Taking the long route to the coffee shop

How good is this? — Les Hewett

Cadel’s free to fly … if he can

So Astana’s in total control of the Tour now.

I think it’s a real possibility to think about: Can Astana fill all three podium spots? Contador’s still the heavy favourite in my book … in the Giro Lance showed that he just doesn’t have the jump on climbs that he used to have, and I think Contador will show on Friday night that he does rule the roost.

But a podium of Alberto, Lance and Levi (or Andreas Kloden for that matter) doesn’t seem at all far-fetched at this stage. Put it this way: in the last few years, who are the riders who have attacked Astana and made it stick? That’s right, no one. Once you’ve lost time on Contador/Armstrong, it’s very very very very hard to get it back.

So, Cadel, this is freedom. Nobody who understands bike racing thinks you can win. But you might gain some fans with some attacking riding! I reckon that his best bet … not silly Pantani-style attacks, but just seize the moment when it occurs. Counter attack when the Astana boys have reduced the bunch to the last five or six. Go for it on the second-last col of the day … go for it whenever there’s half a chance. More Vino than Pantani is the style I’m looking for. Cadel (and Menchov for that matter, and even Sastre) has nothing to lose. So why not?

By Andrew on July 8, 2009 | Filed under Roadie 

comments

2 Responses to “Cadel’s free to fly … if he can”

  1. Andrew on July 20th, 2009

    Update: Podium now looks like Contador, Armstrong & Wiggins. I don’t really know yet who will fill the minor spots, but Alberto looks like he’s locked up his 2nd win with something to spare.

  2. Andrew on July 23rd, 2009

    Ha. Andy & Frank had something to say about that. Maybe the podium might be Contador, Schleck A, Armstrong. Lance can certainly get the 25 seconds (roughly) he needs to get past Frank Schleck, but I’m not sure he can find a minute over Andy Schleck when the whole race has been based on small time gaps.