CYCLING

[dee-luded 2,959]

Go Cadel!

He's in with his best chance. Go you good thing.

[H_T 3,043]

I was going to start a Tour thread last night, but I was enthralled by what was happening over the last 20km's in the stage last night. Big wraps for Cadel's ride last night, took them on and gained time on the jersey leader as well as putting more time between himself and the main threats in the Schleck Bros. and Alberto Contador.

Tonights stage has a big hill climb to finish, so it will be set up for the favourites to make their moves.

I just hope Cadel didn't burn up too much energy in last night's stage.

Good to see him be attacking though, to be honest I haven't seen that from him since two/three years ago. He looks good and is a big chance now.

For those who missed it, with about 15-20 to go, Contador tried to break away and gain time because he is behind Evans, the Schleck brothers and the leader. But Evans managed to go with him and then put further pressure on by breaking away from Contador and Sanchez (both Spaniards), which widened the gap even further from the Schleck brothers (Frank & Andy).

Anyway, I think Cadel is in second now about 1min 45 from the leader and if he rides well tonight, he could snag the yellow jersey as soon as tonight, with 2 stages and a time trial to come - and he is favoured to distance himself from his rivals even more in the time trial. Big ask.

C'mon Aussie.

[jayceebee31 760]

I was going to start a Tour thread last night, but I was enthralled by what was happening over the last 20km's in the stage last night. Big wraps for Cadel's ride last night, took them on and gained time on the jersey leader as well as putting more time between himself and the main threats in the Schleck Bros. and Alberto Contador.

Tonights stage has a big hill climb to finish, so it will be set up for the favourites to make their moves.

I just hope Cadel didn't burn up too much energy in last night's stage.

Good to see him be attacking though, to be honest I haven't seen that from him since two/three years ago. He looks good and is a big chance now.

For those who missed it, with about 15-20 to go, Contador tried to break away and gain time because he is behind Evans, the Schleck brothers and the leader. But Evans managed to go with him and then put further pressure on by breaking away from Contador and Sanchez (both Spaniards), which widened the gap even further from the Schleck brothers (Frank & Andy).

Anyway, I think Cadel is in second now about 1min 45 from the leader and if he rides well tonight, he could have the yellow jersey as soon as tonight, with 2 stages and a time trial to come - and he is favoured to distance himself from his rivals even more in the time trial. Big ask.

C'mon Aussie.

I also stayed up and watched it-seems to have a better team this year...will WIN if he doesn't choke..

[Axis of Bob 11,782]

I don't like people practically giving Evans the Tour already.

There are 3 big mountain stages including a mountain top finish at the Alp d'Huez leading into the time trial and the race could be turned on its head on any one of the next 3 days before the time trial.

At their best, all of Contador, Andy and Frank Schleck could outclimb Evans. With three big mountain stages, Evans could be knocked out at any stage. That said, Evans' climbing form looks really good.

Evans' big weapon is, of course, the time trial. He should beat all of th GC contenders pretty easily, especially Frank Schleck and Voekler. If he is behind any of them by less than about 45 secs going into the TT then he should win, but Contador is probably the best of the rest of the time trialists.

That first day crash on an innocuous stage could well be decisive.

Edited July 20, 2011 by Axis of Bob

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I also stayed up and watched it-seems to have a better team this year...will WIN if he doesn't choke..

Tbere are still alot of variables to go on the Tour...I would not have thought choking was a prime one.

I don't like people practically giving Evans the Tour already.

Agree about the uncertainty on the mountain stages. This is not in Evans bag at all by a long way.

[H_T 3,043]

Reduced the time from the leader to 1min 18 seconds. Caught up 27 seconds. No yellow jersey result, but good result with two climbs to come before the time trial on Saturday night.

Schleck bros, Evans & Contador all crossed together. No time variations.

Tonights one is a massive climb, very thin air up top apparently. Will be interesting to see how Evans copes.

See tonight's stage 18 course - highest ever stage finish awaits

[H_T 3,043]

1min 12 behind now after last nights stage. Andy Schleck created history with an attacking move 60+kms out from the line. Bold move and only 15 secs off the jersey. Cadel Evans had to make the pace to take time off Andy Schleck's lead, no one would lead into the head wind and Evans led several riders right up to the end of the last mountain.

Tough day at the office. But still a chance. Frank Schleck probably had the easiest ride of the lot and moves into third just ahead of Cadel in fourth. Contador and Sanchez struggled and dropped further back in time. Will be difficult for them now.

