http://www.velonews.com/images/details/6581.8465.t.jpg

Lance looks pretty knackered. But he sure put the hurt on Hamilton, Ullrich, Heras et al.

Kloden was the one that impressed me most.

http://www.velonews.com/images/details/6581.8465.t.jpg

Lance looks pretty knackered. But he sure put the hurt on Hamilton, Ullrich, Heras et al.

Kloden was the one that impressed me most.

Yes, but so did the others. I'd rather look hurting and put 2-3 minutes on my rivals than look good and lose time.

So, did Lance give away the win?
More of a nolo contendre.

I bet if he'd really needed those bonus seconds the outcome would have been different.

considering he was quoted as 'this isn't really my stage, I'm looking at Saturday" after yeserday. The mind games are now in full-effect.

considering he was quoted as 'this isn't really my stage, I'm looking at Saturday" after yeserday. The mind games are now in full-effect.
A master of the mind, again. Next stop for Armstrong? Why, the World Poker Tour, of course!

After Lance said that this stage didnt suit him I think we all knew for sure that he would attack. Nobody is calling his bluff anymore....what remains is if he has the legs tomorrow to fend off the attacks.

http://www.velonews.com/images/details/6581.8465.t.jpg

Lance looks pretty knackered. But he sure put the hurt on Hamilton, Ullrich, Heras et al.

Kloden was the one that impressed me most.

Lance definitely looked like he paid the price to put so much time into everyone, but I am really impressed with how good Basso looked in comparison. Everyone going up that mtn looked rough but Basso looked extremely comfortable.

my guess is he'll be fine. he's more in tune with his limitations than most. quite the analyst, tech weenie, I'm sure he metered himself out fine, with Mr Carmichael monitoring every watt. Besides, he has a whole 'nother view of what pain is. Climbing doesn't hurt, Chemo does.

You plan your strategy...Saturday is more important longer and has more climbing. Save some NRG for it.

But when you look around and see everyone suffering from the cold and rain and mountain, you play your tactics.

USPS had a good strategy going in. When when the situation changed, they followed and took advantage. LA never really attacked all out. He was saving for tommorow. It was his team that rolled most riders off the back of the group.

If LA wanted the win, he would have contended it. I'm not sure he would have gotten it, Basso was strong and loose and happy that last k. Looked like he was just hanging out for the fun of it. Too bad he is gonna have a very bad day in the Alpes though.

If LA wanted the win, he would have contended it. I'm not sure he would have gotten it, Basso was strong and loose and happy that last k. Looked like he was just hanging out for the fun of it. Too bad he is gonna have a very bad day in the Alpes though.

From the video I saw, Lance looked like he was trying to drop Basso, but couldn't - his tongue was hanging out. Lance even made a little move like he was going to try to come around there at the line, and Basso just moved over and shut the door on him.

What day in the Alpes will be bad for Basso?

USPS had a good strategy going in. When when the situation changed, they followed and took advantage. LA never really attacked all out. He was saving for tommorow. It was his team that rolled most riders off the back of the group.


Agree...Lance improvised today. I think he inteded to just follow wheels today and save something for Sat. Mayo had stated earlier that he wanted Friday's stage bad. Hamilton was quoted that he inteded to mix things up today. When Lance saw that those riders weren't launching he suspected weakness. As USPS set their usual high pace and riders weren't able to stay with them. At that point, Lance decided to alter the plan and attack.

I believe he was still thinking defensively half way up LeMongie. When others started falling off the pace, he turned it up and notch and capitalized. Great Stuff!!!

...his tongue was hanging out.

Uh, well, we've seen that from Lance before. ;)

Randy

[I thought he looked like he was at 70% effort level today. Basso looked incredible. Like one post said, like he was having fun, really enjoying himself. Ullrich looked like he was passing a kidney stone. Tommorrow should be interesting. Who comes back to fight? Who throws in the towel?