Professional Cycling - TdF Stage 19 - Friday July 24 - 195 km - Bourgoin-Jallieu → Aubenas

weird profile the day before ventoux should yield equally weird results...

ttt

The final climb, 12.8km at 3.9%:
http://www.climbbybike.com/fr/ascension.asp?Col=Col-de-lEscrinet&qryMountainID=6044


Not steep at all. Steepest km is only 5.6%
Obviously I mean "for a grand tour rider". Personally, I don't know if I could make it to the top.

What to expect? A breakaway stage, with the best climber in the break attacking on the climb and soloing home?

Based on what happened on stage 17 (when you PO your teammates)...

Popo to AC - Sorry dude, I only have one water bottle left and this one's mine. Guess you'll have to go back to the car and get your own. :lol:

This stage got interesting.

Richard

This stage got interesting.

Richard

Only if a Schleck, Armstrong, Kloden or Wiggins suddenly and unexpectedly cracks. I expect some break-away that lets a few guys fight it out for a stage win so they can show the sponsors' names when crossing the finish line.

For the leaders, I expect a relatively easy day to rest up after the week and be ready for Ventoux. Saxo may push the pace at the beginning of the last climb just to test legs but I don't see anything big happening.

Will LA be less of a team guy for AC since he has a good lead and try for second since Wiggins is not a climber or threat anymore?

Perfect stage to make nice with George.

I see someone chasing 3rd to try and gather a few seconds here. No massive attacks it isn't enough hill, but 10 seconds is 10 seconds.

Richard

I see someone chasing 3rd to try and gather a few seconds here. No massive attacks it isn't enough hill, but 10 seconds is 10 seconds.

Richard

I may be one of them, but otherwise I don't think too many people are banking on the Schlecks cracking on Ventoux. I think Wiggins, Kloden, or Lance has to make a push. I think Andy wouldn't bother too much chasing them down if it was only 30 seconds or so. Or I could be completely wrong:).

Don't be surprised if Cavendish comes forward and tries to take some sprint points.


And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

Don't be surprised if Cavendish comes forward and tries to take some sprint points.


And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

i was thinking the same thing.

Break away stays away.

Don't be surprised if Thor comes forward and tries to take some sprint points.


And that's all I'm gonna say about that.


Fixed.

Actually, I'd expect to see Columbia shutting down breakaways and controlling the pack to keep Thor bottled up and Cav ready for the intermediates. If he has any kind of class he won't go down without a fight.

I see a tired peloton saving a little strength for one last go on Ventoux.

Fixed.
:D


If he has any kind of class he won't go down without a fight.

What, he's like 40 points down? He'd have to get points, then win in Paris while the team introduces Thor to Demolition Derby On Bikes. And then he'd prolly get relegated anyway.

So it's probably hopeless, but he does have class.


And so does Thor. Yesterday proved it! :love:

Thor and Wiggens go on a flyer with Cervelo and Garmin throttling the front of the peleton.:D

I'd expect Thor to have another crack at the sprint points, just to rub in that you win the Green Jersey by winning sprints whereever they are.

Perfect stage to make nice with George.

George is a hurtin' pup. I think we see the teams that have had disappointing results so far being desperate for a result, plus some non-sprinters trying something. I don't see anything earthshattering happening on the GC though. Ventoux is much more of a concern.

Consider this, if Menchov and Evans try to get in a break - nobody will try to run them off today. :lol:

Perhaps Cancellara will go on a flyer?

I really hope that Wiggins tries something here. He and his team have got to know that there is very little chance of improving his standings on Saturday. Here's hoping that will add some spice to the race tomorrow.

:D



What, he's like 40 points down? He'd have to get points, then win in Paris while the team introduces Thor to Demolition Derby On Bikes. And then he'd prolly get relegated anyway.

So it's probably hopeless, but he does have class.


And so does Thor. Yesterday proved it! :love:

That was awesome, and reading afterward that he said it was the best day he ever had on the bike. I'm trying to think back if Zabel or Cippolini or one of those guys ever pulled out a long solo flyer on a mountain stage - I can't think of anyone else that did that.

Cav's 30 points down, so I think he still has a slim chance if he takes some points today and tomorrow and wins on the Champs. It'd be nice to see him give it his best shot anyway, even if he's not getting the jersey.

George is a hurtin' pup.

