Interesting Plateau de Beille comparison

[jeffg]

I heard that Contador and Rasmussen climbed the Plateau on stage 14 roughly 1 minute faster than Armstrong and Basso three years ago. Of course, the 2004 stage was harder IMHO, with 6 categorized climbs prior to the Plateau, but that shows how well Rasmussen and Contador are climbing. It also shows Levi did a good ride, since he was also inside Amstrong and Basso's 2004 time by about 20 seconds.

[stevep]

Originally Posted by jeffg

I heard that Contador and Rasmussen climbed the Plateau on stage 14 roughly 1 minute faster than Armstrong and Basso three years ago. Of course, the 2004 stage was harder IMHO, with 6 categorized climbs prior to the Plateau, but that shows how well Rasmussen and Contador are climbing. It also shows Levi did a good ride, since he was also inside Amstrong and Basso's 2004 time by about 20 seconds.

more incentive this time.
they were both looking to put evans further back. neither want him a minute behind going into the tt... and it looks like neither will have that particular worry.


in 04 it was a 2 man race and they were together.