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Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage 13 - Saint-Etienne - Chamrousse
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| Kirchen_75 |
Posted on 17-07-2014 17:03
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1st stage in the Alps with the climb to Chamrousse
The only time when Stage finished in Chamrousse was 2001 and then Lance A. was the winner.
Vincenzo Nibali will be looking to hold off the charge of Valverde who has been enjoying the hot conditions in France right now.
Guys like Purito, Voeckler who battle for KOM will be hoping to make it to the finish to get as many points as possible and maybe a stage win. The long flat part before the 1st climb should help the breakaway to get a big advantage so therefore I'm predicting a breakaway win.
Edited by Kirchen_75 on 17-07-2014 22:57
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| TimoCycling |
Posted on 17-07-2014 17:04
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I really don't know what to expect, maybe a breakaway with Rodriguez in it or they keep it quite together. But I don't see that happening because it drains the Astana team too much. So i expect a BOTD win. |
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| Wilier |
Posted on 17-07-2014 17:11
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I expect a boring stage GC wise. There's no Contador or Froome to spice up the race. Valverde and Porte aren't exactly the most attacking riders imo. Nibali will easily counter everything from Porte and Valverde. Though guys with lesser form or a really bad day (Mollema, VDB, Costa, Kwiatek) could lose serious time. Looking forward to see what the young Frenchies Bardet and Pinot can do. |
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 17-07-2014 17:20
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Wilier wrote:
Looking forward to see what the young Frenchies Bardet and Pinot can do.
Hopefully they'll take the other two places on the podium, behind Nibali 
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 17-07-2014 17:35
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TimoCycling wrote:
I really don't know what to expect, maybe a breakaway with Rodriguez in it or they keep it quite together. But I don't see that happening because it drains the Astana team too much. So i expect a BOTD win.
Think Rodriguez will sit tight with little points before the final climb and big points at the summit. BOTD will need a big lead to survive the last climb so my money is on Nibali repeating - he can't help attacking even when leading, seems the strongest by a wee bit and would probably like even more of a buffer before the last TT too.
Common sense says he just needs to follow but since when has he let that curb an attack - long may it continue
As an alternative would love to see one of the French climbing contingent take a win. |
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| Dusen |
Posted on 17-07-2014 17:49
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Think Nibali will show the rest of the favourits that he is the strongest.
I believe he wants to forcce them to drive for secondary placements as fast as possible + he does need a little bit more time to Porte for the final long ITT |
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| SotD |
Posted on 17-07-2014 18:16
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I think a BotD will take this one. Astana doesn't really care about the stage imo, Nibali just needs to stay with the rest, and can possibly distance Porte and Valverde by 20odd seconds here just to show off.
So unless some other team decides that they have a shot at the stage, from their captain, then I expect someone like König, Horner, Trofimov, Schleck, Velits, Navarro, Jeannesson, Rogers, Roche, de Marchi, Machado (if well), Spilak, Reichenbach or someone like that...
I am quite sure that either Spilak or Trofimov will go on the attack. I highly doubt that this is for Joaquin Rodriguez. Saturdays stage looks perfect for him, seeing as he can probably close the mountains competition on that one. So unless Voeckler goes away tomorrow, then I don't think Joaquin Rodriguez will go. A tactical move from Europcar could be to put Rolland or Gautier in tomorrows breakaway and let them target mountainpoints. If everything goes well there can be a stagewin and 35 mountainpoints in it.
That would mean that Europcar would have 2/3 riders targetting the mountains jerseyr, so everytime one would attack Purito would have to counter. That could wear him out in the end, seeing as he isn't in shape, and clearly doesn't want to force himself into shape too early.
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| Nin1388 |
Posted on 17-07-2014 21:05
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Here is me hoping Valverde will do something great. But I know he will settle for TdF podium any day instead of taking risk and losing even that.
On other note, I would like to see Purito win. |
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| Iguwell |
Posted on 17-07-2014 21:06
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If I was Katusha I would not put a rider in the break. Then make the team start controlling the time gap so it's no more than 2 minutes when they reach the cat. 1 climb and then launch an attack with Rodriguez.
Good way to battle for KOM points aswell as getting the optimal chance of a stage win. |
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| Cyanide266 |
Posted on 17-07-2014 21:44
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SotD wrote:
That would mean that Europcar would have 2/3 riders targetting the mountains jersey, so everytime one would attack Purito would have to counter. That could wear him out in the end, seeing as he isn't in shape, and clearly doesn't want to force himself into shape too early.
Don't worry, there's nothing to wait from Europcar even though I'm French I don't like that team I don't like their way to ride. Apart the sprints for Coquard, their beggining of Tour is strange: We had seen in the Stage 2 with Rolland, He made the KOM although he said he is here for the GC and finally he lost 16 seconds even though he had made an extraordinary Giro and we know it's difficult to do Giro and Tour . Also the stage to Nancy, Gautier attacked in the last KOM and Coquard was dropped in the last 300 meters: No sense.So I don't expect a big strike of Europcar tomorrow. |
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Posted on 25-11-2024 06:28
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 17-07-2014 22:11
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SotD: I mainly agree with all that you wrote. There seems to be a lot of capable climbers who have lost a bunch of time and thus are allowed to get in the break. There arent really any mountains/hills apart from the 3rd category up until the Palaquit, so it may be difficult for some of the riders you mentioned to get in the break. Tomorrow's stage is better suited I think, but thats just speculation! Also, my hope for tomorrow almost purely lies on Ag2R: I hope they will use Kadri and Riblon to split the bunch on Palaquit or the bottom of Chamrousse or use them tactically from the break to open the stage early.
