Professional Cycling For the Fans - 2012 Tour de France - Stage 16 - Pau → Bagnères-de-Luchon - Wednesday July 18

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a terrific descent to the finish and the best chance remaining for noted descenders evans & nibali to claw back significant time on wiggins. van den broeck is far enough back in the gc that i think he wins this stage but by less than 30 seconds over the other principals.

Waiting for the final descent is too late. There is no way Evans can make up enough time on Wiggins to take a lead, much less a large enough lead to survive the final TT.

If I were BMC, I'd make the move on the Tourmalet descent. There are no flats beyond that point, so there is a reasonable chance that a breakaway could stay clear. And Evans would have 3 descents to gain time on Wiggins instead of just 1.

Getting free of Wiggins will be tough, but IMHO it would to worth trying.

Col du Tourmalet. Such a beautiful, brutal ascent. Wish there was a tighter battle to force a bloodbath, but maybe Cadel will try his luck (legs) anyway.

There will be a few very good descents for Nibali and Evans to push there limits to get back into this race. But Wiggins is one cool customer, so it certainly won't be easy.

Cadel for the win.
After chasing back Nibali down that last descent.
Wiggins/Froome finish same time, because that's all they have to do.

Sky are looking too strong for anything else.

Cadel for the win.
After chasing back Nibali down that last descent.
Wiggins/Froome finish same time, because that's all they have to do.

Sky are looking too strong for anything else.

A likely story, but I hope something more interesting happens. That said, as boring as this tour has looked on paper, a lot has happened. Sky has just done an incredible job on containing it.

I'm gonna go out on a limb, because I've been fairly bored to tears with this entire edition of the TdF. I say the combined attacks of VdB, Nibali, Evans (who is showing he really doesn't have much left in the tank), and maybe a surprise guy or two, will finally crack Wiggins, and Froome will go up the road (as he said he will). However, I think he will sit on whatever group is out front, and if Wiggins can't climb back up, it will come down to a small group at the end containing Froome. The obvious choice for the win is Nibali, so I'll say he will shed guys on the final descent.

I think Farrar will attack on the Tourmalet and TT to the finish.........go you good thing!

I'm gonna go out on a limb, because I've been fairly bored to tears with this entire edition of the TdF. I say the combined attacks of VdB, Nibali, Evans (who is showing he really doesn't have much left in the tank), and maybe a surprise guy or two, will finally crack Wiggins, and Froome will go up the road (as he said he will). However, I think he will sit on whatever group is out front, and if Wiggins can't climb back up, it will come down to a small group at the end containing Froome. The obvious choice for the win is Nibali, so I'll say he will shed guys on the final descent.
Yea what he said!!!!

But Id really like to see Nibali and Evans with a fighting chance in the final TT. Ya know like + - 30 seconds and maybe hope Bad Brad has a flat or something. The next two days are crucial.

I am going to be really surprised if Cadel is able to mount an attack that Sky won't be able to control, he just doesn't seem to have the legs.

Nibali on the other hand might put his descending ability to good use, but it isn't like Wiggins can't hold his own on a fast downhill.

Something better happen tomorrow, it seems this year's high attrition rate may in part be caused by boredom :).

I'm gonna go out on a limb, because I've been fairly bored to tears with this entire edition of the TdF. I say the combined attacks of VdB, Nibali, Evans (who is showing he really doesn't have much left in the tank), and maybe a surprise guy or two, will finally crack Wiggins, and Froome will go up the road (as he said he will). However, I think he will sit on whatever group is out front, and if Wiggins can't climb back up, it will come down to a small group at the end containing Froome. The obvious choice for the win is Nibali, so I'll say he will shed guys on the final descent.

I like this scenario, and I'm putting Haimar Zubeldia's name in as one of the "surprise guys".

Is this what a clean TDF looks like? A group ride.

Queen stage

Is this what a clean TDF looks like? A group ride.

Yep - apparently there is a limit to what a human body can do without PEDs, and all of these guys are at that limit fairly equally. Therefore they are just cruising the countryside together.

Yesterday was what a clean TDF looks like. Sprinter stage, where the teams are so tired, no one wants to chase the breakaway. Tomorrow will still be interesting.

