2011 TDF: Stage 19 - Modane - Alpe-dÂ’Huez

[goggalor]

Wouldn't Samu be better off sucking wheels to the bottom of the Alpe if he wants the stage/polka? Or is he afraid of Fränk?

Hesjedal working.

 

[Cowgirlup]

On the tracker it shows a small flat part just before the sprint, anyone know how long that bit is?

 

[Cerberus]

+1 Completely agree on this

Also the best way for him to win the jersey is to win the stage. There's most likely no contradiction between the two goals.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

garmin doing nothing to help

You were saying

 

[No_Balls]

No way can Contador survive on the Alpe. No way.

Nah, he will blow up. But lot of praises for the big man.

 

[unsheath]

The gap is yo-yoing up and done. Riveting stuff

 

[scullster46]

This morning's Versus pre-race show had a short piece with Craig Hummer. He relayed his conversation with Bjarne Riis who told him that Contador really wants a win on Alpe d'Huez. He wants to leave his mark on history. He's riding for himself on this one and is unlikely to give anyone else the stage.

I can see this, Contador really has a good sense of history and really wants to be seen as a legend of the sport.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

No way can Contador survive on the Alpe. No way.

I think he could actually. I mean everyone here has to be exhausted. They are all going to be completely tanked from this. It's going to be a war of pure guts and attrition by the time they get to the finish.

 

[sportzchick]

gotta make it like a timetrial...........Come on Cadel!!!!!!!

 

[kurtinsc]

Good point. You'd think he'd have more help. He has a larger group and for the riders with him, it's got to be easier than what the leaders are doing right now.

Doesn't look like it though.

He seems to be the only one keeping the pace high enough. He comes off the front to get food and fluids from the team car, the gap immediately jumps 10 seconds.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

What's the time limit for today's stage?

The gruppetto was 12 minutes behind on top of the Galibier.

The time limit is likely to be ~25 minutes at this pace, so as long as they can climb the Alpe in around 50 minutes they're fine.

 

[Jamsque]

I'm not really sure why Garmin are riding but why not I guess, stage win is an outside chance.

 

[Parrulo]

No way can Contador survive on the Alpe. No way.

indeed. he will fail on the alpe but he will fail so hard that it will become an epic win!!!!

 

[Zoncolan]

MJ group catches up to Basso group.

 

[trevim]

Garmin now riding.... Against Basso or what?

 

[Ramira]

We're about to hit the vicious little hills in the descent lets see if they bring anything before we get to Alpe D'huez.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Four riders have shown absolute heart this tour.

Cuddles
Schlecklet
Contador
Voeckler

 

[vcampbell]

Hesjedal you're one of my favorite rider, so please stop working for Evans :S

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Berti definitely deserves to win. He's the most gutsy rider I have seen in years. What a great champion, win or lose.

 

[delbified]

the 20" time gap is not as important as how much effort expended, i reckon

 

[Rooboy]

What's the time limit for today's stage?

been working on that:

if avg speed is 34-35kmh - then 27mins 43 secs

if avg speed is 36-37kmh - then 29 mins 55 secs

if avg speed 38-39kmh - then 31 mins 52 secs

My maths is hopeless so would really love if someone could check this.
http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/COURSE/docs/reglement.pdf --- pages 35-36 have all the coefficients.

 

[Carl0880]

Also the best way for him to win the jersey is to win the stage. There's most likely no contradiction between the two goals.

That the most accurate assessment and shows kudos to the changes they made. It seemed in the previous few years that they 2 goals were contradictions, which made no sense. IF you win mountain stages you should be competitive for the jersey.

 

[Kwibus]

Europcar the strongest team in the TdF

Remarkable indeed.

Check the clinic

 

[Hawkwood]

Bet those Europcar guys thought they were going to have an easy TDF a couple of weeks ago!!

 

[Ramira]

Four riders have shown absolute heart this tour.

Cuddles
Schlecklet
Contador
Voeckler

I would personally add Samu Sanchez to that list, he's attacked on every mountain stage except for yesterday.