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Stage 4 - Team Time Trial

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This stage could have influence on the GC.

Garmin, Columbia and Astana to battle it out?

Actual time applies (no loss-limits).
 
Yep they've changed it so the teams get their actually times, used to be the first 2 getting the same time, then 3rd 30 seconds, 4th 40 seconds, 5th 50 seconds etc...

Over 40km, there shouldn't be a great deal of time lost as the course isn't too demanding. They had a TTT in the Giro, was just 20km but the gap between 1st and 15th was just 1 minute. Cadel and the Lotto team better be in full flight because if they aren't it could put a massive dent in his chances.

Garmin is the favourite IMO followed by Astana then Columbia, Saxo will be up there too. It will be fairly even after that i think, Lotto should be able to produce a good time. Will loose time on Contador but hopefully not by much. Cadel would have ridden the course with his team hundreds of times and hopefully it will help.
 
Apart from tv airtime for sponsors is there a point in bringing this back? I'd much prefer time bonuses. The big guys might actually be forced to have a proper crack on the mountain tops then, instead of a war of attrition, limiting time losses and leaving it to the time trial to decide the tour.
 

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Cruiser23 said:
How much time, if any do people think Cadel will loose to Contador (Team Astana) during the time trial?
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I suspect a lot. Another point is he will probably end up doing more work than Contador during the TTT which may have an effect later on. Although I think that Contador beating him in the prologue is a bad sign anyway, as it seems unlikely that Evans would be able to ride away from him in the mountains.
 
Bond.ShaneBond said:
I suspect a lot. Another point is he will probably end up doing more work than Contador during the TTT which may have an effect later on. Although I think that Contador beating him in the prologue is a bad sign anyway, as it seems unlikely that Evans would be able to ride away from him in the mountains.
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I've got a feeling Lotto are quietly confident about their chances tomorrow. I think they may surprise a few people, won't win it obviously but i don't think they'll loose much time to the big teams.

Still can't see Cadel beating Contador overall. Said from the start if he managed a podium spot it would be a fantastic effort. Obviously i've still got slim hope from him winning but realistically it isn't going to happen. Cadel will take time from Contador in the second time trial, think it will favour Evans more but how is he going to out climb the majestic Contador?
 
Stage 4 is shaping as a 4-way battle for both the stage and the yellow jersey.

The main contenders for the stage each have a rider in the top 5 of the GC.

1. Cancellara - Saxo Bank
2. Martin - Columbia +33
3. Armstrong - Astana +40
4. Contador - Astana +59
5. Wiggins - Garmin +60

Any of these riders except Contador could be in yellow tomorrow. I'm hoping Cancellara can keep it.
 
Possibly a rough indication on how they will go tommorow. Not the same conditions and some of the riders were just cruising on Saturday and won't be tommorow but interesting nonetheless.

1. ASTANA 59' 46"
2. TEAM SAXO BANK 1h 00' 17" + 00' 31"
3. GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 1h 00' 30" + 00' 44"
4. LIQUIGAS 1h 01' 11" + 01' 25"
5. TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 1h 01' 32" + 01' 46"
6. EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 1h 01' 49" + 02' 03"
7. SILENCE - LOTTO 1h 01' 59" + 02' 13"
8. FRANCAISE DES JEUX 1h 02' 26" + 02' 40"
9. QUICK STEP 1h 02' 31" + 02' 45"
10. AG2R-LA MONDIALE 1h 02' 41" + 02' 55"
11. CERVELO TEST TEAM 1h 02' 42" + 02' 56"
12. LAMPRE - N.G.C 1h 02' 43" + 02' 57"
12. BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 1h 02' 43" + 02' 57"
14. RABOBANK 1h 02' 50" + 03' 04"
14. TEAM MILRAM 1h 02' 50" + 03' 04"
16. TEAM KATUSHA 1h 02' 56" + 03' 10"
16. AGRITUBEL 1h 02' 56" + 03' 10"
18. COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 1h 03' 00" + 03' 14"
19. CAISSE D’EPARGNE 1h 03' 11" + 03' 25"
20. SKIL-SHIMANO 1h 04' 31" + 04' 45"
 
I cant see SAXO losing 40sec on Astana on this course. Cancellara will still be in yellow by end of TTT, but Armstrong will be closer.

only 19sec to Contador.....not panic stages for him at all. Still, all GC competitors shouldve been alert to what was goin on heading into La Grand Motte. I can understand the Schlecks' being caught out........can climb but have no brains.........but Cadel shouldve been in position.

