2012 Tour de France - stage 3: Orchies - Boulogne-sur-Mer (197km)

[dlwssonic]

I don't think they really can

Looking at the profile it is a lot easier than even AGR.

Well yeah, I mean like I hope they race today's stage like a classic instead of just waiting for the final climb.

 

[Trofinios]

I'm going with Gilbert or sagan today. Evans has a shot too.

EBH might not be allowed to go for the stage to protect wiggins.

I'll be ****ed if Sky won't allow EBH to go for the stage. He will be doing plenty of domestique work for Wiggins later. And further, the fans want to see showdown between EBH, Sagan, Canc, Gilbert, etc. today. So, please let us have it!

 

[Panda Claws]

Well yeah, I mean like I hope they race today's stage like a classic instead of just waiting for the final climb.

Ah yes, it's just a silly profile in my opinion. They'll be lucky to drop Greipel

 

[dlwssonic]

I'll be ****ed if Sky won't allow EBH to go for the stage. He will be doing plenty of domestique work for Wiggins later. And further, the fans want to see showdown between EBH, Sagan, Canc, Gilbert, etc. today. So, please let us have it!

But what if GC contenders like evans and nibali or even samu attack on the penultimate climb. They would need as many men as possible to chase for wiggins.

But maybe wiggins can rely on porte or froome.

 

[dlwssonic]

Ah yes, it's just a silly profile in my opinion. They'll be lucky to drop Greipel

Is it really that easy as you say it is???
They might go at high speeds on the climbs.

 

[maltiv]

I'll be ****ed if Sky won't allow EBH to go for the stage. He will be doing plenty of domestique work for Wiggins later. And further, the fans want to see showdown between EBH, Sagan, Canc, Gilbert, etc. today. So, please let us have it!

I wouldn't be surprised if Wiggins is gapped on the descent and EBH is called back to him. Stage wins are not a priority for Sky.

 

[roundabout]

The descent is easy.

 

[vcampbell]

I wouldn't be surprised if Wiggins is gapped on the descent and EBH is called back to him. Stage wins are not a priority for Sky.

Gapped on the descent? Why do you think that? And gap from who? Evans? Because CdD? A preparation race where he never done any risk?

 

[Panda Claws]

Is it really that easy as you say it is???
They might go at high speeds on the climbs.

No, I've overdone on the hyperbole. I just don't think it's tough enough for any important GC changes.

But as always I am glad to be proven wrong, that's the good thing about being pessimistic about a TDF stage.

 

[Gloin22]

No, I've overdone on the hyperbole. I just don't think it's tough enough for any important GC changes.

But as always I am glad to be proven wrong, that's the good thing about being pessimistic about a TDF stage.

Well the are few climbs which can put hurt to few. Hopefully we'll be surprised with this stage in good way

Km 132.0 - Côte de L'Éperche 0.7 kilometre-long climb at 6.9% - category 4
Km 163.5 - Côte de Mont Violette 1 kilometre-long climb at 9.2% - category 3
Km 181.0 - Côte de Herquelingue 1.7 kilometre-long climb at 5.8% - category 4
Km 185.0 - Côte de Quéhen 1.4 kilometre-long climb at 5.9% - category 4
Km 190.5 - Côte du Mont Lambert1.3 kilometre-long climb at 8.4% - category 3
Km 197.0 - Boulogne-sur-Mer 0.7 kilometre-long climb at 7.4% - category 4

 

[Panda Claws]

Well the are few climbs which can put hurt to few. Hopefully we'll be surprised with this stage in good way

Km 132.0 - Côte de L'Éperche 0.7 kilometre-long climb at 6.9% - category 4
Km 163.5 - Côte de Mont Violette 1 kilometre-long climb at 9.2% - category 3
Km 181.0 - Côte de Herquelingue 1.7 kilometre-long climb at 5.8% - category 4
Km 185.0 - Côte de Quéhen 1.4 kilometre-long climb at 5.9% - category 4
Km 190.5 - Côte du Mont Lambert1.3 kilometre-long climb at 8.4% - category 3
Km 197.0 - Boulogne-sur-Mer 0.7 kilometre-long climb at 7.4% - category 4

Yeah, at least we might see who will not be playing a role in the GC.

