Today’s Stage 15 and the Port de Bales

(Photo www.steephill.tv/reuters)

Oh Andy Schleck, my heart goes out to you! I was yelling at my computer screen when I saw Alberto Contador zip past Andy as his chain fell off and he lost power only 3 km from the top of the steepest final climb of the day, before the 20km descent into Luchon. Yet Alberto continued on. He said he didn’t realize what happened, but Alberto has also said on numerous occasions when it suited him, that his race radio wasn’t working, giving him an excuse to ignore coaches requests/demands (and it was also was his excuse for attacking his own teammate Vinokourov a few days ago). Personally, I don’t believe the guy.

There is an unwritten rule in cycling, more like an etiquette, that you don’t attack or take advantage of a rider when he’s down or has a mechanical. The idea behind this thought is to win fairly. Now I understand this can’t be across the board – if the peleton stopped or slowed down for every rider who crashes or flats or has another mechanical, then there wouldn’t be any racing! But the yellow jersey? Right in front of your own eyes? This to me was Alberto Contador showing his true colors (which is now a tainted yellow), blatantly taking advantage of his opponent.[The continuation of this post is available for ICI/PRO Members only. Please Log-in or Subscribe with our One Dollar Trial to enjoy the rest.]

Allez!

3 Responses to “Today’s Stage 15 and the Port de Bales”

1. Bill Hoffman says:

   July 20, 2010 at 1:23 pm

   I agree that all 3 should have waited for Schleck. There is a ‘gentlemens agreement’ amongst the peloton that you just don’t take advantage of another riders misfortune. Play fair and let the best man win.
2. TaraH says:

   July 22, 2010 at 6:39 am

   Unfortunately, the controversy really did take away from Voeckler’s legitimate win. When I watched the stage and saw Andy Schleck starting to have trouble, I started yelling “No, no!” to the TV. But after further reflection, I actually agree with Phil Liggett. It’s a road bike race; you have to deal with all the unpredictabilities that come with that. Contador’s decision to push on (with the other leaders) came in a split second, in the heat of the race. Unfortunately, when you’re wearing the yellow jersey, no one is going to bend over backwards to help you keep your advantage. Had Contador stuck around, he could have easily lost his #2 position. Even with the major crash on stage 2, Cancellara just asked everyone not to sprint to the finish line in respect of the many riders who had fallen; he didn’t suggest everyone get off their bikes and wait for them.
3. Jennifer Sage says:

   July 22, 2010 at 4:56 pm

   If you remember back in 2003 when Lance’s handlebar caught a fan’s musette bag and he and Iban Mayo went down, the others just ahead slowed down to wait for him to get up. Videos show Tyler Hamilton putting out his hands to slow everyone else down. This included Ulrich and Basso, riders all around Lance in the GC. And they had all been in attack mode when it happened – this was a mountaintop finish to Luz Ardiden.

   In my opinion, both Menchov and Sanchez should have slowed down along with Contador – someone should have done what Tyler did and taken control. Yes, I see both sides (Carmichael’s article gives a great description of both sides), but I still in my gut feel like all three should have waited. Not off their bikes of course, but just not in the attack mode they were in allowing Andy to at least get his chain on and get up close to them. The problem I have with Contador is that he is not honest. He says he didn’t know – but videos clearly shows that he came from behind Schleck after the chain fell off (and Andy’s real wheel lifted off the ground), and when he passed Andy he had almost come to a stop at that point. You can’t not know your chief rival isn’t having a problem if he’s almost come to a stop.

   The good thing is he apologized, and they are both moving on.

   And you’re right. Voekler’s win was incredible. I was there in 2004 when he wore yellow for 10 days. I took a picture of him the day he lost the white jersey in the Alpes – the picture of absolute fatigue and suffering on his face up a long, hard and very hot climb. I am very happy for Voekler to have won this stage! And very happy for France for their 6 stage wins.