2011 Tour de France, Stage 12: Cugnaux - Luz-Ardiden, 209 km

[Ryo Hazuki]

Coppel won't be in the breakaway, he is trying to ride for GC. He's been injured though, and his form doesn't seem great. Hopefully he's recovered a bit, I'd like to see him in the top 10-15 on the stage.

Another who I hope has recovered from his bruises is Uran, who is still hoping for a top 10 in Paris but doesn't sound too confident: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/529362/sky-s-uran-takes-on-tour-de-france-climbs-for-mum-and-sister.html

that's how he always talks, is he injured though? I didn't know he had crashed

 

[frenchfry]

Go Ivan,Peter and Rein, I believe in you guys.

Tomorrow will only be about following Szmyd, Monfort, Fuglsand and guys like this until the last 2 km. We won't see attacks at all I fear.

Ouch! This could be the winning prediction.

I remember after a similar stage last year (I forget which one), a commentator said that the only scenario that hadn't been imagined was that nothing would happen - and in fact nothing happened. I fear tomorrow could be the same situation, at least as far as GC is concerned. Of course I am hoping for an attack fest.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Thanks for posting that link.

I hope he performs well tomorrow. I fear of his performance on the third week but not now. I don't think he has any excuse now.

why for the third week? he is known to recuperate well. I would be more worried about tomorrow

 

[Duartista]

Coppel is 4mins down already on the other GC hopefuls so looks unrealistic unless he is going for white but I can't see him climbing with Gesink.

So breakaways and stage wins are his best shot this year.

Yes, but for Coppel 'going for GC' means getting in at least the top 15, maybe scraping into the top 10, which is still possible. That would be a good result as he has never finished a GT before.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Yes, but for Coppel 'going for GC' means getting in at least the top 15, maybe scraping into the top 10, which is still possible. That would be a good result as he has never finished a GT before.

also to be the best frenchman in gc, is a big thing in france although that will now be voeckler I think

 

[T-Nielsen]

Thor to go on a crazy solo attack and win back the yellow jersey.

I heard, that Vino will attack in a wheelchair. AND win btw.

I wonder if the Schleck are planning an attack. It would make sence, as they have to drop Evans, and they should test if Contador is pulling a slow fast one on them.

If they do not attack, then they made find themselves in the backwheel of a flying spaniard.

 

[b.broadhurst]

4 min is nothing in the Tour if you are going for top 10 or 15. It is bad if you are shooting for the podium and if your name is not Contador but that's it. Now if he does not have the talent then our talk is meaningless.

Not good enough so his objective should be stage wins.

 

[Duartista]

that's how he always talks, is he injured though? I didn't know he had crashed

Yes, he crashed on the same stage as Wiggins but earlier in the stage. He had bruising on his right side and some knee pain over the weekend, hence his under-par performance on stage 9.

 

[frenchfry]

Voeckler will definitely attack tomorrow at some point, he just can't help himself!!

If the favorites spend the day marking each other, Voeckler just might stay in yellow.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Yes, he crashed on the same stage as Wiggins but earlier in the stage. He had bruising on his right side and some knee pain over the weekend, hence his under-par performance on stage 9.

ah that explains it. let's hope it's recovered now, bruises are worst the 2nd day

 

[b.broadhurst]

also to be the best frenchman in gc, is a big thing in france although that will now be voeckler I think

Coppel will be higher than Voeckler.

 

[Duartista]

Thanks for posting that link.

I hope he performs well tomorrow. I fear of his performance on the third week but not now. I don't think he has any excuse now.

No problem. I actually think he will do better in the Alps, the high altitudes should suit him.

 

[The Hitch]

Go Ivan,Peter and Rein, I believe in you guys.

Tomorrow will only be about following Szmyd, Monfort, Fuglsand and guys like this until the last 2 km. We won't see attacks at all I fear.

If Sylwek can manage to get to the last 2k of that stage on the front, he might as well be given a GT to do his own self.

Hes an awesome climber but he usually sets pace up half a climb. To go through 3 big ones onto an MTF at the Tour would be the standard of Landis in 04.

 

[b.broadhurst]

If the favorites spend the day marking each other, Voeckler just might stay in yellow.

Contador won't mark anyone, he will go big or go home tomorrow.

 

[Angliru]

Ok, where have SaxoBank been? Haven't seen any of them in the first 11 stages, strange... Katusha? Astana?

Saxo is riding for Contador exclusively so what you have seen of them in a positive light has been all Contador with one mini attack by Anker Sorrenson.

Astana? Did you miss Vino on the hill top finishes? They were riding for him.

Katusha well Karpets did kick Contador out of the peloton, that should make some anti-Contador forumites content.

 

[Duartista]

Not good enough so his objective should be stage wins.

Why is it not good enough? That was his aim before the Tour.

 

[b.broadhurst]

Why is it not good enough? That was his aim before the Tour.

He is not good enough to make the top 15.

EDIT: unless we have more crashes/withdrawals

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Coppel will be higher than Voeckler.

I don't think so. voeckler is much underrated climber, esdpecially this year, look at him in trentino. imo he could very well do top ten, coppel no way

 

[b.broadhurst]

Breakaway or GC man tomorrow?

 

[cineteq]

Spanish Armada attack in the making...
Alberto Contador has many opponents who want to topple him, but he can count on his Basque friend (Samuel Sanchez). "We talked about it and I told him that when he attacks and I can follow, I'd be delighted to collaborate. We both need to make up time and I imagine that we both would be happy to gain ground over our rivals."

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9...-home-game-in-the-Pyrenees.aspx#ixzz1S15oX6Bw

 

[H2OUUP2]

I heard, that Vino will attack in a wheelchair. AND win btw.

I would not be surprised.

Martinez ftw in a break away with 5 other Spaniards.

 

[Dedelou]

Both Riis and Contador said that they would ride defensively and others would have to take the initiativ. I dont think we will see SBS pulling on Tourmalet. Leopard will do that anyways to put the hurt on Evans etc.

I wont rule out that Bertie will attack on Luz Ardiden but it will depend on his knee. But I think it will be Leopard who will do most of the work in front.

Humm!.. Riis loves that " attack at the base of the last climb and do or die " tactic that worked well for Carlos Sastre. L'alpes d'huez is such perfect spot for that an Luz is about the same length or close to it.

 

[b.broadhurst]

I don't think so. voeckler is much underrated climber, esdpecially this year, look at him in trentino. imo he could very well do top ten, coppel no way

Voeckler words, 'I'm not one of the world's strongest climbers'

So i don't think he is confident in being up there with the big boys tomorrow.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/voeckler-expects-to-lose-tour-de-france-lead-at-luz-ardiden

 

[Duartista]

He is not good enough to make the top 15.

EDIT: unless we have more crashes/withdrawals

Ah, you mean he is not good enough. Sorry. He certainly hasn't looked great so far, but his Dauphine last year suggested plenty of stage racing potential. Of course, that doesn't necessarily translate into GT performance.

 

[VeloCity]

Of course I am hoping for an attack fest.

If it weren't Bastille Day, then I could see that happening, but as it is Bastille Day, I think that alone will prompt the French teams to be plenty active.

Actually, I wouldn't be overly surprised to see Voeckler go on the attack at some point - what's he got to lose, really? It's unlikely he'll be able to hold on to the MJ by riding defensively, so why not give it a go? How awesome would it be to see a Frenchman in yellow going on the attack on Bastille Day!