[E90SoFlo]

This sounds entertaining! I am watching it now.

[335e92tx]

[E90SoFlo]

^ that sucked.. It looked like the car might have hit that tree if he didn't swerve though.

[Buegie]

Originally Posted by comeback1

This has to be a record amount of tour ending crashes.... this is seriously out of hand

doubt it, guys were getting knocked out left and right just last year. The incident with the car though is just ridiculous, the driver should have been looking MUCH further ahead and moved over slowly.

[FStop7]

driver should be strung up.

[335e92tx]

Big mountain day today. The tourmalet is a killer.

http://gaps.letour.fr/us.php

[335e92tx]

http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/COURSE...par_etape.html

They have ridden 80miles and still have 20 to go. There have been four mountains so far and one more to go. Two of the four mountains have been second category and the other 2 are the next highest . The final climb is classified the highest category and goes up to 1700meters and is like 7% grade but goes to 10% for the final 5k. There have been like 3 crashes . One rider crashed twice another went off the road and over the bars and prob broke his nose. The decent was probably the scariest part for the cars and motorcycles accompanying the riders. They were going 55mph.
All the big names are right beside each other. Good close competion. Race still could go to any of like 6guys

They ended up riding for 5.25hrs

[Buegie]

Seeing Jens go down not once but twice was pretty uncharacteristic. Voeckler had an incredible day being able to keep up with the climbers the way he did. Overall though the GC rankings didn't get shaken up the way everyone was predicting, all of the favorites were in one group and couldn't pull away from each other.

[FStop7]

I want Voeckler to win because none of the big name contenders showed any spirit or drive in the Pyrenees. They rode timid. Voeckler rode strong and I hope he can hang onto the yellow jersey through the Alps.

[GOLFFRR]

They didn't over do it bc they were saving their energy. Expect some fireworks tomorrow, I can't wait! I really hope contador can make up some ground before the indiv time trial but i have a feeling his team is to weak. It will be EVANS or the SCHLECK bro's.

[solefald]

http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-tour...orth-watching/

this article made me lol.

[335e92tx]

For all practical purposes, it will probably be decided today. There are three above category (HC) climbs in the alps. They will be the killer.

[335e92tx]

Well, it was not decided on thurs. It did tighten up. The top 4 guys are separated by 1 min 12 sec (5th-7th are ~4 mins back - the #1 rider is in 7th :0 ).

Today is the last day in the alps - they have a category 1 climb and then 2 above category climbs.

Saturday is the 'last' day and its a timetrial. If the #4 guy (C evans) does not loose much time on the climb today, he could effectively end up ahead on overall time after the time-trial bc he is quite a bit better time-trialer than the top 3 (who are mostly climbers). It looks like it could go down to the next to the last day.

Aside from all the crashes early, its been a good tour.

[E90SoFlo]

^^^ he makes it sound exciting

[335e92tx]

Live status updates at - http://gaps.letour.fr/us.php

[Dave]

Happy to see Andy win it all... he def earned it and with a smile on his face. Kind of neat to see two brothers at top. Wonder if Frank can keep Cadel off in the TT

[335e92tx]

I think andy figured this is it - its my day. Max output and yellow today. What happens on sat is another day

[Buegie]

Congrats to Cadel, he really deserves it. He kept up in the mountains and destroyed the TT today.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

I think andy figured this is it - its my day. Max output and yellow today. What happens on sat is another day

YUP. that just blew my mind....

Evans was a rocket ship

[335e92tx]

Ce rode a very smart race and was untouchable today