2011 Tour de France Stage 16 (18/7/2011): Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Gap, 162.5km

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Oh this is very very bad news.

not really basically he said it benefits (new rules) the guys at the front.
so it really just comes as a bonus as being up there for gc.

 

[woodburn]

i don't see it happening simply because he doesn't has the strength anymore. last year in the vuelta he bonked completely mid way through the second week. i highly doubt that less then 1 year after he will have the strength to this kind of attack in the middle of the third week.

If he bonks this week, it is because Van Garderen has been working on the flats for Cav in addition to Velits in the mountains. Look at the work he did today.

Not going to extrapolate that as him being unable to last three weeks. If he was simply riding for GC, then you would be right.

 

[metya77]

In my opinion today will win Gilber or Sanchez.
Though I don't like to be an oracle.

 

[Escarabajo]

Don't forget it's the 3rd week.

An easy climb can still turn into a massacre.
Remember Giro Macugnana. A very very easy climb (easier than montevergine which had a 20 men sprint), but differences even with the leaders...

+1.

On the last climb there will be an explosion of the GT contenders. This is the third week, and there will be no waiting.

Who is going to win. Probably a breakaway rider. But who cares, the excitement will happened behind in the main peloton.

 

[hfer07]

Either Zubeldia or Leipheimer will find themselves in this break. I would expect LL. Sanchez to be there too. Gilbert will surely have a go if the peloton is close to the break. Sky will be in the break, likely with Boasson-Hagen.

Leech-heimer in a breakaway? LOL when was he last time seen in a breakaway during a GT?

 

[Pineapple]

+1.

On the last climb there will be an explosion of the GT contenders. This is the third week, and there will be no waiting.

Who is going to win. Probably a breakaway rider. But who cares, the excitement will happened behind in the main peloton.

Ahhh, I remember when I used to be so naïve... Those were the good days. Now I've learned only to expect something from the favorites in the last five kilometers of a mountain top finish, so I can be happy with every extra meter of racing they decide to give us.

 

[Tuarts]

hitch, you would know him best but i suspect he's "buffling" a little.

even if he's not doing some bluffing, it's not horrible is it? he must have your hopes up high for TdF winner. voeckler earns my respect but samu would even be...fantastic:

samu
contador
voeckler

just dreaming and imagining bertie would be happy for his friend.

i better get something done. but i'm excited to see this stage, especially with the weather forecast

Yeah. "Hey let me go up the road and get the win, I'm after mountain points. Oh look, I got some time as well. Purely coincidental, I assure you "

 

[metya77]

Ahhh, I remember when I used to be so naïve... Those were the good days. Now I've learned only to expect something from the favorites in the last five kilometers of a mountain top finish, so I can be happy with every extra meter of racing they decide to give us.

Do you think TDF is game?
And the GC show a show for us?

 

[Pineapple]

Do you think TDF is game?
And the GC show a show for us?

You have to admit that it would be nice if the riders thought a little bit more about us. A suicide attack here, a venomous remark to a rival there

 

[metya77]

We'll watch what happen in the Alps. Then we will be make any conclusions.
In my opinion, Contador accumulate all the power for the Alps.

 

[badboyberty]

I suspect it won't happen but it'd be great to see Gilbert make a move on the climb and bring Voekler, Cuddles and Samu over with him. Make for a great finale and maybe force the Schlecks into aggressive riding on the next stages.

Reality will be a sprint battle for stage honours between Rojas, Hushvold, Glibert and Goss. Goss to win.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Leipheimer has said he sucks at getting into breaks. More likely Zubeldia in the break.

Gilbert will go nuts and ride away.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

If Levi had sucked Roy's wheel, he would have been in numerous breaks. Today he should suck any french wheel, and he'll be in a break before he can spell wheelsuck.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Should I bother getting up for this stage???

 

[greenedge]

Chavanel and Roy will be prominent in the break and Gilbert will attack somewhere...

Wergeland yes he is sorry. With a stomach virus i think.

 

[just some guy]

If you. Don't you know something will happen.

You won't be able to sleep now.

Should I bother getting up for this stage???

 

[Bennyl]

Should I bother getting up for this stage???

yes - there is less than a week left and Cadel looks awesome. This might be the last year he gets this close and then we have to wait for Richie to mature and develop before we see anyone up there again.

It's a shame the cat2 isn't at the finish - Cadel loves these climbs.

 

[auscyclefan94]

yes - there is less than a week left and Cadel looks awesome. This might be the last year he gets this close and then we have to wait for Richie to mature and develop before we see anyone up there again.

It's a shame the cat2 isn't at the finish - Cadel loves these climbs.

Ok, you and just some guy have coonvinced me to watch. Cadel over sleep.

I'll be ****ed off at you two if it ends up to be uneventful and boring.

 

[kukiniloa]

I had the same thought, even 10-20s would start to tip the balance towards him but looking at the decent there are only 4 or 5 switchbacks so it may not be technical enough to put time into anybody. Not Cuddles anyway, the brothers maybe but even that shouldn't happen on this decent.

The only GC contender I can see attacking here is Sammy, since it appears to be his kind of climb. Voeckler will only ride defensively, probably much like all the other GC riders, although we may see some small splits at the finish. Kind of unfortunate, because Voeckler can win this sort of stage.

So who does that leave?

EBH? an FDJ rider? or the default choices - Phil/Thor?

 

[Bennyl]

Ok, you and just some guy have coonvinced me to watch. Cadel over sleep.

I'll be ****ed off at you two if it ends up to be uneventful and boring.

I plan to be up for the remainder of the tour now.... at which time lack of sleep will dish out the pain on me

some action would be nice from the GT contenders up the last climb with some daredevil decending to follow... making it nice and tough for the Schlecks...

Maybe Tommy or Samu can attack knowing that they need time before the TT... longer climbs?

of course this is all in my dreams, but we can only dream and Phil & Paul will surely try to drum up some excitement.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Sagan stage again.

 

[Random Direction]

Samu, Cancellara, Thor and Gilbert to go mano-a-mano on the descent to the finish. Two motorcycles and the Carrot Car crash on corners trying to keep up. They catch 5 minutes on the remnants of the break down the hill, with Thor stealing victory from a Saur rider in the last 500 meters.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

This weather report just in from one of our reporters on the scene:

its raining cats and dogs

thunder lightning wind

Susan

 

[Tuarts]

It's an omen.

Perfect day for Frogs.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Sounds like a day for the God of Thunder.