 

[dlwssonic]

No, I've overdone on the hyperbole. I just don't think it's tough enough for any important GC changes.

But as always I am glad to be proven wrong, that's the good thing about being pessimistic about a TDF stage.

The gradients are pretty steep, if they race hard I think damage can be done on the penultimate climb, I hope.

 

[Trofinios]

I wouldn't be surprised if Wiggins is gapped on the descent and EBH is called back to him. Stage wins are not a priority for Sky.

Sure, if Wiggo is in trouble it might happen. But a rider of EBH's quality you can't keep too much in a leash - he must be given opportunities to win otherwise Sky will lose him. I expect all the norwegian fans who are there following the race to put pressure on Sky to let EBH do his thing.

 

[dlwssonic]

Gapped on the descent? Why do you think that? And gap from who? Evans? Because CdD? A preparation race where he never done any risk?

Cadel and nibali are very good descenders. I don't think wiggins is at their level.

 

[Gloin22]

Sure, if Wiggo is in trouble it might happen. But a rider of EBH's quality you can't keep too much in a leash - he must be given opportunities to win otherwise Sky will lose him. I expect all the norwegian fans who are there following the race to put pressure on Sky to let EBH do his thing.

Money talks it all mate

 

[auscyclefan94]

Cadel and nibali are very good descenders. I don't think wiggins is at their level.

The descent of the Cote de Herqueline is quite technical but the othres aren't that technical. In saying that, even on fast descents, a good descender can create a gap and considering the conditions, it is possible that a gc rider will either crash or get caught behind.

 

[Panda Claws]

Hmmm wonder what Liquigas tactics will be.

Will Nibali work for Sagan to get the stage win?
Will both of them go their own way?
OR (and this one is very unlikely)
Will Sagan work for Nibali, in the hope of gapping other GC contenders.

 

[cineteq]

Hmmm wonder what Liquigas tactics will be.

Will Nibali work for Sagan to get the stage win?
Will both of them go their own way?
OR (and this one is very unlikely)
Will Sagan work for Nibali, in the hope of gapping other GC contenders.

If anything will be the last one if Nibali is involved. It's not unlikely in the general sense, it's why they're there for.

 

[sometriguy]

Hmmm wonder what Liquigas tactics will be.

Will Nibali work for Sagan to get the stage win?
Will both of them go their own way?
OR (and this one is very unlikely)
Will Sagan work for Nibali, in the hope of gapping other GC contenders.

Is Basso acting as a co-captain or a leader in some capacity? I have a feeling he is going to drop nibali at some point.

 

[dlwssonic]

If anything will be the last one if Nibali is involved. It's not unlikely in the general sense, it's why they're there for.

But I don't think sagan will work that much, he has the green to think about. And today might be a vital stage for his chances.

 

[taiwan]

Nah the second one. They did it right in Tirreno-Adriatico (Chieti).

 

[cineteq]

But I don't think sagan will work that much, he has the green to think about. And today might be a vital stage for his chances.

Green jersey is a side thing as Sagan stated before the start of the Tour. Now, will he respect that? I don't know. However, they could accomplish both goals together.

 

[HACKLERA68]

Farrar

At least no one is still talking about Farrar as a real threat!! Finally.

 

[taiwan]

But I don't think sagan will work that much, he has the green to think about. And today might be a vital stage for his chances.

Also if he wins he gets a Porsche, might be a factor.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Is Basso acting as a co-captain or a leader in some capacity? I have a feeling he is going to drop nibali at some point.

Can't see Basso leading any descent - lol.