war
11:26 PST 1km/151.2km to go
And right from the gun we have an attack! Slipstream's Will Frischkorn and Alejandro Acton from Colavita are dangling just ahead of the pack, which is lined across the road.
i'll be hovering over frickin' CN's live coverage all day.
... damn this stage is gonna be a shootout, empty both barrels and see who's the last standing.
gawd, what i'd give.
188 comments:
the first 10km are seeing Disco put on the defensive in a major way.
can they withstand an entire day of this?
why not sneak Basso or Danielson in the break instead of chasing everything down?
apparently, they have not been reading the bella boards..
Lotto is helping Disco chase ... what?
they think Chris "dumplings" Horner is gonna vie for the sprint again?
hmm...
and now with Hincapie on pure d-duty, this small field sprint at the finish could be something amazing.
YEAH!
Horner's pulled his guys off the front and is trash talkin' to Levi about not pulling with Disco.
heaven!
BTW -
i've blown off work and am watching the live feed from amgentourofcalifornia.com
blipped off all their data windows and can see Horner's devil grin as he taunts Levi from a wheel back.
oh, this is sweet.
Danielson is on Levi's wheel, just handed off a jacket and looks rather cool about it.
Cancellara rides by ... just to get that cute mug on the screen.
what a playah.
Easy now OV, they've got 130km to go, let's not be calling the sprints already.
On the VN live update page, BJM is now so famous (like a Brazilian soccer star) that in the overall results he needs only one name: "Benjamin".
OK, I should sleep more...and I know your opinions of VN...
yeah - Lotto's got no one in top 10 GC so why not make Disco work. Disco's fault for missing a huge fuckin break.....well Priority missed too it appears.
so priority stays fresh and attacks later or do they get some pressure to work if the gap gets bigger?
Disco only has 4 guys working at the front of the pack.
cruz is already looking like full gas is being applied.
this is gonna be a battle to get in position before Sierra. I don't know if Disco will have enough horsepower left ... leaving poor Levi isolated.
BJM will have some good horsepower to put him at the front.
this is gonna be epic.
they are currently riding through roads we've raced on.
that is rather titillating.
well it looks like one Disco guy in the break - is it me or do they keep changin the list?
CN says disco has Mcarty in the break...
sitting on i assume....
what's his story?
oh boy...
olaf said titilating
PH is under no obligation to bring back the break. When you see weakness in the jersey wearer's team, you pounce.
Horner saw it, and is taking advantage of it.
precious.
Sayers is sitting on the break ... surprise, surprise.
Patterson Pass is lined with a good number of fans.
they've stationed a camera up there, should be some great shots. winds look low, so the spead could be inhumane if Voigt drives it hard up that climb.
unfortunately, having Mcartney in the break does nothing for Disco.
They need a GC rider up there like Basso or Danielson ... or, they have to chase.
Levi was just saying something to Danielson ... probably something about how Odessa applies chamois creme better than he does.
poor aussie sprinter Davis. he looks pretty damn uncomfortable chugging along as d-duty for a Tour team.
poor lil' bugger.
the amgen coverage is pretty cool. What with the little cars going up the profile map thingie...
damn....
voigt is driving the break up the flatter slopes of Patterson.
so much for any friendly favors left over for Basso.
Mcartney looks very fresh in that break.
... they are approaching the steep slopes.
I am sooo going to San Jo in about an hour....
Mcartney attacks, then slows.
brilliant.
ugh...I haaaate that part of the climb.
HUGE battle for the KOM points between Slipstream and Quickstep.
they were f'ing flying up that thing.
i think it was Frishy trying to protect their KOM jersey.
unbelievable.
and it looks like Cozza was close in trying to snag some too....
i just caught a glimpse of Thor...
ha ha, he said TIT-ilating
oh kryst ... somebody tell Levi those black high socks make him look even stumpier.
IS eki wearing old school ray bans?
i tell ya ... there not giving Levi a huge amount of respect in that pack. There's not that usual bubble of space around the GC leader.
everyone seems willing to crowd in and oppress the little man.
