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PCM.daily » Pro Cycling Manager 2006-2020 » Pro Cycling Manager 2011
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[Story] Tour des Nations
Marcovdw
Top  #21 Print Post
Posted on 05-12-2017 17:17
@Tamijo - Thanks, I thought it'd be nice to include some mixed teams instead of a team with one decent rider and a few fillers. I believe Austria and Luxembourg would've been the other two teams included in that case, but then we'd miss out on many other good riders.
@sutty68 - Geraint started just after the "weather change", so he was one of the first to be hindered by that I think. Frown
Edited by Marcovdw on 05-12-2017 17:29
Manager of Minions
 
Marcovdw
Top  #22 Print Post
Posted on 05-12-2017 17:29
STAGE 2

Profile:
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Race:

photouploads.com/images/54b71d.jpg

The second stage takes us from Brussels through Belgium to northern France, with the finish on the legendary Vélodrome de Roubaix. The highlight of the race are the five cobbled sections at the end, coincidentally also the final five sections from Paris - Roubaix, with as standout Carrefour de l'Arbre. Luckily for the riders, unfortunately for the fans, the weather forecast says it will remain dry. We don't know what this stage has in store for us. Can the favourites go all out or do they have to stick to their climbers and guide them over the pavée. Or can a strong breakaway be the key to success. Stick around to find out!

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As the flag is dropped and the comissionaries' car hasn't been able to accelerate yet, we have the first attacker of the race! His name is Vyacheslav Kuznetsov. His first attempt together with a few other riders was reeled in by the peloton because it was consider too big and too dangerous.

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Eventually, after a long range of attacks, they settled on a breakaway of 11 riders, with some pretty interesting names. Here's the rundown in order of GC position: Bodnar (fifth at three seconds), Navardauskas, Durbridge, Stybar, Božic, Van Baarle, Breschel, Carpenter, Richeze, Naesen and Rojas. Just over a minute behind this group are three more riders who try to bridge the gap: Baska, Guerreiro and the instigator Kuznetsov. The peloton is at six minutes.

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The work in the peloton is mainly done by Switzerland for Küng. They get sporadic help from Great Britain, Italy and Belgium (despite having Naesen in the break).

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Midway through the race, well before the first cobbles, Niki Terpstra attacks and is followed by Nicolas Roche. I don't know about their intent but this it's a long way out. We haven't even reached the first cobblestone section yet.

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The first mountain sprint goes to Richeze, who is now also the virtual leader in said classification. The three chasers still haven't caught up to the front group, 50 seconds back now. The peloton is at 4'30 with the two confused musketeers not far ahead of them.

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The Swiss train had caught up to Roche/Terpstra again, but not even one kilometer later they both attack again. Waste of energy or a clever strategy none of us can see? Clearly the other teams are very confused and start chasing them down again.

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Stybar takes the second and final mountain sprint, without Richeze's involvement. Whoever is higher in the standings at the end of the day will lead the mountain classification. The three chasers and the two chasers-chasers have been caught again. Two riders did attack from the peloton at the moment they were caught, can you guess who? One starts with a R and the other with a T.

photouploads.com/images/e2b6e8.jpg

E1 has mostly been reeled in before the first cobble section, as are our two constant attackers, virtue to the strong pace of Switzerland. Only Navardauskas, Rojas and Stybar remain ahead. Oh, and Terpstra is chasing them down. Apparently Roche has come to his senses.

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We enter the first cobbles section, Camphin-en-Pévèle, with three leaders a minute ahead of the peloton. Yes, Terpstra has been caught again. Will the specialists charge to the front, and are the climbers awake?

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Total chaos on Carrefour de l'Arbre! Stybar is alone ahead, having left his two compagnions behind. They were swallowed by a small group of around 25 riders including yellow jersey Küng, but also people like Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali as GC favourites, and John Degenkolb and Sep Vanmarcke as possible stage favourites. A lot of GC riders have missed this cut and are making their way through the field.

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Willems à Hem, the second-a-last cobbled section. Stybar still ahead of a small group, thinned out to 14. In the next group we can see amongst others Bardet and Fuglsang. People who have been sighted in one of the last groups are Adam and Simon Yates, Thomas, Mollema and Chaves. They will have an early blow to their GC aspirations.

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Out on the final sector. Still in the lead is Stybar but he's being chased down by Vanmarcke who has attacked from the group behind. Degenkolb, Nibali, Terpstra are just a few meters behind him and also André Greipel is nearby if it comes down to a sprint. Froome and Küng are in the next group in picture. The exact situation behind is not clear, and we will have to wait to the velodrome to see the full damage of today's stage.

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The bell for the final lap around the velodrome an Vanmarcke has caught up to the back of Stybar who has to start his sprint!

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But we switch to a horrible shot just outside the velodrome, at the entrance of the Espace Crupelandt, where a mass crash has occured. Surely over 50 riders are involved, some come away with minor to no injury but we can see some riders who need medical attention and will likely be out of the race already. Notable riders involved are: Martin, Jungels, Barguil, Poels, Kruijswijk, Van Avermaet, Landa, Bennett, Dennis and the list just goes on. And these are just the people we have seen on the ground, not even those who had to take evasive action let alone be stuck behind this crash.

