Recent content by Pilgaard

First regarding the rumors. I have read about a MTF on Pierre Saint-Martin, which I find very interesting, if only because it is new to the race, instead of the usual suspects. Pla d'Adet could be excellent as well, as it links up well with the other Pyrenean mountains. There have been some huge...

Just wondering whether there has been some rumors about the 2012 TdF-route here in the last part of the current Tour - I have only read some English-language sites, which doesn't really have anything particular about the route so far. Perhaps some have read rumors from other language sites ?

There are many different things, which makes it a great TdF. First and foremost, unlike the Indurain and Armstrong-years (minus 2003), the overall victory has to be interesting throughout the race. Because of that, I actually think the editions post-Armstrong has been quite thrilling. 2006 was...

Besides the official announcement of Liege as the starting point next year, are there any rumors circling around regarding the route ? I presume it's going to be the Alps first, and then the Pyrenees, but I'm wondering which mountains or interesting stages are going to be used. Interesting...

Since the question is regarding the hardest MTF in 2011, I think it is important to analyze just the MTF, and not the preceding climbs. In that case it is a question of the length of the climb, how steep it is, and the altitude. I have used the official numbers from the TdF-webpage. Luz...

Very interesting idea. There were some TdF in the early 90s and in the 80s which (roughly) corresponds to this description with lots of ITT and few mountains. Like 1980 with around 130 km ITT and 100 km TTT and only 2 MTF at Pra-Loup and Prapoutel, or 1992 which had around 135 ITT and 64 km TTT...

I just checked the results from the Sierra Nevada ITT in the Vuelta 2004 (as I referred to in my previous post, being comparable). You are spot on regarding the time differences. That stage ended with three minutes between nr 1 and nr 4 which is too huge a gap, especially with the general...

Yes, exactly like that stage. As far as I can recall, the best stage of the 2009 TdF as well. Excellent combo with the Romme and Colombiere at the end. In the same vein, the TdF has used the route to Morzine with the Joux-Plane as the last mountain several times the past decade. But the...

Exactly one of those stages which could create some interesting elements to the race. I'm all in favor of several MTF, but also a difficult mountain stage with a descent at the end. Could also be one like stage 15 in 2007, with the Portet d'Aspe (2), Mente (1), Port de Bales (HC) and Peyresourde...

Could be interesting as an ITT. Zomegnan obviously enjoys having an mountain ITT on the menu every year, and it would be a change to have a long ascent without too steep pitches. It reminds me somewhat of the mountain ITT in the Vuelta 2004 (stage 15 to Sierra Nevada). An ITT also solves the...

Thanks for the info - and the quick reply :)

As always a rather mountainous Vuelta in 2011. As several have noted on the forum, stage 14 to La Farrapona is notable due to the final climb immediately following the second-to-last climb. Well done by the organisers. However, I think it highlights the usual lack of the major, epic mountain...

Very interesting stage profiles. Which site do you use to make these images ?

Hopefully the Giro will focus more on the Italian Alps in 2012. In the late 90s/early 00's the Giro had more focus on the climbs in the southern Alps, the Fauniera/Eschiscie, the Sampeyre and then a MTF finish near the top of the Agnello or the Lombarde. They have been underutilized the past...

I agree with the various people who has expressed their reservations about the new webdesign. I am especially disappointed that I cannot (it might be due to my own incompetence) find stage profiles for various races. The content I am looking for here is indeed stage profiles, both for larger...