... it's gotta be the socks.
under "old school" in the dictionary?
... eki.
this rolling enclosure is impressive.
how in the hell did CA do this?
Cozza just got some big love from the fans.
oh yeah.
it hurts to see how euro-trash one of the TMobile riders is.
bleached mullet...
McCarty attacks?
eiter he is going REALLY well and they are banking on him....
or they are going to feel really crappy whn he gets caught and passed on the big climb....
olaf, is that your shortcut hwy?
why in the hell has McCartney just attacked the break with frickin' 80k to go?
he didn't even shatter the break to throw them into disharmony.
all he's doing know is suffering out front while they stay organized in pursuit and still put time into the Levi behind.
stupid.
If Voigt has 3 minutes on Levi before Sierra? he'll win the race.
now he's back.
what a stupid waste of energy. McCartney fresh might have stuck on Sierra with Voigt and the Rabobank climber.
stupid. the break is not disrupted at all and they've just accelerated slightly away from Disco's chase.
daaaarghgh ... i hate poor tactics.
he had to be trying to split up the break.
no other reason to do that.
he needs hernando lessons on disrupting....
did someone say Thor?
more Thor
i'll say it for you, oV...
Sayers, sitting on....
Sayers has shown himself at the front. 1 out of 8 pulls isn't bad.
... and just what i'd be doing if i were him.
Thor screen capture coming up.
A 15 minute climb with a 5 minute lead?
Jens must be titillated
yeah right....
you'd be at the front, grinning for the camera as much as possible.
you'd be taking double pulls.
you wouldn't be able to help yourself.
stop saying that word!
the girls are already all hormonal over Thor....
The Rabobank rider, Voigt, and McCartney ... maybe Wegelius if they have 3 minutes on the pack at Sierra.
... wait a minute, why the hell is Rabobank chasing?
I think there's some kind fo rule about the percentage of comments that are allowed to be from the original poster. Once it passes a certain threshold the poster is required to write a new blog.
oh wait, maybe that's a good thing...
So what is up with this Rabobank alliance?
maybe Rabobank just wants to get into San Jose a little earlier....what with the wine and shopping still left to do.
is that KoBee off the front of the break now?
no drug suspension too strong for you, young man!
Money?
Or, less cynically, maybe the guy in the break has crappy legs
The HNut rider is pushing a huge gear through the rolling terrain.
he'll be going backwards come the steep climbs.
if they were going to send one of their riders out, why the hell have they BOTH been nutting it in the break the whole time. the other will be almost as gassed as this guy off the front.
ah well ... camera time is always good time.
now slipstream has a rider killing it in the pack.
they must really think Lucas and Donald can go uphill fast.
Disco is gettig all the f'ing breaks, yo.
his little healthnet butt looks so cute out there
i have done exactly 3 work related things since 11am.
my door is closed.
i am completely out of the loop here, as usual, and just had to leave a comment in this enormous string to feel as if i am involved....
you have a door?
doh! vid feed just shit out on me!!!
noooooo....
me too.
ahhhh....
it seems to be back now
ahhhh....
ahhhh....
migo is so pissed.
i promised to take him on a loooong walk, but i am just sitting here watching the race and doing little nothing chores.
he probably needs to pee...
oh so purty...
this really is amazing stuff.
i can't wait for it to be halographic.
mmm....halographic Thor booty
don't know what is halographic...
but this is darn cool.
If Disco's McCartney doesn't rocket out of the break on Sierra ... he's gonna find his ass in a Johan/Eki sling.
but, i really think the Rabobank rider has good legs and will vie for the stage win.
about 45 minutes ago Rasmussen came up and had a chat with Levi ... wonder what they traded for a little help in the chase?
hairplugs?
explosions as they go uphill.
was that dave gill in the afro and white stockings?
The TOC live feed rocks! So much for a late lunch ride!
Mccartney's definitely goin' for it.
dayum.
voigt's not letting him get nowheres.
good stuff.
Voigt is a machine.
basso leads levi up the lower slopes. horner still there, pudge and all.
Is ben in that group?
you said pudge
still a good sized group with Basso, but damn the feed has burped!
mccartney goes again!