Tonight will be interesting, I expect the Schleck's to attack again and aim to get more time on Cadel. So it will be interesting to see Cadel's response before the time trial. Whether he holds and goes with them or whether he tries to gain time on them before the TT.

[Sideshow Bob 2,365]

Watch out for Frank Schleck tonight. Andy being the foil to set up for big brother. Thought it was going to be the other way. Andy surely must have not much left in the tank after that. Big big final day in the Alps coming up. Should be some fireworks especially on the Galibier, then obviously we'll see who has anything left come Alp D'Huez. Cannot wait....

Really think that Le Tour is the best sporting event to watch (minus watching the dee's obviously!!)

[H_T 3,043]

Really think that Le Tour is the best sporting event to watch (minus watching the dee's obviously!!)

The scenery and surrounds are unbelievable. Some of the gradients that they ride up are huge, and as the commentator Phil Ligett says - some of the camera angles don't do the angles justice.

Had a few laughs last night with some Aussie spectators running alongside the riders with AFL jumpers on. Saw a no.29 G Ablett fan, and a Essendon jumper.

PS. Agree with your view on Frank Schleck. Seemed to spend less energy last night behind in the pack whilst Cadel did the hard yards (mind you nothing is easy in that event).

[Sydney Dee 1]

What about Andy's move last night! Proved to be a very smart one. Still hoping Cadel can reel the leaders in, go you good thing!

[45HG 1,539]

My boy Andy!

[H_T 3,043]

Have you backed Andy 45 ?

[45HG 1,539]

Certainly have. He's been my boy since he consistently buried himself for his brother in his first tour. Was going to put a 5er on him to win the stage last night at 9-1 but chickened out. Enjoyed it equally in the end anyway! Tonight's stage is great, Contador attacking early.

[H_T 3,043]

Certainly have. He's been my boy since he consistently buried himself for his brother in his first tour. Was going to put a 5er on him to win the stage last night at 9-1 but chickened out. Enjoyed it equally in the end anyway! Tonight's stage is great, Contador attacking early.

Evans has had bike trouble, had to change bikes and has lost time in the process - gear trouble or something; stopped 3 times. Andy Schleck & Contador look strong so far. Andy in a very strong position ATM IMO.

[45HG 1,539]

Contador is winning the tour for Andy.

[H_T 3,043]

Yeah...Sammy Sanchez is on a mission, he is catching the front group !

[Axis of Bob 11,782]

That stage was incredible. Evans' chase down on Galibier, both days, may win him the tour. He did it completely by himself from both sides of the Galibier and took 2 minutes the first day and 1.5 the second. Simply incredible stuff.

Cadel deserves to win this.

He's now in a great spot, but there is a lot of hard, hard work to do.

[Toorak 108]

Tonights the night....can Cadel make up the 57 seconds in the time trial and be the first Aussie to win the Tour?

42 kms.....just over a second per km. On past form he should do it. Lets hope so.

[darkhorse72 1,916]

He should as the leader isn't a sprinter at all.

[IWAP 170]

Can someone explain to me about the last stage.

If Cadel makes up the time tonight - is he guaranteed 100% to win? ie. is it considered bad sportsmanship to overtake the yellow jersey on the ride into Paris?

Edited July 23, 2011 by IWAP

[Toorak 108]

Can someone explain to me about the last stage.

If Cadel makes up the time tonight - is he guaranteed 100% to win? ie. is it considered bad sportsmanship to overtake the yellow jersey on the ride into Paris?

Who ever is in the lead tonight will win the tour. It is virtually impossible to gain time on the last stage into Paris. No rider can escape the peliton, every team wants to win the final day sprint.

There are no time bonuses for the stage winner.

[biggestred 5,071]

yeah its generally accepted that unless the margin is extremely close (im talking one or two seconds) then there isnt a challenge, as the race has been run by the last stage.

1 min.....should be ridiculously close at the end.

[Choko 493]

Who ever is in the lead tonight will win the tour. It is virtually impossible to gain time on the last stage into Paris. No rider can escape the peliton, every team wants to win the final day sprint.

There are no time bonuses for the stage winner.

I don't get it. Is tonight the last night? What time is it on from/till?

[45HG 1,539]

Schleck will start his run in 12 hours and 4 minutes I believe.

Or 12:18 a.m. tomorrow morning.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I don't get it. Is tonight the last night? What time is it on from/till?

'effectively, the leader tonight won't be challenged,,,, during the Champs Elysees parade.