Crommy wrote:
Who's going to win today?

well, here's my own thoughts about tomorrow' stage:

Given the up and down terrain, a sprint is far from guaranteed, but there are a few circumstances which will certainly contribute towards the uncertainty of how the stage will progress:

CSC definitely want to defend the jersey. they have been working hard and their men are a bit spent. not that much, however.
The ideal tactic would of course be to try to place a man in the break so as not to need to chase.
However, Carlos Sastre being the team leader, I doubt that will happen, as he feels strongly against that. he considers it to be imoral, and that a team must work for any success it achieves. I need only remind you of his very angry reactions at Caisse using such a tactic on pretty much every stage at the last Vuelta.

The fact that a sprint finish is far from certain, will turn the sprinters teams to a "wait and see" attitude, making CSC the only team willing to work. this may very well have a snowball effect.

as such, tomorrow is a good day for attackers, as CSC will try desperately to defend a lead that might very well be slipping. after all, they only have a certain number of men, while every other team will want to have at least one man in the break.
Most of all Discovery who have a number of men very well placed from the prologue, and as such will likely go for the glory of yellow.

Conclusion: the break just might make it, and we just might see a new yellow jersey. especially since Kim Andersen is a smart man and as such will NOT bury his team chasing.

Smoothie wrote:
Also to night Caisse review

Crommy wrote:

Let me guess, 2000 words on why Valverde will win by an hour, taking the KOM, points and yellow, as well as being awarded the U25 jersey just because he is so great?

Smoothie wrote:
Anyway il start with some cycling review related things, what a shame for vino