Cadel vs Sastre - Who's your pick?

Geoff738 · July 24th, 2008, 12:17 AM

Well?

I honestly don't follow this closely enough to know who is the better time trial guy or if their respective teams have any voodoo up their sleeves to pull any time over the next couple stages.

What happens if the difference is only a matter of seconds before the final stage? I've never seen that - is it possible for the last stage to actually be a real race to the finish?

Any hope for the guys who are just a bit further back?

Thoughts? Opinions?

(And yeah, I'm still watching despite my distaste for the doping. Not sure I should admit it, but I am.)

blacklove · July 24th, 2008, 12:46 AM

Lemond won the tour in '89 in the last stage time trial by seconds over Laurent Fignon. One of the most exciting moments of the tour, ever. If your bike shop rents Tour videos, try to watch that one. Amazing.

I think Cadel might be able to pull it off, actually. The final stages are going to be very tense and fast to shake off the stragglers. I'm psyched to watch it unfold.

simonc · July 24th, 2008, 01:39 AM

That Lemond victory is my favourite ever, although I was a little too young at the time it happened, its a regular view for me on youtube, well the time trial anyway.To me, in encompases what the tour is all about, especially the raw emotion & exhaustion when Laurent Fignon collapses after the TT.
Reportedly lemond didnt want to know the time splits, I guess he just went & rode his guts out.I think its still the fastest TT ever?Impressive.

Here's hoping cadel will be able to pull off something similar, though the commentators are right, wearing the yellow jersey in the final TT DOES seem to bring out that little bit extra in riders.I really really want cadel to win this tour, its all Ive been living & breathing for the last few weeks.I believe he can do it, but only if Carlos is having an average day, or if Cadel can muster up the mother of all time trial rides.

GO CADEL!!!

TDPRI · July 24th, 2008, 08:46 AM

When it comes to time trialing I'll take Cadel over Sastre any day. But, if he's wearing the Yellow and it's for all the marbles who knows.

This one is going to be a cliff hanger that's for sure. There are about 10 guys that "might" be able to win and 5 guys that definitely are able to win it.

Sastre was the overall favorite at the start but he faltered early and had a terrible time trial. So, most folks counted him out. Cadel was favored as a real spoiler for Sastre and he was playing that role very well.

That it comes down to the two of them is fitting I think. But don't count out the other 3 in the top five. There may be another spoiler lurking in that bunch.

e-merlin · July 24th, 2008, 11:19 AM

I don't think you can totally rule out Christian Vandevelde. But I think Evans will be the winner in Paris.

I wonder if the final stage will be a parade this year like it has been in the past.

TDPRI · July 24th, 2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e-merlin

I don't think you can totally rule out Christian Vandevelde. But I think Evans will be the winner in Paris.

I wonder if the final stage will be a parade this year like it has been in the past.

I'm hoping for CV... he's my choice. But I heard him yesterday say that he felt he was too far behind now and it would have to be next year for him.

I was wondering about the "parade" too. Since the TT is the day before there will be a leader but if it's not a parade then the last day could be the decider if they'd let it be.

Dean Gray · July 24th, 2008, 05:21 PM

My 6 year old son is cheering on Vandevelde, as they share the same first name! I keep telling him we are supporting Cadel, but he imagines that he is riding the Tour and the commentators are talking about him!

I really hope Cadel can pull out all the stops and do a great time-trial.
It seems amazing to me how he has developed as a road cyclist, it wasn't that long ago he was one of our top mountain bikers.

lewis · July 24th, 2008, 05:51 PM

I'm cheering for Vandevelde but even if he finishes the tour in 6th that should be a reason to celebrate. Overall he's riding much better than he thought he would.

hal · July 24th, 2008, 05:56 PM

is a better time trialist. But does Sastre have enough of a lead? Great tour.

