2011 Tour de France Stage 18 - Pinerolo - Galibier Serre-Chevalier 200.5km

[auscyclefan94]

I think Bertie will wait until the final climb today. Unless he can get some allies for the penultimate climb to help him?

he'll go on the izoard with the schlecks. They need time and waiting to the galibier is risky.

 

[kukiniloa]

Not to mention how similar it sounds to a certain English word.

"Oh Szymd! Slyvester's driving pace!"

as that I am 40% Polish I am very much 40% proud to see him ride well.

 

[jsem94]

Day off work today, and tomorrow.

I can't wait!

 

[Verzino]

I would have thought Leopard Trek will keep the pace high and how Evans copes will decide when the attack has to be made.

 

[MartinGT]

he'll go on the izoard with the schlecks. They need time and waiting to the galibier is risky.

What do you think AC will do? Sit back and damage limitation? I.e go at his own speed?

 

[MartinGT]

Day off work today, and tomorrow.

I can't wait!

Thats it, rub it in

 

[The Barb]

There's been quite a move in the betting for Gesink. Maybe he's feeling better today and will salvage something from the Tour.

 

[MartinGT]

There's been quite a move in the betting for Gesink. Maybe he's feeling better today and will salvage something from the Tour.

To take the stage? Not overall!

 

[Kwibus]

There's been quite a move in the betting for Gesink. Maybe he's feeling better today and will salvage something from the Tour.

Pre-Tour I had high hopes for him for this stage as it's perfect for him. 3 long climbs that are all above 2000mtr.
Right now I have no indication at all that he will do well. I certainly hope so, but I think we will see him leave the Tour without ever being shown on the camera, except for the crash and the arriere du peloton images.

 

[Cycling the Alps]

Col du Galibier (2645m). Fantastic

Direct link for 3D Tour:
http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#col-du-galibier-tour-reverse
Direct link for Profile:
http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#col-du-galibier-profile
Direct link for Streetview
http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#col-du-galibier-streetview-reverse
Direct link for Game
http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#col-du-galibier-game

 

[Kwibus]

To take the stage? Not overall!

Ofcourse for the stage.

 

[MartinGT]

Ofcourse for the stage.

I was thinking that, just thought I would double check

 

[Mellow Velo]

skeptical to how decisive this will be.
so far the tour has been disappointing in the mountains.
Hopefully AC has good legs I guess.

I too think this stage won't be that epic. As I said a few pages ago, I really think we'll see some 40 riders heading into the Galibier at the base. And the serious attacks won't start until less than 10km to go. Splits could be seconds, not minutes.

I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see several riders attack on the Izoard and shatter the entire peloton, Hinault style, but I just don't see it.

These:
The voices of experience talking?
Just can't see past the usual scenario, when there are 40+Km between ramps.

Although Contador has said tomorrow is too short to be selective, I take that to mean it will be stage 19, where it all kicks off early; certainly on the harder slopes of the Galibier, with that fast, downhill to follow.

I don't see Cadel having any difficulty today, but tomorrow could well be different.
He has coped extremely well, with riders churning out the high 5's, over the length of a climb, but will he find it as easy, when the figures move into the early to mid 6s?

To my mind, he can give Andy/Ivan some rope, but can't afford to let either Bertie or Frank (nor Voeckler were he, by some miracle) get up the road.

Samu is the biggest enigma in this mix.

 

[MartinGT]

I don't see Cadel having any difficulty today, but tomorrow could well be different.
He has coped extremely well, with riders churning out the high 5's, over the length of a climb, but will he find it as easy, when the figures move into the early to mid 6s?

Apologies if this is a noob question. But what do you mean by high 5's and 6's?

 

[sultanofhyd]

Apologies if this is a noob question. But what do you mean by high 5's and 6's?

Watt/kg I assume.

 

[MartinGT]

Ah right

I re-watched yesterdays stage last night behind a cushion. The guys are very brave man.

Bertie wobbled on one of the corners a tad, I think its the one where Samu front wheel locked up and the back wheel started to raise!

 

[theswordsman]

I think the cold and the altitude will come into play. Twenty kilometer long climbs with less oxygen towards the top should uncover some weakness. If guys can stick with Contador on the final climb, they're going to be hurting. Anyway, three great climbs, great scenery, lots on the line, and I might listen to the French commentary just for the enthusiasm.

 

[Carstenbf]

The Galibier is a real Basso climb, wouldn't you agree?

 

[MartinGT]

I think the cold and the altitude will come into play. Twenty kilometer long climbs with less oxygen towards the top should uncover some weakness. If guys can stick with Contador on the final climb, they're going to be hurting. Anyway, three great climbs, great scenery, lots on the line, and I might listen to the French commentary just for the enthusiasm.

Andy Schleck said yesterday he didnt like the cold, yet last year on the Tourmalet he wasnt too bad was he?

 

[Antianti]

Seems there'll be a strong headwind. With a bit of luck that means aggression before Galibier, as it will be very hard making attacking moves on the last climb..

 

[stefank]

The English language, combined with the world-wide internet connectiveness (is that a word, the spell checker says no), leads to such implausible speech.

"It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a dog...."

John Lennon

 

[Carstenbf]

Seems there'll be a strong headwind. With a bit of luck that means aggression before Galibier

Or it could mean that any damage done before the final climb will be a wasted effort as a 20 man chase group will have a good chance of repairing their losses.

 

[Contre la montre]

The Galibier is a real Basso climb, wouldn't you agree?

I'm sorry to say I disagree. I think the Agnel is a real Basso climb. Galibier is obviously very high but it's not all that steep. Basso needs steep steady climbing to distance people.

 

[RedZone]

The Galibier is a real Basso climb, wouldn't you agree?

not sure its steep enough to be considered a Basso climb, although I do think he will do well here.

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

movistar and omega will set an average speed of 40 km/h on the first two hours of racing,cav will be in big trouble.

That won't happen. There'll be a massive grupetto today with all the sprinters and a lot team mates of Movistar and OPL. If OPL hammer it at the start then there's a risk they'll eliminate Griepel and a few of his helpers. They won't want that with Paris on the horizon.

Movistar won't hammer it because they'll incur the rath of pretty much every other team who will have riders struggling.

Anyway, because there'll be so many in the grupetto the judges will probably extend the limit anyway.