After yesterday's stage amidst controversy and respective fans taking sides and defending "their guy", today's stage ends with 8 seconds still separating Contador and Schleck - who now seem to be the two riders to watch.
Long gone is the rivalry which was to be this Tour's highlight involving
Contador versus Armstrong.
Instead we now have
Contador verus Schleck.
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If Schleck is to win:
Long gone is the rivalry which was to be this Tour's highlight involving
Contador versus Armstrong.
Instead we now have
Contador verus Schleck.
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If Schleck is to win:
1) In my personal opinion and in all likelihood, Schleck's odds of winning overall GC depends on his performance on Thursday. He will have to chisel down at the 8 seconds which currently separates him and Alberto before the time trials on Saturday during stage 19 (Bordeaux, Pauillac 52 km = 32 miles).
2) Andy will have to ride hard (another "ride of his life") during Saturday's Individual Time Trials; earlier during this Tour's Prologue on July 3rd in Rotterdam, Alberto beat out Andy by 42 seconds during the 8.9 km (6 mile) sprinting event. Thus why Thursday's stage is key for Andy.
2) Andy will have to ride hard (another "ride of his life") during Saturday's Individual Time Trials; earlier during this Tour's Prologue on July 3rd in Rotterdam, Alberto beat out Andy by 42 seconds during the 8.9 km (6 mile) sprinting event. Thus why Thursday's stage is key for Andy.
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(Note: The prologue returned to the Tour this year after a 3 year absence dating back to 2007 in London!
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If Contador is to win:
1) Keep Andy from taking any time away from him during Thursday's ride.
2) Make sure Friday's flat stage is uneventful as should be the case.
3) Ensure he has the "ride of his life" as well during the Individual Time Trials where he clearly has the edge over Andy.
2) Make sure Friday's flat stage is uneventful as should be the case.
3) Ensure he has the "ride of his life" as well during the Individual Time Trials where he clearly has the edge over Andy.
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Of the five days left in the Tour there are three when neither rider has the advantage:
Of the five days left in the Tour there are three when neither rider has the advantage:
Wednesday of course is an official day of rest (the second of two given during the entire 21-day Tour).
Friday is a flat stage so look for no time time digs between riders.
Sunday (the finale and grand ride into Paris) is purely symbolic- no challenges or attacks take place on this final day as is etiquette in the Tour. The overall champion is already determined starting this day's ride so it is customary for all riders to join in on the camaraderie and ride along in a cordial manner with the victor and all other podium finishers. Along the ride the winner of the Maillot Jaune is toasted with the likes of champagne and allowed his "pomp and circumstance", per se, to announce and celebrate his accomplishment.
Friday is a flat stage so look for no time time digs between riders.
Sunday (the finale and grand ride into Paris) is purely symbolic- no challenges or attacks take place on this final day as is etiquette in the Tour. The overall champion is already determined starting this day's ride so it is customary for all riders to join in on the camaraderie and ride along in a cordial manner with the victor and all other podium finishers. Along the ride the winner of the Maillot Jaune is toasted with the likes of champagne and allowed his "pomp and circumstance", per se, to announce and celebrate his accomplishment.
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