OK, we’ve really been waiting it out for a week of shadow boxing and a bit of toying around on Planche des Belles Filles. Now a really tough stage on deck. 3 climbs all steeper than Alpe d’Huez albeit each a bit short. Contador claims this is the toughest stage this year. Froome expects things to blow apart:
If you only had one of the climbs Messick would cancel the Ironman containing one of these since WTC would not be able to make money.
Climb by Climb:
Col de La Biche+Grand Colombier
Mont du Chat (the cat climb used at the Dauphine this year) with the middle kilometers at 14 and 15 percent. Aru and Quintana need to bury themselves here!!!
Your GC going in
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky33:19:10
2Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky0:00:12
3Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team0:00:14
4Daniel Martin (Irl) Quick-Step Floors0:00:25
5Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing Team0:00:39
6Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott0:00:43
7Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale0:00:47
8Alberto Contador (Spa) Trek-Segafredo0:00:52
9Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team0:00:54
10Rafal Majka (Pol) Bora-Hansgrohe0:01:01
11Rigoberto Uran (Col) Cannondale-Drapac
12Pierre Latour (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale0:01:07
13Louis Meintjes (RSA) UAE Team Emirates0:01:24
14Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe0:01:29
15Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team0:01:33
16Mikel Landa (Spa) Team Sky0:01:47
17Andrew Talansky (USA) Cannondale-Drapac0:01:57
18Serge Pauwels (Bel) Dimension Data0:02:00
19Nicolas Roche (Irl) BMC Racing Team0:02:14
20Guillaume Martin (Fra) Wanty - Groupe Gobert0:02:23
21Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky0:02:32
22George Bennett (NZl) Team LottoNl-Jumbo0:02:34
KOM Points Standings
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Lilian Calmejane (Fra) Direct Energie 11 pts
2Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 10
3Daniel Martin (Irl) Quick-Step Floors 8
4Robert Gesink (Ned) Team LottoNl 8
5Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Sunweb 7
6Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 6
7Guillaume Martin (Fra) Wanty - Groupe6
8Jan Bakelants (Bel) AG2R 5
9Serge Pauwels (Bel) Dimension Data 5
10Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing 4
my predictions are terrible so I have no idea what’sgonna happen. my amusement will come from watch the sprinters get in their granny-gear gruppetto as soon as the neutralization flag waves.
This stage will likely set the template for the rest of the Tour.
If Froome can stay with the attacks tomorrow or bridge back on during the descents, he’ll be ptetty much a lock for the yellow, especially considering the ITT before paris
We’ll find out who really has the heart to challenge the skytrain;
I predict Aru, Froome Porte, D Martin, Bardet, Contador,
This stage will likely set the template for the rest of the Tour.
If Froome can stay with the attacks tomorrow or bridge back on during the descents, he’ll be ptetty much a lock for the yellow, especially considering the ITT before paris
We’ll find out who really has the heart to challenge the skytrain;
I predict Aru, Froome Porte, D Martin, Bardet, Contador,
So will they all play poker and sit with each other till the Mont du Chat, or do you think some GC guys will go crazy and attack on the Colombier. Quintana/Contador would have to send someone up the road early to come back and help him for the Colombiere descent and Mont du Chat climb. Aru and Fuglsang can use each other. One of them has to go early and the other sit around with Sky.
So will they all play poker and sit with each other till the Mont du Chat, or do you think some GC guys will go crazy and attack on the Colombier.
I’d be happy to be wrong, but I don’t see a lot happening on this stage regarding the GC battle. It’s too hard. For sure all of the contenders will be together when they begin the final climb up Mont du Chat. Froome could gain some time on the descent, but they’ll all come back together on the 13 km flattish finish.
Here’s hoping there’s an early break with some good climbers who manage to stay away and the stage win comes from the break.
So will they all play poker and sit with each other till the Mont du Chat, or do you think some GC guys will go crazy and attack on the Colombier.
