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TdF'13 Stage 15 - Givors to Mont Ventoux (July 14)
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| Malkael |
Posted on 13-07-2013 15:55
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Stage 15 - Givors to Mont Ventoux
The 100th edition of le Tour de France visits one of the most infamous and venerated climbs in France, the Mont Ventoux. The peloton shall journey 221.7km from the town of Givors to the foot of the Mont Ventoux for a monolithic showdown between those hoping to seal a historic stage victory and those hoping to secure a lofty position in the General Classification.
As the longest stage in this year's Tour de France, there will be some serious miles in the legs of peloton before they ascend the alien slopes of the Mont Ventoux. Make no mistake, despite the absence of a Category 1 or Hors Categorie ascent before the Mont Ventoux, the parcours for Stage 15 are hardly easy going.
With five categorised climbs, and several uncategorised climbs, spread throughout the 242.5km stage, the cyclists will be feeling the burn approaching the ascent of the Mont Ventoux. Stage 15 will be unforgiving on those unfortunate cyclists already suffering physically, mentally, or just having an off day. Today could easily spell the end of at least one General Classification contender's ambitions, should anyone find themselves experiencing an off-coloured day.
The King of the Mountains competition returns in style as a classification for the best climber, with a massive 50 points on offer for cresting the summit of the Mont Ventoux. In comparison, there are just a meagre five points on offer over the three Category 4 climbs and one Category 3 climb preceding the Mont Ventoux. So while Pierre Rolland, of Europcar, has established a gap over his rivals, the competition could yet be turned upon its head.
Intermediate Sprint
The Intermediate Sprint is positioned just 34.5km from Stage 15's finish atop the Mont Ventoux, near the village of Malaucène. While Peter Sagan, of Cannondale, still firmly leads the Points competition, his rivals are apparently still keen to challenge him all the way to the Champs-Élysées. Should the Slovakian come to grief during the remainder of the Tour de France, then Mark Cavendish, of Omega Pharma-Quickstep, current holds a significant lead over Andre Greipel, of Lotto-Belisol.
The Mont Ventoux
With three different routes by which to ascend the Mont Ventoux, race organisers ASO have chosen the most famous and gruelling of the three, the ascent from the village of Bédoin. While the ascent from the village of Malaucène is, arguably, equally as difficult, the route is usually better sheltered from the infamous Mistral wind which often plagues the mountain. The riders will be attentively aware of the possibility of the wind disastrously affecting them during the final kilometres of the ascent.
The ascent of the Mont Ventoux from Bédoin begins relatively easy for the initial five kilometres of the climb, starting with an average gradient of 3% and rising up to 5.8%. The average gradient for the remaining 15.8km of the climb rarely descends below 7.5% and soars as high as 10.6%. Excluding one section a mere one kilometre in length at an gradient of 5.5% beginning at 5.8km to go, the ascent of the Mont Ventoux is relentless.
While a repeat of 1994, where Eros Poli claimed the stage honours after breaking away from the peloton, cannot be entirely ruled out, the breakaway is not expected to claim the stage victory. However, one would not begrudge the likes of Thomas De Gendt, of Vacansoleil-DCM, for daring to attempt the improbable, should he give it a go. The Belgian does have a knack of trying the audacious in the mountains, and sometimes succeeding.
Despite looking vulnerable during Stages 9 and 13 of the Tour de France, outright favourite for the stage victory will, arguably, be Chris Froome, of Team Sky. While just over a week will have past since his dominant display en route to the Ax 3 Domaines Ski Resort in the French Pyrenees on Stage 8. The, Kenyan-born, British cyclist has shown the best form so far in the high mountains.
The eyes of the world will no doubt be fixed upon Colombian climber Nairo Quintana, of Movistar. After the unfortunate demise of Alejandro Valverde's General Classification dreams after a wind assisted assassination in Stage 13, the Colombian is now the undisputed leader of the Movistar team in the General Classification. The steepness of the Mont Ventoux perfectly suits the strong points of Quintana, and it would not be surprising to see the punchy climber attempt at least one attack while the gradient is at its steepest.
The situation is quite similar for diminutive Spanish climber Joaquim Rodriguez, of Team Katusha. Whilst with Valverde's dreams of a podium finish in the Tour de France shattered, the Spaniard has been talking up the chances of Movistar going on the offensive, so it shouldn't surprise if Valverde tries an attack. Meanwhile, BMC will be eager to try and salvage something from the Tour de France with Cadel Evans and Tejay van Garderen.
