Tuesday, July 21, 2009

"Live" thoughts from Stage 16

Two big mountains today with what is supposed to be a dicey descent off the Petit St. Bernard to finish the stage.
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Nice to see that they have started aggressively with Pelizotti, Karpets, Martinez among others launching early breaks.
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Astana keeps it nice and steady.
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The sprinters are falling off the pace after just 20 km. Only 139 km more to go.
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Stunning mountains today of Mont Blanc and the surrounding areas.
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Nice to see Pelizotti not wearing the polka dot shorts or helmet. Just a basic jersey. Chapeau, Franco
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Brutal way to start the day. Guys keep popping off, one after another.
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Gee, Gerdemann is falling off. *sarcasm* That guy is one of the most overrated riders. He went on an attack a few years ago and managed to hold on for a stage win and suddenly he gets talked about as a Tour contender. Never has been and likely never will be a contender.
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Did I just see a guy holding giant penis?
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The descent of the Grand Bernard looks smoking fast.
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There better be some attacking by the contenders on the final mountain. I would hate to see them wave the white flag and sit on Astana's wheels the whole way.
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Karpets is a big dude.
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I've been very close to this area before but never quite to the finish in Bourg St Maurice and the Petit St Bernard climb. I have been at the northern base of the the Col de Madeleine and also partway up the Cormet de Roseland. Each one about 30km from the finish.
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Phil has a hell of a time pronouncing the Col de Petit St Bernard
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Andy Schleck seems to have had to pull off for for flats quite a few times this year.
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Is Saxo going to drill the pace at the start of the final climb again? We will soon find out.
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I see Contador has his banana outfit on.
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Saxo moves to the front.... what next?
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At least the breakaway riders are showing some aggression.
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Menchov has been awful in this race
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Bbox with three guys in the breakaway??? Good for them. They've had a good race.
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Saxo is doing their best but...
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Astana still has the numbers
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Armstrong just has no jump to cover accelerations.
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Frank Schleck exploded the pack. Contador looks cool, though. Can the Schlecks double team Contador?
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Sastre didn't make the split. What the heck is he complaining about lack of respect for. He hasn't done anything.
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Wiggins is amazing this year.
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Contador just dancing while sitting on Andy's wheel. Looks like he could go whenever he wants.
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Pellizotti has the mask of pain.
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What the hell? Armstrong suddenly came alive and is trying to bridge back up to Schlecks, Kloden, Contador and left Evans and Sastre in his dust. Vandevelde is sticking to his wheel.
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I can't believe Armstrong bridged up. I thought for sure his 2nd place was gone.
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Ohhh! Nasty crash by Voigt on the descent. If he didnt break a collarbone it will be a miracle.
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First, Zabriskie still riding the top GC men? Second, he's doing an awesome job leading them down the descent.
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Excellent counterattack by Astarloza with a couple km's to go.
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Astarloza does it! Nicely won.

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