|
TdF'13 Stage 19 - Bourg-d'Oisans to Le Grand-Bornand (July 19)
|
| Malkael |
Posted on 18-07-2013 16:42
|
Sprinter
Posts: 1697
Joined: 02-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Stage 19 - Bourg-d'Oisans to Le Grand-Bornand
With the double ascension of the Alpe-d'Huez completed, the Tour de France redirects its attention to the second day of its three day jaunt through the French Alps. Anyone who thought that Stage 18 to the Alpe-d'Huez was difficult will be in shock-and-awe over what race organisers ASO have arranged for Stage 19 to Le Grand-Bornand.
Surely the motto for the stage must be “No rest, No Respite”, as the peloton ascend two Hors catégorie climbs within 83.5km of the stage's commencement. The peloton must then subsequently ascend another three categorised en route to the finish at Le Grand-Bornand. With 66.8km of the 204.5km parcours purely climbing, Stage 18 could be one of the worst days to have a decrease in form and fitness.
The peloton officially begin Stage 18 outside the town of Bourg-d'Oisans, where they will begin the ascent of the Col du Glandon just 12km later. Whilst the average gradient of the Hors catégorie Col du Glandon is just 5.1%, the lengthy 21.6 km climb could expose any signs of weakness emanating from one of the General Classification riders.
Subsequently the peloton then climb the formidable Col de la Madeleine, whose ascent begins roughly 64km from the stage's starting town of Bourg-d'Oisans. Despite being 2.1km shorter than the Col du Glandon, the Hors catégorie Col de la Madeleine is known for its challenge average gradient of 7.9%. With the ascent of the Col de la Madeleine a monumental 19.2km in length, the peloton will surely be feeling the pain of the climb's length and gradient.
After the summit of the Col de la Madeleine, the peloton receives some, much welcomed, respite to prepare for the successive ascents of the Col de Tamié, Col de l'Épine, and Col de la Croix Fry. It will be a true test of each rider's all round skills to the finish,as the peloton constantly ascend and descend along the narrow technical country roads over a distance of 70km.
Whilst comparatively less difficult than the Hors catégorie climbs of the Col du Glandon and Col de la Madeleine. The fatigue caused by the difficulty of the two Hors catégorie climbs prior will affect the challenge of the Col de Tamié, Col de l'Épine, and Col de la Croix Fry.
Col de Tamié, Col de l'Épine & Col de la Croix Fry
The peloton will first encounter the climb of the Col de Tamié, which is 8.6km in length at an average gradient of 6.2%. After which they will climb the Col de l'Épine, which has an average gradient of 7.4% and is 6.1km in length. Finally they will ascend the Col de la Croix Fry, some 11.3km in length at an average gradient of 7%.
Final Kilometres
After the summit of the Col de la Croix Fry, the peloton have a 12km descent in to the town of Le Grand-Bornand for the finale of Stage 19. Within the final kilometre the gradients changes from a descent in to an ascent again, as the road climbs a little towards the finishing line. The roads leading in to the finishing line are largely straight, however, the riders will encounter a roundabout approaching the finishing line.
Stage 18 will be another high scoring day in the King of the Mountains competition, with a grand total of 75 points up for grabs. The two Hors catégorie climbs of the Col du Glandon and Col de la Madeleine alone will offer 50 points to the first rider over their summits. Whilst the remainder of the categorised climbs will offer 25 points to first rider to crest the Col de Tamié, Col de l'Épine, and Col de la Croix Fry. Certainly a favourable situation should someone like Mikel Nieve, of Euskaltel-Euskadi, desire to be apart of the breakaway, should they be allowed to cycle clear of the peloton.
Will this be another day and stage victory for the breakaway? The parcours could certainly favour the chances of the breakaway, should the peloton give them a sufficient time gap. Though the General Classification riders may have something to say about that, with the battle for the podium positions being fiercely contested by several different riders and their teams.
With several different scenarios potentially in play, choosing a favourite seems kind of fraught with danger and endless possbility. The war for the Maillot Jaune should be over, however, there is still the war for the podium positions. If everyone leaves control of the peloton to Team Sky, the breakaway could establish a sufficient gap to claim the stage victory. However, the violent war for the podium positions below the Maillot Jaune of Chris Froome may see several riders and their teams trying to put the pressure on each other throughout the difficult parcours.
So will it be another day for the breakaway? Or shall the war to gain and protect positions in the General Classification eliminate the chances of the breakaway succeeding? Will it be Quintana or Rodriguez to take a stage victory in a bid to gain more time in the General Classification?
Edited by Malkael on 18-07-2013 17:40
|
| |
|
|
| CountArach |
Posted on 18-07-2013 16:46
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8290
Joined: 14-07-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
My money will be on Rodriguez. The finish suits him brilliantly.
Edited by CountArach on 18-07-2013 16:47
|
| |
|
|
| Sankt Croix |
Posted on 18-07-2013 16:50
|
Junior Rider
Posts: 41
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Valverde to win this. |
| |
|
|
| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 18-07-2013 16:50
|
World Champion
Posts: 11971
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
what happend today is going to pull through tomorrow. Mollema/Ten Dam going down even more and the worse part (for me) is that I actually need to read the people are happy about that 
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 10:55
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| alexkr00 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 16:55
|
World Champion
Posts: 13915
Joined: 05-08-2008
PCM$: 300.00
|
CountArach wrote:
My money will be on Rodriguez. The finish suits him brilliantly.
