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THIS IS A TOUR STAGE THREAD - POSSIBLE SPOILERS TO FOLLOW!

Well, I will go against common sense and pick differently for this stage. For me the top 3 at the line will be;

Thor Hushovd
Oscar Friere
Leonardo Duque

I think I'm still way ahead of Phil Liggett. :)

Since he's most likely riding in his last Tour, I'd really like to see Zabel win.

He's been right there at all the sprint stages, but he just can't close the deal.

If not Zabel, then I hope Robbie the Rocket McEwen bags this stage.

vandevelde!

...then again, i feel he might not wanna blow a load tomorrow and save some for the bigguns in the alps

maybe csc will begin the shock and awe tomorrow, and slingshot cancellara in for the win

How are the categories of the climbs determined? That last climb in this stage, the Pic Saint-Loup, looks really short compared to the other two. Is it an elevation threshold? I'm confused.

Since he's most likely riding in his last Tour, I'd really like to see Zabel win.

He's been right there at all the sprint stages, but he just can't close the deal.

If not Zabel, then I hope Robbie the Rocket McEwen bags this stage.

I'd like to see that too, but hard to think Cavendish wouldn't out-sprint the field yet again.

How are the categories of the climbs determined? That last climb in this stage, the Pic Saint-Loup, looks really short compared to the other two. Is it an elevation threshold? I'm confused.

because it's probably really effin steep. %grade is calculated by rise over run. i've suffered more on short steep climbs than long gradual ones, and you probably have too.

Everyone gets popped for this new EPO except for Vansummeren. He wins this and all other stages and jerseys.

McEwan sadly does not seem to have it this year, he's been down on all of the sprints so far. Zabel has been very consistant but just doesn't have that little zip right at the end.

I thinks it's time for Thor to bring down the hammer again. Cavendish has to screw up one sprint...doesn't he?

I thinks it's time for Thor to bring down the hammer again. Cavendish has to screw up one sprint...doesn't he?

Good point! I'm going with the gut feeling based on what Cav said during the interview today, that he was feeling the effects of all the racing. So maybe he's at 98% in stage 13 and the other guys take advantage!

Robbie Hunter will take it because it's Nelson Mandela's birthday.

another sprinter's stage. gotta go with cavendish. i know he's talking about being tired, but let's be honest; he's not winning sprints by half a wheel, he's pulling away from the best sprinters in the world. if he's tired, he may only win by half a wheel. gotta go with cav tomorrow, and then he goes home.

i think the bigger question is - who's gonna test positive tomorrow?

i think the bigger question is - who's gonna test positive tomorrow?

Geezus, let's hope it's not Cav, or I'm packing up my things and going home! I think he'll stick around until the first stage in the Alps. That's a lot of misery to put yourself through for the off chance that he might win on the Champs. :)

I'm picking Gilbert for this one.

Holy crazy crash!

Holy crazy crash!

That had to hurt.

he picked himself up pretty quick, despite the bike being in two pieces ..... crazy

How'd that happen? Collision or part failure?

How'd that happen? Collision or part failure?

Looks like he hit a little tiny island in the middle of the road with a street sign on it.

Cavendish is just a MONSTER.

Cavendish. The guy's unstoppable.

discuss

Yup, he's fast. I wonder who's faster, him or Chris Hoy?

mods, lets kill this thread, please.

Yup, he's fast. I wonder who's faster, him or Chris Hoy?

him after 200km, Hoy from standstill

discuss what?

Geezus, let's hope it's not Cav, or I'm packing up my things and going home! I think he'll stick around until the first stage in the Alps. That's a lot of misery to put yourself through for the off chance that he might win on the Champs. :)

he may stick around another day or so, but tomorrow isn't flat; it starts going up. if i was him, and i wanted a good chance in the olympics, i think i'd close out my TDF campaign with a win and leave now. that's just me, though

holy crap he is so exciting to watch!

Cavendish has impressed me for no older than he is an amazing sprinter.... thought he said he wasn't going to do the Olympics?

That was a Specialized that broke in half wasn't it?

That was a crazzzy bike destruction too. That thing flew up in the air a good 6-7 feet!

I think Cav said no to the olympics so he could stay in the tour. He's only freakin 23! Same age as I am! What a jerk!

streaming stopped in the middle of the sprint :mad: how close was Robbie to getting the stage?

Hos, if you were using giac2007, just refresh it when it says buffering. It always brings it right back up for me.

Robbie I think was 2nd over the line, but a full wheel behind Cav.

i just think 4 stage wins so far is impressive and he's got a long future ahead of him

i just think 4 stage wins so far is impressive and he's got a long future ahead of him

I pretty sure everyone thinks your an idiot for posting about something that we all want to watch when we get home.
Maybe you could post something everyday that gives away the end of the stage.
The second post proves your an idiot

you suck. the reason people are freaking out is because your thread is a spolier. worse yet, the title to the thread is a spoiler. some people are at work right now, and are either going to watch the race on versus later tonight or have it on tevo. get a clue.

mods, please kill this thread.

More like a full bike length (at least)!

heh Cavendish is less than 30 points out of the green jersey. be interesting to see if he can survive the climbs.

Well yeah, if you're measuring from the front of Cav's front wheel, then it was a bike and a half. But from Cav's back wheen, according to the Eurosport slow-mo, it was a wheel. That's still a lot regardless!

i like hot dogs.

discuss

Merged the spoiler thread.