I’d be happy to be wrong, but I don’t see a lot happening on this stage regarding the GC battle. It’s too hard. For sure all of the contenders will be together when they begin the final climb up Mont du Chat. Froome could gain some time on the descent, but they’ll all come back together on the 13 km flattish finish.
Here’s hoping there’s an early break with some good climbers who manage to stay away and the stage win comes from the break.
Rolland
Pinot
I think youre right, but could also be a small possibility for a crazy stage if alot og GC guuys go crazy on first climb. Should be good fun if all the teams are scattered, no skytrain etc(ref last stage dauphine)
If someone really wants to beat Froome they need to eliminate the Sky freight train before the last climb. Astana have both Fulsang and Val-something they send up the road putting preassure on Sky early on those 15% pitches. Thomas and Kwiakowski are all that is left for Froome by the second climb then everyone starts teeing off on Froome. We get Down to the 10 or 12 “real” GC contenders before the start of the last climb Aru skips away with 3 k of the last climb and schools everyone on the descent. Contador and Quintana lose 3 minutes. Froome, Porte, Bardet and Mentjens roll in 45 seconds down on Aru.
If someone really wants to beat Froome they need to eliminate the Sky freight train before the last climb. Astana have both Fulsang and Val-something they send up the road putting preassure on Sky early on those 15% pitches. Thomas and Kwiakowski are all that is left for Froome by the second climb then everyone starts teeing off on Froome. We get Down to the 10 or 12 “real” GC contenders before the start of the last climb Aru skips away with 3 k of the last climb and schools everyone on the descent. Contador and Quintana lose 3 minutes. Froome, Porte, Bardet and Mentjens roll in 45 seconds down on Aru.
The more I think of it, Astana could be the guys that do something to blow it apart on the first climb or at least send one of their guys up the road. The key is they need to blow apart the sky train so it is just Thomas + Froome and no one else…but they have Landa and i can’t see them easily shaking him even with a full out attack
If someone really wants to beat Froome they need to eliminate the Sky freight train before the last climb. Astana have both Fulsang and Val-something they send up the road putting preassure on Sky early on those 15% pitches. Thomas and Kwiakowski are all that is left for Froome by the second climb then everyone starts teeing off on Froome. We get Down to the 10 or 12 “real” GC contenders before the start of the last climb Aru skips away with 3 k of the last climb and schools everyone on the descent. Contador and Quintana lose 3 minutes. Froome, Porte, Bardet and Mentjens roll in 45 seconds down on Aru.
I can see a scenario where teams like Astana, BMC, or Movistar put a man in the breakaway early to prevent their gc guy from being isolated during the Mont du Chat climb.
But I also expect the skytrain to absolutely set a furious pace from the flag to try separate Froome from the pretenders.
Can you lmagine the carnage on the descents if the forecast of thunderstorms comes true?
Does that “put a rider in the early brake so he can help GC guy later” work though? Sky and Postal pulled it off but they are outliers right?
I feel like it has to be an GC guy who goes early or it’s just kinda blah strategy. Of course if a GC makes this move, this is the move. They won’t come back from it if it fails. But if it works, and sky is caught out…beautiful.
The more years I have on the bike the more respect I have for these guys and for the TdF. Those climbs look insane! I mean Mont du Chat… give me my mtb an let me put a 28 on the front and I’ll put it in the 42 in the rear lol.
If someone really wants to beat Froome they need to eliminate the Sky freight train before the last climb. Astana have both Fulsang and Val-something they send up the road putting preassure on Sky early on those 15% pitches. Thomas and Kwiakowski are all that is left for Froome by the second climb then everyone starts teeing off on Froome. We get Down to the 10 or 12 “real” GC contenders before the start of the last climb Aru skips away with 3 k of the last climb and schools everyone on the descent. Contador and Quintana lose 3 minutes. Froome, Porte, Bardet and Mentjens roll in 45 seconds down on Aru.