Jens is a damn freight train
Voigt is such a stud.
i usually hate it when big guys can climb, cus I can't... (i hate little guys who can sprint even worse, tho)
but i gotta like the big CSC guy.
-
Maybe Honer was just wearing a fat suit
I meant horner of course
Levi attacks and begins the shredding.
Only the Hummel Horner stays easily on his wheel.
A Rabobank man is humping his bike to stay close.
this is nutz.
Voigt will drop McCarntey on the descent and win the stage solo?
basso makes it looks oh so easy.
is that horner still with levi?
holey shit, there's Levi
Who is "the chicken hawk" on CSC?
and then they were six.
holy moley.
BOOM
the TMobile rider is shelled by Levi taking more strength to the front of the race. This is the GC, right here. Levi wins the race on one stage.
unless he comes unglued in the TT, nobody can match this.
mooooo
for pab....
Horner's position is low, so he's on the rivet.
That Rabobank rider is crafty. He'll be optimistic in the sprint.
and everyone will look to Voigt as the strong man in the sprint.
this is McCartney or Horner's stage to win.
mccartney is dying a thousand of them trying to stay on Levi's pace.
Horner has recovered a bit.
who gets the stage?
go horner.
ouch. look at the face on bettini.
winter's rough!
oh...hello Bettini
what if he is close enough to catch them on the descent?
Beteeny
be teeny weeny
beautiful shots of the top of Sierra.
the gap is easily good to the chase group.
Levi will now make McCartney drive it to the line.
the stage goes to Voigt if that happens.
gap's not looking that big.
anyone got it?
1 min
can't see if BJM is in that damn chase.
GoBenGo!
CN has one minute to the chase...
Horner won't win a sprint out of these 5?
Voigt's giving shit to the Rabo rider for not working.
Voigt's frisky.
ooh, 1 minute ain't much.
depends on who is there. a team with 3 strong guys could bring it together....
how many in the chase group?
don't for get the 'dogwalk for food' deal sweetums
20 guys at 1 min.
Horner needs to work in the move.
he can podium on GC if they stick the gap high enough for his sub-protour TT.
Voigt will win this sprint if it's straight up.
'bout 20 in the chase
20 in chase at 35 sec. They will catch as sure as I will drop hernandos ass!
looks like the Mob is working it behind.
it'll be tighty...
is that a PH attacking?
No - Be teeny weeny
watch out for the botdots!
jensy has no love for the rabo
he's jawing at him again
bums me out Voigt isn't working.
who's he got in the group that will win the stage if caught?
teeny weeny is across.
The 15 will catch and Davis will win though!
GC vs Stage Win game ...
it's on.
maybe bobby j is in the group behind?
he'd be the gc guy
and if the gap stays tight he might be able to bring it back in the tt, eh?
I was gonna say the same thing..they are betting on julick
who are these cats announcing?
ah... Julich is in the chase group.
so, there's still GC on the line, so Voigt doesn't work.
Bettini hasn't made the front. Nor will he.
too much pesto sauce.
no sound on my cpu.
i have a door, but sound leaks!!!
you got audio?
oh, i do too. they sound dorky...
Mmmm. chocolate. bike race.
could life be any more perfetto?
Horner needs more time on the chase to stay on the podium after the TT.
stupid shit Rabo rider.
voigt better win this stage.
wa's the gap thingy now?
10 second time bonus for win
kryst, Levi is fit.
he's putting in hardnosed pulls.
poor McCartney is on the rivet ... has been for 45 minutes.
horner is suffering, but smooth now that it's his terrain.
still, it's Levi doing most the work.
i ate some choco too.
we are so decadent...
still about a minute
go jens!
Jens will win the stage.
but Levi has gone far to win the ToC.
i still say Horner if they aren't caught.
and i don't think they will be.
if they are, tho, gotta go with Bettini
pesto makes ya quick, ya know...
Levi's diggin' hard!
Alright, if the group is not caught I call Horner!
Sorry PAB. Fucker can sprint and the rest are tired
Alright, if the group is not caught I call Horner!
