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

[Alpe d'Huez]

Four riders have shown absolute heart this tour.

Cuddles
Schlecklet
Contador
Voeckler

+1

More than any of us thought.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The unbelievable Europcar Express

 

[riobonito92]

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.

About as fast as Lemond and Hinault then.

 

[BYOP88]

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

Or Andy for that matter.

 

[Zoncolan]

Europcar looking like Postal. CLINIC!!!!!!!

 

[cineteq]

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

TEAM GC + 10 characters

 

[Phoenix23]

Rolland has a minute on Rein apparently. Uran was dropped early and I'm pretty sure he's gone.

 

[Pharazon]

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.

with all these climbs? surely the speed wont be anywhere near that?

 

[unsheath]

Gap to 13s

 

[Bala Verde]

14k till the foot of the Alpe.

 

[UselessToo]

Europcar - the best helper of Taaramae in the fight with Rolland

 

[Grayguard]

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

+1 More than anyone, he has made some of these stages worth watching

 

[Maxiton]

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

Maybe looking to help Cadel?

 

[The Hitch]

NOOOOOOO!!!!

Theyre going to get caught

I so wanted to see groups before the Alpe.

 

[patrick767]

I'm not at all convinced Contador will crack on the final climb. Sure, he hasn't been at his top form and he had a bad day yesterday, but he's still Alberto Contador. If he has a good day today, don't expect anyone to catch him.

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.

And they're not even climbing... that's crazy. None of those other guys deserve to be with Cadel both yesterday and today. He and A. Schleck are the deserving winners. Not that that guarantees either one wins, of course.

 

[sportzchick]

20secons now.....

 

[goggalor]

Gap coming down. Still 15-20 minutes to the climb starts.

 

[The other McHoy]

+1

More than any of us thought.

Hoogerland belongs in that list.

 

[luckyboy]

Rolland has a minute on Rein apparently. Uran was dropped early and I'm pretty sure he's gone.

Europcar working for Voeckler are actually pulling Taaramae up to Rolland.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Absolutely breathtaking scenery. I mean, wow. Just wow.

 

[Pharazon]

Rolland has a minute on Rein apparently. Uran was dropped early and I'm pretty sure he's gone.

i thought i saw uran in the yellow group... definitly saw 3 sky's... maybe it was xandio, flecha and thomas

 

[kurtinsc]

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

I can only guess they have some GC thoughts?

Doesn't make a ton of sense though... 3:20 to Basso might be possible to put Danielson in 8th... but it would take 7:08 to the only other guy ahead on the GC who's back (Voeckler).

I suppose you could secure the team competition and put Hesjedal in the top 15 if things work out well. From a points perspective that matters I guess.

 

[Amused]

Four riders have shown absolute heart this tour.

Cuddles
Schlecklet
Contador
Voeckler

As a Norwegian I feel the need to ad Hushovd to that list

 

[DenisMenchov]

Voeckler is not doing any work. Has he recovered??? HOw interesting.

 

[goggalor]

Garmin still working. Good on them.