Tour de France Stage 7 – July 11th, Épernay - Nancy **Unmasked Spoilers**

Darkglasses

This is more intriguing than it first appears. It's also longer than it first at a whopping 234.5km, and there's a full 5 km to the finish after the summit of the last climb. The last climb is 1.4km at about 8%, which is going to be too much for Marcel Kittel I would strongly suspect. Greipel is a better climber, but I don't think he'll be hanging in either. Rather, I would say Cannondale will be setting an extremely strong pace for Peter Sagan, yet to win a stage, and ideally suited for this parcours.

His rivals are somewhat difficult to isolate. Simon Gerrans is normally well-suited, but he hasn't shown any sign yet that he has recovered from his early crashes. John Degenkolb is another, but again, not fully 100%.

Any number of all-rounders could pick-pocket Sagan with a well-timed attack. Sagan is certainly the favourite for me, but not nailed-on. The stage win could go to a real left-fielder.

Some outrageous value out there. Check Rui Costa, Degenkolb, and Kwiatkowski if you're a betting man/woman :eek:

Oddschecker: Sagan 5/2, Kristoff 13/2, Kwiatkowski 14/1, Gerrans 14/1, Albasini 18/1, Cancellara 18/1

ZiabR

Kristoff

With all of his top 5 finishes so far, I have to believe Sagan will take the win today!

death1234567

I think Sagan is too concerned with getting the Green jersey to take stage wins. Could be an outsider like Paolini for the win today.

Morrisseeee

If Sagan isn't on top form then Kwiatkoswki and Cancellara are obvious dangers. It's a Classic type finish but is it hard enough for the big guns to get away and stay away ?!

Cote de Maron and Cotes de Boufflers on Strava (after a bit of digging).

daramike

Kwiatkowski

Sagan is too short for me Kristoff will beat him in a sprint if they are there at the end. Gerrans has to have a serious chance if not injured. Gallopin Bakelents and Van Avermaet have to have good chances also. I'm going to say reduced sprint with Kristoff beating Sagan.

duffyshuffle

Gallopin

Chavanel has been too quiet, seemed to be testing the legs yesterday for 10th, gone for him and then also van avermaet who seemed to be in great form in spring, both each way

pelevin

I think Sagan was apparently really hurting from a couple of falls yesterday so he mightn't be in top form. Gone randomly for Rui Costa.

mal1

Kristoff

From the ITV4 interview with Sagan yesterday, he openly admitted to being diappointed not to be wearing yellow at some stage and not to have won a stage. He will be gunning for any stage that's has possibilities for him.

oconnpad

.@stefclement abandonne / @Stefclement pulls out #TDF

Hope he's alright

MPFG

Maybe Bertie might have a dig today....let them all know the King is still alive and all that

n-dawg

Albasini

MPFG wrote: »

Maybe Bertie might have a dig today....let them all know the King is still alive and all that

I was thinking that too... but I have a feeling that cannondale will be going all out for Sagan so he wont get the opportunity.

Captain Havoc

MPFG wrote: »

Maybe Bertie might have a dig today....let them all know the King is still alive and all that

No, he'll be waiting for lumpier stages.

death1234567

God Lemond on tour was especially appalling today. Terrible terrible presenter and Lemond himself is also awful on TV.

cycleoin86

Kwiatkowski

death1234567 wrote: »

God Lemond on tour was especially appalling today. Terrible terrible presenter and Lemond himself is also awful on TV.

He almost pulled a Dunphy too... Said "P1ssed Off"

To be fair, I don't think he's that bad, it's the french interviewer / presenter who is terrible!

Zyzz

oconnpad wrote: »

.@stefclement abandonne / @Stefclement pulls out #TDF

Hope he's alright

Talk about taking stage fright to a new level.. :pac:

ben.schlomo

cycleoin86 wrote: »

He almost pulled a Dunphy too... Said "P1ssed Off"

To be fair, I don't think he's that bad, it's the french interviewer / presenter who is terrible!

Was just gonna post the same thing, i can handle Le Mond but that French lad is shocking bad, so bad he probably could get a gig with TV3.

Pudsy33

Just got a mention from John hopefully GVA wins and I'll look extra smug

Offside

How many places does each way pay in cycling? Is it just one and two?

Pudsy33

Generally 3

retalivity

My fantasy tour wldcard Danny van Poppel has abandoned the race...

buffalo

retalivity wrote: »

My fantasy tour wldcard Danny van Poppel has abandoned the race...

heh, I nearly transferred him into the team this morning. He did well for me last year.

MPFG

I like the Lemond section ...it has grown on me...its not slick TV but we have enough of that ...plus I think LeMond is very clued up....just his delivery is a bit all over the show but who cares .....he is a legend

MPFG

Stefano on the other hand ....he should be put in charge of making the coffee and carrying LeMonds luggage ...He doesn't listen, jumps in at the wrong time and has dreadful questions

Someone promote him quick

Ole Rodrigo

MPFG wrote: »

I like the Lemond section ...it has grown on me...its not slick TV but we have enough of that ...plus I think LeMond is very clued up....just his delivery is a bit all over the show but who cares .....he is a legend

Defo agree - authenticy over polish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJVRDoaIyLs

Darkglasses

Kristoff

Currently on the way up Cote du Maron. Kittel's out the back, Voeckler attacking

pelevin

Tommy Voeckler hits the thousandth futile attack of his career.

godtabh

bit of a spill there. TJ chasing

neris

S. Chavanel

Small crash 15km to go. Peleton pissing off ahead

gordongekko

godtabh wrote: »

bit of a spill there. TJ chasing

He looks battered.

couerdelion

gordongekko wrote: »

He looks battered.

Doesn't look like he'll get back on

neris

S. Chavanel

Cancellara looks like hes pushing it but no one from team around him

gordongekko

pelevin wrote: »

Tommy Voeckler hits the thousandth futile attack of his career.

And he goes again

me89

Go on Nico

godtabh

sagan?

couerdelion

Sagan looked like he got it! Yes!!!

godtabh

my god that was close

me89

How close is that :eek:

neris

S. Chavanel

Sagan looks like he got it

me89

Poor Segan just misses out again

Dcully

So tight Sagan wow just wow to recover and go again,what a beast but looks to have been just pipped by a tiny margin.What a racer.

Pudsy33

It's Trentin

neris

S. Chavanel

Garmin rider still trying to get over the line

couerdelion

Damn - Trentin got it. So close, hardly get a postage stamp between them.

Darkglasses

Kristoff

Trentin, Sagan, Gallopin

duffyshuffle

Gallopin

Van Avermaet had me hopeful, Sagan was the wrong man to be away with him, two in top ten for picks, but no money in the new bike fund :-(
Boylesports pay out 1/4 odds for first 5 places

godtabh

Kelly doesnt think so

neris

S. Chavanel

Whats the deal with gerrans helmet? No vents in it just looks like a lump of plastic

Darkglasses

Kristoff

JoeyJJ

That was close, some fall near the end too.

buffalo

Today's betting profits? 3c!

couerdelion

Why does Lemond have to call all the bike riders by their first name only? Is he trying to be down with the kids and all the pelotons best friend?

Probably asked a million times already.