2013 Tour de France, Stage 14: Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule / Lyon 191KM

[Lanark]

I think this stage will be a lot easier than it looks. The last 60k features 3 short climbs, all below 5%. Cavendish and Kittel could survive this.

Because of the racing of today, I don't think the sprint teams will actually try to control it, so a break is most likely. No action in the GC at all.

 

[jens_attacks]

movistar is crazy enough to go full gas from the start especially because there will be a lot of fatigue in the peloton. at this rate, in bedoin everyone will stop for a coffee because they will be dead to climb ventoux

 

[ILovecycling]

I hope for high pace from Cannondale,and attacks to break Sky at descents or wind.
Sagan for the win if they control the stage

 

[qwerty16]

Today was hard, and Ventoux is the next day, I think the GC and sprinter teams will take the day off and let the break take it.

I would love to see Saxo try and put Sky under pressure again though.

Why would the sprinters teams take a day off? Teams like Liquigas, Argos and Lotto don't have anything else to ride for, Sunday is an easy day with no difficulties before Ventoux followed by a rest day. If they don't chase it's a wasted opportunity for Sagan/Greipel/Degenkolb(Kittel).

 

[Afrank]

Why would the sprinters teams take a day off? Teams like Liquigas, Argos and Lotto don't have anything else to ride for, Sunday is an easy day with no difficulties before Ventoux followed by a rest day. If they don't chase it's a wasted opportunity for Sagan/Greipel/Degenkolb(Kittel).

I don't expect Greipel, Kittel, and Cav to make it to the finish in the front group, so doubt their teams will bother riding. If any sprinter team rides it will be Cannondale, and maybe Argos a little for Degenkolb.

 

[beowulf]

BMC have done nothing so far this tour and I can see one or two of their riders getting in the break. I am thinking of Gilbert and maybe even Tejay....obviously they have to get in the break though.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

movistar is crazy enough to go full gas from the start especially because there will be a lot of fatigue in the peloton. at this rate, in bedoin everyone will stop for a coffee because they will be dead to climb ventoux

I'm sure movstar are the most fatigued though.

tomorrow should be cannondale train, they saved all their energy last few days, also today

 

[Pricey_sky]

Break will take it if it's raced easy, Sagan to win if Cannondale/GC guys want to do something.

 

[brilleaben]

Just let Sagan in the break and get it over with.

 

[Cimber]

I expect to see a lot of teams tired like hell. could be an "easy" day with a big break getting a huge gap

 

[King Boonen]

Possibly Goss or Gerrans?

 

[hfer07]

After what took place in today's stage-IF Saxo Tinkoff wants to hurt SKY, then this is the stage!! If they treat it as a classic race- then they should get the attacks early on, when they can send Kreuziger first to make Sky work on the chase & if allies are around to help a bit- then Belkin & MoviStar can benifit together with Saxo in a common cause to derail SKY.......

 

[BigMac]

I expect Quintana Valverde Costa destroying the pack from now on.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

It would be stupid not to explore potential tiredness in the Sky, Belkin, Movistar and Saxo camp during the stage.

Euskatel, Lampre, BMC, Europcar, Garmin and Radioshack all need to get going from km zero.

Why wait? The Ventoux stage will boil down to a sprint to the line anyway. Much more damage can be done on this stage.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

does anyone know how open the roads are? lots of wind the final this cna be even more of a hell than today, although I'm sure everyone is very tired

 

[happychappy]

I think every rider on Sky apart from Froome will go backwards as soon as the stage begins. And I mean literally, they will start riding backwards over the start line.

 

[Sylvester]

Big breakaway written all over it. At least forty riders and eight teams will have targeted this stage, as it's their last chance left to get a stage win. I fully expect a 17-man strong group to contest the win.

I really can't see Cannondale controlling this stage, although Sagan will no doubt still be hungry.

GC-wise nothing will happen, I guess.

 

[WindLessBreeze]

www.letour.com

If Philippe Gilbert/BMC can't get this one, forget it!

 

[Pulpstar]

does anyone know how open the roads are? lots of wind the final this cna be even more of a hell than today, although I'm sure everyone is very tired

With it being hilly won't the wind be less of a factor ?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

With it being hilly won't the wind be less of a factor ?

the final like what 50 km are pretty much flat and the hills will only make it harder and riders will blow for sure if put in echelons. that's why I wonder how open it is

 

[jens_attacks]

if i'd be ten dam or mollema i would pray to not have a mechanical in the last 100 kms. i think even without crosswinds, they won't make it back

 

[Leonardus]

I'm training in this area for over a week now and the wind is killing me. North/ north-east all the time, so when they hit the open fields in the beaujolais it could be war again. Still, i think they will be too tired and try to save something for the Ventoux.

 

[go crazy]

If Philippe Gilbert/BMC can't get this one, forget it!

Does Gilbert still ride? LOl done NOTHING this year. nothing.

 

[go crazy]

I'm training in this area for over a week now and the wind is killing me. North/ north-east all the time, so when they hit the open fields in the beaujolais it could be war again. Still, i think they will be too tired and try to save something for the Ventoux.

On the ground recon, that's pretty cool

I agree, GC teams waiting for the real party to start.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I'm training in this area for over a week now and the wind is killing me. North/ north-east all the time, so when they hit the open fields in the beaujolais it could be war again. Still, i think they will be too tired and try to save something for the Ventoux.

Who are tired? Who wants to wait for the Ventoux climb?

That is the key to this stage and the potential action.