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TdF'13 Stage 21 - Versailles to Paris (July 21)
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 10:45
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| Malkael |
Posted on 20-07-2013 16:33
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Stage 21 - Versailles to Paris
The 100th edition of le Tour de France departs with a monumental grand finale upon the Champs-Élysées. As the race concludes in the midst of the extraordinary celebratory atmosphere expected, and amidst the impressive backdrop of the Parisian sunset. Having cycled some 3,404 kilometres, the peloton receive the opportunity to celebrate, before refocusing on the historical stage victory at stake.
Such a historic occasion requires an impressive stage beginning, and race organisers ASO have not disappointed. The peloton shall begin the neutralised section of Stage 21 near the Palace of Versailles, skirting her lush landscape and grand canal en route to the official beginning of the stage. The parcours will journey through some of the countryside which skirts the metropolis, encountering two Category 4 climbs during the journey.
The King of the Mountains points, like the Intermediate Sprint, will be contested by the peloton solely for the prize money and pride on offer. With the peloton first encountering the Category 4 Côte de Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, one kilometre in length at an average gradient of 6.9%. Whilst the Category 4 Côte de Châteaufort follows shortly afterwards, at 900 metres in length at an average gradient of 4.7%. More suited and comparable to sprinting in effort than a gruelling 40 minute battle ascending one of the French Alps.
Intermediate Sprint
The Intermediate Sprint will be a decisive battle for pride and prize money than the coveted Maillot Vert (Green Jersey) of the Points Classification. The peloton will have completed four passages of the extended Champs-Élysées circuit before the Intermediate Sprint arrives on the horizon. The sprint will likely be won by someone from the traditional breakaway that usually forms on the Champs-Élysées.
Upon arriving on the fabled Champs-Élysées, the peloton shall complete eleven circuits of the legendary course. Unlike previous years, the peloton shall circle around the Arc de Triomphe, rather than the usual makeshift 180 degree hairpin bend negotiated by the peloton nearby. Upon completing their tenth passage of the Champs-Élysées circuit, the peloton shall hear the bell signalling the final lap and fiercely contest for the stage victory during their eleventh passage.
Final Kilometres
The finish upon the Champs-Élysées should be familiar to everyone, however, if you are indeed new to the sport and the Tour de France then a warm welcome to thee. Positioning leading in to, and going out of, the final corner before the finish upon the Champs-Élysées will be important once again. The sprinter's teams can be expected to maintain a fierce pace on the front of the peloton to position their respective sprinter ahead of his rivals approaching the finishing straight.
Stage Favourites & Outsiders
Despite considerable competition from Lotto-Belisol and Argos-Shimano, Mark Cavendish and Omega Pharma-Quickstep are, arguably, outright favourites for the stage victory. The 'Manx Missile' constantly delivers on the Champs-Élysées, and has taken the stage honours for four consecutive years. Whilst Cavendish has not been as dominant in the sprints as he would have desired in the 2013 Tour de France, he usually manages to rediscovery his greatest form for the Champs-Élysées.
Another factor favouring Cavendish is the weakening of the Lotto-Belisol sprint train, following the unfortunate abandonment of Marcel Seiberg. However, the superb organisation of Andre Greipel's lead out should, and probably will, cover for the manpower loss. Should his Lotto-Belisol team guide him in to the optimal position, we could be witnessing the death of Cavendish's hegemony upon the Champs-Élysées finish.
Just like Lotto-Belisol, the Argos-Shimano sprint train has also been weakened by the abandonment of a key member. However, the loss of Tom Veelers could be far worse for Marcel Kittel than Seiberg's loss may be for Greipel. In spite of that, Marcel Kittel has the confidence and form to defeat both Greipel and Cavendish in the bunch sprint. The dominant German has even shown that he can switch lead outs should the need arise.
Almost certain for a finish somewhere within the top five for the stage is Peter Sagan. He arguably lacks the top end speed required to defeat Cavendish, Greipel and Kittel. However, he compensates through his excellent positioning and ability to, usually, follow the right wheel. Sagan’s ability to position himself could see him in the opportune position to snatch an unexpected victory should something befall the stage favourites.