A lot still has to do with the fact of this year's race route. No super hard uphill finishes leaves the climbers a bit wary to attack hard and often on the climb.

Is this what a clean TDF looks like? A group ride.

This is what the TDF looks like without Contador and Schleck.

This is what the TDF looks like without Contador and Schleck.

^this.

Is this what a clean TDF looks like? A group ride.

Suggestion for next year: on rest days you can take any drugs you want, uppers, downers, coke, epo, spanish beef, the lot. Then everyone goes bonkers on the next day doing wheelies up Mt Ventoux; should keep the riff-raff happy.

Suggestion for next year: on rest days you can take any drugs you want, uppers, downers, coke, epo, spanish beef, the lot. Then everyone goes bonkers on the next day doing wheelies up Mt Ventoux; should keep the riff-raff happy.


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

That would be interesting.

Bring back the time bonuses.

Then there would be more incentive to attack especially early in the tour.

I don't see too much happening in this stage, sadly. Well, in the GC race anyway. I hope I'm wrong. Maybe Nibbles will send what should be a very strong team in the mountains to the front and shatter the field, and then kill the descent and TT to the finish. He has the courage for such a move...

Evans has stated that he's still feeling good, getting better in fact. I don't know if he's got the legs - plus Froome & Wiggo are in pretty rare form too.

Very hot out there today, over 30c even at altitude. Lots of people are going to suffer badly before the end.

Looks like the other GC hopefuls are going to let Sky ride at their own pace?? It seems if someone was serious about challenging Wiggins they would use their team to set the pace. For crying out loud EBH is still up there. Now if someone attacks there are 5 or 6 Sky riders to chase them down.

Group rides seem to be the theme of this years tour.

Boring

I think we will see attacks, but if there are 3 or 4 Sky riders with Wiggins they will fail. Someone needs to use their team to splinter the group a bit and then go head to head. 1vs5 you lose.

It's another day where the other teams allow SKY to dictate and don't attack. They should have just stopped the race and given the yellow to Wiggins after the TT a Monday ago. Another group ride across France. By allowing SKY yo set the tempo, the others have just given up. I'm sure there will be one or two of those 10 second 'attacks' then the 'attacker' will fall back into the group. The lack of mt. top finishes has doomed this Tour to group ride status.

Tommy Volkler has more courage than all of the other GC 'contenders' combined.

From UK.Eurosport: "66km - It's a mighty shame that a climb as brilliant as the Tourmalet has been treated with disdain by the main pack - it's a mere procession, a training ride led by Sky."

It's another day where the other teams allow SKY to dictate and don't attack. They should have just stopped the race and given the yellow to Wiggins after the TT a Monday ago. Another group ride across France. By allowing SKY yo set the tempo, the others have just given up. I'm sure there will be one or two of those 10 second 'attacks' then the 'attacker' will fall back into the group. The lack of mt. top finishes has doomed this Tour to group ride status.

Tommy Volkler has more courage than all of the other GC 'contenders' combined.

Or just maybe there is no team capable of challenging sky. Yes, that's it.

Does anyone know the name of the song that led in to today's broadcast on NBC Sports? It was during the montage of Schleck. I want to say the group is Dead Can Dance but I could be wrong.

It is not like Sky is setting a blistering pace. Look at how Andy's team handled the race in 2009, 2010, and 2011. He didn't win, but they decimated the field, and then the GC battle was on. Has anyone used their team to try and isolate Wiggins? Maybe they can't, but at least try.


Or just maybe there is no team capable of challenging sky. Yes, that's it.

Correction. The song was played during the opening montage of today's stage. Also, it's on the American broadcast on Universal Sports.

Sagan still with the yellow jersey group. They are racing hard

Liquigas turning up the wick to squeeze Wiggo. Or try to. The main victim is Evans, who is straight off the back. We're going to be down to very few riders on the final climb. Those who think this is a "group ride" ought to try staying with these guys.

Those who think this is a "group ride" ought to try staying with these guys.

Oh come on. Of course NONE of us on this board could stay with these guys. Just like no one on the Yankees board could hit or play like those guys, and so on. I hear that old chestnut trotted out so often. The overall point is...you can't hope to win if you're willing to just ride along and allow SKY to lead and set the tempo. Get out there and try to mix things up. Some of these other teams need to at least TRY to challenge SKY, not just follow along.

