2013 Tour de France, Stage 2: Bastia - Ajaccio 156Km

[Parrulo]

Another great stage design by ASO

Whatever, will the sprinters survive the climb? Most likely imo

 

[the sceptic]

would have been pretty good if it was 12km shorter

 

[King Boonen]

After today Cav may just hang on in this one.

 

[toolittle]

Another great stage design by ASO

Whatever, will the sprinters survive the climb? Most likely imo

the yellow jersey.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Best recipe for avoiding some crashes is to race the stage from km zero and keep going until the end.

Sagan or Gerrans FTW.

 

[jens_attacks]

kittel will be dropped of course

sagan vs. kristoff

rojas 8th

 

[Carols]

Any reports on Sagans state post-crash? If he is fit it looks like a good stage for him.

 

[BigMac]

Sagan for me. I really enjoy the Rojas jokes.

 

[hrotha]

would have been pretty good if it was 12km shorter

God no. Enough with the uphill sprints.

For the Tour's first week standards, this is good. Could have done with the finish line some 7-8 km closer to the climb though.

 

[Steady]

Top 10 for me: Wild guess

1.Sagan
2.Albasini
3.Kristoff
4.Gavazzi
5.Chavanel
6.Gallopin
7.Gerrans
8.Roelandts
9.Gilbert
10.Valverde(!)

 

[taiwan]

No brainer. Sagan wins. The climb could be raced quite hard if all the GC guys are nervy, everyone trying to ride on the front. IMO.

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

Cavendish is obviously going to be dropped and his chances of getting back are much less with Tony Martin out of the race. Hopefully Kristoff can get over the top and get the big win he deserves. Otherwise it's another Sagan borefest.

 

[hrotha]

It's only 1 km. Most sprinters will only need to start the climb near the front and they'll be fine. I'd be surprised if Cavendish was dropped out of contention.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Cav/Greipel stage. Kristoff yellow.

 

[Gubby Allen]

I reckon Sagan and Kristoff will get dropped on the big climb, may be able to get back though.
I can see some real damage there though and some contenders having a good go to get away.

 

[Gubby Allen]

Top 10 for me: Wild guess

1.Sagan
2.Albasini
3.Kristoff
4.Gavazzi
5.Chavanel
6.Gallopin
7.Gerrans
8.Roelandts
9.Gilbert
10.Valverde(!)

Some good choices. Albasini is a decent e/w shot, id have backed Boom if he hadnt got away today. Dumoulin may be up there too, as will Valverde.

 

[The Hitch]

Ideally, Movi throw Nairito or Rui into breaks on the climbs forcing field to narrow down and then Valverde wins sprint

 

[jens_attacks]

Ideally, Movi throw Nairito or Rui into breaks on the climbs forcing field to narrow down and then Valverde wins sprint

that's the pyrenees

 

[Finn84]

Top 10 for me: Wild guess

1.Sagan
2.Albasini
3.Kristoff
4.Gavazzi
5.Chavanel
6.Gallopin
7.Gerrans
8.Roelandts
9.Gilbert
10.Valverde(!)

That result would put Kristoff in yellow? If I understand it's the positions on the stages which will be deciding as long as they have same time. Kristoff would have 2+3=5.

 

[Finn84]

If Kittel gets dropped how will the graphics work? As they usually show just a difference from front of the race to yellow jersey.

This of course, assuming the situation is

Breakaway
Peloton
Dropped riders incl. Kittel

 

[Dutchsmurf]

It's only 1 km. Most sprinters will only need to start the climb near the front and they'll be fine. I'd be surprised if Cavendish was dropped out of contention.

This basically. I doubt most sprinters will be dropped. The first mountains won't be ridden full speed and that last hill is just a small bump. We have seen Cavendish hang on at much tougher terrain.

 

[kanari]

If Kittel gets dropped how will the graphics work? As they usually show just a difference from front of the race to yellow jersey.

This of course, assuming the situation is

Breakaway
Peloton
Dropped riders incl. Kittel

They can show time differences for several groups, they have done so in the past.

 

[Netserk]

Cav will win.

 

[Taxus4a]

Tomorrow was a day for Sagan, but now, with the crash, maybe no, and Cannondale dont work. the stage is hard, with a lot of corners, and the last climb is short but step, so it looks a day for a breakaway. I dont think is a good day for Cavendish, it is not a question of the last climb only, if Cav dont drop in the climbs, the breakeaway will be at ten minutes, and that in that kind of road is not possible to catch.

 

[sankaa]

Top 10 for me: Wild guess

1.Sagan
2.Albasini
3.Kristoff
4.Gavazzi
5.Chavanel
6.Gallopin
7.Gerrans
8.Roelandts
9.Gilbert
10.Valverde(!)

Probably gonna end up something like this in my opinion too. Though, I think Eddy Boss will be there, along with Geraint Thomas if he hasnt been banged up too much. Dont think Kristoff will be there, although that man just keep impressing me.