Apparently he is refusing to go to a doctor...because he might have a broken collarbone. That's right, refusing to go to the doctor because he thinks he has a broken bone. And won't be allowed to continue if so.

Apparently he is refusing to go to a doctor...because he might have a broken collarbone. That's right, refusing to go to the doctor because he thinks he has a broken bone. And won't be allowed to continue if so.

Anyone seen footage of George's crash?

I heard that this morning in the ITT - George won't get it x-rayed until after Paris, in case it's fractured. These guys are unbelievably tough....

George is a hurtin' pup. I think we see the teams that have had disappointing results so far being desperate for a result, plus some non-sprinters trying something. I don't see anything earthshattering happening on the GC though. Ventoux is much more of a concern.

Consider this, if Menchov and Evans try to get in a break - nobody will try to run them off today. :lol:

Perhaps Cancellara will go on a flyer?

I know George is hurting. I'm looking at this stage from the entertainment and cycling mythology standpoints. It would be a great story if George took the stage. ;)

(But not as good of a story as LA somehow putting 5 minutes into AC and AS on Ventoux....THAT would be earthshattering - and trigger massive doping tests.)

Apparently he is refusing to go to a doctor...because he might have a broken collarbone. That's right, refusing to go to the doctor because he thinks he has a broken bone. And won't be allowed to continue if so.

ala Tyler Hamilton

George is one of my favorites and, in my humble opinion, one of America's greatest professional cyclists! If it turns out he did indeed suffer a broken collarbone yesterday and is able to finish the tour, he should also be seen as one of the toughest and strongest professional riders ever in the tour! Wishing George a quick recovery and hope to see him for several more years on the professional circuit! Thanks for setting such a high standard for American cyclist to follow!

I think the stage will come down to a bunch sprint and Contador takes the sprint ahead of Cavendish.

George is one of my favorites and, in my humble opinion, one of America's greatest professional cyclists! If it turns out he did indeed suffer a broken collarbone yesterday and is able to finish the tour, he should also be seen as one of the toughest and strongest professional riders ever in the tour! Wishing George a quick recovery and hope to see him for several more years on the professional circuit! Thanks for setting such a high standard for American cyclist to follow!

oh he's tough all right :thumb:.



ed rader

Perhaps Cancellara will go on a flyer?

It would be stronger of Saxo Bank to not do anything flashy today imo and conserve their strength for tomorrow. Cancellara has proven before that he can be a great help to his team in the mountains.

Breakaway is allowed to go; Astana and Saxo Bank watch each other all day as Astana sets the pace.

Thor Husholvd could definitely grab another twelve points and even win the stage. The climb won't hurt him and he's a great descender. His breakaway buddies will try to ditch him on the climb and if he gets unhitched, he'll simply sit up and wait for the peloton.

breakaway is already up the road, and evans is in it. :eek:

breakaway is already up the road, and evans is in it. :eek:

With that 2:40 gap, Evans is only 35 minutes behind Contador now! They better go reel him in.

Lol.

breakaway is already up the road, and evans is in it. :eek:

If the break sticks, either Sanchez gets another stage win or Roche makes his daddy proud.

If the break sticks, either Sanchez gets another stage win or Roche makes his daddy proud.

Bennati

I would recognize Hincapie's left leg anywhere. He has signficant varicose veins and I'm surprised that hasn't affected his riding over the years.

Evans looking for a stage win so the Tour's not a total waste?

Evans is not in the lead group. ;(

Yeah, just curious if that was his initial intention...

Hey, this looks like a race.

is it wrong that i giggle every time Phil says Leonardo Duque? cause i do. later.

is it wrong that i giggle every time Phil says Leonardo Duque? cause i do. later.

The peloton took care of that for you.

Nice acceleration for Ballan!

That was the longest ****ing commercial break. :notamused: I missed the entirety of the catch.

The world champ is doing something!

Unexpectedly awesome stage today.

So, Cavendish can win even when the Columbia train doesn't work well, very impressive finish.

He has now won more stages than any other Brit. Only his second year here.

Time Gaps? Were Frank & Andy with the finishing group? There appeared to be a little separtion with the first 10 riders or so.

Richard

Cavendish is clearly the best sprinter in this Tour. I know Thor is going to win green, and honestly - after his long break the other day, it's hard to begrudge it to him ... but I'm going to remember Cavendish from this Tour, not Hushovd.