Liquigas turning up the wick to squeeze Wiggo. Or try to. The main victim is Evans, who is straight off the back. We're going to be down to very few riders on the final climb. Those who think this is a "group ride" ought to try staying with these guys.


Turning up the gas for real is one thing. All of Liquigas' efforts have seemed like nothing more than a demonstration of doing their due diligence for TV and sponsor. Nobody has the form. What a sterile race.

Oh come on. Of course NONE of us on this board could stay with these guys. Just like no one on the Yankees board could hit or play like those guys, and so on. I hear that old chestnut trotted out so often. The overall point is...you can't hope to win if you're willing to just ride along and allow SKY to lead and set the tempo. Get out there and try to mix things up. Some of these other teams need to at least TRY to challenge SKY, not just follow along.

Someone - Nibali, Evans, VDB - has attacked Sky on almost every significant mountain stage. The fact that those attacks have failed does not mean that they weren't serious, or that those making them lacked guts or determination. The simple fact is that Sky in general, and Wiggins in particular, are just too strong for them. You may not like that, you may think it's boring. I don't, as it happens, there is plenty going on to keep me interested. But you can't put it down to a lack of effort, or sense of adventure. If you're the weaker rider, attacking on these climbs is just a very short suicide note.

Obviously I've VERY happy to have the opportunity to watch the Tour every day, and I personally don't find it boring. That said, the way the race is laid out, with the lack of Mt. top finishes and, it seems, fewer days in the Mts, overall, there's very little drama remaining in the race. That lack of drama for two weeks, since the individual TT, and the lack of any real apparent stages where the other GC contenders could take time back, make it rather frustrating when there ARE places where attacks could happen and they don't, or are half-hearted, at best.

I agree with your post. My point is cruising along at warm up pace for 90% of a stage and trying to drop Wig and 4 or 5 of his teamates is not a good strategy. This has been shown.


Someone - Nibali, Evans, VDB - has attacked Sky on almost every significant mountain stage. The fact that those attacks have failed does not mean that they weren't serious, or that those making them lacked guts or determination. The simple fact is that Sky in general, and Wiggins in particular, are just too strong for them. You may not like that, you may think it's boring. I don't, as it happens, there is plenty going on to keep me interested. But you can't put it down to a lack of effort, or sense of adventure. If you're the weaker rider, attacking on these climbs is just a very short suicide note.

Someone - Nibali, Evans, VDB - has attacked Sky on almost every significant mountain stage. The fact that those attacks have failed does not mean that they weren't serious, or that those making them lacked guts or determination. The simple fact is that Sky in general, and Wiggins in particular, are just too strong for them. You may not like that, you may think it's boring. I don't, as it happens, there is plenty going on to keep me interested. But you can't put it down to a lack of effort, or sense of adventure. If you're the weaker rider, attacking on these climbs is just a very short suicide note.

It probably goes back to the drug thing. We're used to seeing guys who have recovered fairly well during the tour due to drugs. They have the legs to attack dramatically. These guys are shot already. Wiggins looks great, but a few years ago someone on drugs would have been able to accelerate away from him. No one can even accelerate 10 sec on him

looks like voeckler took his computer off.

Tommy Volkler has more courage than all of the other GC 'contenders' combined.

Amen to that.

For the love of God!!!! TeJay ATTACK!!!!!! Other than Tommy this stage is being won by guys who Alberto and Andy spat out the back during stages like this, last year on the first climb. The tour director is on suicide watch!!

Its a good thing we know more than all those riders and directors do.

We have our answer. Nibali goes for it. Froome and Wiggins in no trouble. Nobody else in the picture. Super impressive from Wiggo, really, he looks easy.

Its a good thing we know more than all those riders and directors do.

Who said that? I hear people (including me) complaining that no-one has the legs or talent to attack. You could say that's a fact at this point. Not saying anyone knows better than riders.

As far as the course, who knows.

I keep telling that old fart pcad Evans is in bad form...this goes to show...he never had it this year and it was obvious from the start.

not that i have a clue...

but wouldn't the tour be more exciting if they got rid of the time trials?

no


not that i have a clue...

but wouldn't the tour be more exciting if they got rid of the time trials?