Ozzie To Win Tour De France ? Cadel Evans !

[LaoPo]

AUSTRALIAN SUSPENSE IN: Tour De France!

Cadel Evans* is an Australian cyclist and the public in Europe, watching the Tour de France, [almost] never heard of him.

Nevertheless he is in second place now behind #1 Alberto Contador/Spain, just 1.50 min behind him.

Saturday, July 28th Cadel Evans will start in the 55,5 Kms individual time race, just before Contador, but Evans is a proven better time rider.

SUSPENSE !

Evans will start 16.14PM, just 3 minutes before Contador, who will ride at 16.17PM (France time = 1 hour later than GMT)

If you're interested, have a look at the details, here:

http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/LIVE/us/1800...ment/index.html

If Evans wins the individual time race, he has a VERY GOOD chance to win the Tour De France on Sunday in Paris, as an Australian, for the first time ever in the history of the Tour de France.......and Australia

Come on Aussies !

* Born in 14/02/1977 à Katherine (AUS)

Height : 1.74 m

Weight : 64 kg

LaoPo

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The very best of luck to him. It seems he might indeed have a chance.

[Totster]

Is he the only one that hasn't tested positive.... ?

totster

[Pink Mist]

Go Aussie Go

[LaoPo]

Cadel Evans didn't make it today in the individual time race although he climbed closer to the #1, Alberto Contador.

Yesterday he was 1.50 min away from the leader, now just 23 seconds....

The #3 is American Levi Leipheimer, 31 seconds from the leader (but he's in the same riders' group as Contador)

Normally, it will not be enough for Evans to step up to the ladder to become #1 in the last day in Paris and take the Yellow Jersey, but who knows?

LaoPo

[endure]

Is he the only one that hasn't tested positive.... ?

totster

Jaques Anquetil (one of the Tour Greats) said 40 years ago that anyone who believed that it was possible to ride the Tour without stimulants was either a fool or a hypocrite. The Tour isn't a bike race - it's 3 weeks of of human beings digging ever deeper into themselves to survive. Imagine sitting on a bike for 3 weeks, riding 3500kms over the Alps & the Pyrenees in a group with 100 other riders shoulder to shoulder. Then imagine doing it an an AVERAGE speed of 40km/h. Anyone who crosses the finish line is a hero in my book.

[Pink Mist]

Go Cadel Go

[el jefe]

Sorry guys, barring a catastrophe (or another doping scandal) based on team tactics and the setup of the race, it's impossible to make up more than 20 seconds on the final stage. The best Evans can do is close the gap to 3 seconds in the final stage. Still an outstanding result in what is now a meaningless race.

[mr_hippo]

Cadel Evans* is an Australian cyclist and the public in Europe, watching the Tour de France, [almost] never heard of him.

[mr_hippo]

Cadel Evans* is an Australian cyclist and the public in Europe, watching the Tour de France, [almost] never heard of him.

Been around on the pro-racing circuit for 6 years, 5th last year in the TdF, 8th the year before - yes we know him!

Jaques Anquetil (one of the Tour Greats) said 40 years ago that anyone who believed that it was possible to ride the Tour without stimulants was either a fool or a hypocrite.

Jacques was reported as saying something like "What do you think we survive on - mineral water?"

Sorry guys, barring a catastrophe (or another doping scandal) based on team tactics and the setup of the race, it's impossible to make up more than 20 seconds on the final stage. The best Evans can do is close the gap to 3 seconds in the final stage. Still an outstanding result in what is now a meaningless race.

Try telling that to Greg Lemond! 50 seconds behind Fignon before the final stage of the 1990 Tour and won by 8 seconds and that was only a 24.5km TT. Todau's stage is 144kms including 9 laps on the Champs-Elysées and there are 32 sprint bonus seconds today - so anything can happen!