Sasz · July 24th, 2008, 07:33 PM

My heart says Sastre (simply because I always like to see the race decided in the mountains, rather than by the TT), but my head says Evans: Sastre could be inspired to ride the best TT of his life in an attempt to keep the jersey, but I reckon Evans will equally inspired in pursuit of the maillot jaune and could well get the time he needs over Sastre.

surfoverb · July 26th, 2008, 09:09 AM

Sastre

Nick JD · July 28th, 2008, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfoverb

Sastre

Off to the 'lympiks. No rest for the huge thighed!

simonc · July 28th, 2008, 05:43 AM

Well, Sastre certainly proved himself on the TT didnt he?

hats off to him, what a marvelous effort - and a staunch reminder that winning the tour is definately a team effort...something Silence-Lotto should take note of.If I were cadel I'd move to another team.....maybe....team highroad.With Hincapie & Rogers, Id say it would be a shoe-in! (though there would be 3 team members right there who would be fighting it out for the win!).

Next years tour will be tougher than ever,due in no small part to all the talented younger riders.Bring it on.In the meantime, I will be psyched to watch the velo action at the Beijing games.

chet · July 28th, 2008, 08:20 AM

Is there some kind of problem on the team that has Sastre and the Schleck brothers? The day that Sastre won that stage they interviewed Frank Schleck and he said that the plan was for the team to support him. It sounded like Sastre went against the plan.

surfoverb · July 28th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet

Is there some kind of problem on the team that has Sastre and the Schleck brothers? The day that Sastre won that stage they interviewed Frank Schleck and he said that the plan was for the team to support him. It sounded like Sastre went against the plan.

Sastre's no Lance but I think he was the main guy...Its all about the 2 prong attack I guess.

TDPRI · July 28th, 2008, 10:13 AM

To win the Tour you need to be an all-around cyclist. You need to be able to do a great Time Trial or at least not a bad Time Trial. You need to be able to hang at the front in the mountains day in and day out and you need to be able to stay with the main body of the peloton every day. If you can do that and win a stage about 65% of the way through the Tour you've got a good shot at winning.

There are what 8 guys in the World capable of all of that? Well, 8 is enough and next year should be a great year.

e-merlin · July 28th, 2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet

Is there some kind of problem on the team that has Sastre and the Schleck brothers? The day that Sastre won that stage they interviewed Frank Schleck and he said that the plan was for the team to support him. It sounded like Sastre went against the plan.

When Schleck had the Yellow Jersey he was the man. As soon as he lost it, I think he kinda lost something with it. Sastre was the one that was riding the best in the mountains so he got the support. Plus, CSC was just biding their time untel Alpe d'Huez, where Schleck ran out of steam and Sastre was just getting started. Team tactics.

July 24th, 2008, 12:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Geoff738 Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Age: 44 Posts: 302	Cadel vs Sastre - Who's your pick? Well? I honestly don't follow this closely enough to know who is the better time trial guy or if their respective teams have any voodoo up their sleeves to pull any time over the next couple stages. What happens if the difference is only a matter of seconds before the final stage? I've never seen that - is it possible for the last stage to actually be a real race to the finish? Any hope for the guys who are just a bit further back? Thoughts? Opinions? (And yeah, I'm still watching despite my distaste for the doping. Not sure I should admit it, but I am.)

July 24th, 2008, 01:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
simonc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Perth Western Australia Age: 29 Posts: 1,437 4 Photos	That Lemond victory is my favourite ever, although I was a little too young at the time it happened, its a regular view for me on youtube, well the time trial anyway.To me, in encompases what the tour is all about, especially the raw emotion & exhaustion when Laurent Fignon collapses after the TT. Reportedly lemond didnt want to know the time splits, I guess he just went & rode his guts out.I think its still the fastest TT ever?Impressive. Here's hoping cadel will be able to pull off something similar, though the commentators are right, wearing the yellow jersey in the final TT DOES seem to bring out that little bit extra in riders.I really really want cadel to win this tour, its all Ive been living & breathing for the last few weeks.I believe he can do it, but only if Carlos is having an average day, or if Cadel can muster up the mother of all time trial rides. GO CADEL!!! __________________ Never, EVER, stop in the middle of a hoe-down" -Homer Simpson

July 24th, 2008, 05:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dean Gray Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 192	My 6 year old son is cheering on Vandevelde, as they share the same first name! I keep telling him we are supporting Cadel, but he imagines that he is riding the Tour and the commentators are talking about him! I really hope Cadel can pull out all the stops and do a great time-trial. It seems amazing to me how he has developed as a road cyclist, it wasn't that long ago he was one of our top mountain bikers. __________________ imagination is more important than knowledge...

