Look at it this way: Evans would have to race better than 9 CSC riders doing team work, in what is essentially another time trial when he tries to escape from the field.Isn't it true that the final stage is tomorrow? If so, if Cadel closes the gap to 20 seconds or less, anything is possible, regardless of how the final race normally goes re: sprinters.
69 (-10) Mørk (554, +22)
101 (+25) Pickup (543, +31)
131 (+18) Mitchell (532, +29)
304 (+ 8) Bowen (468, +30)
309 (+36) Walsh (467, +48)
345 (+25) Dwyer (442, +43)
357 (+ 5) Thomas (435, +31)
401 (- 3) Clapham (387, +19)
415 (- 3) Gray (368, +25)
420 (+ 3) Reddlapalli (354, +31)
431 (- 5) Young (332, +14)
Think he rode exactly as hard as he could tbh. If he had tried to counter a lot of attacks he'd lose even more time.Cadel left himself too much to do. He should have ridden more aggressively in the Alps, maybe not on Alpe d'Huez but at Prato Nevoso. He looked in good shape in the mountains, but it's just his nature and it has cost him dear. If he wants to win he must take a leaf out of Armstrong's book.
Decent, you would think - most people assume it'll still happen. Assuming the Kazakh coffers are still open. I suppose with a new sponsor they'd be guaranteed though.Out of interest, what are the chances of the Kazhak team being invited to the tour next year?
Er, you know Evans didn't win this year either right Anyway, they'll do the same thing as CSC, attack like maniacs in the mountains to gain time and tire out Evans. And Contador has the ability to do so.And in the event that they are, would you expect them to really take up the challenge to Evans?
Yeah, was aware that Evans didn't win was more thinking about all the talk on the coverage we've received here in Australia saying that this was basically Sastres last chance to win (or last TDF). Aside from Contador, are Leipheimer and Vinikorov part of the team?Decent, you would think - most people assume it'll still happen. Assuming the Kazakh coffers are still open. I suppose with a new sponsor they'd be guaranteed though.
Er, you know Evans didn't win this year either right Anyway, they'll do the same thing as CSC, attack like maniacs in the mountains to gain time and tire out Evans. And Contador has the ability to do so.
Aussie commentators are probably right, yeah, but I don't think he'll retire and CSC will still be the best team in the peloton. Alternatively, Sastre retires and CSC uses the money to get Evans.Yeah, was aware that Evans didn't win was more thinking about all the talk on the coverage we've received here in Australia saying that this was basically Sastres last chance to win (or last TDF). Aside from Contador, are Leipheimer and Vinikorov part of the team?
Yep, it's a strong lineup on paper. Both Leipheimer & Klöden a bit of lone horses, however, so there's a severe question mark over their team abilities.Haha, certainly wouldn't complain if Sastre/CSC did that tbh. Astana would still be fairly a fairly scary prospect with those 3 in the team though yeah? (Assuming you mean Andreas Kloden)