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We switch back just in time to see Sep Vanmarcke overtake Stybar and take the stage victory on the velodrome! Don't pay attention to Gilbert who is a lap down, but he can already celebrate his teammates victory for the final lap.

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Degenkolb comfortably sprints to a third place ahead of Greipel and Felline. Other important names in this group are Bardet, Froome and Nibali. Küng is here as well but he will lose the jersey as the gap is too big to defend yellow.

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The next group contains Dumoulin and Uran who both avoided the crash, but lose 1'30 to the group ahead. An extra minute loss for Contador and Valverde, Quintana. Add in another minute for Pinot, Aru, Porte and Zakarin. For your favourite rider we will refer to the full stage results.

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Here a shot of the five riders who are taken away by ambulance and won't continue the race. They are: Stephen Clancy, David De La Cruz, Wilco Kelderman and two Czechs, Roman Kreuziger and Michal Schlegel. We wish them a speedy recovery!

Classifications:

Stage:

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RankNameTeamTime
1Sep VanmarckeBelgium4h41'33
2Zdenek StybarCzech Republics.t.
3John DegenkolbGermany+ 1'52
4André GreipelGermanys.t.
5Fabio FellineItalys.t.
6Edvald Boasson HagenNorways.t.
7Ian StannardGreat Britains.t.
8Tony MartinGermanys.t.
9Vincenzo NibaliItalys.t.
10Taylor PhinneyUnited Statess.t.

Spoiler

General:

Zdenek Stybar was five seconds faster on stage 1. Vanmarcke gained back four bonus seconds, which means the Czech is the new race leader by one second.
RankNameTeamTime
1Zdenek StybarCzech Republic4h52'35
2Sep VanmarckeBelgium+ 1
3Stefan KüngSwitzerland+ 1'40
4Taylor PhinneyUnited States+ 1'42
5Maciej BodnarPoland+ 1'43
6Tony MartinGermany+ 1'45
7Niki TerpstraNetherlands+ 1'47
8John DegenkolbGermany+ 1'49
9Luke DurbridgeAustralias.t.
10Ian StannardGreat Britain+ 1'53

Spoiler

Points:

25 points at the finish and 7 at the intermediate is enough to lead in the points classification as well. Sep Vanmarcke scored 30 points for the win, and is ranked second and may wear the green jersey tomorrow.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Zdenek StybarCzech Republic32
2Sep VanmarckeBelgium30
3Taylor PhinneyUnited States24
4Maciej BodnarPoland22
5John DegenkolbGermany22

Spoiler

Mountains:

To answer the question we asked earlier about the polka dot jersey: Ariel Maximiliano Richeze, because Stybar will wear the yellow jersey.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Zdenek StybarCzech Republic1
2Ariel Maximiliano RichezeMixed Rest of World1

Young rider:

Stefan Küng stays in the lead, increasing his margin to over two minutes. He will wear the white jersey tomorrow since he lost the yellow jersey.
RankNameTeamTime
1Stefan KüngSwitzerland4h54'15
2Michael ValgrenDenmark+ 2'37
3Bob JungelsMixed Europe+ 2'44
4Sven Erik BystrømNorway+ 2'46
5Fernando GaviriaColombia+ 2'51

Spoiler

Team:

Germany stays in the lead here.
RankTeamTime
1Germany14h42'57
2Switzerland+ 17
3Great Britain+ 18
4Denmark+ 33
5Belgium+ 1'42

Spoiler

Combativity:

Nearly took the yellow jersey, but did take the polka dot and points jersey and now also the red numbers:
Zdenek Stybar

Final words:

Spoiler
Manager of Minions
 
sutty68
Top  #23 Print Post
Posted on 05-12-2017 21:51
The first two are opening up a bit of a gap Wink
 
Ripley
Top  #24 Print Post
Posted on 07-12-2017 13:48
Cool idea and great reporting so far! That second stage seems to have done a lot of damage to many GC hopes, though.
 
Ollfardh
Top  #25 Print Post
Posted on 07-12-2017 13:55
Dumoulin losing so much time on Froome on a cobbled stage Pfft

Good concept, will be following this!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
 
trekbmc
Top  #26 Print Post
Posted on 07-12-2017 14:08
For your favourite rider we will refer to the full stage results.


He's not there. Sad


---

Entertaining stage though, really dramatic and aggressive racing, especially surprising some of the names that found their way into the break. Pfft



"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
 
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Marcovdw
Top  #27 Print Post
Posted on 08-12-2017 17:00
@sutty68 - A lot of gaps all over the board already Wink
@Ripley - Thanks, I'm glad to see this stage turned out nearly exactly the way I wanted it to.
@Ollfardh - Even PCM11 is unrealistic sometimes Wink
@trekbmc - Yeah I was surprised by the quality of the breakaway. And by the lack of attacks from the real cobble specialists towards the end, it was more a case of not getting dropped.