Sorry PAB. Fucker can sprint and the rest are tired
will jens sprint after sittin' on?
Levi just murdered them over a roller. poor McCartney could barely come around. horner's still turning the big smile.
he smells the podium of a big Tour.
Jens wins the stage, easily.
Horner wants time on GC, he's nutting it and will get 3rd on the stage.
come on....I've had to go to the bathroom for about 15 minutes now...
horner's wearing mcSassy's shoes.
love that sufferin' face on horner...
why are anonymous commentors always the confused ones?
-
I think Voigt spent way more energy today than Horner.
I'm stickin with that call....
Horner will be cagey - he can see the forest through the trees and knows that Levi et al will not let up
Horner will be cagey - he can see the forest through the trees and knows that Levi et al will not let up
Jens....
Jason tried to take him off the back..
oh, not playin' the sprinty game, are we?
go jens!
and he closed the gap like it was hopscotch
"PAB said...
Horner won't win a sprint out of these 5? "
.. was commenting on that post while the other went up..... not confused - good memory
that was darn smooth, wasn't it?
almost as fast as i ate this chocolate.
here we go...
this is a great stage.
Jens is working now
"horner's wearing mcSassy's shoes."
No wonder I cant find them!!!!
I was ready to go ride and now that lil bugger gaffed my shoes.
Meh
This is mo fun
MS
the three best known riders in the ToC finishing it up in a sprint.
excellent.
I gotta go whith Jens.
Big gear mashing mo fo is my hero!
ms
oh shit...
there's the field.
pedal jens pedal!!
where'd that pack come from?
what a race.
what a fucking race.
oh.
i guess i suck at this game.
-
moo.
woohooo!
that was soo much fun.
awesome racin' and excellent (virtual) company!
me too.
Horner was cagey, but not strong enough to come around voight who was in the break all day. That is fucking unbelievable.?? Superhuman!
I hope Ben was in that group
anony---identify thyself!
It's pasco, isn't it...
seaSYDE
jesus ... i need a cigarette.
sbjen---virtual company doesn't get any better than this crowd....
(like I have ever talked to anyone else online....)
If its rainin tomorrow I'm rolling to the TOC baby!
ms
hey VB, can I put Irishmike in touch with you guys tomorrow?
Wow, that was sexy.........
I need to cuddle now :P
ms
who's irish mike? and whats happening tomorrow?
they're kinda fun in real life too :-)
yay for jens!
phew. that was too much fun.
Sorry Jeff. Not Pasco.
With all of my bad predictions and spelling I will never identify myself.
FOREVER ANON!!!!
time for a nap
I did used to smoke....Over a pack a day, but now I clean clocks!
honey....I didn't do my workout...or go visit San Jose. (stupid auditors)
bad bella
actually, in real life they just sit and type on their laptops.
if you want to talk to them, you have to get out your laptop, too....
;)
irishmike is jeff's studly riding partner in these parts (besides me)
my guess is that he's going to be in your neck of the woods tomorrow....
You guys have laptops?
I'm so off the back :(
ms
hi little bunny!
glad to see you have a free moment to check out the important stuff...
is it a bad sign that the keyboard on my lappy top is wearing out?
just wonderin'
Damn...this is like pulling up on the house in 16 Candles the day after the big party and finding pizza on the turntable....
best stage & post ever
are you communicating with me via blog comments?!
is this the first one you've noticed....?!
I was near the top of Patterson Pass today. I was up on the bank above the road a little before the KOM 200 meter mark. From the time the riders in the break first came into view ( as a rider the point where you can first see the top of Patterson) until the first rider reached the top is took 4 minutes and 7 seconds ( at last according to the time on my video.
It was cool to see Frischkorn attack De Walle for the KOM right in front of me
Note to self,
NO more bashing Casey in Hernando's bloggity thingy.
:)
ha, you know you're a playa when the officials are posting on yer blog...!
I ran into the other Casey (CCCX)at the top of the KOM. I didn't see Official casey there.
Whewwww!
I mean Ummmmmmmmm Whewwwwww!
:)
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