So it all comes down to stage 18 and 20.
07-17-09, 12:44 PM
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So it all comes down to stage 18 and 20.
I dont see any other stages shaking up the GC.
It seems the contenders are content to let breakaways win and simply mark each other until 18 and 20.
It seems the contenders are content to let breakaways win and simply mark each other until 18 and 20.
07-17-09, 01:19 PM
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07-17-09, 01:27 PM
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Stage 15 will open some gaps.
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07-17-09, 02:22 PM
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15, 17, 18, & 20 will be important stages. Wiggins may be a dark horse, but Astana probably will not want him so close going into the ITT. Hopefully lots of attacking on 15 & 17.
07-17-09, 03:53 PM
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Why are people ignoring stage 16. It's a brutal stage. While it only has two climbs both are significant. Saint Bernard climb is an absolute beast. Saint Maurice isn't too shabby either.
07-17-09, 04:01 PM
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The thing is that while this (and 17) are not mountaintop finishes they also do not have much flat after the final mountian top. Groups have a minimal advantage on a downhill, unless it is gentle and fairly straight. If it is steep and tight a lone rider may actually have an advantage on a downhill over a group.
I think stage 16 has a great chance to generate some gaps. Very much like the American baseball situation where a batter does better if the guy hitting after him is a good since that means they often can not pitch around the first batter. Some teams will be unwilling to exhaust riders on 16 since they might end up paying a huge price the next day.
Last edited by Keith99; 07-17-09 at 04:08 PM.
07-17-09, 04:40 PM
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Perhaps some have bought into the mountiantop finishs are the only mountian stages where time is gained or lost.
The thing is that while this (and 17) are not mountaintop finishes they also do not have much flat after the final mountian top. Groups have a minimal advantage on a downhill, unless it is gentle and fairly straight. If it is steep and tight a lone rider may actually have an advantage on a downhill over a group.
I think stage 16 has a great chance to generate some gaps. Very much like the American baseball situation where a batter does better if the guy hitting after him is a good since that means they often can not pitch around the first batter. Some teams will be unwilling to exhaust riders on 16 since they might end up paying a huge price the next day.
The thing is that while this (and 17) are not mountaintop finishes they also do not have much flat after the final mountian top. Groups have a minimal advantage on a downhill, unless it is gentle and fairly straight. If it is steep and tight a lone rider may actually have an advantage on a downhill over a group.
I think stage 16 has a great chance to generate some gaps. Very much like the American baseball situation where a batter does better if the guy hitting after him is a good since that means they often can not pitch around the first batter. Some teams will be unwilling to exhaust riders on 16 since they might end up paying a huge price the next day.
