2011 Tour De France Stage 17 (20/7/2011): Gap > Pinerolo, 179km

[MartinGT]

Early IIRC

I am rather nervous for today for some reason.

What is the weather like for today? Especially on the final descent?

 

[dlwssonic]

Today might be a chance for the break but if it is caught go evans!!!! Hope he can make somemore time today.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Early IIRC

I am rather nervous for today for some reason.

What is the weather like for today? Especially on the final descent?

According to the Letour stage weather map, it's going to be a pretty nice day.
Only some cloud at the top of the high mountains, there rest clear, with a high of 27C in Pinerolo.

Cadel to cull any contender who lacks the bottle or SKILL to tackle the final descent.
He is the Tour's equivalent of Giro Nibali, so that gives us a pretty large clue to what Contador will try, today.

 

[jsem94]

If Samu is fresh after the climb, he'll take the stage.

He didn't look too good yesterday, he had to wheelsuck all the way up the climb and couldn't help Cuddles and Conti w/ the pacesetting

 

[TeoSheva]

apart form the GC battle, it will be again nice to see the war to enter in the break..
Who can win this stage?
Should be a good climber and an even better descender...

Kreuziger
Gilbert
Vanendert

who more? Hushovd again?

 

[Ferminal]

Looks like the usual 14:15 CEST start time.

Normal coverage

Cheers.

No watching the break form then

Should be on in time for Montgenevre, not that we expect anything.

On the break - maybe this time they will be smart enough not to let Hushovd away!

 

[MartinGT]

According to the Letour stage weather map, it's going to be a pretty nice day.
Only some cloud at the top of the high mountains, there rest clear, with a high of 27C in Pinerolo.

Cadel to cull any contender who lacks the bottle or SKILL to tackle the final descent.
He is the Tour's equivalent of Giro Nibali, so that gives us a pretty large clue to what Contador will try, today.

According to some on here yesterday, he cant descend

With it being dry it will make it rather exciting!

 

[greenedge]

I don't understand why Sanchez did not go better on the descent. I thought he was THE BEST. I want that poll of best descender found because i even voted for him.

 

[bjaelkesex]

Interesting comment from Brian Nygaard. Leopard-Trek is still (!?) riding for Andy Schleck despite yesterday's stage. Also says that if either of the brothers are in a favorable position to attack, then they'll do so.

http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/leoparderne-satser-paa-daarlig-andy-schleck

 

[Cimber]

I don't understand why Sanchez did not go better on the descent. I thought he was THE BEST. I want that poll of best descender found because i even voted for him.

Was surprsied as well, but he simply just looked cooked.

 

[dlwssonic]

if sanchez is too tired after the last climb today he wont be able to do much. I expect a fresher evans to do better than him on the last descent

 

[Cimber]

if sanchez is too tired after the last climb today he wont be able to do much. I expect a fresher evans to do better than him on the last descent

Ye I reckon Evans will be able to put in some time. And he will need that for the alps for sure. Especially if Bertie keeps improving.

 

[MartinGT]

I liked how on ITV4 Boardman was saying the sprinters are the best descenders, followed by the likes of Gilbert, then the GC riders.

I wonder what the descending time was from Thor to someone like Evans.

 

[The Barb]

I don't understand why Sanchez did not go better on the descent.

I thought he was just riding conservatively on very difficult roads. With no stage win at stake and competing (at best) for a place on the podium, it wasn't worth him taking risks for a few seconds.

If he crests the last climb with the lead group, and the road is dry, I'd say he's the man to beat.

 

[greenedge]

Cav seems like a pretty good descender for some reason. McEwan had good bike handling skills as well.

 

[Better Call Saul]

Anyone else feel like we saw a podium preview yesterday with Evans, conti and Sanchez? Probably in that order too...

Good form in week 3, climbers who can time trial, willingness to attack... Sounds like a good bet to me

 

[marco1_79]

According to some on here yesterday, he cant descend

With it being dry it will make it rather exciting!

I live 40 km far from Pinerolo and it's sunny today

 

[MartinGT]

I live 40 km far from Pinerolo and it's sunny today

I hope you're attending

 

[Cimber]

Bertie and told Sanchez that he would try something, so he was ready to follow (yesterday). Contador states that he hopes they can cooperate again today:

http://politiken.dk/sport/cykling/t...r-satser-paa-tour-alliance-med-ol-guldvinder/
(in Danish)

 

[Cimber]

Cav seems like a pretty good descender for some reason. McEwan had good bike handling skills as well.

Well often sprinters are good bike handlers, and also a bit heavier than most of the other riders which often makes them good descenters. Thats also a skill they often utilize to keep themselves with-in the time limit on the mountain stages.

 

[MartinGT]

Thor got his first stage win by utilising his weight and using his skillz on the descents.

Its a great thing to watch (you see what I am saying Mr A Schleck?)

 

[goggalor]

Bertie and told Sanchez that he would try something, so he was ready to follow (yesterday). Contador states that he hopes they can cooperate again today:

http://politiken.dk/sport/cykling/t...r-satser-paa-tour-alliance-med-ol-guldvinder/
(in Danish)

The cooperation was a little one-sided yesterday.

 

[dlwssonic]

The cooperation was a little one-sided yesterday.

to be fair sanchez did help at the last few km. But he couldnt help earlier and was probably too tired from all the contador attacks.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

If you don't like Samu riding for Euskaltel you don't like Samu.

Sometimes I have the feeling that Hitch supports Sanchez not for him, but to be unique in supporting an undervalued rider.

well said. clearly he doesn't understand one bit about samu and why he will always be loyal to euskaltel and also why that's the best for both him and his tea

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Early IIRC

I am rather nervous for today for some reason.

What is the weather like for today? Especially on the final descent?

it's sun everywhere