July 15, Stage 13: Pau - Lourdes 156km

ednwireland

A good day for the French?

Although the home riders will have been motivated to show themselves on the Bastille Day stage to Luz-Ardiden, today's run between Pau and Lourdes appears to suit them better. Not only is there no summit finish on this Pyrenean day, but it only features the climb of the Aubisque. Although a Tour classic, its summit is 50km from the finish. Add all that together and the Tour's leading performers are sure to keep their powder dry, which should give French riders the opportunity they need. Fédrigo has won twice on stages like this while Voeckler has impressed too.

CianRyan

No category?
Someone care to explain why?

TinyExplosions

CianRyan wrote: »

No category?
Someone care to explain why?

It's an anglicised version of Hors Category, or out of classification, ie, the hardest there is, like the Tourmalet and Luz Ardiden today

ednwireland

CianRyan wrote: »

No category?
Someone care to explain why?

its HC in my tour guide

velopeloton

Overcast and cold here. Hope it clears up before they get to Col d'Aubisque.

Cirque du Litor the road between Col d'Aubisque and Col du Soulor.



Hope we don't see this repeated. In 1951 Win Van Est fell 80m, he was pulled up with a rope made from tyres.

Brian?

No mountian top finish, boooo. I'd say they're be a small break away group of non GC riders or possibly a lone lunatic that will stay away and take the stage. No significant change in GC between the big boys, unless Contador is in worse shape than he looked yesterday.

I honestly don't understand why today isn't a mountain top finished, whatever happened to 3 mountain top finishes in a row?

Chips Lovell

Too many and it gets boring.

GT_TDI_150

cant wait for tomorrow, another HC finish!!

damoz

velopeloton wrote: »

Overcast and cold here. Hope it clears up before they get to Col d'Aubisque.

Cirque du Litor the road between Col d'Aubisque and Col du Soulor.

that first photo is vertigo inducing. Looks like a fun road to ride though !

c montgomery

Just put a tenner on Chabonelle at 16/1:pac::pac:

judas101

Any streams going for this?

joker77

judas101 wrote: »

Any streams going for this?

http://www.fromsportcom.com/c-9.html

AG2R

Klodens pulled out.


Chavanel wants away today, he has tried twice and has been taken back twice

AG2R

Boom a long way off the back

ednwireland

AG2R wrote: »

Klodens pulled out.


Chavanel wants away today, he has tried twice and has been taken back twice

the shack down to 5

AG2R

Katusha and Rabobank lose a man too.

mahoo

Interesting break....Maarten Tjallingii (Rabobank), Thor Hushovd (Garmin), Dmitriy Fofonov (Astana), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky), Jerome Pineau (Quick Step), Jeremy Roy (FDJ), David Moncoutie (Cofidis), Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre) and Lars Bak (HTC-Highroad)

Roy really is a sucker for punishment. must be going for the overall most aggressive rider prize. . . Hushovd, Petacchi and Boasson Hagen are looking to get a head start for the mountain. its a long way to the finish after the climb so maybe they're hoping it will all come back together towards the finish, minus cav and the other sprinters... or maybe its just for the intermediate sprint. forgot bout that!

AG2R

Roy was out by himself for a good bit before he was caught lol.


The Lads on Eurosport taking the piss out of the "spanish beef"

kmart6

Haha....Jens not happy about not getting a push off there!!

AG2R

Why is Cavandish complaining again. Thats the only reason I dislike him tbh

kmart6

I think I'd prefer to know why Gilbert seems to be a complaining a lot about something!!

mahoo

AG2R wrote: »

Why is Cavandish complaining again. Thats the only reason I dislike him tbh

yeah me too. nothing to complain about there. rojas moved over a tiny bit but there was still room. what does he want, an invitation!..

mahoo

kmart6 wrote: »

I think I'd prefer to know why Gilbert seems to be a complaining a lot about something!!

he went to early.. maybe there was mistake in the distance marker.. or else he just doesnt have the legs today and was looking for tow

mahoo

Hushvod attacking on the climb!.. you gotta love him.. not sure why he's doing it though!

AG2R

Gilbert is having a conversation, most likely complaining though
But Everytime Cav loses out on a sprint he throws the hands up and sulks


Gotta love Thor

AstraMonti

I hope Thor gets through with the attack, weird though.

niceonetom

I love Thor. How many lads his size would dream of being in the break on a day like this yet alone attacking out of it at the base of a HC climb? One. That's how many. Gravity can go fcuk itself.

kmart6

To be honest I'd prefer to see him complaining about losing out on sprints instead of patting the other guys on the back!

Roy is some man....has done a serious amount of breakaway riding...and if he catches Thor fair play!

Bouet gone off the front...same idea as yesterday maybe for AG2R....have someone out there who can help Nico later on if needed!

ednwireland

AG2R wrote: »

But Everytime Cav loses out on a sprint he throws the hands up and sulks

the commissaires have brought this on themselves (everyone else has been doing it as well) by dq'ing cav and thor on the first day

AG2R

Hoogerland is struggling

kmart6

AG2R wrote: »

Hoogerland is struggling

As are many many others...commentators seemed to single him out, and then as soon as the camera panned out kinda changed their opinion on how much he was struggling!

GetWithIt

kmart6 wrote: »

Bouet gone off the front...same idea as yesterday maybe for AG2R....have someone out there who can help Nico later on if needed!

Nah, they're aiming to get the lead in the Team category. No Leopard Trek riders in the break.

kmart6

Doubt that's the aim for today after the effort that was put in yesterday!!

mahoo

fair play to roy... polka dots tonight. hope he gets the stage. he really deserves one after all his attacking

AG2R

Nah Thor has him now!

kenmc

gwan thor!

AG2R

Moncoutie is just sitting in Thors wheel :L

AG2R

Roy Staying out well!.
Moncutie is being made do some work by Thor, pure brilliant, Cat and Mouse track style.


Thor has just kicked off from Moncutie

AG2R

Be jasus he's on his wheel after 10 pedal spins

kmart6

Disappointed for Roy!! He deserved to win today!!

AstraMonti

Go Thor!

davyjose

Incredible race by Hushovd.

Karagesh

This is great stuff. Thor is amazing.

corny

Delighted for Thor. Super rider.

De Bhál

hairs on back of neck rising watching Hushovd there. What a legend

mahoo

at least roy will get KOM... thor has been brilliant today too. love seeing sprinters having a go in the mountains. brilliantly judged

Idleater

Cool!

John.Icy

Well done to Thor, he planned that perfectly. Pity about Roy, cruel being snatched up so close to the line.

AG2R

What a ride!, Moncutie in second 12 down. Roy 24 down.
All I can say is wow.
Gilbert had broken wonder if he can stay out too

kenmc

what a ride!
hammer time

CianRyan

And that's what makes a world champion.