I've been ill for the last two days, hence the lack of updates. But don't worry, I'll post a new report this evening.
Manager of Minions
 
Marcovdw
Top  #28 Print Post
Posted on 08-12-2017 18:34
STAGE 3

Profile:
photouploads.com/images/a8b3ac.jpg


Race:

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193 riders remain at the start of the third stage. After yesterday's chaos, it's time for a short, flat stage which should suit the sprinters. Let's go!

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The first breakaway attempt is also the succesful one as Czech Republic immediately closes the door on any further attempt. The three lucky souls are Jens Keukeleire, Maciej Paterski and Martin Velits.

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The only mountain sprint of the day, a category four for one point, is won by Keukeleire, who also moves into the virtual yellow jersey as the gap is currently nine minutes, and he's the best placed in the break at seven minutes. But the gap will likely come down.

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There's no battle for the intermediate sprint at the front, with Keukeleire also the one to cross first. Kittel beats Kristoff for fourth place and 13 points. There are 50 points available at the finish line. Germany and France have taken control of the peloton.

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And the gap kept going down until ten kilometers to go, when the peloton could see the three leaders. In the battle for the red dossard, Keukeleire attacks again, but he would've been awarded the combativity award regardless of his attack. From the peloton, Terpstra continues his attacking spree from yesterday. He's followed by Hayman, Nieve and Phinney, who is third in the GC!

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And the déja vu continues as there's again a crash in the final few kilometers. This time only two people are involved, but they are both of importance. Gallopin and Colbrelli won't be able to participate in today's sprint.

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5000 meters before the finish line it is game over for Keukeleire, but he surely deserved the prix de combativité today. Two trains have been formed, on the left the German ICE, and on the right French TGV. Kittel and Démare are in the last carriage.

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Degenkolb-Greipel-Kittel is the fastest train at the moment. Voeckler of all people will lead out Démare, who has Cavendish, Gaviria and Groenewegen on his wheel. The crash caused a minor rift in the peloton, some riders will lose a bit of time!

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Under the kite and Kittel lost the wheel of Greipel. Dysfunctional sprinting from Team Germany! The Gorilla has a gap but it's a long way to go and the other sprinters are rapidly approaching. Kittel might get back up to speed as well.

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But 400 meters later we have an entirely different situation as both Germans have dropped down the order. Cavendish now has the front wheel but Gaviria and Sagan have developed a higher speed. And Alaphilippe appears out of nowhere on the right side of the road.

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Peter Sagan takes the victory in Cambrai! Gaviria pushes past Cavendish for third. Nizzolo comes home in fourth ahead of Kristoff. Greipel and Kittel finish in 16th and 21st place respectivaly.

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The second group cross the line three minutes later. Zdenek Stybar is in this group! Wow, that's a big surprise. Which means we have a new GC leader for the third day in a row as Sep Vanmarcke did finish in the first group. Küng is also in the group and has to fear for his white jersey. Other important names in this group: Aru, Chaves, Landa and some other minor GC contenders.

Classifications:

Stage:

RankNameTeamTime
1Peter SaganSlovakia3h35'24
2Fernando GaviriaColombias.t.
3Mark CavendishGreat Britains.t.
4Giacomo NizzoloItalys.t.
5Alexander KristoffNorways.t.
6Oliver NaesenBelgiums.t.
7Philippe GilbertBelgiums.t.
8Caleb EwanAustralias.t.
9Alejandro ValverdeSpains.t.
10Julian AlaphilippeFrances.t.

Spoiler

General:

Everyone, including Sep Vanmarcke himself, did not expect that he would be wearing the yellow jersey after today.
RankNameTeamTime
1Sep VanmarckeBelgium8h28'00
2Taylor PhinneyUnited States+ 1'41
3Maciej BodnarPoland+ 1'42
4Tony MartinGermany+ 1'44
5Niki TerpstraNetherlands+ 1'46
6John DegenkolbGermany+ 1'48
7Luke DurbridgeAustralias.t.
8Ian StannardGreat Britain+ 1'52
9Michael MatthewsAustralia+ 1'55
10Edvald Boasson HagenNorway+ 1'56

Spoiler

Points:

Due to the fifty points available at the finish line, Peter Sagan takes another jersey away from Stybar.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Peter SaganSlovakia50
2Zdenek StybarCzech Republic34
3Fernando GaviriaColombia31
4Sep VanmarckeBelgium30
5Tony MartinGermany28

Spoiler

Mountains:

But Zdenek Stybar won't be shirtless as he will wear the polka dot jersey.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Zdenek StybarCzech Republic1
2Ariel Maximiliano RichezeMixed Rest of World1
3Jens KeukeleireBelgium1

Young rider:

With Küng and Valgren in the second group, Bob Jungels moves from third to first. Gaviria (due to bonus seconds) and Bystrøm within two seconds though.
RankNameTeamTime
1Bob JungelsMixed Europe8h32'23
2Fernando GaviriaColombia+ 1
3Sven Erik BystrømNorway+ 2
4Stefan KüngSwitzerland+ 32
5Alexey LutsenkoMixed Rest of World+ 1'15

Spoiler

Team:

Germany still leading despite their miscommunications.
RankTeamTime
1Germany25h29'09
2Great Britain+ 18
3Belgium+ 1'42
4Australia+ 2'35
5Italy+ 2'55

Spoiler

Combativity:

Being the last of the breakaway of three to be caught, and the most active in the sprints along the way:
Jens Keukeleire

Final words:

Spoiler
Edited by Marcovdw on 11-12-2017 18:53
Manager of Minions
 
Marcovdw
Top  #29 Print Post
Posted on 09-12-2017 18:54
STAGE 4

Profile:
photouploads.com/images/1dd83e.jpg


Race:

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Another day, another stage. The first of three 200+ kilometer stages, starting from Amiens and finishing on a category four climb in Le Havre. The uphill sprinters are rated favourites, but some regular sprinters might be able to get into things if there legs are feeling well. Or maybe a true pruncheur or even a real climber wants to take the ten bonification seconds.

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The first breakaway attempt didn't get the approval of the other teams. Mainly because it includes Bodnar, number three in the general classification. Surely Belgium don't want to risk losing the jersey.

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The second attempt contains even more people, and also includes Bodnar. And strangely they thought: "Well, this one can go". The fourteen members are: Bodnar, Bookwalter, Brammeier, Breschel, Dillier, Guerreiro, Kankovsky, Kump, Kuznetsov, Ludvigsson, Machado, Saramotins, Richeze and Wiśniowski.

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Van Avermaet leads his team in the chase on the breakaway. Does that mean he won't get his chance at the finish? Other teams joining in the chase are France and Norway, trying to get the gap down from nine minutes.

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Strangely Richeze doesn't bother with the mountain sprint. He could've taken the lead here. Instead Breschel wins from Dillier and Bookwalter. The winner of today's stage also receives one point.

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Amador crashed in a downhill. He has some minor wounds, but he's able to continue the race. The gap is down to three and a half minutes.

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With 25 kilometers to go and the breakaway is close enough for some attacks. Hayman goes and he's NOT joined by Terpstra. Is the Dutchman ill or has he come to his senses?

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The Australian's attempt is also unsuccessful. As the peloton reaches ever closer, Dillier, Guerreiro, Kump and Ludvigsson attack to remain ahead.

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With 7000 meters to go the last remaining member of the breakaway is caught. The jury awards the combativity award to Dillier for being in both early attempts and in the latter stages. Barguil leads the French train for Gallopin, Nordhaug as spanner in the works, Bouhanni and in the final wheel Démare, who thinks he can perform on the final climb. Valverde can also be found near the front, it is a typical arrival for him.

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Bouhanni has started his leadout before the uphill stretch for Démare. Colbrelli, Degenkolb and Valverde are on his wheel. Boasson Hagen comes from behind with Kristoff, Sagan, Cavendish, Gaviria and Matthews. A nice mix of pure and punchy sprinters.

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Démare is the first to reach the ramp but with the people on his wheel he's unlikely to hold the lead. The Norwegian train has made up a bit of ground due to Bouhanni's early release.

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Idiotic spectators in the way! What happened with the barricades! Anyway, Valverde makes a strong push but Démare is surprisingly strong. Kristoff and Sagan care too late.

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And it's Alejandro Valverde who takes the victory in Le Havre in a way we've seen him do before. Démare deserves a round of applause for his second place. Colbrelli gets third ahead of Degenkolb and Kristoff. No major shakeup in the general classification.

Classifications:

Stage:

photouploads.com/images/468307.jpg

RankNameTeamTime
1Alejandro ValverdeSpain5h18'06
2Arnaud DémareFrances.t.
3Sonny ColbrelliItalys.t.
4John DegenkolbGermanys.t.
5Alexander KristoffNorways.t.
6Peter SaganSlovakias.t.
7Michael MatthewsAustralias.t.
8Edvald Boasson HagenNorways.t.
9Mark CavendishGreat Britains.t.
10Ramunas NavardauskasMixed Europes.t.

Spoiler

General:

For once there are no changes at the top. Sep Vanmarcke can add another yellow jersey to his wardrobe.
RankNameTeamTime
1Sep VanmarckeBelgium13h46'06
2Taylor PhinneyUnited States+ 1'41
3Maciej BodnarPoland+ 1'42
4Tony MartinGermany+ 1'44
5Niki TerpstraNetherlands+ 1'46
6John DegenkolbGermany+ 1'48
7Luke DurbridgeAustralias.t.
8Ian StannardGreat Britain+ 1'52
9Michael MatthewsAustralia+ 1'55
10Edvald Boasson HagenNorway+ 1'56

Spoiler

Points:

We are used to seeing Peter Sagan in green.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Peter SaganSlovakia65
2Alejandro ValverdeSpain58
3Alexander KristoffNorway43
4Maciej BodnarPoland42
5John DegenkolbGermany40

Spoiler

Mountains:

We now have a five-way tie but due to the general classification tiebraker Zdenek Stybar is the leader.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Zdenek StybarCzech Republic1
2Alejandro ValverdeSpain1
3Matti BreschelDenmark1
4Jens KeukeleireBelgium1
5Ariel Maximiliano RichezeMixed Rest of World1