The more I think of it, Astana could be the guys that do something to blow it apart on the first climb or at least send one of their guys up the road. The key is they need to blow apart the sky train so it is just Thomas + Froome and no one else…but they have Landa and i can’t see them easily shaking him even with a full out attack
The problem with sending your climbing domestic up the road is that everyone wants to do it. I bet Landa’s job for tomorrow is to follow any early moves and just sit on for later use. Whatever happens I hope it is a slug fest.
This stage will likely set the template for the rest of the Tour.
If Froome can stay with the attacks tomorrow or bridge back on during the descents, he’ll be ptetty much a lock for the yellow, especially considering the ITT before paris
We’ll find out who really has the heart to challenge the skytrain;
I predict Aru, Froome Porte, D Martin, Bardet, Contador,
So will they all play poker and sit with each other till the Mont du Chat, or do you think some GC guys will go crazy and attack on the Colombier. Quintana/Contador would have to send someone up the road early to come back and help him for the Colombiere descent and Mont du Chat climb. Aru and Fuglsang can use each other. One of them has to go early and the other sit around with Sky.
Either the top guys attack all day or it will be a wash. If they can peel off the rest of sky, then they can try to drop Froome on the Chat. If they leave the attacks too late sky will have the firepower to get Froome up in the valleys. As an outside possibility, attack on the Colombier and aim to bridge to a non-GC breakaway to take through the long valley before Chat.
Aru might like the steep stuff. I think my man Porte will have a good go, but he will wait too long. Unfortunately, most likely Froome will hit the top of the Chat less than 1min back and won’t lose much time if at all.
There are stages like this every year, however, can you think of the last time a GC contender really went for it on the early climb? Pushing the pace and keeping the tempo high doesn’t count. I mean really attack.
There are stages like this every year, however, can you think of the last time a GC contender really went for it on the early climb? Pushing the pace and keeping the tempo high doesn’t count. I mean really attack.
So far it is exciting. Sadly Geraint Thomas out wtih broken collar bone. What a sucky year for him (aside from winning the yellow). Contador crash but OK. AG2R is going nuts on the descent of LaBiche. Aparently the team is based in the area and knows the roads well. They were showing the front group (6 min up) on the 22% grade almost falling off the bikes. Pantano looks like he is in it. Stage hunting? Anyone know where Mollema is?
This stage will likely set the template for the rest of the Tour.
If Froome can stay with the attacks tomorrow or bridge back on during the descents, he’ll be ptetty much a lock for the yellow, especially considering the ITT before paris
We’ll find out who really has the heart to challenge the skytrain;
I predict Aru, Froome Porte, D Martin, Bardet, Contador,
So will they all play poker and sit with each other till the Mont du Chat, or do you think some GC guys will go crazy and attack on the Colombier. Quintana/Contador would have to send someone up the road early to come back and help him for the Colombiere descent and Mont du Chat climb. Aru and Fuglsang can use each other. One of them has to go early and the other sit around with Sky.
Either the top guys attack all day or it will be a wash. If they can peel off the rest of sky, then they can try to drop Froome on the Chat. If they leave the attacks too late sky will have the firepower to get Froome up in the valleys. As an outside possibility, attack on the Colombier and aim to bridge to a non-GC breakaway to take through the long valley before Chat.
Aru might like the steep stuff. I think my man Porte will have a good go, but he will wait too long. Unfortunately, most likely Froome will hit the top of the Chat less than 1min back and won’t lose much time if at all.
Everyone together on Colombiere other than Thomas who crashed out. Aru and Fuglsang appear to have done nothing so far today and visually looked relaxed. I am surprised that Quintana did nothing to up the pace a bit on the 22% section to cut the group down a bit. He’s just playing robo climbing droid so far, or he has nothing after the Giro. Let’s see. Is he just waiting for week 3 when everyone’s legs are equally cooked to him?.
