give Voeckler the benefit of the doubt until after tomorrow and Friday. It wasn't that he stayed with them in pyrennees, but that he was quite so comfortable that had my eyebrows raised.

Still can't believe the stuff Schleck was coming out with. If nothing else, he's setting it up for Evans to attack him today on the descent.

[Dodge]

I guess I should give Voeckler the benefit of the doubt until after tomorrow and Friday. It wasn't that he stayed with them in pyrennees, but that he was quite so comfortable that had my eyebrows raised

The flip of that is that he was so surprised too. As if he was blessed they didn’t attack each other

Its not like he’s a no hoper either. He’s been top ten in mountain stages before too.

Glad to see Roche attack yesterday, even if he didn’t get away. I think today is the last hope for a break away