Props to Lance. He knows he's physically weaker than others in the field. He'll outsmart them though. No way would Lance have led a competitor escape the way in his 7-in-a-row years in the same way some of the GC competitors allowed him to.

this is just what the race needed. :thumbsu:
 
Cruiser23 said:
I've got a feeling Lotto are quietly confident about their chances tomorrow. I think they may surprise a few people, won't win it obviously but i don't think they'll loose much time to the big teams.

Still can't see Cadel beating Contador overall. Said from the start if he managed a podium spot it would be a fantastic effort. Obviously i've still got slim hope from him winning but realistically it isn't going to happen. Cadel will take time from Contador in the second time trial, think it will favour Evans more but how is he going to out climb the majestic Contador?
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I am with you!

I think that they conserved their energy during the 3rd Stage and are focused on this stage.

In my opinion they could be the suprise packet. The other thing that is in their favour is that it is a relatively hilly course and this may play to their advantage somewhat.
 
Watched some of the 08 tour last night. Had a look at some stages like alpe d'uez , prata nevoso and hautacam. Andy schleck was amazing in these stages espically alpe duez I believe he could of finished a couple of minutes ahead of sastre but had the marking role. I think he could ride away on a stage I don't think anyone could match it with him.

People are for getting liquigas, kreuzegir and nibali are very good climbers and time trialists, they could suprise a couple of teams. Astana now have an amazing tactical advantage they can launch attack after attack or just set an unimaginable pace. Like CSC last year they have a number of riders that can win. Cancellara will do well in the mountains , saw a video of jens voight saying cancellara might go for the win in a couple of years also.
 
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/7/6/939719/sizing-up-the-teams-for-the-stage

Lang not a work horse, pffft.

Saxo Bank isn't that strong IMO, other than Cancellarra the rest are average TTists. They may be work horses but they don't have much against the clock. Mind you they work pretty well as a team.

Astana should start favourites, don't think there is any way Columbia will win after their work yesterday.
 

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r dub 19 said:
Watched some of the 08 tour last night. Had a look at some stages like alpe d'uez , prata nevoso and hautacam. Andy schleck was amazing in these stages espically alpe duez I believe he could of finished a couple of minutes ahead of sastre but had the marking role. I think he could ride away on a stage I don't think anyone could match it with him.
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Contador will be able to match it with Andy Schleck, but I'm not sure that anyone else can.
 
Not so sure if even contador can, he didnt look the best in the dauphine, saw a video with lance and levi saying cadel will have to use a lot more energy then the other GC riders in this stage and that he could easily lose 2 mins.

P.S , I don't think there are any points awarded in the fantasy game tonight. I'm up to 129th!!
 
r dub 19 said:
Not so sure if even contador can, he didnt look the best in the dauphine, saw a video with lance and levi saying cadel will have to use a lot more energy then the other GC riders in this stage and that he could easily lose 2 mins.

P.S , I don't think there are any points awarded in the fantasy game tonight. I'm up to 129th!!
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Which is why if he was smarter yesterday, 40 seconds yesterday would have been very very handy. I don't think he'll loose 2 minutes though.
 
Bugger if Michael Rodgers didn’t drop his chain in the first time trial and loose about 30 seconds he would be top 3 in the GC.

As for stage 4 I think Columbia will win the team time trial like they did in the giro
 

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Tony Martin in yellow



just going against everyone.

I think Mick Rogers boys will have a huge bearing on the race tonight.
 
If lance is in yellow at the end of tonight, Astana have won the tour de France. It will just be like CSC last year, while all eyes on the yellow jersey Astana can launch contador on an attack. I personally don't think contador would settle for anything other than first and why should he.
 
r dub 19 said:
If lance is in yellow at the end of tonight, Astana have won the tour de France. It will just be like CSC last year, while all eyes on the yellow jersey Astana can launch contador on an attack. I personally don't think contador would settle for anything other than first and why should he.
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I doubt it. Astana will end up destroying one another IMO. Have too many possible leaders and not enough workers- at least 4 of their team would have one eye on yellow. The situation will only be worsened if Armstrong grabs the lead tonight.

Reminds me of T-Mobile with Jan and Vino a few years back. One would attack and the other would drag them back, ultimately hurting each other.
 
Bugz said:
I doubt it. Astana will end up destroying one another IMO. Have too many possible leaders and not enough workers- at least 4 of their team would have one eye on yellow. The situation will only be worsened if Armstrong grabs the lead tonight.

Reminds me of T-Mobile with Jan and Vino a few years back. One would attack and the other would drag them back, ultimately hurting each other.
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Agreed, there is something not right with that team.
 

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