2011 Tour de France Stage 6: Dinan - Lisieux, 226.5 km

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Sprinter wins here - perhaps not Cav, but a sprinter.

Seriously, it's 2km of 4.5% then a flat last KM, people quoting climbers need to put down the crack pipe.

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Absolutely right !!

 

[Richeypen]

EBH or Goss

 

[khodder]

The final corner is not sharp at all. It's also over 200 meters long.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&l...n=0.003544,0.009645&client=firefox-a&t=k&z=17

Ah well, the map on page 4 made it look nasty.

 

[craig1985]

I hope Rojas can win it for Xavi Tondo and JM Soler. But knowing him he will go too early and come 2nd or 3rd. This could suit Ventoso if he has the legs.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Sprinter wins here - perhaps not Cav, but a sprinter.

Seriously, it's 2km of 4.5% then a flat last KM, people quoting climbers need to put down the crack pipe.

You seem rather confident for a 230 km stage, the hardest one yet. Because i'm wondering, say Voeckler attacks on the climb and takes 100 meters on the the front of the peleton, who of these sprinters (assuming they actually survived and are in the front of the peleton) is going to close the gap, or which one of them will have a team mate handy to do their dirty work, assuming they still have something left in the tank. Because all organization will be lost with 1 km to go. Maybe it depends on who you categorize as sprinter of course, but i can see a "classics kind of guy" having as much of a shot as a sprinter. Heck, if a sprinter has a shot surviving this climb, than certainly don't rule out someone like Cancelara. Go get him if he takes 10 meters after the climb and everybody is catching their breath.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Romain Feillu

 

[More Strides than Rides]

The top finishers from stages 1,4, and some of 5 are the pool of contenders.

Maybe Thor will want the Jersey for another day? If he held on two days ago, he can handle this, I think. For that reason I'm ruling out a breakaway finish.

EBH impressed me with his acceleration today, Gilbert can always live up to expectations, Feillu, Rojas, and a few I'm forgetting others should not be ruled out. Evans and Vino types will probably be opportunistic on these rolling courses.

I think Rojas will handle the strong attempts of the leaders to make a small selection, pass a fading attacker in the last 100, and get the good one that he's been close to.

 

[VeloGirl]

Hushovd. It doesn't matter what Vaughters says - Hushovd goal is for a stage win. He is in top form (for him).
I have a feeling Hushovd wants green. I know he has been saying, publicly, green is not his goal - but I don't think he thought he would be in as good as form as he is in.
He's had a taste of yellow, he was extremely proud of himself yesterday and he has to show himself off because he is shopping for a new team (and he isn't getting any younger).

Hushovd.

(Unless of course the breakaway stays away - then probably Flecha, Voekler, Moncoutie, R Perez or a random French guy)

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Tommy will smash tomorrow. Write it down.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Not steep enough for Duran Duran.

LOL

Tommy will smash tomorrow. Write it down.

Possible.

The climb goes for 1.3km @ 6.1% then there is 1.4km of false flat with 400m flat straight to the finish.


I like Vino for this stage.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Going to be some strong winds in the afternoon. SSW which means strong cross winds!

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Long stage also. With a somewhat hilly course.

Gonna be a very another nervous stage.
Gesink is screwed

 

[auscyclefan94]

Long stage also. With a somewhat hilly course.

Gonna be a very another nervous stage.
Gesink is screwed

Stay positive. Hopefully it is not too bad for Gesink though Rabobank has a very tough day.TGBM is a good back up plan as well.

 

[just some guy]

Going to be some strong winds in the afternoon. SSW which means strong cross winds!

Doesnt look that bad - http://www.weatherforecastmap.com/france/lisieux/ Still tell the riders that the wind will blow and it will be a nervous day probably worse after yesterday will a few GC guys going down so every team will be fighting for room at the front.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

It will be interesting to watch Hushovd today. He's been targeting this stage, like he targeted the stage to Barcelona a couple of years ago and the cobbled stage last year. On the other hand, he's focused on keeping yellow as well, which might make him cover attacks in the finale - like we saw yesterday.

Perhaps Garmin should have a couple of riders off duty when controlling the break, to help control the finale - Millar and Hesjedal springs to mind.

 

[greenedge]

A sprinter like Ventoso will win tommorow. Voeckler and Kiryienka hopefully to attack in the last few km.

 

[spalco]

It will be interesting to watch Hushovd today. He's been targeting this stage, like he targeted the stage to Barcelona a couple of years ago and the cobbled stage last year. On the other hand, he's focused on keeping yellow as well, which might make him cover attacks in the finale - like we saw yesterday.

Perhaps Garmin should have a couple of riders off duty when controlling the break, to help control the finale - Millar and Hesjedal springs to mind.

It's always cool seeing the yellow jersey go for stage wins and if he's still at the front in the finale - why not?...

 

[Midnightfright]

I like geraint Thomas for the win if its a sprinter then Rojas he's been in excellent form

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I think cavendish will win this.

 

[Midnightfright]

It's always cool seeing the yellow jersey go for stage wins and if he's still at the front in the finale - why not?...

well unfortunately for him because if Farrar is there he will he expected to do leadout.

 

[dlwssonic]

I think its a bit too hard for sprinters with the consecutive hills near the finish. I think the puncheurs will do better for this stage but not hard enough for the climbers. gilbert must be the fav for the win. However he can be defeated as shown in stage 4. I expect cadel to do well again, i would be hoping for a surprise. however saturday will be a really good day for cadel gotta wait. hope for some crosswinds!

 

[auscyclefan94]

Maybe a top 10 but that is it. I expect Rojas to win.

 

[Tornado Tom]

I think Boasson Hagen will win in Lisieux

 

[dlwssonic]

Maybe a top 10 but that is it. I expect Rojas to win.

so it isnt is hard as it seems.