Another outsider for the stage victory will be Orica-GreenEDGE's Matthew Goss. Quite like Sagan, his chances of a stage victory seem slim and restricted to the favourites faultering. However, with the absolute support of his team and a decent lead out, the Australian cannot be entirely discounter. It would be quite the superb conclusion to their successful 2013 journey, should they somehow unexpectedly steal the stage victory.
So will Mark Cavendish make it a fifth consecutive victory on the Champs-Élysées? Or will the party be upset by one of the other sprinters finally? Who knows maybe for the 100th Edition we will get a real surprise, but that is doubtful.
It has been quite an adventure for sure, and an honour to delight everyone with daily previews for Le Tour. See you around for some La Vuelta previews come August? Or maybe sooner... 
Edited by Malkael on 20-07-2013 16:57
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 20-07-2013 16:38
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Tour de France Champion
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Someone pulls a Vino I hope.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| kumazan |
Posted on 20-07-2013 16:39
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The nicest post-Tour critérium. And lol dat profile, it looks like a hill in the Champs.
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 20-07-2013 16:40
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World Champion
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Gotta be Cav, however I would not be surprised if Kittel spoils his party. Should be a good battle between those two.
Edited by Alakagom on 20-07-2013 16:41
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 20-07-2013 16:41
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World Champion
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Just gotta say, great work with these threads. The previews are very detailed so good job. Thanks for doing it all Tour (or most anyway, cant remember if you did the first few stages)
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| CountArach |
Posted on 20-07-2013 16:44
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Grand Tour Champion
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I agree, these have been incredible. Thanks for all your hard work, it has made things much easier to get good access to information.
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 20-07-2013 16:45
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valverde321 wrote:
Just gotta say, great work with these threads. The previews are very detailed so good job. Thanks for doing it all Tour (or most anyway, cant remember if you did the first few stages)
Agreed. They must have taken you forever.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Wilier |
Posted on 20-07-2013 16:46
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Greipel lost Sieberg. Kittel lost Veelers. Cavendish' team probably the strongest, that day. The last corner is propably decisive so I say Cav, before Kittel.
Edited by Wilier on 20-07-2013 18:56
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| jph27 |
Posted on 20-07-2013 18:41
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Cav by some way, I reckon. |
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| BritPCMFan |
Posted on 20-07-2013 19:08
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Stagiare
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Cav again. I Lottos train weakened and I dont think Kittel will have the power after the last 3 days. I think the simple reason Cav wins Champs all the time isnt just due to him being the best flat man, its because no sprinter (other then Sagan i guess) survives GTs better.
It why i also think Sagan will be second and might run him close. |
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 20-07-2013 19:09
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Cavendish with a mile or two 
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| Jacdk |
Posted on 20-07-2013 19:40
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I always feel so sad that we wont see any attacks in the GC on the last day, because how cool would it be with a bit of TTT into paris.
Contador - Saxobank chased by Moviestar and Katusha. and not to mention the sprinter teams
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 20-07-2013 21:59
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Can't wait to wake up tomorrow and take the Metro to the Champs Elysses 
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 20-07-2013 22:02
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Gilbert to pull a vino to celebrate our new King Philippe |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 20-07-2013 23:27
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Tour de France Champion
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Hope that Greipel wins tomorrow
If not then Cav for number 5 on the Champs Elysees  |
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| lakebeach |
Posted on 20-07-2013 23:35
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I hope we can spot the riders in the darkness
"It's very hard to work with other guys because nobody wants to work with me so it's better to drop everybody." - Peter Sagan |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 20-07-2013 23:36
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Tour de France Champion
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Just seen on Sky news that French police have fired tear gas at a crowd of people just outside Paris 
Hope it doesn't affect tomorrow's final stage  |
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| 547984 |
Posted on 21-07-2013 03:35
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Personally don't care who wins...unless a Vino is pulled.
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar! |
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| Trout80 |
Posted on 21-07-2013 05:58
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Cavendish  |
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| sylvao |
Posted on 21-07-2013 07:55
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Maybe Sagan, on the back wheel |
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