2013 Tour de France, stage 18: Gap - Alpe-d'Huez, 172.5km

[murali]

any chance for break today?

i just got fed watching breaks getting got so often in this tour. would love to see a MTF go to the most aggressive rider. i think if someone gets the win from a long range attack, then he can make 10k+ eur in prize money alone.

 

[Ruby United]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/quintana-fighting-for-the-white-jersey-not-the-podium

Quintana not fighting for podium: Why?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/quintana-fighting-for-the-white-jersey-not-the-podium

Quintana not fighting for podium: Why?

just talk

.....

 

[Sasquatch]

any chance for break today?

i just got fed watching breaks getting got so often in this tour. would love to see a MTF go to the most aggressive rider. i think if someone gets the win from a long range attack, then he can make 10k+ eur in prize money alone.

If the break has 5 minutes at the top of the first ascent, then one of them will go onto win the stage providing they increase their lead on the descent.

I don't think the break will get that much leeway though. I see the teams setting a fast pace over the earlier climbs, and then the first ascent will be all about isolating Froome with constant attacks.

 

[ToreBear]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/quintana-fighting-for-the-white-jersey-not-the-podium

Quintana not fighting for podium: Why?

I think he means his focus is on defending the white jersey, but I think he will be interested in a podium spot. It's a question of how much pressure you put on yourself, and the team puts on you. Nairo is still very young and Movistar seem very concerned about not putting him under any pressure to perform. They have a stage win now, so the pressure on him should be less.

 

[The Barb]

any chance for break today?

i just got fed watching breaks getting got so often in this tour. would love to see a MTF go to the most aggressive rider. i think if someone gets the win from a long range attack, then he can make 10k+ eur in prize money alone.

Agree, would like to see a break get this, and I think it has a decent chance. The gaps are now big enough for some quality riders to be allowed to get away. Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans, Mikel Nieve could all be in it.

I like Nieve for the stage. This could be the day he tries to win the KOTM.

 

[murali]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/quintana-fighting-for-the-white-jersey-not-the-podium

Quintana not fighting for podium: Why?

i don't believe that ****. I think that he was probably replying to some question asked, and the statement appeared more about his chances for the jerseys he can win. The reporter was more interested to know whether he will go for an early attack or not.

From what I have seen regarding Quintana, i think he is interested more in the race than the palmares.

 

[Cimber]

Webcam from the top

http://alpedhuez.livecam360.net/bergers

 

[Borgar]

any chance for break today?

i just got fed watching breaks getting got so often in this tour. would love to see a MTF go to the most aggressive rider. i think if someone gets the win from a long range attack, then he can make 10k+ eur in prize money alone.

Definitely gonna be a breakaway. Hoping for a de gendt solo victory after descending like a boss. Any chance or will his mental illness kick in?

 

[ToreBear]

I think the ones who will come under attack is saxo. They have the two available podium spots which everyone else wants. I see Froome just going with the flow. Hoping for a dutch offensive, they have little to loose and much to gain.

 

[Cimber]

I think the ones who will come under attack is saxo. They have the two available podium spots which everyone else wants. I see Froome just going with the flow. Hoping for a dutch offensive, they have little to loose and much to gain.

Contador doesnt care about podium. Finishing 2nd or 15th is the same for him. He will try something gutsy today. Kreuziger of course would like to keep his podium

 

[murali]

If the break has 5 minutes at the top of the first ascent, then one of them will go onto win the stage providing they increase their lead on the descent.

I don't think the break will get that much leeway though. I see the teams setting a fast pace over the earlier climbs, and then the first ascent will be all about isolating Froome with constant attacks.

I didn't expect the requirement of 5 min at top of climb. what does that translate to in terms of the base of climb? 10 min?

schleck and evans are both eyeing for the stage and Nieve will like to wear that polka dot jersey till the end. None of them will actually challenge the jerseys. But, will froome be comfortable to allow them a 5-10 min lead?

 

[Pulpstar]

Contador doesnt care about podium. Finishing 2nd or 15th is the same for him. He will try something gutsy today. Kreuziger of course would like to keep his podium

Kreuziger would love a podium but if he doesn't get one due to following team orders - well everyone can see what a great ride he has given this TdF so he will have no problems in contract negotiations. So from a financial perspective at least I don't think he needs to worry about it.

 

[Carstenbf]

There's been a lot of talk about rain and dangerous descents. I'm more worried about the number of spectators. I hate when they have to ride single file and it's hardly possible to pass people. Also concerned about roadblocks from cars/motorcycles/whatnot.

We'll see.

 

[Pulpstar]

I didn't expect the requirement of 5 min at top of climb. what does that translate to in terms of the base of climb? 10 min?

schleck and evans are both eyeing for the stage and Nieve will like to wear that polka dot jersey till the end. None of them will actually challenge the jerseys. But, will froome be comfortable to allow them a 5-10 min lead?

They are in that good position for Saxo where Sky will possibly be forced to chase or burn up doms to keep them going away. Not sure if thy will be in break though. Mind you, BMC has to try SOMETHING to save their tour and they can't win a straight fight vs Froome so they may go early...

 

[murali]

is kreuziger leaving saxo?

 

[Sasquatch]

Agree, would like to see a break get this, and I think it has a decent chance. The gaps are now big enough for some quality riders to be allowed to get away. Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans, Mikel Nieve could all be in it.

I like Nieve for the stage. This could be the day he tries to win the KOTM.

Nieve is better off going for it tomorrow IMO.

Rolland is going to go all out today for it, but Nieve will probably get a lot of points at the finish should he continue his good climbing form, and then he can go in the break tomorrow where there are **** load of points on offer when Rolland will be tired.

 

[murali]

wasn't there a climb up Alp with visibility less than 50 m sometime in the XX-era? or was it galibier?

I faintly remember a stage where spectators were jumping out of fog in front of the camera bike.

 

[Borgar]

Nieve is better off going for it tomorrow IMO.

Rolland is going to go all out today for it, but Nieve will probably get a lot of points at the finish should he continue his good climbing form, and then he can go in the break tomorrow where there are **** load of points on offer when Rolland will be tired.

Do you have any thaughts about De Gendt today?

That guy is impossible to predict, but if he gets into the right break and his mind is in the right place, he could do well today

 

[murali]

so prediction for a break is

scleck, evans, rolland, de gendt, nieve, and ?

 

[Cimber]

so prediction for a break is

scleck, evans, rolland, de gendt, nieve, and ?

Roche, Valverde?

 

[Pulpstar]

is kreuziger leaving saxo?

If you are readint that from my post thats not what I am saying. What I am saying is that if his final GC position is lower due to Saxo sending him on some suicidal solo (WHo knows) any DS with half a brain will still realise his great ride and so his negotiating position for any future contract deals should be just as strong.

 

[ToreBear]

Contador doesnt care about podium. Finishing 2nd or 15th is the same for him. He will try something gutsy today. Kreuziger of course would like to keep his podium

I'm wondering if Riis is thinking about the world tour points for Kreuziger. Contador won't get any either way, but I'm wondering if the attack risks Kreuzigers podiumspot whether it will be given a go ahead.

In short I'm wondering whether they will allow Kreuziger to burn himself up in order to give Contador a remote chance at yellow.

 

[Cimber]

If you are readint that from my post thats not what I am saying. What I am saying is that if his final GC position is lower due to Saxo sending him on some suicidal solo (WHo knows) any DS with half a brain will still realise his great ride and so his negotiating position for any future contract deals should be just as strong.

Also he has contract with Saxo through 2015

 

[Ferminal]

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