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TdF'13 Stage 16 - Vaison-la-Romaine to Gap (July 16)
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| Malkael |
Posted on 15-07-2013 11:20
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Stage 16 - Vaison-la-Romaine to Gap
With the rest day in Vaucluse behind them, the Tour de France recommences with a transition stage to Gap, for the beginning of a difficult third week of racing. The parcours should invoke a sense of deja vu, as the 100th edition of le Tour de France revisits the scene of one of the decisive moments in the 2011 Tour de France.
Compared to Stage 16 of the 2011 Tour de France, the 2013 Tour de France will depart from the town of Vaison-la-Romaine, lengthening the 2013 stage by 7.5km to 168km. The peloton will journey 145km from Vaison-la-Romaine to the town of Gap, before climbing the Col de Manse and descending back in to Gap for the finish.
With the addition of two categorised climbs early in the stage, the 2013 parcours are arguably harder then those used in 2011. The stage begins similarly to Stage 9 in the French Pyrenees, as the peloton climbs two categorised climbs within just 50km of the stage's beginning. Could we be about to witness another hectic opening similar to Stage 9?
The Category 3 Côte de la Montagne de Bluye and the Category 2 Col de Macuègne are both longer then their Pyrenees contemporaries, but, perhaps crucially, feature lower average gradients. The summit of the Côte de la Montagne de Bluye, with an average gradient of 5.6% and 5.7km in length, arrives 17.5km in to the parcours. Whilst the summit of the Col de Macuègne, with an average gradient of 5.2% and 7.6km in length, arrives just 30.5km afterwards.
Once the cyclists crest the summit of the Col de Macuègne they begin the 36km descent down to Châteauneuf-de-Chabre, where the terrain will begin to ascend again towards Gap. The journey towards Gap is hardly difficult, but much like the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, there is little respite for the cyclists due to the persistent false flats.
Intermediate Sprint
The Intermediate Sprint is located in Vaynes, some 22km before the peloton descend in to Gap. The Points Classification is almost firmly concluded, with the eventual winner only liable to differ should Peter Sagan, of Cannondale, fall afoul of something. So the Intermediate Sprint will unlikely be that fiercely contested by the competition's contenders, unless someone fancies pocketing some additional prize money.
Col de Manse
After descending down in to Gap, the peloton will journey through the town to begin the climb of the Category 2 Col de Manse. Those with a decent memory should remember that the climb of the Col de Manse was where Alberto Contador launched two attacks, to be joined by Cadel Evans and Samuel Sanchez during the descent. The Col de Manse's summit lies just 11.5km from Stage 16's finish within the town of Gap, and is 9.5km in length with an average gradient of just 5.2%.
Whilst the ascent of the Col de Manse will be easier than those in the High Alps, the descent will be challenging, as the peloton descend at speed along the small country roads and encounter several technical corners and switchbacks. Which will only become worst should the weather decide to interfere, with several weather forecasts current predicting a chance of precipitation occurring during the stage on Tuesday.
Final Kilometres
Should the forecasts prove correct and rain shower eventuate, it will only further increase the sense of deja vu surrounding the stage. With the descent stretching in to the town of Gap and the finishing line, we should be in for a high octane finale. The final kilometre will be the flattest section of the descent, as the cyclists stream under the Flamme Rouge and accelerate towards the finishing line.
During Stage 16 of the 2011 Tour de France the breakaway claimed the stage victory, with Thor Hushovd of Garmin-Cervélo the stage winner. In 2013, the breakaway may again be the favourites to capture the limelight. However, predicting which stages the breakaway might receive some leeway on has been difficult in the 2013 Tour de France.
Attempting to predict the composition of the breakaway of the day is always a challenge. However, despite a tiring effort in Stage 15 to Mont Ventoux, we may potentially see Peter Sagan attempt to join another breakaway after the rest day. Certainly it would be easier for his team then trying to control the race for potentially over 100km. Whilst teams like Orica-GreenEDGE will also be eager to get another rider in to the breakaway.
Regardless of Chris Froome's current dominance of the General Classification, the 2013 Tour de France has been anything but predictable at times. So it will be interesting to see whether any of the General Classification favourites attempt to repeat Stage 9's unexpected excitement. The other option on the cards for some of the General Classification riders is to attack over the Col de Manse and attempt to distance their rivals on the tricky descent, as Alberto Contador, of Team Saxo-Tinkoff, attempted in 2011.
With the rest day just gone and the individual time trial the next day, which will allow for slightly more rest then a full road stage, should we expect any fireworks? With the breakaway's opportunities quite limited so far in the 2013 Tour de France, will this be another stage for the breakaway? |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 15-07-2013 11:21
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Tour de France Champion
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I thought Schleck the Great had decided we wouldn't have this silly stage anymore?
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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| Selwink |
Posted on 15-07-2013 11:21
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There can only be one winner, his first name is Philippe.
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 15-07-2013 11:26
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Selwink wrote:
There can only be one winner, his first name is Philippe.
