Stage 15: Gap - L'Alpe-d'Huez
#2
Its Freakin HammerTime!!!
Hills !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Originally Posted by C_heath
Hills !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#4
Its Freakin HammerTime!!!
Originally Posted by Allen H
Stages 16 & 17 look even worse...or better, depending on whether you're watching or riding
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Are prognostications alright? If so I'll pick Levi to take it, and if not for the win at least top 3.
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Where's Danielson when Disco needs him? Bah, they should have brought him along just for 15, 16 and 17.
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Originally Posted by Kris Flatlander
Are prognostications alright? If so I'll pick Levi to take it, and if not for the win at least top 3.
Since I suspect Menchov will be with Floyd and Kloden, they may turn Rassmussen loose for the stage.
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Rasmussen should be helping menchov. Hopefully the 2 of them with Boogert will attack this stage or next. I doubt Ras will go for a solo win this year. He can prob win climber's jersey, while helping menchov on GC.
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I think an aggressive climber like Mercado could possibly win the stage to Alp d'Huez.
He obviously has great form, hence the stage win earlier, and a current top ten on GC.
That said, Floyd appears to be the strongest rider in the group.
He obviously has great form, hence the stage win earlier, and a current top ten on GC.
That said, Floyd appears to be the strongest rider in the group.
#10
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I can't wait for this one to start. I suppose the riders do deserve their rest day however.
I just checked the weather forecast for l'Alpe Huez:
https://my.excite.com/weather/obs.jsp?id=FRXX0230
Tuesday : Sunny early. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers developing later in the day. High around 70F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
I just checked the weather forecast for l'Alpe Huez:
https://my.excite.com/weather/obs.jsp?id=FRXX0230
Tuesday : Sunny early. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers developing later in the day. High around 70F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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I wonder whether we'll see the same phenomenon of a lot of riders (not just the sprinters, which is expected, but some decent climbers, too) cracking on a steep stage the day after a rest day here, like they did the first day in the Pyrenees.
I think the rest day messes up a lot of the riders' rythm and form, especially on a steeper stage. In any event, there will probably be another shaking up of the GC pecking order by the time they see the Alpe d'Huez....
I think the rest day messes up a lot of the riders' rythm and form, especially on a steeper stage. In any event, there will probably be another shaking up of the GC pecking order by the time they see the Alpe d'Huez....
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Originally Posted by Allen H
I wonder whether we'll see the same phenomenon of a lot of riders (not just the sprinters, which is expected, but some decent climbers, too) cracking on a steep stage the day after a rest day here, like they did the first day in the Pyrenees.
I think the rest day messes up a lot of the riders' rythm and form, especially on a steeper stage. In any event, there will probably be another shaking up of the GC pecking order by the time they see the Alpe d'Huez....
I think the rest day messes up a lot of the riders' rythm and form, especially on a steeper stage. In any event, there will probably be another shaking up of the GC pecking order by the time they see the Alpe d'Huez....
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Originally Posted by godspiral
Rasmussen should be helping menchov. Hopefully the 2 of them with Boogert will attack this stage or next. I doubt Ras will go for a solo win this year. He can prob win climber's jersey, while helping menchov on GC.
You're probably right, Chicken can likely win the dots while doing domestique duty. Funny thing is it's starting to look like Rasmussen's best competitor might turn out to be his leadout man.
A Rab attack is something I expect 16 or 17.
Even if they keep him back, they might turn him loose on final climb after he's pulled for Menchov.
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Originally Posted by meb
I think the rest day helps more riders than breaks form, they're professionals and know what they need do to keep up. Prolly not so much cracking on 15 as 16. I would expect Alpe d'Huez will wear them down so they crack on 16 and 17.
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Enough with the rest day! I need my 15/16/17 fix! I've been sucked into threads about spoiling spoilers for the spoiled! Start already, before we all go inane, I mean, insane!
DrPete
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Originally Posted by DrPete
before we all go inane
But I agree, I'm really looking forward to the upcoming stages...the real meat of the race!
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Yeah, in years past you just looked forward to the stages where LA would finally make his move and kill everyone. Now the race has totally changed, anything can happen, and I think it's more exciting than ever!
DrPete
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Originally Posted by meb
I'm sure they'll keep Rasmussen helping Menchov in on 17, and at least one of 15 & 16. I think the peloton will be sufficiently bunched Tuesday Rasmussen's services might not be needed.
You're probably right, Chicken can likely win the dots while doing domestique duty. Funny thing is it's starting to look like Rasmussen's best competitor might turn out to be his leadout man.
A Rab attack is something I expect 16 or 17.
Even if they keep him back, they might turn him loose on final climb after he's pulled for Menchov.
You're probably right, Chicken can likely win the dots while doing domestique duty. Funny thing is it's starting to look like Rasmussen's best competitor might turn out to be his leadout man.
A Rab attack is something I expect 16 or 17.
Even if they keep him back, they might turn him loose on final climb after he's pulled for Menchov.
Rasmussen and Boogered are working for Menchov to win the race. They'll take some mountain classification points if they're easy to get. If Floyd can't get some help, those guys are going to make it hard on him.
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Originally Posted by flythebike
If Floyd can't get some help, those guys are going to make it hard on him.
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Originally Posted by BryE
I'm willing to bet that Phonak will be able to give Floyd some help. They haven't ridden hard for several days, and Floyd apparently instructed his team to "take it easy" when he took yellow in the Pyrenees. They ought to be good to go for a few stages at least.
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My Guess is that Floyd will ride defensivley, one Piero is gone. Although Peiro has finished in the top 10 in the TdF before, remember, he rode for Phonak last year, so they are aware of his abilities. I would like to see Oscar become inspired by the Yellow and fight to keep it at the finish, That would be exciting.
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Originally Posted by ericy
I can't wait for this one to start. I suppose the riders do deserve their rest day however.
I just checked the weather forecast for l'Alpe Huez:
https://my.excite.com/weather/obs.jsp?id=FRXX0230
Tuesday : Sunny early. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers developing later in the day. High around 70F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
I just checked the weather forecast for l'Alpe Huez:
https://my.excite.com/weather/obs.jsp?id=FRXX0230
Tuesday : Sunny early. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers developing later in the day. High around 70F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
#24
Its Freakin HammerTime!!!
got Switchbacks? LOL
Ok, Its hincapies turn, hes gonna redeem on stage fiddeeen!
Ok, Its hincapies turn, hes gonna redeem on stage fiddeeen!
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Originally Posted by Smoothie104
My Guess is that Floyd will ride defensivley, one Piero is gone. Although Peiro has finished in the top 10 in the TdF before, remember, he rode for Phonak last year, so they are aware of his abilities. I would like to see Oscar become inspired by the Yellow and fight to keep it at the finish, That would be exciting.
But Pereiro seems inspired by his Maillot Jaune--Apparently, when he first put it on, he said "I can win the Tour." Big words--we'll see if he and is team are up for it, but I'm thinking not.
I think the Col d'Latauret will decide the stage, and we'll see the top handful of GC hopefuls alone on the Alpe d'Huez, without Oscar Pereiro. He'll crack on the Col d'Izoard.
DrPete