Young rider:

To continue the trend of not changing jerseys today, Bob Jungels remains in white.
RankNameTeamTime
1Bob JungelsMixed Europe13h50'29
2Fernando GaviriaColombia+ 1
3Sven Erik BystrømNorway+ 2
4Stefan KüngSwitzerland+ 32
5Alexey LutsenkoMixed Rest of World+ 1'15

Spoiler

Team:

I'm running out of original ways to say Germany is leading the team classification. But with two sprinters stages upcoming I might have to dig into the dictionary.
RankTeamTime
1Germany41h23'27
2Great Britain+ 18
3Belgium+ 1'42
4Australia+ 2'35
5Italy+ 2'55

Spoiler

Combativity:

Included in both attempts and in the little attack near the end:
Silvan Dillier

Final words:

Spoiler
Manager of Minions
 
Yellow Jersey
Top  #30 Print Post
Posted on 09-12-2017 23:35
Interesting to see that Valverde has the legs, his major time loss in the cobbles may lead to some far-out attacks
i.imgur.com/0AnUFRM.png



Le Duo

Echelons


Ciao Michele.
 
Croatia14
Top  #31 Print Post
Posted on 09-12-2017 23:51
Just tripped over this and I love it! Amazing stuff so far, though I hate to see Kreuziger (and Kelderman) going.
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/moty.png
 
Marcovdw
Top  #32 Print Post
Posted on 10-12-2017 13:09
@Yellow Jersey - Yep, some big names have lost a lot of time already. But will they be forced to work for their leader or do they have a free role in the mountain stages?
@Croatia14 - Thanks, indeed sad to see a name like Kreuziger out already Sad
Manager of Minions
 
Marcovdw
Top  #33 Print Post
Posted on 10-12-2017 21:13
STAGE 5

Profile:
photouploads.com/images/f9da3b.jpg


Race:

photouploads.com/images/34ed0c.jpg

The second longest stage of this Tour at 227 kilometers and 310 meters. The longest stage, stage 8, is only 100 meters longer. It should be a fairly flat affair with only a category four mountain sprint in the way.

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The first big breakaway group was caught very soon. Riders in it were Van Avermaet and Richeze, who wants a point for the polka dot jersey. His objective is only ten kilometers away. Velits has already crashed and is behind the peloton.

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A group of seven attacked just before the points giveaway, and Rojas denies Richeze the points. Other riders in the break are Božic, Carpenter, Deignan, Gołaś and Porsev.

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Another crash, the second of the day. This time Roche hits the tarmac but he can safely return to the peloton. Durbridge, seventh in the GC at 1'48, tries to jump across to the breakaway. He is joined by Korsaeth, Mørkøv and Sagan. Juraj Sagan of course, not his green brother.

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E2 joins E1, which is now 11 cyclists big and has a lead of five minutes. Belgium and Switzerland lead the peloton. The first one is clear, Vanmarcke doesn't want to give away his jersey, but the Swiss? Why? For who? Or as punishment for missing the break?

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Durbridge sprints for the intermediate sprint. Nice twenty points, but no bonification seconds which might help him in his quest for yellow. Green Sagan takes twelfth place.

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France and Germany brought the gap down to a minute. And Terpstra, yes you know. Naesen and polka dot Stybar join him on his late afternoon stroll.

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Martin is tasked with bringing back everyone up front. So far he has done his task successfully, he has caught everyone bar Gołaś, Richeze, Stybar and Terpstra. The guy in the polka dot jersey puts in another attack.

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A scene oh so familiar this tour. A bunch of riders on the ground. Phinney and Bodnar, numbers two and three in the general classification, are amongst the casualties. Bardet, Boasson Hagen, Colbrelli are other victims. Yellow and green jersery Vanmarcke and Sagan can only just avoid the incident.

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If look closely at the pileup we can see a skinny guy in a torn up British jersey. It's Chris Froome! One of the biggest favourite will lose even more time after his mediocre opening time trial.

photouploads.com/images/3e96f3.jpg

And so Stybar and Terpstra are still ahead in the final kilometers. A group of just fifteen riders managed to stay ahead of the chaos: Gołaś, Naesen, Richeze, Barguil, Bouhanni, Démare, Gallopin, Degenkolb, Geschke, Greipel, Kittel, Martin, Ewan, Kristoff and Talansky

photouploads.com/images/ba8e57.jpg

At three kilometers, the point where, if the crash had occured there, the riders involved wouldn't have lost time. The two leaders are caught by the two main trains. One is the traditional German train, with Kristoff at the end. On the other side we have Bouhanni and Démare, with Ewan behind. Talansky tries to get involved but it's clear this is not his cup of tea.

photouploads.com/images/ff555e.jpg

And again the cooperation between the German supersprinters is not very good. Horrible actually. On the other side of the Elzas, Démare was released pretty well and only Kristoff looks able to challenge him for victory.

photouploads.com/images/09c5d4.jpg

The builders of the finish arc have put a hidden camera, in which we can see the sprint from full fronal view. From this angle it looks very tight.

