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Le Tour de France 2015 | Stage 12, Lannemezan - Plateau de Beille
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 15-07-2015 17:07
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Last day in the Pyrenées, the first chain of two which already have created enormous timpegas considering we still have 4 days in the Alps to go. Once again some well known climbs on the menu, 4 of them, varying from category 2 to Hórs Catégorie. Its the last day and its concludes with the relatively new climb, Plateau de Beille, which most recently was on the menu in 2011 when Jelle Venendert surpringly won. It was that year the Schlecks held chess sessions down in the peloton and compeated against the other GC-contender who was able to be the biggest pussies... at least until the Alps arrived. It will be different this year, without a doubt.
Pantani, Armstrong x2 and Contador have won on this climb, which indeed is one of the hardest, if not the hardest of this year's Tour. Dubbed as the Pyrenées Alpe' d Huez, is has almost the same numbers and characteristics as the Alp. My favorite climb which almost always, apart from in 2011, creates huge gaps due to the brutal percentages, especially in the bottom. That former winners and superclimbers Pantani, Armstrong and Contador have won here also tells a story about a brutally hard climb. Coupled that with 35 celsius in the valleys and potential rain and thunderstorms on Beille, this will be a goodie.
With its sawtooth profile, expect this Tour's biggest breakaway so far. Starting off with Portet d' Aspet, it will be a break consisting of good climbers contesting the stage win, but on a prestigious stage and finish like Beille, the chances are not that big unless Movistar etc. decides its too demanding to wheel a break consistent of good climbers in. Note: It will be broadcasted from the start.
Is it to soon so see suffering riders like Pinot, Peraud, Bardet and Rodriguez join the break in hopes of a stage win? They will probably have to wait for the Alps. Rolland on the other hand has looked extremely well going uphill so far, so if a break where to succeed, he would be a good for for stage honors. And will Majka try again? It isnt unthinkable.
The big question is Contador - was Pierre Saint Martin a fluke or his standard? I doubt we will see Contador on the ropes like that again, but following Quintana and Froome is probably also a stretch at this point. Movistar is T-Mobile to Froome's US Postal, boasting 2 riders in the top-4, and is the biggest threat. Nairo will surely try again, but is Froome still so strong? I doubt he will put a minute into him again. Gesink has looked incredible again and had it not been for his early attack, he would maybe have been able to snatch 10-20 secs more of the likes of Tejay, Contador, Gallopin etc. Gallopin's third day in high mountains could prove disastrous for his GC-hopes, and others could crack as well in the top-10 in this whether, but the biggest question mark is over him tomorrow.
Edited by Riis123 on 15-07-2015 17:16
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| DiCyc |
Posted on 15-07-2015 17:09
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It looks like that Froome will win this stage  |
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| Strydz |
Posted on 15-07-2015 17:14
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I say a breakaway wins or Quintana
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| Kritzo |
Posted on 15-07-2015 17:24
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Domestique
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Contador looked good today. He was out of the saddle alot, which indicates a good condition.
But UK Postal will take this again. The only thing that may f their race control up will be rain. Please rain!
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| fidjim2013 |
Posted on 15-07-2015 17:46
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I think groomed will win otherwise it's going to be on a breakaway |
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| Waghlon |
Posted on 15-07-2015 17:53
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I'm a blind optimist and I believe in Quintana.
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| deek12345 |
Posted on 15-07-2015 18:01
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the freak show again of course |
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| weirdskyfan64 |
Posted on 15-07-2015 18:24
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Valverde will attack on the Portet d'Aspet- Quintana on Col de la Core. Sky will panic- but Quintana will only gain one minute or so.
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| carlos_valverde |
Posted on 15-07-2015 20:23
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I think tomorrow win a breakaway |
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| clamel |
Posted on 15-07-2015 20:27
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Froome said in an intervue he was targeting this one, so lets see if it's a smoke or another final power burst.
Then the Alps will be chasing time for the rest (whoever remains)
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 15-07-2015 21:30
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I definetely hope Froome chases it. Plateau de Beille should be a climb for the best climbers in the world, this is how it should be! |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 22:55
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 15-07-2015 22:50
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Beille is a brutal climb, shame that the stage appears so terribly designed but in reality there's little choice for the race organisers as it doesn't link well with any climbs that are really Tour-suitable (yes you heard that, some sympathy for ASO coming from me), and because the final climb is so hard other climbs will be pretty much irrelevant anyway. Don't forget about Pantani's record time of 43:28, although if Froome manages to beat that, especially, after three mountain stages and a long stage with several climbs in, then I will have seen everything 
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| Strydz |
Posted on 15-07-2015 23:12
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Riis123 wrote:
Plateau de Beille should be a climb for the best climbers in the world, this is how it should be!
Amen Brother! 
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/ |
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| jseadog1 |
Posted on 15-07-2015 23:15
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Tejay all the way!!
Securing that podium spot for us Americans!!
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 15-07-2015 23:20
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Dan Martin |
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| canojuancho |
Posted on 15-07-2015 23:54
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Tomorrow Nairo for the win!!! or maybe Purito or Dan Martin in a breakaway. |
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 16-07-2015 01:05
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The best designed Tour mountain stage in years. Lets hope everybody got their smoothies ready.
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| CountArach |
Posted on 16-07-2015 01:31
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This climb is ideal for Sky's tactics. Froome will win.
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| Movistar |
Posted on 16-07-2015 05:02
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Domestique
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100% they will stomp this and I wouldnt be surprised with a SKY 1-2 |
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 16-07-2015 06:16
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Sky 1-2? It'll be a Sky 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9!
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"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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