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

[murali]

who is working in the break?

 

[ThirdWorld]

who is working in the break?

in the break, normally all riders do the work... but there is a belkin and a movistar rider.. so, i think that they are not working.

edit: just see the movistar at the front.

 

[Sylvester]

Breakaway will win it a lock.

Welcome to the beautiful world of cycling. Enjoy the show!

 

[bubblegum]

Polka dot plus yellow, first time since 1970 #es commentator.

only because they altered the points rankings so only the best climbers could win it, and this is a climbers tour so only logical the best climber will win both competitions

 

[Scott SoCal]

sky are't really riding

Uh huh. So, would you burn two Saxo guys to burn to Sky guys? If I'm AC, I'll take that deal.

 

[manafana]

break seems be working well, heard belkin may be interested in helping sky pace it as mollema will prefer a steady pace for most of the climb

 

[More Strides than Rides]

I think its important that both Belkin and Movistar got guys in the break. Hopefully, Quintana, can use a lull in the Froome/Contador brawl to get away, and later link up. Mollema also, but less optimistic

 

[Cimber]

Philippe Mauduit "Forcing Sky to work a little harder"

The sports director of Saxo-Tinkoff was recently interviewed by France Télévisions and Philippe Maduit spoke about the presence of two of its riders who are in between the stage leaders and the peloton: "We must try things,” said the Frenchman, “and then we had an opportunity to launch a counter-attack, to force Sky to work more than they had expected.

"It is not a secret that we will definitely attack... But are we going to wait Ornon or Alpe d'Huez for the first or the second ascent? This is the road that will tell.”

 

[Scott SoCal]

We will see how much "they rode" when it will be time to throw down the gloves. I reckon despite "Sky aren't really riding" they won't have anybody to help Froome, only Porte.

Which is what they must do for AC to have any chance.

 

[More Strides than Rides]

break seems be working well, heard belkin may be interested in helping sky pace it as mollema will prefer a steady pace for most of the climb

Two days ago Mollema said he preferred following Contador's accelerations, rather than a steady pace up the Col de Manse

 

[IndianCyclist]

Saxo are burning 2 riders for nothing i think

 

[Koba80]

Just tuned in and caught up.

Noooooooooo, Lutsenko!
Yaaaaaaaaay, Amador! (Now move to a different team)
Big question: when is Sergei Lagutin going to make his move and own. this. stage?

 

[murali]

how much lead should the break have at the base of the alp climb for any meaningful chance of success?

 

[xrayvision]

I only have 1 question, when will Saxo play out Kreuziger, on Col d´Ornon or first time on Alpe-d´Huez?

 

[Sylvester]

how much lead should the break have at the base of the alp climb for any meaningful chance of success?

Last Alpe d'Huez? Six minutes at the very least as there are no top climbers in the break. Won't happen anyway.

 

[Ruby United]

I only have 1 question, when will Saxo play out Kreuziger, on Col d´Ornon or first time on Alpe-d´Huez?

Not on Ornon.

 

[Scott SoCal]

how much lead should the break have at the base of the alp climb for any meaningful chance of success?

Over 8 minutes now... I think the break already has this stage.

The DS's are saying they need at least 6 minutes by the time they get to the Alpe to survive.

 

[sometriguy]

how much lead should the break have at the base of the alp climb for any meaningful chance of success?

It is very difficult to believe that with just 8 minutes, 3 climbs, and a pending GC battle that the break has any chance in hell. But, who knows?!

 

[Flamin]

Let's just hope they put a camera on Amador during Sarenne descent.

 

[Aditya]

Saxo are burning 2 riders for nothing i think

They have close to a 3 min lead on the peloton now. This is starting to look handy. Lets hope they can work their asses off for Contador if and when he decides to attack and bridge the gap.

 

[murali]

Last Alpe d'Huez? Six minutes at the very least as there are no top climbers in the break. Won't happen anyway.

first ascent?

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Over 8 minutes now... I think the break already has this stage.

Definitely a good chance for someone like TJ or Riblon and if the heavens open there might only be 27 kms left

 

[bubblegum]

Last Alpe d'Huez? Six minutes at the very least as there are no top climbers in the break. Won't happen anyway.

is there a stage where riblon tried on a final climb? how much time did he concede then?

 

[Scott SoCal]

Definitely a good chance for someone like TJ or Riblon and if the heavens open there might only be 27 kms left

Yep, if it rains then somebody from the break wins for sure.

 

[xrayvision]

Both Roche and Paulinho is very good to decent, they will take more time unless Saxo goes crazy already on Col d´Ornon