2013 Tour de France, stage 16: Vaison-la-Romaine - Gap 168Km

[King Boonen]

I understand all of that. As far as Belkin is concerned, they've gotten GREAT exposure so I'm not concerned in the least about that. As for Mollema, if he wants to follow Contador that's fine (it will force Sky to chase). What I don't want is for them (Belkin) to take over Sky's job, effectively neutralizing any opportunity (be it Contador, Quitana or whoever) for an exciting GC battle (as exciting as it can be under current circumstances). Obviously teams will have to race their own race for their own objectives. As a viewing fan, I hope for exciting racing (and racing to maintain podium positions isn't very exciting IMO).

It's not just Sky's job though. It has always been the responsibility of the team who stands to lose to chase the attack. If Contador were to attack it is both Belkin and Sky who stand to lose and so it is both of their responsibility to chase the attack.

 

[Gloin22]

I think Gasparotto and Lutsenko will both do very well today from Astana, but Chavanel is probably hungry for a victory, so a breakaway win form him

Is he even in the race?

He always seems to go totally missing after Ardennes..

 

[Bexon30]

I've just cycled down the descent into Gap and its tricky with tight bends and a far from perfect surface. The last 3 Km's as it goes onto the main road are perfect. But I can possibly see time being gained here by the best descenders. Sorry Pinot!! Anyway, wind is up sun is out it should be a good stage.

 

[petiagos]

Kadri and Vichout for the break...

 

[TommyPlus]

I've just cycled down the descent into Gap and its tricky with tight bends and a far from perfect surface. The last 3 Km's as it goes onto the main road are perfect. But I can possibly see time being gained here by the best descenders. Sorry Pinot!! Anyway, wind is up sun is out it should be a good stage.

Pinot has abandoned

 

[Kwibus]

I pray to the gods of cycling, bring down water from the heavens and make it pour. Then it's up to Movistar and Saxo to bring the hurt.

No, not yet.

Today its ok to stay calm and then starting tommorow we will have rain until they the alps. I will get an Wiggins avatar if this happens.

Someone please remind me if it happens, because I dont read all the threads anymore

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Pinot has abandoned

Too bad, but probably a good decision.

Perhaps he can try out the Vuelta this year.

 

[jens_attacks]

damn so excited about alberto's attack for today.
today he will put time on everyone i'm 100% sure.

 

[Miburo]

damn so excited about alberto's attack for today.
today he will put time on everyone i'm 100% sure.

I remember when he attacked 2 years ago, i jumped out of my seat

I hope like last year the stage has a crazy beginning, it should have btw. It's the last chance for non-climbers with hilly capacities to get a stage win, eg gilbert.

 

[Wilba60]

Whatever happens I expect to see someone from OGE near the top. If it's a break, Clarke has said he is here at the Tour to get into breakaways and he has yet to really achieve much. Gerrans could get into the break, or he could finish highly if it's a pack finish.

Clarke has had an excellent first TdF with two strong rides in breakaways, plus some strong team riding when Gerrans and Impey had the yellow. The OGE breakaway riders are Gerrans, Clarke, Meyer and Albasini.....even Impey wants in the action. I have a feeling that they have something set up for Meyer and I expect to see him feature for OGE in the 3rd week. Plus I think Albasini will feel he has unfinished business and will be very keen to have another crack in a breakaway.

 

[Kwibus]

I understand all of that. As far as Belkin is concerned, they've gotten GREAT exposure so I'm not concerned in the least about that. As for Mollema, if he wants to follow Contador that's fine (it will force Sky to chase). What I don't want is for them (Belkin) to take over Sky's job, effectively neutralizing any opportunity (be it Contador, Quitana or whoever) for an exciting GC battle (as exciting as it can be under current circumstances). Obviously teams will have to race their own race for their own objectives. As a viewing fan, I hope for exciting racing (and racing to maintain podium positions isn't very exciting IMO).

I hope it with you, but you can bet your a** that Belkin will chase for obvious reasons. For Belkin a top 3 is just too valuable and a win too unrealistic.

 

[kriisp]

I'm pretty sure that Saxo/Contador will attack today. I's probably their best chance in the rest of the tour to take time on Froome. Sadly (for the excitement of the race) I think that Belkin will chase them down in order to keep 2nd.

 

[petiagos]

and how about Julien Simon ?
Last change for FDJ...

 

[Marco Pantani]

Would be awesome, if some dangerous guys make the breakaway.

 

[movingtarget]

Too bad, but probably a good decision.

Perhaps he can try out the Vuelta this year.

How is that going to happen if he can't handle descents ? You don't recover from that sort of phobia in a few weeks.

 

[del1962]

Taarame and Hesjedal and Rolland in the break

Rolland to get dropped.

 

[TommyPlus]

How is that going to happen if he can't handle descents ? You don't recover from that sort of phobia in a few weeks.

Agreed.

Why is this guy a pro cyclist if he is scared of "speed" as he himself admits?
Also how did he win a stage last year with about 8 classified climbs and ergo descents?!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

How is that going to happen if he can't handle descents ? You don't recover from that sort of phobia in a few weeks.

with 12 MTFs (or whatever) in the Vuelta, it would be the perfect place to try and get some confidence back.

 

[movingtarget]

Think about Morabito.. Helped TJ on stage 8 +12 sure could just be +3 Then up ventoux +8 could also be +3 so that makes 14 min too much. Which would put him in front of Evans. BMC

Trouble is he is a paid domestique and Evans is already in the top 15. Frank and Morabito will start to get more opportunities next year probably. The what ifs are pretty hard to gauge as he could have been dropped himself if he did not wait for Evans but he has looked in good form and is a doing a great job as a team helper, more than TJVG which would not be hard. While Gilbert is enjoying the scenery and getting some kms in for the Worlds. GVA at home watching on TV.

 

[petiagos]

Rolland, kadri, Hoogerland in the break ... also

 

[movingtarget]

with 12 MTFs (or whatever) in the Vuelta, it would be the perfect place to try and get some confidence back.

Possibly but it sounds like his problems won't be fixed as easily as that. A shame as he has a lot of potential.

 

[jens_attacks]

Taarame and Hesjedal and Rolland in the break

Rolland to get dropped.

any europcar rider will be chased and denied the victory by movistar. it's total war between those two.

 

[Pulpstar]

Sagan and Jensie off the front. Two decent engines for people to join.

 

[Pulpstar]

Roche in the break - potentially of interest...
And Bennati

 

[fantomas]

Roche in the break - potentially of interest...

And Bennati. Surely no coincidence.