This stage has breakaway written all over it in my opinion
|
| |
|
|
| Spilak23 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 16:57
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7357
Joined: 22-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Klödi to take revenge
Edited by Spilak23 on 18-07-2013 17:00
|
| |
|
|
| issoisso |
Posted on 18-07-2013 16:57
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 22918
Joined: 08-02-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
alexkr00 wrote:
CountArach wrote:
My money will be on Rodriguez. The finish suits him brilliantly.
This stage has breakaway written all over it in my opinion
Sorta. Usually yes, but Movistar and Katusha will probably try to make it as fast as possible while praying that Froome's bad day has an effect on tomorrow
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
|
| |
|
|
| Strydz |
Posted on 18-07-2013 17:08
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5894
Joined: 02-08-2011
PCM$: 1625.00
|
I say breakaway gets this one
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/ |
| |
|
|
| Riis123 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 17:08
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5075
Joined: 07-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
alexkr00 wrote:
CountArach wrote:
My money will be on Rodriguez. The finish suits him brilliantly.
This stage has breakaway written all over it in my opinion
Agree, reminds me of the stage Tommy won last year in the Pyrenées. Hope someone in the GC is ready to take advantage of Madeleine which, to me - even though i havent climbed it - by far is the hardest climb in this Tour. I doubt i though, someone like Nieve or Rolland would be a good bet - maybe even Valverde |
| |
|
|
| kumazan |
Posted on 18-07-2013 17:12
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6662
Joined: 02-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
issoisso wrote:
Sorta. Usually yes, but Movistar and Katusha will probably try to make it as fast as possible while praying that Froome's bad day has an effect on tomorrow
I hope so, but I'm not really optimistic. Now they have gotten closer to the podium, I fear they'll be more conservative.
Riis123 wrote:
Agree, reminds me of the stage Tommy won last year in the Pyrenées. Hope someone in the GC is ready to take advantage of Madeleine which, to me - even though i havent climbed it - by far is the hardest climb in this Tour. I doubt i though, someone like Nieve or Rolland would be a good bet - maybe even Valverde
It is.
Edited by kumazan on 18-07-2013 17:13
|
| |
|
|
| ianrussell |
Posted on 18-07-2013 17:15
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Now this one I've been realy looking forward to. Very little flat - if teams have the will and energy to go hard early then leaders will be isolated... |
| |
|
|
| mb2612 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 17:16
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5759
Joined: 18-05-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
It will be murder to get into the break on the first climb with 85 koM points on offer
 [url=www.pcmdaily.com/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=33182] Team Santander Media Thread[/url]
Please assume I am joking unless otherwise stated |
| |
|
|
| jph27 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 17:20
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7339
Joined: 20-03-2010
PCM$: 900.00
|
I hope for Chaos and Froome losing 3-4 minutes. Probably won't happen though. |
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 18:00
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Contador to shine tomorrow  |
| |
|
|
| TimoCycling |
Posted on 18-07-2013 20:12
|
Sprinter
Posts: 1765
Joined: 27-08-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
SSJ2Luigi wrote:
what happend today is going to pull through tomorrow. Mollema/Ten Dam going down even more and the worse part (for me) is that I actually need to read the people are happy about that
people seem to like (ex) dopers more than hardworking riders . |
| |
|
|
| dienblad |
Posted on 18-07-2013 20:17
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
https://nos.nl/art...start.html
Possibly no Mollema in it, as he has become ill. It was even doubtful if he would have started today.....
(and before the Belkin-haters start saying "Gesink quit the Giro in the last week ill, bunch of loosers": Mollema is the kind of guy that really doesn't want to quit. Gettng 6th in the GC will mean a lot to him!)
|
| |
|
|
| jph27 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 20:18
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7339
Joined: 20-03-2010
PCM$: 900.00
|
Please, Dutchmen, listen. We dont all hate Belkin, we just want to see an exciting race. Unfortunately Mollema and Ten Dam aren't strong enough to provide that atm. |
| |
|
|
| Waghlon |
Posted on 18-07-2013 20:21
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7694
Joined: 18-08-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
jph27 wrote:
Please, Dutchmen, listen. We dont all hate Belkin, [...]
This.
This needs to be tattooed on every dutchman on the forum.
THE THOMAS VOECKLER PROPHET OF PCM DAILY
 |
| |
|
|
| Chons07 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 20:25
|
Junior Rider
Posts: 28
Joined: 14-04-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
TimoCycling wrote:
SSJ2Luigi wrote:
what happend today is going to pull through tomorrow. Mollema/Ten Dam going down even more and the worse part (for me) is that I actually need to read the people are happy about that
people seem to like (ex) dopers more than hardworking riders .
If you're referring to hard working riders such as Mollema and Ten Dam, we should remember they were on Rabobank... I'm not saying they did anything wrong, just on a team that did wrong. Which raises the eyebrows at them. |
| |
|
|
| Atlantius |
Posted on 18-07-2013 20:26
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
TimoCycling wrote:
SSJ2Luigi wrote:
what happend today is going to pull through tomorrow. Mollema/Ten Dam going down even more and the worse part (for me) is that I actually need to read the people are happy about that
people seem to like (ex) dopers more than hardworking riders.
I hope you're ironic here...
I don't hate Belkin, but I'm happy to see that Fuglsang is more durable than the two Dutchmen
|
| |
|
