July 19, Stage 16: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Gap 163km

ednwireland

Calm before the storm

The Alps are reached with a fairly straight forward run through the ruggedly beautiful Drôme region to Gap. The overall contenders will be happy to save themselves for three much-tougher days to come, which all but guarantees a break going early and staying clear all the way to the finish. The road rises steadily all the way until the main difficulty of the day, the 2nd-category Col de Manse. At almost 10km, this climb is long enough to split the lead group. The drop from it into the finish takes in the Rochette descent where Joseba Beloki memorably came to grief in 2003.

mahoo

looking forward to this stage. chances of a stage win running out for a lot of people... i reckon chavanel will give it a good go. hasn't been in great form so far but seams to be getting better each day. hope he gets in the break. and am sure gilbert will try something too as always

jiffybag

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_8m5-sR6I4&feature=related

mgmt

jiffybag wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_8m5-sR6I4&feature=related

I prefer this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iqwARP2BvQ

Hopefully Tommy will attack the descent and gain some time (perhaps with Nico ), or that Leopard-Trek let it rip from the base off the hill instead of going full gas 15km from the base and just burning off the sprinters and themselves :rolleyes:

Idleater

Hushvod

niceonetom

I suspect the win will go to someone in the break, but I really hope that Sanchez goes on the attack as they go over the top. I can't see either of the Schlecks staying with him if he gives it the beans on the descent.

Unregistered.

Roche to do well on this one.

Chips Lovell

niceonetom wrote: »

I suspect the win will go to someone in the break, but I really hope that Sanchez goes on the attack as they go over the top. I can't see either of the Schlecks staying with him if he gives it the beans on the descent.

He's a real dark horse this year. Never quite lived up to expectations in Grand Tours until now, but he's up there now. He's a decent TT'er on his day as well, so if he survives the Alps he could be moving further up the GC.

AG2R

Aye have to Agree Sanchez has been in some form this season and I'm delighted for him.
I'm fed up with hearing todays the day for Roche though. He just ain't up for it, Stage win is even going to be tough for him.

Looking forward to the stage today though

Idleater

el tonto wrote: »

He's a decent TT'er on his day as well, so if he survives the Alps he could be moving further up the GC.

That's interesting, as I thought him a decent climber and was hoping he'd manage not to lose too much time in the TT.

Chips Lovell

Idleater wrote: »

That's interesting, as I thought him a decent climber and was hoping he'd manage not to lose too much time in the TT.

He can climb alright, but isn't usually in the Contador/Schleck league.

AstraMonti

Love this pic:


The caption could easily be: "Bring it on..."

niceonetom

Is that Roche trying to get in the break?

Aoibheann

niceonetom wrote: »

Is that Roche trying to get in the break?

Succeeding at the moment!

EDIT: Hmm, break is getting a bit too large for my liking.

AG2R

Roche at the front of the break. Interesting

AG2R

Go on Hooglerland

niceonetom

Awesome. Some guys who'll do well on this kind of not-too-steep climb.

D3PO

looks like this is the days break.

Some pretty good riders in there along with Nico. Kreuziger, Hesjedal & Di Gregario & Jeannesson.

If this beak does contest the stage win its still going to be a very tricky one for Roche to win.

Aoibheann

Riders in the break:

Mollema, Hesjedal, Di Gregorio, Roche, Knees, Zandio, Jeannesson, Kreuziger, Roy (of course!), Gallopin, Marcato, Coppel, Hoogerland I think.

AG2R

Breakaway is not that far away, Sky want to bring it bacl

mgmt

wow nearly 90km done and the break still hasn't got away. The peleton will be focked when they reach the climb.

Aoibheann

Curse you Sky!

AG2R

Sky keeping Uran safe

D3PO

AG2R wrote: »

Breakaway is not that far away, Sky want to bring it bacl

they would be much better actually trying to send somebody on a counter attack to bridge the gap. Every team desperate to get in todays move.

AG2R

D3PO wrote: »

they would be much better actually trying to send somebody on a counter attack to bridge the gap. Every team desperate to get in todays move.

Sky have two men in the breakaway already lol

D3PO

AG2R wrote: »

Sky have two men in the breakaway already lol

lol didnt even realise :D. Wierd they would bring it back together. very strange.

John.Icy

It looks like the 2 sky riders made the bridge now they wern't in there before, break might get up the road now unless another team wants to chase.

AG2R

Sky want to reel it in because Uran is the best young rider and somebody in the break can threaten the jersey, W@ankers -.-

Chips Lovell

It's not that they have two men in it, it's that Jeannesson is there.

kmart6

Lot of lads aren't exactly putting much work in in that break!

D3PO

John.Icy wrote: »

It looks like the 2 sky riders made the bridge now they wern't in there before, break might get up the road now unless another team wants to chase.

lol so Im not going mad. I didnt see any sky guys in there originally thought I was going blind :p

John.Icy

Almost back together now.....


The race is flyig past! Down to 66k left and no break.

Here goes another attempt!

mgmt

The stage is already 20min quicker over the fastest scheduled time.

AG2R

I do love Eurosports coverage :L

D3PO

why do i feel the longer this stays together the more likely philly gilbert will win today. :o

mgmt

AG2R wrote: »

I do love Eurosports coverage :L

Yes, I can't stand the awful commentary on ITV4, Paul and Phil repeat their repertoire over and over again. And don't mention the ad breaks :eek:

AG2R

The lads on Eurosport just takes the piss all the time.

Breakaway beginning to pull away a little

AstraMonti

Can't seem to find any working stream for it, anyone?

AG2R

I know this isn't the right thread but Thomas has said he might leave Sky because they don't want him to ride in the Olympics

John.Icy

Some breathing space for this break now, up to 55 seconds....Roche missed the ship.

TinyExplosions

AstraMonti wrote: »

Can't seem to find any working stream for it, anyone?

here you go

kmart6

Shame Roche got dropped outta that!

AG2R

Roche caught

mgmt

AstraMonti wrote: »

Can't seem to find any working stream for it, anyone?

Here is British Eurosport

http://sports-livez.com/channel/ch-7.php

John.Icy

break is away...Roche will only be kicking himself.

GetWithIt

kmart6 wrote: »

Shame Roche got dropped outta that!

Was it obvious if he deliberately dropped out of it - to allow it succeed - or did he just not make it in?

kmart6

Even more frustrating that Roche didn't stay in the break now since they're all stopping for a piss and its been let go away!!

D3PO

GetWithIt wrote: »

Was it obvious if he deliberately dropped out of it - to allow it succeed - or did he just not make it in?

why would he delibrately drop out to allow it succeed when no AG2R riders are in it ?

GetWithIt

D3PO wrote: »

why would he delibrately drop out to allow it succeed when no AG2R riders are in it ?

He may have been told that the pelaton was chasing him, not the break, that the break would not be allowed get away with him in it.

mgmt

It's a shame they let the break go ahead, it would have been fun to watch more of the breakaway battle for longer especially with the sprint coming up.

AG2R

3'37 now