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TdF'13 Stage 14 - Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule to Lyon (July 13)
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| Malkael |
Posted on 12-07-2013 16:17
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Stage 14 - Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule to Lyon
The 100th edition of le Tour de France bids farewell to the domain of the sprinters, as the race traverses the Beaujolais mountains en route to Lyon. As the peloton journey the 191km from the town of Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule to the city of Lyon. With several categorised climbs along Stage 14's parcours (route) there are a variety of race situations which could arise, all dependent on how hard one or more teams wish to force the tempo.
There will be little respite for the peloton after they depart from Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, as they encounter seven categorised climbs and, at least, one uncategorised climb. With several ascents, descents, and false flats featuring in the parcours (route) the stage should be hardest of all the transition stages to Lyon. The peloton will be well within the city of Lyon before the road truly levels out, with just under 10km to go to the stage finish.
Intermediate Sprint
It is questionable whether the Intermediate Sprint fiercely contested with Peter Sagan, of Cannondale, almost confirmed to be the winner of the Points classification over Andre Greipel and Mark Cavendish. The Intermediate Sprint arrives 109.5km in to Stage 14 after the ascent of the two Category 4 climbs of the Côte de Marcigny and Côte de la Croix Couverte. Leaving the possibility of Cannondale attempting to put Greipel and Cavendish in difficulty wide-open.
With five Category 4 climbs and two Category 3 climbs scattered along the parcours, there is a grand total of nine points on offer in the King of the Mountains classification. With Pierre Rolland, of Europcar, holding a significant lead over anyone not involved in the General Classification. The likes of Simon Clarke, of Orica-GreenEDGE, will need to score large and often if they hope to challenge.
The peloton will first ascend the quartet of the Category 4 Côte de Marcigny and Côte de la Croix Couverte, and the Category 3 Côte de Thizy-les-Bourgs and Col du Pilon. The Côte de Marcigny. The ascent of the Côte de Marcigny is recorded as being 1.9km in length at an average gradient of 4.9%. The following ascent of the Côte de la Croix meanwhile is 2.6km at an average gradient of 5.3%. While the ensuing Category 3 climbs begins with the Côte de Thizy-les-Bourgs, some 1.7km at an average gradient of 8.2%. Shortly followed by the Col du Pilon at 6.6km in length and an average gradient of 4.4%.
After which the peloton descend roughly 22km to begin yet another succession of climbs, as they ascend the Category 4 Côte de Lozanne, Côte de la Duchère, and lastly Côte de la Croix Rousse. The ascent of the Côte de Lozanne is recorded as being 2.5km in length at an average gradient of 4%. With the ascent of the Côte de la Duchère is shorter at 1.6km with an average gradient of 4.1%. While the ascent of the Côte de la Croix Rousse, whose summit is within 10km of the stage finish, is 1.8km in length at an average gradient of 4.5%.
Final Kilometers
Compared to Stage 12 and 13, the finish in Lyon should be relatively straight forward. While there are a couple of sweeping 90-degree turns located over two kilometres from the finish line, the roads after the ascent of the Category 4 Côte de la Croix Rousse are for the most part dead straight. Should our stage winner be determined by a bunch sprint it should perfectly suit those with an organised lead out and the ability to reach soaring top end speeds, as a lengthy finishing straight coaxes out the drag racers in the peloton.
On paper this seems to be a decent stage for a breakaway to potentially stay away until the end and take the stage victory. However, we all saw how well that almost worked out during Stage 9 in the Pyrenees, until Dan Martin and Jakob Fuglsang broke free. Though, the breakaway should, in theory, have a better chance of staying away today with the General Classification riders likely keeping their energy in reserve for Stage 15's showdown on the Mont Ventoux.
In comparison to the last three flat transition stages, Stage 14 may be touch and go for several of the sprinters. Due to the rolling nature of the terrain along the parcours, a constantly high tempo could potentially spell danger for the sprinter, excluding Sagan. In the event that the sprinters do approach the finish in Lyon with the peloton, it may be a contest between those who have the best legs at the end of the stage. With the raging bull that is Marcel Kittel, of Argos-Shimano, arguably the outright favourite thanks to his impressive sprint performances and improved climbing during the Tour de France.
A day for Sagan? Or will a plucky breakaway steal the stage victory from under his nose? If it does come down to a large bunch sprint, do you favour Cavendish? Greipel? Or Kittel? Or could we amazingly see another surprise in the General Classification?
Edited by Malkael on 12-07-2013 16:18
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 12-07-2013 16:17
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World Champion
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Could be another awesome stage seeing Sky is very weak. Although this time Froome will be paying more attention for sure.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 10:32
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| titleist82 |
Posted on 12-07-2013 16:19
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After today's carnage, this stage is for a breakaway indeed. |
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 12-07-2013 16:24
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Perfect stage for a breakaway. |
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| Sankt Croix |
Posted on 12-07-2013 16:28
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A stage for Thomas Voeckler. |
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| Kirchen_75 |
Posted on 12-07-2013 16:33
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Grand Tour Champion
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Gilbert. |
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| cactus-jack |
Posted on 12-07-2013 16:49
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Classics Specialist
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Is Gilbert even in the Tour?