Without a doubt we should expect to see Contador and Kreuziger, of Team Saxo-Tinkoff, up there along with Bauke Mollema and Laurens ten Dam, of Team Belkin. With such a arduous final climb, the stage victory could very well go to whoever happens to be carrying the best form in to Stage 15, as the wheat gets sorted from the chaff.
Time for another showdown in the mountains between the General Classification riders and those plucky climbers hoping for a stage victory and the King of the Mountain Points on offer. Will we see Froome utterly annihilate the competition again? Or have Team Sky taken the Maillot Jaune too early this year and blunted themselves in the process? Or will a Frenchman win on Bastille Day? |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 10:52
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| XxMillad24Xx |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:00
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Froome because there isn't any major climbs before Ventoux, so the train will be intact. If not, maybe someone like Valverde, Schleck, or Rolland
Edited by XxMillad24Xx on 13-07-2013 16:01
"Cycling is now the the world's cleanest sport." - Chris Froome
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| jsh312mufc |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:08
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voeckler from a long break |
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| wogsrus |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:08
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We predicting a breakaway or GC riders to get stage win? |
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| Kirchen_75 |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:10
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Grand Tour Champion
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Head: Froomacher
Heart: Froomacher punctures at the bottom twice. Bertie wins and takes yellow |
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| jph27 |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:18
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Pinot. |
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:22
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World Champion
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thinking a break a la Gárate
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| Teddy The Creator |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:23
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A breakaway will win a la Rolland in 2011, but Froome will still gain on Contador, Mollema etc. and the race will be over (not like it isn't already). |
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| Ste117 |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:31
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Teddy The Creator wrote:
A breakaway will win a la Rolland in 2011, but Froome will still gain on Contador, Mollema etc. and the race will be over (not like it isn't already).
Rolland won on L'Alpe du Huez didn't he?
MG Team manager Team Ticos Air Costa Rica
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:33
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XxMillad24Xx wrote:
Froome because there isn't any major climbs before Ventoux, so the train will be intact. If not, maybe someone like Valverde, Schleck, or Rolland
Keep dreaming 
Another stage win for the dawg. After the echelons, he'll be looking for revenge and will go full retard again. Quintana, Mollema and Purito will be closest to him. Contador will once again lose time, dragging Kreuziger with him.
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:35
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World Champion
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jph27 wrote:
Pinot.
This. Either Pinot or Schleck tomorrow. |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:40
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Tour de France Champion
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Froome goes full retard and approaches Pantani's times
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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| Strydz |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:44
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issoisso wrote:
Froome goes full retard and approaches Pantani's times
Pretty much sums up what my prediction
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald
https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/ |
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| Kentaurus |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:48
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I'm thinking breakaway wins, so look for the best climber there, Van Garderen maybe? BMC needs to do something. After that though, Froome will dust off all of his competitors and finish 2nd or 3rd ahead of Quintana, Purito and Mollema.
Edit: BTW another great preview.
Edited by Kentaurus on 13-07-2013 16:52
AZTECA - NBCSN  |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:49
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Grand Tour Champion
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Yep Froome will win and it will be painful to watch.
So now the big question - will every French team get a rider in the break for Bastille Day and, if so, will they then chase all of the attacks from the other Frenchies?
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| arthon |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:50
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Domestique
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TVG is already spent from today's effort, you can't be surely expecting something from him tomorrow? |
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| Kentaurus |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:53
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arthon wrote:
TVG is already spent from today's effort, you can't be surely expecting something from him tomorrow?
Didn't get to see today's stage, so didn't know he did anything. In that case would have to look for someone else.
AZTECA - NBCSN |
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| Selwink |
Posted on 13-07-2013 16:56
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Pinot might take this
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 13-07-2013 17:09
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Tour de France Champion
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This is going to be a killer of a day with two hundred and forty two kilometres and Mount Ventoux thrown in at the end 
Survival of the fittest me thinks  |
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| Andro |
Posted on 13-07-2013 17:10
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Domestique
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Andy could have a great shot at it if he tries, but he will probably wait till one of the other mountain top finishes.
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