Nah, that guy disappeared after 2011.
Could go to practically any rider. Clear breakaway victory.
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| Selwink |
Posted on 15-07-2013 11:30
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Pellizotti2 wrote:
Selwink wrote:
There can only be one winner, his first name is Philippe.
Nah, that guy disappeared after 2011.
Could go to practically any rider. Clear breakaway victory.
He was invisible at 2 certain days in september 2012 for you as well? Besides, the only reason he doesnt ride for himself is because he has to work for Evans for some reason. According to himself, he is in a great shape
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| issoisso |
Posted on 15-07-2013 11:33
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There's no question that Gilbert disappeared after 2011.
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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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 10:31
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| Selwink |
Posted on 15-07-2013 11:35
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issoisso wrote:
There's no question that Gilbert disappeared after 2011.
He became world champion I dont know what its for you, but becoming world champion does not seem like you are constantly on the background. I admit, he failed in the ardennes and in the Tour, but to say he totally disappeared, I dont think thats true
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 15-07-2013 11:44
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Gilbert did impress me yesterday, finished in front of Evans. I hope BMC have finaly realised the GC is gone, and that Gilbert can go his own way.
Still, it will be hard to beat Sagan
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| samdiatmh |
Posted on 15-07-2013 12:08
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TT immediately following, breakaway wins |
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 15-07-2013 12:10
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issoisso wrote:
There's no question that Gilbert disappeared after 2011.
I'd say there was another Gilbert in 2011. His level in '09, '10, '12, '13 is very comparable
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 15-07-2013 12:14
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Ollfardh wrote:
Still, it will be hard to beat Sagan
I doubt he'll be a contender, for several reasons:
- Unlikely to be in the long breakaway.
- Cannondale aren't strong enough to pull back the break themselves
- Col de Manse might be a bit too long for him, especially if Contador or someone else goes bananas like 2011.
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 15-07-2013 12:20
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Sagan has only one stage win and baring a miracle on the Champs, that will stay so unless he wins tomorrow. Don't think he is happy with only one stage win.
I wouldn't say his team is not strong enough. They were very impressive in Albi (more impressive as opqs on the echelon-stage imo) and have literally done no work at all since then. Unless a very big group like in Lyon gets away, I think they will bring it back.
He had no problem whatsoever following guys like Mollema, Kreuziger and Costa on the first stage he won in Suisse. That climb was very comparable.
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| Wilier |
Posted on 15-07-2013 12:38
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Vacansoleil pulls out Danny van Poppel, as he's still young and the final week will be too hard on him. |
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 15-07-2013 12:45
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Good move. Don't think Astana will pull out Lutsenko as they only have Gaspa and Gavazzi plus the corpses of Bazayev and Muravyev to protect Fuglsang
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| BritPCMFan |
Posted on 15-07-2013 13:04
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I predict Andy Shleck will say the stage should stop at the top of Manse.
Edited by BritPCMFan on 15-07-2013 13:05
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| fickman |
Posted on 15-07-2013 13:06
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Selwink wrote:
There can only be one winner, his first name is Philippe.
Is this guy still in the Tour???  |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 15-07-2013 13:06
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Tour de France Champion
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Spilak23 wrote:
issoisso wrote:
There's no question that Gilbert disappeared after 2011.
I'd say there was another Gilbert in 2011.
Which disappeared afterwards. It's exactly what Pellizotti is saying and I'm echoing.
I think this may be a problem with understanding english.
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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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 15-07-2013 13:21
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issoisso wrote:
Spilak23 wrote:
issoisso wrote:
There's no question that Gilbert disappeared after 2011.
I'd say there was another Gilbert in 2011.
Which disappeared afterwards. It's exactly what Pellizotti is saying and I'm echoing.
I think this may be a problem with understanding english.
Or a problem with pressing the incorrect "quote" button. |
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 15-07-2013 13:56
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I also think Cannondale will die for a win in this stage, of course if Sagan will not jump to the break already or if the group will be too big to pull down. But i have some doubts Peter can hold with the best on that last climb, if Saxo will turn on the rampage mode. It depends on how Conta will feel,maybe they will be saving themselves for next brutal stages.
But race for win is over anyway. Gilbert is not such a bad bet for this stage imo.
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| ShortsNL |
Posted on 15-07-2013 14:03
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Sounds more like a matter of different perspectives coupled with figure of speech:
-Gilbert's performances in 2011 have not returned. His performances have disappeared, and as such Gilbert as a cyclist has 'disappeared'.
-Gilbert's performances are back on par with what they were except for 2011. Therefore he has transformed back to normal and one could even say the real Gilbert has 'reappeared'.
Figure of speech is nice and all, but when you're trying to get a point across it can be confusing.
----
Back on topic: maybe Rui Costa as an attacker somewhere? Has lost enough time in the GC to maybe even be allowed in the breakaway.
Edited by ShortsNL on 15-07-2013 14:05
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