Sorry about the previous post - pushed wrong button by mistake

Edited July 29, 2007 by mr_hippo

[LaoPo]

Try telling that to Greg Lemond! 50 seconds behind Fignon before the final stage of the 1990 Tour and won by 8 seconds and that was only a 24.5km TT. Todau's stage is 144kms including 9 laps on the Champs-Elysées and there are 32 sprint bonus seconds today - so anything can happen!

You can't compare that with the Tour de France today. Cadel Evans made up yesterday and he did unbelievable, being back 110 seconds to the #1 and now just 23 seconds.

It NEVER happened before in the History of de Tour de France that the first 3 in the Tour are 31 seconds within each other.....after some 3.500 Kms in 3 weeks..... :

1. Contador as leader

2. Evans at 23 seconds

3. Leipheimer at 31 seconds.

It will be next to impossible for Evans to beat Contador now as #1 and #3 are in the same group (Discovery Channel) and Discovery will do anything to bring [and End] their #1 to Paris in the Yellow Jersey.

Personally, I would love to see Evans win and it would be THE sensation, but we have to be realistic.

ps: Mr_Hippo: I agree that that there will be bonus seconds to win, but I don't think Evans will be capable of winning those, or enough, to bring him the Yellow Jersey; there are must better sprinters who will take those seconds, like Tom Boonen/Belgium who is already in [and will win] the Green Jersey.

But....it's the Tour de France...

LaoPo

[mr_hippo]

You are right, you can't compare 1989 to today. Bike technology has come a long way since then - vast improvements in frames and frame material, 10 speed cassette hubs today as opposed to 6 speed freewheels, STI/Ergo as opposed to downtube friction levers and today they have radio contact with the team cars.

Both the Predictor-Lotto and the Discovery team are fielding 8 members and both are capable of launching their riders and putting a block on any break - half the stage is over now, rain forecast for Paris so anything can happen!

[LaoPo]

You are right, you can't compare 1989 to today. Bike technology has come a long way since then - vast improvements in frames and frame material, 10 speed cassette hubs today as opposed to 6 speed freewheels, STI/Ergo as opposed to downtube friction levers and today they have radio contact with the team cars.

Both the Predictor-Lotto and the Discovery team are fielding 8 members and both are capable of launching their riders and putting a block on any break - half the stage is over now, rain forecast for Paris so anything can happen!

Holy Moly, you ARE an expert !

I'm watching real time and live on television and as I write this they are still 'walking' slow and have to do some 64 Kms to the Finish but the weather is fine and half-sunny in Paris and surroundings at 20C.

The whole group of riders are still together

update:

some 60 Kms to go and some riders are getting nervous and speed is going up....

GOOD!

LaoPo

Edited July 29, 2007 by LaoPo

[mr_hippo]

It is slow today, the TdF website have quoted at 1640 that they are 40 minutes behind slowest scheduled time!

http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/LIVE/us/2000/depeches.html

Edited July 29, 2007 by mr_hippo

[LaoPo]

It is slow today, the TdF website have quoted at 1640 that they are 40 minutes behind slowest scheduled time!

http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/LIVE/us/2000/depeches.html

Thanks, didn't see that one yet!

LaoPo

[LaoPo]

17:01 - Start Of Second Lap

Bichot is building his advantage. He’s now 18" ahead of the peloton that continues to be led by the Discovery Channel team.

LaoPo

[LaoPo]

10 riders with 30' seconds ahead of the peloton with some 34 kms to go.

They're riding very fast, some 57/58 kms/hour on the nasty cobble stones of the Champs Elysees...

Impressive images also from the helicopters.

LaoPo

Edited July 29, 2007 by LaoPo

[LaoPo]

17:26 - Advantage Grows

The 10 escapees are now 45" ahead of the Barloworld-led peloton at the 121km mark.

About 19 kms to go...

LaoPo

[LaoPo]

17:39 - Two Laps To Go: 20" Lead

The 10 are holding off the peloton which is now 20" behind with just 13km to go.

update:

11 kms to go with just 16' seconds on the Peloton Train..