photouploads.com/images/7b46d1.jpg

But when we cut back to the main camera it's clear Alexander Kristoff has crossed the line first. Démare again second placed, but he will have more chances in the race. Greipel is the best German in third, Bouhanni fourth and Kittel fifth.

photouploads.com/images/e3557b.jpg

The group with the yellow jersey crosses the line one minute behind. He keeps his jersey as his nearest rivals were involved in the crash, and those ahead were not close enough in the general classification.

photouploads.com/images/9a0017.jpg

Another minute later and the group with more people who were held up by the crash. Aru and Quintana are in this group.

photouploads.com/images/d0b6d7.jpg

But the biggest loser today is Froome. HIs time loss is limited as he is in the same time as the group ahead, but we have to wonder about injuries. How hard was the impact? Surely he won't sleep well tonight.

photouploads.com/images/57bd2f.jpg

Four people couldn't get back on the bike in normal condition, and are therefore out of this race. Andrey Amador is out, Adam Hansen doesn't get to continue his Grand Tour streak, Ion Izagirre has had enough of his crashes, and Sébastien Reichenbach has to be transported to the nearest hospital. Martin Velits also has to abandon after his fall early in the stage and never got back to true speed.

Classifications:

Stage:

photouploads.com/images/62c5ef.jpg

RankNameTeamTime
1Alexander KristoffNorway5h06'22
2Arnaud DémareFrances.t.
3André GreipelGermanys.t.
4Nacer BouhanniFrances.t.
5Marcel KittelGermanys.t.
6Zdenek StybarCzech Republics.t.
7Caleb EwanAustralias.t.
8Andrew TalanskyUnited Statess.t.
9John DegenkolbGermanys.t.
10Niki TerpstraNetherlandss.t.

Spoiler

General:

Despite not being in the first group, Sep Vanmarcke retains yellow.
RankNameTeamTime
1Sep VanmarckeBelgium18h53'28
2Niki TerpstraNetherlands+ 46
3John DegenkolbGermany+ 48
4André GreipelGermany+ 1'06
5Tony MartinGermany+ 1'44
6Luke DurbridgeAustralia+ 1'48
7Michael MatthewsAustralia+ 1'55
8Lars Ytting BakDenmark+ 1'57
9Vincenzo NibaliItaly+ 2'03
10Jakob FuglsangDenmark+ 2'04

Spoiler

Points:

Thanks to his stage victory Alexander Kristoff is the new green jersey owner.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Alexander KristoffNorway93
2Peter SaganSlovakia69
3Arnaud DémareFrance62
4Alejandro ValverdeSpain58
5John DegenkolbGermany48

Spoiler

Mountains:

From five to six, but Zdenek Stybar is still the highest ranked with one point. There are no mountain points available in the next three stages, so he will likely keep the jersey for a while.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Zdenek StybarCzech Republic1
2Alejandro ValverdeSpain1
3Matti BreschelDenmark1
4Jens KeukeleireBelgium1
5Ariel Maximiliano RichezeMixed Rest of World1

Spoiler

Young rider:

Bob Jungels survived another challenge by Gaviria
RankNameTeamTime
1Bob JungelsMixed Europe18h57'51
2Fernando GaviriaColombia+ 1
3Sven Erik BystrømNorway+ 58
4Stefan KüngSwitzerland+ 1'28
5Dylan GroenewegenNetherlands+ 1'35

Spoiler

Team:

With all those flat stages there is no real challenge to dethrone Germany.
RankTeamTime
1Germany56h42'33
2Belgium+ 3'42
3Australia+ 4'35
4Great Britain+ 5'10
5Netherlands+ 5'18

Spoiler

Combativity:

He may not have taken over the mountain classification, but he did take a big share in the work at the front:
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze

Final words:

Spoiler
Manager of Minions
 
sutty68
Top  #34 Print Post
Posted on 11-12-2017 01:05
Great sprint from Kristoff and his reward is the Points jersey Wink
 
Marcovdw
Top  #35 Print Post
Posted on 11-12-2017 18:52
STAGE 6

Profile:
photouploads.com/images/2e1e7e.jpg


Race:

photouploads.com/images/346451.jpg

206 flat kilometers leading from Saint-Malo to Nantes. This feels repetitive.

photouploads.com/images/0dc430.jpg

But we get an interesting strategy ploy by the sprinters teams. With the intermediate sprint early on in the stage, the breakaway was chased down fiercely by, amongst others, France and Germany. It worked, and Démare got twenty points. Geschke is second and takes points away from Kittel in third in a comical mix-up in which most sprinters saw the banner too late and therefore couldn't overtake those who chased down the breakaway.

photouploads.com/images/6e5806.jpg

After the sprint it was all lights green for a breakaway, but no one jumped. Eventually Marko Kump thought he would do everyone else a favour and become the solo breakaway. Niki Terpstra woke up and jumped with him in his traditional fashion. And Zdenek Stybar wants to join the party, despite there not being any points for his polka dot jersey available today. Belgium leads the peloton, the gap is five minutes plus.