July 24th, 2008, 05:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
lewis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,762 23 Photos	I'm cheering for Vandevelde but even if he finishes the tour in 6th that should be a reason to celebrate. Overall he's riding much better than he thought he would. __________________ "I'm a maestro, I'm a maestro," Taj Mahal, 8/20/05.

July 24th, 2008, 05:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
hal Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 764	Evans... is a better time trialist. But does Sastre have enough of a lead? Great tour. __________________ Wherever you go, there you are.

July 24th, 2008, 12:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
blacklove Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Small Pond Posts: 395 6 Photos	Lemond won the tour in '89 in the last stage time trial by seconds over Laurent Fignon. One of the most exciting moments of the tour, ever. If your bike shop rents Tour videos, try to watch that one. Amazing. I think Cadel might be able to pull it off, actually. The final stages are going to be very tense and fast to shake off the stragglers. I'm psyched to watch it unfold.

July 24th, 2008, 08:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
TDPRI Administrator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TDPRILAND Posts: 5,266 36 Photos	When it comes to time trialing I'll take Cadel over Sastre any day. But, if he's wearing the Yellow and it's for all the marbles who knows. This one is going to be a cliff hanger that's for sure. There are about 10 guys that "might" be able to win and 5 guys that definitely are able to win it. Sastre was the overall favorite at the start but he faltered early and had a terrible time trial. So, most folks counted him out. Cadel was favored as a real spoiler for Sastre and he was playing that role very well. That it comes down to the two of them is fitting I think. But don't count out the other 3 in the top five. There may be another spoiler lurking in that bunch.

July 24th, 2008, 07:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Sasz NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Posts: 8	My heart says Sastre (simply because I always like to see the race decided in the mountains, rather than by the TT), but my head says Evans: Sastre could be inspired to ride the best TT of his life in an attempt to keep the jersey, but I reckon Evans will equally inspired in pursuit of the maillot jaune and could well get the time he needs over Sastre.

July 26th, 2008, 09:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
surfoverb Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,753	Sastre __________________ "You released the ****** fury!"* Last edited by surfoverb : July 27th, 2008 at 11:25 AM.

July 28th, 2008, 05:43 AM	#13 (permalink)
simonc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Perth Western Australia Age: 29 Posts: 1,437 4 Photos	Well, Sastre certainly proved himself on the TT didnt he? hats off to him, what a marvelous effort - and a staunch reminder that winning the tour is definately a team effort...something Silence-Lotto should take note of.If I were cadel I'd move to another team.....maybe....team highroad.With Hincapie & Rogers, Id say it would be a shoe-in! (though there would be 3 team members right there who would be fighting it out for the win!). Next years tour will be tougher than ever,due in no small part to all the talented younger riders.Bring it on.In the meantime, I will be psyched to watch the velo action at the Beijing games. __________________ Never, EVER, stop in the middle of a hoe-down" -Homer Simpson

July 28th, 2008, 08:20 AM	#14 (permalink)
chet Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: The Jersey Shore Posts: 6,011	Is there some kind of problem on the team that has Sastre and the Schleck brothers? The day that Sastre won that stage they interviewed Frank Schleck and he said that the plan was for the team to support him. It sounded like Sastre went against the plan.

July 28th, 2008, 10:13 AM	#16 (permalink)
TDPRI Administrator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TDPRILAND Posts: 5,266 36 Photos	To win the Tour you need to be an all-around cyclist. You need to be able to do a great Time Trial or at least not a bad Time Trial. You need to be able to hang at the front in the mountains day in and day out and you need to be able to stay with the main body of the peloton every day. If you can do that and win a stage about 65% of the way through the Tour you've got a good shot at winning. There are what 8 guys in the World capable of all of that? Well, 8 is enough and next year should be a great year.