TDF Stage 14:Blagnac - Rodez, 181.5km (TV from 12ish)

Weepsie

Ehm, never done one of these, so this shall be a bit crap.

After 2 stages of more interesting cycling and yesterday's short stage, today sees some less arduous climbing but a near constant amount of ascending for the 150 km before a a short enough descent in Rodez.

One for the Puncheurs and teams desperate for a stage win. The GC guys will be marking each other you'd think, maybe waiting for tomorrow, but maybe someone will get up to mischief again and make it good fun to watch.





The favourites are Matthews, GVA, Gilbert it seems, with Dan Martin and a few others behind

Prediction: Michael Matthews a he really, really wants a stage.


Rodez: Once a Roman town. It's existence is at risk apparently, because in the future "we won't need Rodez"

World renowned Artist Pierre Soulages is from Rodez. He paints stuff, and then paints over it in black (I may be a philistine) I expect he is like this guy

Zzippy

Looks like a pretty tough ramp to the finish, last 570m with average gradient of 9.6%. Not sure that will suit Matthews. Dan likes a steep finish...

Ah ha ha ha I hadn't recalled the painter from the fast show in years, it was the same gag every time but I loved it

Somedude9

Matthews all the way, he's flying!

Weepsie

Zzippy wrote: »

Looks like a pretty tough ramp to the finish, last 570m with average gradient of 9.6%. Not sure that will suit Matthews. Dan likes a steep finish...

That is true, but he if Alek can get himself up and down Ticknock a gazillion times, you'd hope a pro will ramp up there.

I was going for him a little on form, and a lot on I think he's really desperate for a stage.

happytramp

Matthews? GVA? Gilbert even?... I reckon Dan's to wrecked after the last few days and probably still soar from the crash to win while the others will be comparatively fresh.

Inquitus

I fancy Dan for Top 3, hopefully more!

neris

Whats the story with itv commentary today? Have boulting and millar got a day off? Or is this just a chat during boring pRt of therace

Tigerandahalf

While there is not much happening you have to admire the lovely landscapes they are passing through.

It is one of the great things of the tour. Makes it worth it to catch a stage early on tv.

Btw are any of the cyclists carrying personal cameras for tv. I would have thought it would give great shots.

Tigerandahalf

neris wrote: »

Whats the story with itv commentary today? Have boulting and millar got a day off? Or is this just a chat during boring pRt of therace

Probably on a coffee break. They normally swap at some stage before the action heats up.

neris

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

While there is not much happening you have to admire the lovely landscapes they are passing through.

It is one of the great things of the tour. Makes it worth it to catch a stage early on tv.

You cant beat a bit of chateaux porn

MPFGLB

So Voeckler and De Gendt were int he break 2 years ago and GVA won....could be serious deja vue all over again

Tigerandahalf

neris wrote: »

You cant beat a bit of chateaux porn

Ya Millar was giving a history lesson on one of the days about some chateau/castle that was owned by various groups from the English to the French down to the 11th century. A random but enoyable input.

Is it Ned Boulting that is commentating with Millar on itv4?

Must admit I really like the presenting of Gary Imlach. Very balanced and always interesting to listen to.

Somedude9

Inquitus wrote: »

I fancy Dan for Top 3, hopefully more!

Dan said he can't get out of the saddle because his back is so fooked :eek:. Wouldn't think you'd place with a seated sprint.

buffalo

Race explainer? wtf is this, the worst computer game of all time?

MPFGLB

buffalo wrote: »

Race explainer? wtf is this, the worst computer game of all time?

God love em ...they try

Weepsie

Fabio Felline has pulled out. Must have run out of lives.

Weepsie

https://twitter.com/AndrewCollinge/status/886215967650566145

Inquitus

Somedude9 wrote: »

Dan said he can't get out of the saddle because his back is so fooked :eek:. Wouldn't think you'd place with a seated sprint.

He was out of the saddle yesterday a fair bit on the step sections.

Somedude9

Inquitus wrote: »

He was out of the saddle yesterday a fair bit on the step sections.

No he wasn't, he was planted to it! :pac:

Inquitus

Somedude9 wrote: »

No he wasn't, he was planted to it! :pac:

Just dl'd the stage and checked, out of the saddle a good few times on the climb and also every time he attacked on the final descent / flat.

MPFGLB

Inquitus wrote: »

Just dl'd the stage and checked, out of the saddle a good few times on the climb and also every time he attacked on the final descent / flat.

He told cycling podcast he has no goals only to ride his bike ...yeah

neris

Camera views are mad. Head on shots and the peloton look right behind a breakaway attempt but the air shots show a good size gap

spock.

Well done Matthews.

Froome back in yellow.

neris

Fup sake froome back into yellow.. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Eamonnator

Looks like Froome is back in yellow

py

Twas a good ride by Froome to be fair, amateur stuff from Aru.

neris

Dan 8th behindb froome

mhiggy09

any sign of landa there?

DominoDub

Dan did great to be up there given the state of him getting off his bike yesterday man of steal

retalivity

Aru was not in the front group before they even hit the climb...poor positioning