Tomorrow will be brutal. I could easily see Voeckler cracking and losing 5 minutes or more on the top GC riders. I hope he can hold on though. Also, we should finally see just how good Evans is this year. He's impressed so far but the other contenders will have to attack him.
I hope Voeckler holds on too but can't see it, makes for great viewing though, really got into it watching the highlights this last two weeks!
These two days in the Alps are HUGE! And then the Grenoble Time Trial....... Will Cav keep the Green, or will Gilbert snatch it?
Stage 18: Pinerolo to Col du Galibier - Serre Chevalier (201km). 3 x Hors Categoire - Col Agnel 2744m; Col d'Izoard 2360m; and a finish on Galibier - Serre Chevalier 2645m. "This stage will most certainly be an epic battle as mountain goats Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck and Frank Schleck attempt to crack Cadel Evans who in the past always has one bad day and he hasn't had one yet. As of Tuesday evening, Cadel Evans is in the driver's seat being second on GC and one of the best time-trialists in the top 10. Besides being a great battle among the general classification contenders, the scenery will be majestic." (Steve - www.steephill.tv) Don't overlook the challenge from Samuel Sanchez ( and both Ivan Basso and Damiano Cunego).
28km to go - and the ascent of the Galibier - and Andy Schleck is in a 6-man breakaway, 2'45" ahead of the Voeckler/Yellow Jersey peloton, with all the main G.C. riders in it (Evans, Contador, Basso, Sanchez, Cunego, Frank Schleck).
Andy Schleck wins at the Galibier; Frank Schleck at 2'15", Evans at 2'15", Basso at 2'18", Voeckler at 2'21", but Contador at 3'50". Overall, Voeckler retains the Yellow Jersey by 15 secs! So Andy S. is at 15secs, Frank S at 1' 08", and Cadel Evans at 1'12".
Stage 19: Modane - L'Alpe d'Huez 110km After Andy Schleck's attack of yesterday, only 74 secs separate the top four riders. Today's stage ascends the Cat. 1 Col du Telegraphe at 1556m; then back over the HC Col du Galibier at 2556m, but this time from the more difficult north side; and the race then finishes on th HC Alpe d'Huez at 1850m. Andy Schleck is a mere 57 secs ahead of Cadel Evans, but the Australian can expect to gain up to 2 minutes on the Schleck brothers in tomorrow's Grenoble Time Trial. So a lot hangs on the performance of the three men. And can Thomas Voeckler (Yellow Jersey) be ruled out?
I'd like to see Voeckler on the podium for all his efforts but I don't think it will happen. Cavendish getting minus 20 yesterday makes the green jersey interesting. A fantastic days cycling yesterday so fingers crossed for the same again. Can Andy Scleck win two in a row? Will he end up with none? Contador will not be winning this years and last years is still to be decided. There won't be many tears for Contador who has not looked like winning from the beginning.
Would love Voeckler to hang onto the yellow jersey, every day they write him off but he keeps hanging on in there, though I think yesterday must have taken a hell of a lot out of him. Wish Brad Wiggins was still in the mix with Evans and Schleck - guess its all down to the Manx flyer to show the flag.
Voeckler is amazing, this is why I love sport, he's punching so far out of his weight at the moment and keeps coming back for more. He will lose the lead today but is the rider of the Tour for me this year.
Pierre Rolland wins from Sammy Sanchez, with Contador third. The Schlecks are about a minute down......Bravo to Thomas Voeckler, who just does not give up!!!! Time Trial at Grenoble, tomorrow! Evans and Contador will be up for it!