photouploads.com/images/89ce66.jpg

With 15 kilometers to go the trio was caught. Kump obviously gets the combativity award.

photouploads.com/images/f68935.jpg

And the heavens have opened upon Nantes. The rain might affect the sprint, let's pray there won't be another mass crash to disrupt procedures. The same two sprinters teams who were active in the early fases of the stage have started their preparation for the final dash to the line.

photouploads.com/images/1167f2.jpg

However, as with nearly every sprint so far, there is a maverick who defies the law of flat stages. This time Castroviejo tries to remain ahead of the sprint train in the closing stages. Germany says "Never change a losing team" as they've gone with the exact same setup that brought them miserable results in the last stages: Degenkolb for Greipel for Kittel. Cavendish, Bennett, Ewan and Groenewegen join them on the left side of the road. On the right, Gallopin, Bouhanni and Démare go forth, with yesterday's winner Kristoff and Gaviria behind. Sagan is unsure which wheel to pick.

photouploads.com/images/6f86a2.jpg

Germany goes faster and his brought Castroviejo back from his dreams. Gaviria decided to switch trains, his place on the TGV is taken by Sagan.

photouploads.com/images/85abd7.jpg

One final kilometer and for once things are going well for Germany. France seems to have the bad luck today as they and everyone on their wheel are faced with a major disadvantage to overcome.

photouploads.com/images/012dca.jpg

Cavendish comes off the wheel of Kittel who is released just too late by Greipel. This all has brought Kristoff and Sagan back with a shot at victory.

photouploads.com/images/4a9faf.jpg

But they are all powerless against The Manx Missile, Mark Cavendish wins in the streets of Nantes. Sagan might have been more threatening if he were to be positioned better, but his second place puts him closer to the green jersey. Démare comes from far behind to take third away from Kittel and Kristoff. Greipel outside the top ten, Germany needs to change if they want to win a sprint.

Classifications:

Stage:

photouploads.com/images/a5a660.jpg

RankNameTeamTime
1Mark CavendishGreat Britain4h44'13
2Peter SaganSlovakias.t.
3Arnaud DémareFrances.t.
4Marcel KittelGermanys.t.
5Alexander KristoffNorways.t.
6Caleb EwanAustralias.t.
7Fernando GaviriaColombias.t.
8Dylan GroenewegenNetherlandss.t.
9Giacomo NizzoloItalys.t.
10Sam BennettIrelands.t.

Spoiler

General:

Sep Vanmarcke had no trouble staying with the pack.
RankNameTeamTime
1Sep VanmarckeBelgium23h37'41
2Niki TerpstraNetherlands+ 46
3John DegenkolbGermany+ 48
4André GreipelGermany+ 1'06
5Tony MartinGermany+ 1'44
6Luke DurbridgeAustralia+ 1'48
7Michael MatthewsAustralia+ 1'55
8Lars Ytting BakDenmark+ 1'57
9Vincenzo NibaliItaly+ 2'03
10Jakob FuglsangDenmark+ 2'04

Spoiler

Points:

Démare is closing in, but Alexander Kristoff still leads the fight for green.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Alexander KristoffNorway109
2Arnaud DémareFrance102
3Peter SaganSlovakia99
4Mark CavendishGreat Britain79
5Marcel KittelGermany73

Spoiler

Mountains:

Zdenek Stybar has held the lead in the mountains classification since day two.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Zdenek StybarCzech Republic1
2Alejandro ValverdeSpain1
3Matti BreschelDenmark1
4Jens KeukeleireBelgium1
5Ariel Maximiliano RichezeMixed Rest of World1

Spoiler

Young rider:

Also no changes here, Bob Jungels still has the slightest of margin.
RankNameTeamTime
1Bob JungelsMixed Europe23h42'04
2Fernando GaviriaColombia+ 1
3Sven Erik BystrømNorway+ 58
4Stefan KüngSwitzerland+ 1'28
5Dylan GroenewegenNetherlands+ 1'35

Spoiler

Team:

Germany. Yeah.
RankTeamTime
1Germany70h55'12
2Belgium+ 3'42
3Australia+ 4'35
4Great Britain+ 5'10
5Netherlands+ 5'18

Spoiler

Combativity:

Part of the original attempt, and the instigator of the successful attempt:
Marko Kump

Final words:

Spoiler
Manager of Minions
 
Ollfardh
Top  #36 Print Post
Posted on 11-12-2017 19:45
Nothing to make the race exciting like a good Froome crash Wink
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
 
sutty68
Top  #37 Print Post
Posted on 12-12-2017 01:41
Nice sprint from Cav Wink
 
Marcovdw
Top  #38 Print Post
Posted on 12-12-2017 16:55
@Ollfardh - A position he's not usually in, will be exciting to see how he handles it.
@sutty68 - Nice sprint indeed Wink
Manager of Minions
 
Marcovdw
Top  #39 Print Post
Posted on 12-12-2017 17:00
STAGE 7

Profile:
photouploads.com/images/e5ec95.jpg


Race:

photouploads.com/images/af8243.jpg

Portugal has the honours of opening the team time trial around Les Essarts.