LaoPo

[el jefe]

You are right, you can't compare 1989 to today. Bike technology has come a long way since then - vast improvements in frames and frame material, 10 speed cassette hubs today as opposed to 6 speed freewheels, STI/Ergo as opposed to downtube friction levers and today they have radio contact with the team cars.

Both the Predictor-Lotto and the Discovery team are fielding 8 members and both are capable of launching their riders and putting a block on any break - half the stage is over now, rain forecast for Paris so anything can happen!

In 1989 I had a carbon framed bike and a titanium one too. I had an 8 speed cassette (not a freewheel) and STI/Ergo was already around I think.

The TdF ended with an ITT that year. Every year since the ITT has been scheduled for the penultimate day. Since 1989 there has never been a change to the top 3 riders on the final stage. This year will be no different. The first sprint went to non-contenders and no one in the 10 man break is a GC contender.

Cadel Evans rode a great race but if Levi hadn't received a 10 second penalty on Stage 8 for an illegal push (while getting a bottle from the team car), second and third on the podium would be reversed.

Congrats to any of the finishers who raced clean.

[LaoPo]

The Peloton Train has 'eaten' the escapees.

It will be a MASS SPRINT...

LaoPo

[el jefe]

The Peloton Train has 'eaten' the escapees.

It will be a MASS SPRINT...

LaoPo

100 baht says none of the Top 3 on GC will be involved in the sprint.

[LaoPo]

17:53 - Bennati Takes His Second Victory

Bennati has outsprinted the likes of Zabel, Hushovd and Hunter to claim his second victory in the 2007 Tour de France.

The Tour de France has finished.

Overall ranking:

1. Contador - Spain

2 Cadel Evans - Australia

3. Leipheimer - USA

LaoPo

[present]

Contador will win as it seems now. Cadel Evans was a little to light for Contador and Rasmussen. Rasmussen was not positive but did lie to his teamchef and the Denmark federation. It would be great to see such code for politicians, when they lie, get rid of them. . I am sure every country would run out of politicians very fast.

AUSTRALIAN SUSPENSE IN: Tour De France!

Cadel Evans* is an Australian cyclist and the public in Europe, watching the Tour de France, [almost] never heard of him.

Nevertheless he is in second place now behind #1 Alberto Contador/Spain, just 1.50 min behind him.

Saturday, July 28th Cadel Evans will start in the 55,5 Kms individual time race, just before Contador, but Evans is a proven better time rider.

SUSPENSE !

Evans will start 16.14PM, just 3 minutes before Contador, who will ride at 16.17PM (France time = 1 hour later than GMT)

If you're interested, have a look at the details, here:

http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/LIVE/us/1800...ment/index.html

If Evans wins the individual time race, he has a VERY GOOD chance to win the Tour De France on Sunday in Paris, as an Australian, for the first time ever in the history of the Tour de France.......and Australia

Come on Aussies !

* Born in 14/02/1977 à Katherine (AUS)

Height : 1.74 m

Weight : 64 kg

LaoPo

[Old Croc]

A good result for Evans. The race was really decided in the time trial the day before. The last day is for the sprinters to gain a little glory, and fight for the green.

Contador exceeded expectations in the time trial, aided by a strong tailwind which apparently helped most riders to maintain very high average speeds. The stronger, heavier Evans would have been likely to pick up more time in different, more difficult conditions. However, Contador, at only 24, showed an ability to perhaps become one of the greats.

I watched Rasmussen ride away from the best in the world on the last mountain section like they were standing still. I made the comment then that he was either Lance Armstrong reincarnated, or fully doped up. I was not surprised he was kicked out a little later.

Someone made the comment that he was kicked out for lying to his team. It was a little more than that. For the month before the great race he claimed to be in Mexico when he was actually in Italy. The drug testers couldn't find him and he missed his last 4 scheduled drug tests. He protested he was tested 14 times during the race with negative results, but obviously his buildup before hand was assisted!

Cadel Evans, a dour country boy, makes a point of stressing he is "clean" whenever he is interviewed.