2011 Tour de France Stage 13: Pau - Lourdes 156km

[oevkride]

Realy hopes to see the sprinters go full speed downhill. asume Thor, EBH and Ale-jet? are the best descenders in the group. EBH are the best TT'er of the group. If he gets a gap to the others in the downhill I think they have to work really hard to reel him back in before the finish.

 

[Jamsque]

Europecar is holding the break at 4'15" without much trouble, I think they need more than that to stay away on the climb.

 

[maltiv]

Europcar and Bak seem determined to gift the stage to Gilbert...

 

[Four Winds]

HTC fail, the one time they send a guy in the break he isn't allowed to ride. Way to make friends for the next sprint stage as well...

Like in the next flat stage everyone would suddenly help HTC just cos Bak does a bit of pulling today?

 

[luckyboy]

Vulture cliff

 

[El Pistolero]

Because Lars Bak has already done more work this tour than the rest of the break away combined and squared?

I wonder how he's capable of that

 

[Bala Verde]

The whole peloton was marking him. They only let the break go after Phil sat up.

And Vanendert didn't want it enough.

VDB2 sent Vanendert a txt and was happy for him with how well he rode.

 

[El Pistolero]

And Vanendert didn't want it enough.

VDB2 sent Vanendert a txt and was happy for him with how well he rode.

Vanendert tried, but sat up. Maybe he doesn't have the legs.

 

[craig1985]

Phil Leggitt and Paul Sherwen, cool story bro.

 

[PedalCastro]

Harmon doing a David Attenbourough impression... Oh dear, oh dear

 

[Bala Verde]

HTC fail, the one time they send a guy in the break he isn't allowed to ride. Way to make friends for the next sprint stage as well...

Unfortunately we have seen that about any team will help HTC at any time, even that means they'll concede victory to Cavendish.

 

[Trofinios]

Seems like Eurocar won't let the break get too much time. Possible that some strong climbers in the peloton who are outside topp 10 will attack on aubisque and catch some of the breakaway riders if not all of them. Still a good possibility that either Thor, EBH or Petacchi wins the stage, or Moncoutie if he is in good climbing form.

 

[Bala Verde]

What's the ETA for this stage?

 

[kurtinsc]

Why should Bak work prior to the intermediate sprint?

To be honest, HTC's best case scenario is for the break to fail PRIOR to the sprint, then have Cav take max points there. If others want to chase it down, Bak SHOULD sit and let it come together again.

I'd think he should only start working after they are past the sprint (and he should probably attack just before to try to take points... even though the sprinters in the group really aren't in contention for green. Hushovd is sort of close.

Honestly though... they aren't coming back prior to the sprint so it's probably stupid not to work.

 

[maltiv]

I think Velits will attack on the climb and Bak will assist him.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

It's a shame the peloton will probably not race on the Aubisque

 

[Archibald]

Phil Leggitt and Paul Sherwen, cool story bro.

details? 9 10

 

[PedalCastro]

Jens down i think

 

[Bala Verde]

Jens grinds everyone and everything, even the food in his muzette.

 

[luckyboy]

Hate how Phil and Paul call bikes 'machines'. I can't watch this, back to Eurosport Player.

 

[Sasquatch]

That Velits attack seems likely. This break needs about 6 minutes at the climb.

Gusev is the one that is not going to make this break survive.

Lars Bak could take the stage here. He can climb and climb better than Petacchi and Hushovd.

 

[TomasC]

I think Velits will attack on the climb and Bak will assist him.

second this

 

[craig1985]

Jens Voigt down.

 

[Bala Verde]

hshvd for the points? he's at 163 only...

 

[tdfChamp]

Bosen Hagen for todays win