photouploads.com/images/289b07.jpg

Czech Republic is down to seven riders already, certainly a handicap today. They won't finish last though, as Ireland and Slovakia set even slower times.

photouploads.com/images/57d692.jpg

An unusual sight, a lot of world champion jerseys together. They're not, this is team Mixed Rest of World. They seem to cooperate decently but their time won't set the world alight.

photouploads.com/images/1c995e.jpg

Next up is Switzerland, including stage one winner Küng. Can he guide his team to his second time trial victory? Spoiler alert: no.

photouploads.com/images/f54438.jpg

Another team down in numbers is Spain, but that doesn't show as they set the fastest time of the day at the first checkpoint, two seconds faster than then-leader Russia. After that everything went downwards, most likely because they had to remain with five.

photouploads.com/images/cacea0.jpg

The teams start rolling in one by one and we take note that the fastest time so far goes to the Mixed European Team, which is quite impressive since some of them can't understand each others due to language barriers. Props to them!

photouploads.com/images/e2a7c2.jpg

Colombia is a team with a lot of climbers, some of which have lost a lot of time already. It is important that they set a decent time today. And they do, fastest so far in 30 minutes and 18 seconds, beating Mixed Europe by three seconds.

photouploads.com/images/74fb91.jpg

Provisional third place goes to Italy, who are just four seconds slower.

photouploads.com/images/1a162e.jpg

France comes within three secons but can't beat the time. The home crowd is disappointed.

photouploads.com/images/773af3.jpg

And The Netherlands cross the line and they take the lead! Three seconds faster. Possible yellow jersey for Terpstra?

photouploads.com/images/a9cade.jpg

Great Britain was placed in second after the second intermediate, and only lost ten seconds over 23 kilometers. But with the closeness at the top it means they're only sixth.

photouploads.com/images/359b47.jpg

Vanmarcke arrives in his yellow jersey together with his Belgian compatriots. They lose 17 seconds but it's enough to keep him in yellow.

photouploads.com/images/c55321.jpg

And the last team to finish are Germany, but Martin can't carry Ze Germans to victory. They barely finish inside the top ten. The winners of today are their neighbours: The Netherlands. Schade Deutschland alles ist vorbei.

Classifications:

Stage:

RankTeamTime
1Netherlands30'15
2Colombia+ 3
3Mixed Europe+ 6
4Frances.t.
5Italy+ 7
6Great Britain+ 10
7Belgium+ 17
8Denmark+ 19
9Poland+ 24
10Germany+ 28
11Switzerland+ 34
12Australia+ 40
13Spains.t.
14Norway+ 52
15Russia+ 55
16United Statess.t.
17Portugals.t.
18Slovenia+ 1'07
19Mixed Rest of World+ 1'09
20Czech Republic+ 1'24
21Ireland+ 1'37
22Slovakia+ 2'07

Spoiler

General:

Despite losing a lot of time on the early splits, Sep Vanmarcke motivated his team to help him retain the lead in the general classification.
RankNameTeamTime
1Sep VanmarckeBelgium24h08'13
2Niki TerpstraNetherlands+ 29
3John DegenkolbGermany+ 1'07
4André GreipelGermany+ 1'20
5Tony MartinGermany+ 1'55
6Vincenzo NibaliItaly+ 1'57
7Lars Ytting BakDenmark+ 2'07
8Jakob FuglsangDenmark+ 2'09
9Luke DurbridgeAustralia+ 2'11
10Michael MatthewsAustralia+ 2'18

Spoiler

Points:

No points are given out on the team time trial, so another green jersey for Alexander Kristoff.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Alexander KristoffNorway109
2Arnaud DémareFrance102
3Peter SaganSlovakia99
4Mark CavendishGreat Britain79
5Marcel KittelGermany73

Spoiler

Mountains:

And with no mountain along the route no changes in the standings. Still Zdenek Stybar in the red dots.
RankNameTeamPoints
1Zdenek StybarCzech Republic1
2Alejandro ValverdeSpain1
3Matti BreschelDenmark1
4Jens KeukeleireBelgium1
5Ariel Maximiliano RichezeMixed Rest of World1

Spoiler

Young rider:

Fernando Gaviria and Colombia were four seconds faster than Jungels' Rest of the World team.
RankNameTeamTime
1Fernando GaviriaColombia24h12'26
2Bob JungelsMixed Europe+ 3
3Dylan GroenewegenNetherlands+ 1'45
4Stefan KüngSwitzerland+ 1'55
5Sven Erik BystrømNorway+ 1'56

Spoiler

Team:

Still three minutes lead for Germany. But when we get to hilly and mountain stages that lead will likely disappear.
RankTeamTime
1Germany71h25'55
2Belgium+ 3'31
3Australia+ 4'47
4Netherlands+ 4'50
5Great Britain+ 4'52

Spoiler

Combativity:

Not awarded

Final words:

Spoiler
Manager of Minions
 
Ripley
Top  #40 Print Post
Posted on 13-12-2017 08:48
No need to mock ze Germans all the time! Smile Surprisingly good performance by the Colombians.
 
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