Cyanide: You just dont seem to like Europcar a whole bunch. Voeckler isnt what he has been, that obvious, they Gautier, Vockler and Rolland still wants to get something out of this Tour. They havent ridden that well so far, but they have tried numerous times and that commands respect to me. On top of that, its clear that Coquard doesnt quite have what it takes (yet) to win a stage, but that'll come im sure. Also I think Reza has gotten him to another level this Tour, he has rode very well, so probs to him. I think the reason why Rolland is still staying around in spite of him not being 100% is he hopes to catch a break and make a 'Voeckler' from 2011. I think it well worth it. By the end of the Alps, I wouldnt be surprised to see Rolland in the top-10 - if he isnt, he has probably lost a bunch of time and solely focuses on stages. |
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| Iguwell |
Posted on 17-07-2014 22:12
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Domestique
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Cyanide266 wrote:
SotD wrote:
That would mean that Europcar would have 2/3 riders targetting the mountains jersey, so everytime one would attack Purito would have to counter. That could wear him out in the end, seeing as he isn't in shape, and clearly doesn't want to force himself into shape too early.
Don't worry, there's nothing to wait from Europcar even though I'm French I don't like that team I don't like their way to ride. Apart the sprints for Coquard, their beggining of Tour is strange: We had seen in the Stage 2 with Rolland, He made the KOM although he said he is here for the GC and finally he lost 16 seconds even though he had made an extraordinary Giro and we know it's difficult to do Giro and Tour . Also the stage to Nancy, Gautier attacked in the last KOM and Coquard was dropped in the last 300 meters: No sense.So I don't expect a big strike of Europcar tomorrow.
Europcar is the "Pirazzi Team" |
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 17-07-2014 22:12
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SotD: I mainly agree with all that you wrote. There seems to be a lot of capable climbers who have lost a bunch of time and thus are allowed to get in the break. There arent really any mountains/hills apart from the 3rd category up until the Palaquit, so it may be difficult for some of the riders you mentioned to get in the break. Tomorrow's stage is better suited I think, but thats just speculation! Also, my hope for tomorrow almost purely lies on Ag2R: I hope they will use Kadri and Riblon to split the bunch on Palaquit or the bottom of Chamrousse or use them tactically from the break to open the stage early.
Cyanide: You just dont seem to like Europcar a whole bunch. Voeckler isnt what he has been, that obvious, they Gautier, Vockler and Rolland still wants to get something out of this Tour. They havent ridden that well so far, but they have tried numerous times and that commands respect to me. On top of that, its clear that Coquard doesnt quite have what it takes (yet) to win a stage, but that'll come im sure. Also I think Reza has gotten him to another level this Tour, he has rode very well, so probs to him. I think the reason why Rolland is still staying around in spite of him not being 100% is he hopes to catch a break and make a 'Voeckler' from 2011. I think it well worth it. By the end of the Alps, I wouldnt be surprised to see Rolland in the top-10 - if he isnt, he has probably lost a bunch of time and solely focuses on stages. |
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| Nin1388 |
Posted on 17-07-2014 22:48
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Actually Joaquim Rodriguez is one guy who can remain with peleton and yet be able to beat guys like Nibali, Valverde, Porte on final climb. He has been conserving his energy all these days. Plus there is just one 1st cat climb before finale on HC climb so most points are towards end.
Saturday's stage looks like when he will have to go in break because of 3 climbs.
Also on stage 10 it looked like Voecklar had given up ghost of climber's jersey. Knowing Purito climbing prowess, I don't think many people will try to. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 17-07-2014 22:51
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Can't wait to see the battle on the climb to the finish, my money is on Voeckler  |
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 18-07-2014 06:23
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I agree that this could be boring GC-wise, if not sparked by french climbing talent.
My bets are Purito, Nibali, or König
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 18-07-2014 06:41
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GC wise I am hoping for some nice aggressive attacking riding from Pinot and Bardet. I would really like to see them test Astana to breaking point. Generally I also hope guys like Valverde attack and it would be great to see Mollema, VDB or Costa try a longer range attack. The GC guys need to work together against Nibali to see if he will crack.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 18-07-2014 06:44
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Well, i think GC riders already gave up on nr.1 place and they will rather watch each other, not depleting their energy on cracking Nibbles. But we will see, i will be happy to be proved wrong. 
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| Nin1388 |
Posted on 18-07-2014 07:50
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And that is the reason why we needed Contador because he is one guy who is not scared to make an attack and even lose podium placing just to win overall. I guess having won 5 GT and 2 (or 3) TdF makes it easier for him.
Anyway we have to be happy with what we have. |
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 18-07-2014 08:59
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Valverde said he is 50/50. Knowing this is his last shot at the Tour, he badly wants to get a podium finish, but of course also says he wants to win if it presents itself. I dont think Movistar tries to force anything and if he should win, it would be a result of Nibali cracking, which I dont think is gonna happen.
Valverde likes the heat and he seems to peak later in the race, so I think he will be stronger than his kinda mediocre performances in the Vosgues. |
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