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Tour de France, Stage 14 - Sunday, July 15th Limoux-Foix
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| Biathlon |
Posted on 15-07-2012 01:13
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"We have reached the Pyrenees! But this is more of an appetiser than a mountain stage proper. Things will get going at kilometre 116 with the ascent to the Port de Lers, with 11.4 km at 7%. Then comes the Mur de Péguère, which is making its Tour debut and could deal some serious damage too: some sections are close to an 18% gradient, with 10.8% at the finish! Nevertheless, the distance to Foix will make great climbers hesitate. In my opinion, this is more of a stage for all-rounders such Voeckler and Chavanel. Or maybe a 50 man strong group with the freshest riders in it..."
Probably a break will make it? Maybe with riders like Valverde, LLS? Or will one of the favorites take this one home?
Words to live by
"What would Lance do?"
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| CountArach |
Posted on 15-07-2012 01:27
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A break will take it for sure. I can't think who though - someone who has lost a lot of time obviously. Maybe Cobo or Valverde? The finish certainly suits Valverde, who could out-sprint a small group.
Evans will try to attack on the Peguere only to be dragged in before he gets to the top.
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| samdiatmh |
Posted on 15-07-2012 05:51
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one of these stages need to finish on these climbs, rather than have rubbish after it (looking at you too stage 12)
the last 4 kms of the Pegeure average 10.9%, it's going to SERIOUSLY damage the peloton |
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| dienblad |
Posted on 15-07-2012 06:32
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Johnny Hoogerland said that he marked this stage in the roadbook, wanting to attack desperately. So expect at least him.
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| Ybodonk |
Posted on 15-07-2012 07:56
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If Evans attacks on a "flat" stage then he should definately attack today.
Some kind of brekaway will win today, but tomorrow is almost flat, and tuesday is a rest day, so Evans, Nibali and Van Den Broeck dont have any reason to save their energi today, because they will have time to recover to the big stages wednesday and thursday.
Im hoping and expecting, Evans, Nibali and Van Den Broeck to attack today. Hopefully already on the first climb so Wiggins will be isolated pretty quickly. |
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| ember |
Posted on 15-07-2012 08:01
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Mur de Peguere looks incredibly tough on its final 3 kilometers, hopefully there's only Wiggins and Froome left for Sky there, meaning attacks should at least cause exciting racing, as long as Porte and Rogers are not there to catch them.
Does anyone know if the descent from Mur de Peguere is technical? Also, Liquigas' sport director said Nibali had big plans for the Pyrenees, and if he hasn't given up on yellow, today is the day to start gain time. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 04:53
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| Teddy The Creator |
Posted on 15-07-2012 08:18
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| CountArach |
Posted on 15-07-2012 08:20
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Ybodonk wrote:
If Evans attacks on a "flat" stage then he should definately attack today.
Some kind of brekaway will win today, but tomorrow is almost flat, and tuesday is a rest day, so Evans, Nibali and Van Den Broeck dont have any reason to save their energi today, because they will have time to recover to the big stages wednesday and thursday.
Im hoping and expecting, Evans, Nibali and Van Den Broeck to attack today. Hopefully already on the first climb so Wiggins will be isolated pretty quickly.
Wiggins won't get isolated that early. His team is ludicrously strong at the moment.
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 15-07-2012 08:26
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I've written this a dozen of time, but I'll stick to my words. In my opinion, there shouldn't be more than 8 riders per team on Grand Tours. Smaller peloton, less stress, teams more balanced between mountains and flat, and a little more freedom for breakaways.
22 riders less, that could also leave room for one or two extra wild-cards. |
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| iNSUPERABLE |
Posted on 15-07-2012 08:32
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Aquarius wrote:
I've written this a dozen of time, but I'll stick to my words. In my opinion, there shouldn't be more than 8 riders per team on Grand Tours. Smaller peloton, less stress, teams more balanced between mountains and flat, and a little more freedom for breakaways.
22 riders less, that could also leave room for one or two extra wild-cards.
respect for this guy  |
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| Speedtrash |
Posted on 15-07-2012 08:32
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I really dont understand why they are always wasting great climbs with another 50km to the finish (40km today)
I agree with Ybodonk, VDB and co. should attack today, there isnt too many options left and until wednesday there are no other mountains
anyway the stage could be interesting, its always up and down and to the bottom of Port de Lers, the peloton will still climb around 500m |
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| Ybodonk |
Posted on 15-07-2012 08:34
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CountArach wrote:
Ybodonk wrote:
If Evans attacks on a "flat" stage then he should definately attack today.
Some kind of brekaway will win today, but tomorrow is almost flat, and tuesday is a rest day, so Evans, Nibali and Van Den Broeck dont have any reason to save their energi today, because they will have time to recover to the big stages wednesday and thursday.
Im hoping and expecting, Evans, Nibali and Van Den Broeck to attack today. Hopefully already on the first climb so Wiggins will be isolated pretty quickly.
Wiggins won't get isolated that early. His team is ludicrously strong at the moment.
Well if Evans Nibali and VDB attacks like bees smelling honey, then they will drop pretty quickly. The other day it was Rogers who did set the pace for 60 KM. As soon as they attacked, the next in line Richie Porte dropped immediately. If they ride in Sky's tempo then it would be hard to isolate him, but if they attack early, and continues to do so, then he will be isolated quickly. But lets say.. Would be so fun if wiggins gets in trouble and then froome wouldnt know what to do  |
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| Vien |
Posted on 15-07-2012 08:37
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Sagan to attack, get green Jersey points, then help Nibali on the descent?
And Aquarius, you're so right 
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| SotD |
Posted on 15-07-2012 08:51
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Vien wrote:
Sagan to attack, get green Jersey points, then help Nibali on the descent?
And Aquarius, you're so right
... and then win the stage. Sounds plausible...
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| alex valceanu |
Posted on 15-07-2012 09:05
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I just bet 6$ on Fedrigo . Hope he is in the breakaway . |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 15-07-2012 09:19
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Climbs are too far from the finish.
Breakaway.
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| Ybodonk |
Posted on 15-07-2012 10:00
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Evans just stated he wont attack today since its too far away from the finish.
- Stage just ruined, unless Nibali and VDB gives us some action.. |
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| tyriion |
Posted on 15-07-2012 10:07
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You can't really expect GC action in a stage like this. Only if weird stuff happens the GC will change, but you can't expect that as it wouldn't be weird if you think it possible
Check out my ManGame team here
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| Ybodonk |
Posted on 15-07-2012 10:20
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tyriion wrote:
You can't really expect GC action in a stage like this. Only if weird stuff happens the GC will change, but you can't expect that as it wouldn't be weird if you think it possible
I actually can. Let me tell you why.
There is 3 stages left to gain time.
The first is today.
There is almost 26 km downhill From the top mur de peguere, and 13 "flat" km.
From 152.5km - 178km it goes down.
yesterday evans attacked with over 20 flat km to the finish with a lot of headwind.
So every reasonable logic says that today is a 1000 times better opportunity compared to yesterday.
Furthermore a big part of the downhill is pretty difficult.
And they have no reason of saving their energy for tomorrow or tuesday. So they should ride with all they have today.
The key will be early attacks and isolating wiggins and froome
Edited by Ybodonk on 15-07-2012 10:21
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| kumazan |
Posted on 15-07-2012 10:29
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Stupid flat run in. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
They should finish in the first pass through Foix. But no. Dumb asses.
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