2012 Tour de France: Stage 8: Belfort → Porrentruy (157.5km)

[dlwssonic]

Is sagan gonna work for nibali today??

 

[movingtarget]

QUOTE=auscyclefan94;929644]Yes, I think Evans could and should attack on the Saulcy but ideally he would have a team mate to work with which seems unlikely. Maybe something like what Hincapie did with Contador on the Peyresuode?

In saying that, after 9 days of racing and going into the time trial, I am not so sure that Evans will lose that much time if any time in the time trial. This may seem to be an optimistic forecast rather than realistic but I believe that this tt will be good for Evans.

Anyone could win this stage but I hope the gc riders attack. Shall be fun.[/QUOTE]

I hate saying it but the race could liven up if Nibali and Evans lose more than expected in the TT. Wiggins will bury himself in the TT to extend his lead. The top three on GC won't want to expend much energy today but they may
not have a choice if others go on the attack. Will be hard stage for Sky to control.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

The TT is the day after this stage. So I'm really unsure if the GC contenders will bother to attack especially when it is so far out.

How much enegy would it could to gain x seconds 'tonight' and how much TT time will it cost to do so (relative to Wiggans)?

I would think 'saving' for the TT works better for Wiggans.

 

[marioni]

Multiple attacks on the last 3 climbs could really upset their rhythm.

That would be a great scenario, but it's not gonna happen. GC riders will play it safe and cowardly, like they do 99% of the time, and wait for the last climb.. and even that's a maybe.

But I hope you're right. With so important time trials where many riders will get additional 4-5min gap, and with several GC contenders already with time gaps - I just don't see what they have to lose. I hope someone will have the legs (and balls) to attack, attack and attack.

 

[Peccio89]

Hope to see Shleck, Scarponi,Basso and Gesink and possibily also Kloden in the break today to force sky to work all stages long, and then Nibali and Cadel attack in the final descent.

 

[dlwssonic]

I really forsee a boring stage.
I can't imagine nibali and cadel attacking from so way out.
Why would they?? especially when wiggins has so many strong domestiques.

 

[Gubby Allen]

I really forsee a boring stage.
I can't imagine nibali and cadel attacking from so way out.
Why would they?? especially when wiggins has so many strong domestiques.

I can see the order up the second mountain being the same order up the sixth. Might be a case of watching the first hour & the last. I think the finish could be decent.

 

[3wheeler]

Reckon a Lot of guys will still be Hurting from Yesterday after the Big Sky Power Display. Froome and Wiggo will just be Keeping a Eye out for Nibbo & Evans Latching on if the Case Demands.. Keeps everyone else on the Backfoot. Think Wiggo will want to Keep his Advantage on Evans For Tomorrow .. Will He catch Evans in the TT that is sort of interesting... Evans Team seemed to Fall apart pretty easily Yesterday .. Already Panning out a Bit like the Vuelta of 2011 Cobo Froome Wiggo. Evans Froome Wiggo..

 

[dlwssonic]

Evans will do a Great TT I'm sure. The course suits him well and they would already have 9 stages in their legs.

 

[Kazistuta]

That's all, folks!

 

[Finn84]

Fedrigo's stage wins in TdF
2006

2009

2010

Mostly the final climb is nearer the finish today than what it was in these stages apart from the first one but there it wasn't that bad climb.

 

[roundabout]

I think Fedrigo hurt his knee or something like that in one of the falls in the first week.

 

[oevkride]

Could sky let EBH have a go to day? He's going good in the mountains and should do well in the right break. He was pure class at stage 17 over Sestriere last year.

 

[shinoda13]

Does anyone have a weather forecast for today? With rain it could be a proper classic.

 

[the asian]

Someone from the breakaway for the win. The french have been unusually quiet up to now. Moncutie, Casar, Roy, Fedrigo all should have a decent chance. I don't expect much of a clash from the GC guys.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Matt Lloyd has said that he wants to start his bid for the KOM today so he will go in the break.

With many climbs and little respite in today's stage, I believe that the injured riders and sprinters will struggle to make it inside the Hors Delai today.

 

[its like that]

Weather is going to create havoc especially in the descents today

 

[Kopuliak]

Is sagan gonna work for nibali today??

he should work for him (if he can).

 

[vladimir]

Weather is going to create havoc especially in the descents today

Do you have any source for this? According to the Tour website te weather should be mainly fine (risk of showers but not many)...

 

[swuzzlebubble]

@Mark_Renshaw

Today has the potential to be the hardest stage in the this years Tour. Depends how many guys think they should or can be in the break.

 

[will10]

Mostly the final climb is nearer the finish today than what it was in these stages apart from the first one but there it wasn't that bad climb.

That Pau profile makes me sick everytime I see it.

 

[Grytskanken]

Could sky let EBH have a go to day? He's going good in the mountains and should do well in the right break. He was pure class at stage 17 over Sestriere last year.

Would be real interesting to see EBH in a break today. Not shure they will let him go, but he would be a goog man to have up the road. If the break goes in he'll win for shure, unless Sagan is there maybe.
This does not look like a stage Sky will have to use Eddy on the flats...

 

[The Barb]

That Pau profile makes me sick everytime I see it.

Would've been great if they'd been riding from right to left.

 

[Froome19]

While its a very hard stage I don't see much of a chance at all for any change in the GC. Rather I see the GC riders not wasting energy in stage 8 and saving it for the ITT in stage 9.

Most likely a break (made up of people 8+ mins back) gets away unless Sagan decides he wants to win and has liquigas pulls the break back. But other than that I don't see why any team would want to waste energy pulling the break back. This stage is set up for a successful breakaway. Going to be a pretty boring stage. I can't wait until we get back to sprint stages.

I cant imagine Liquigas providing Sagan with a lot of ammunition on today's stage considering that they will be looking to protect Nibali's interests especially considering the amount of descending.

Crikey what an utter utter waste of time I have spent reading for 1 second what peoples prediction for a top ten is - Stop it !
The field is so wide open the favourites are 20/1 and you guys are sputtering on about a top ten.
Please bring something worthwhile to read next time SVP.

Aided and abetted by Groom19 of course lol

He is obviously doing it for a predictions game so let him be.

Agreed . Exactly what I was saying earlier. Teams must Attack

EDIT: Individuals must attack !

Indeed that is the whole purpose of the Tour route to force the climbers who will lose out in the TT and even those who may only lose out to Wiggins to go on the attack and stages like these were made exactly for this purpose.. of course at the end of the day it is up to the riders to decide how they will ride this stage though.

Could sky let EBH have a go to day? He's going good in the mountains and should do well in the right break. He was pure class at stage 17 over Sestriere last year.

I cant imagine they will let him off the leash with Bradley in yellow.

 

[LabMonkey]

Matt Lloyd has said that he wants to start his bid for the KOM today so he will go in the break.

Where and when did he say this? He will be a shoe in for my fantasy tour team if this is the case today!