There's a fine line between "psychotherapist" and "psycho the rapist"
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| Mwuhi |
Posted on 12-07-2013 16:54
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Stagiare
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Hoogerland for sure. He had an extra rest day today, so...^^
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| Bahrdk |
Posted on 12-07-2013 16:56
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Under 23
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Lars Bak is going to win for sure! #ThaDanishPower! |
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| Wilier |
Posted on 12-07-2013 17:09
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Another interesting stage to try and screw Sky over, maybe? |
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| Roman |
Posted on 12-07-2013 17:26
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This could be another epic stage, if it will be played rightly. 
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 12-07-2013 17:28
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Will take something extreme to match today, so I'm keeping my expectations low.
Break or Sagan ftw.
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| Malkael |
Posted on 12-07-2013 17:49
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Sprinter
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Agree with Pelli here after today's tough stage.
Keep the expectations low for something to happen in the GC, and then get utterly surprised and overjoyed if something does eventuate. |
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| Metriz- |
Posted on 12-07-2013 17:59
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Domestique
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Malkael wrote:
Agree with Pelli here after today's tough stage.
Keep the expectations low for something to happen in the GC, and then get utterly surprised and overjoyed if something does eventuate.
Ventoux on sunday makes GC changes VERY unlikely tomorrow.
Lotto will try and get Bak/Hansen/De Clercq in the break which makes the break more likely to succeed.
Cannondale should try and make a sprint for Sagan, afterall he's the only reasen they are here, but it's unlikely they will get any help so they probably won't.
If Cavendish gets over Col du Pilon with the peloton I could see them help Cannondale if the gap isn't too big.
This and Gap (maybe Le Grand Bornand, but I hope the favourites will give it a go too) are the only stages left for the breakaway ridders, and they haven't really had a chance so far, so I think everybody will give it a go. |
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| Ybodonk |
Posted on 12-07-2013 19:49
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Domestique
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Metriz- wrote:
Malkael wrote:
Agree with Pelli here after today's tough stage.
Keep the expectations low for something to happen in the GC, and then get utterly surprised and overjoyed if something does eventuate.
Ventoux on sunday makes GC changes VERY unlikely tomorrow.
Lotto will try and get Bak/Hansen/De Clercq in the break which makes the break more likely to succeed.
Cannondale should try and make a sprint for Sagan, afterall he's the only reasen they are here, but it's unlikely they will get any help so they probably won't.
If Cavendish gets over Col du Pilon with the peloton I could see them help Cannondale if the gap isn't too big.
This and Gap (maybe Le Grand Bornand, but I hope the favourites will give it a go too) are the only stages left for the breakaway ridders, and they haven't really had a chance so far, so I think everybody will give it a go.
This pretty much sums up tomorrows stage. Furthermore Saxo/Belkin/QPS guys are extremely exhausted. Especially from the interviews made with Saxo riders. So they will save energy for the mytholocigal and epic Mount Ventoux  |
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| Malkael |
Posted on 12-07-2013 20:06
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Sprinter
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No surprise considering how hard they must have been riding to establish, and grow, that gap. Still expecting the breakaway to hopefully take the stage victory, though Sagan is that diverse he could get in there too if needed. Though that still counts as a breakaway win I guess.
There are apparently more winds forecast for Stage 14, just light winds at the moment however. Though, I remember them forecasting little interference from the wind for today  . Window of opportunity is about 60km, from the beginning of the stage.
Most teams are probably hoping for a break from the wind after today however.
Edited by Malkael on 12-07-2013 20:07
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| Jacdk |
Posted on 12-07-2013 20:11
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Breakaway Specialist
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Considering that Mt. Ventoux is the day after i think tomorrow will be a nice relaxing stage where most likly a breakaway will get to go all the way.
I think we will see someone like Rolland, Vockler or a danish rider attempt fate and see if they can get home.
But anyone thinking we will get a repat of today is crazy, considering what is waiting |
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| Selwink |
Posted on 12-07-2013 20:35
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Grand Tour Champion
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Degenkolb should be able to take this one
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| jph27 |
Posted on 12-07-2013 20:37
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Valverde. Why not? |
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 12-07-2013 22:17
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Classics Specialist
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Has to be a break for me. About time for a breakaway to win - we've only had one breakaway win so far.
Most of the helpers of the main teams will be quite tired from today's efforts and they'll want to conserve energy for the Ventoux on Sunday - so I doubt we'll see another Saxo TTT 
Alternatively Froome will be pissed off at losing a minute today so will go on a 190km solo and win by 10 minutes
Edited by Stromeon on 12-07-2013 22:18
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