2013 Tour de France, Stage 6: Aix-en-Provence→Montpellier (176.5 Km)

[Cimber]

I don't agree. I think racing will be better moving forward if one or even both favorites drops some time today.

And I don't agree crosswind racing provide excessive randomness in the result. Everybody knows whats coming, prepare for it or drop time.

I agree if both Contador and Froome loses time to the rest it would be interesting.

If only Contador loses time it will be bad for the excitement since Froome is simply that much better on the TTs too and maybe also in the mountains.
If Froome loses time it could be interesting too since he is the strongest rider out there at the moment and he might catch it all back in the TTs.

But ideally, from my perspective, no one loses significant time today

 

[Cimber]

Is 30-50km/h really enough to cause damage?
Seems to low to me.

Apparently there will be gusts much higher that that. Almost reaching storm strength

 

[Sophistic82]

50km/h too low...

 

[Cimber]

According to meteorologists, the peloton can expect strong cross-winds, including a northerly Mistral with gusts up to 60/70km/h between km 50 and km 140.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/str...erwise-straight-forward-sprint-to-montpellier

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Is 30-50km/h really enough to cause damage?
Seems to low to me.

That is plenty high enough IMO !!

It is almost funny to think it would have no effect

 

[mickkk]

Perfect stage for Ogrady or Voigt to slip away early.

 

[roundabout]

VDB out it seems

yes

http://www.lottobelisol.be/en/jurgen-van-den-broeck-abandons-1264.htm

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Jurgen Van Den Broeck abandons: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-den-broeck-abandons-tour-de-france

 

[armchairclimber]

Voeckler to try and get away today.

 

[veji11]

40 to 50km/H wind is plenty enough to create havoc if some teams want to give it a try... On can imagine "bordures" around the 100/120 mark and then 60kms being ridden at TTT speed... Could really tire everybody out

 

[Panda Claws]

**** Bouhanni , VDB out

 

[pastronef]

VDB abandons

what a shame, his team did a very good TTT, this Tour had a good parcours for him, he's been training for months with just the Tour in sight.
let's hope his team bounces back and get a stage win

 

[jens_attacks]

what ???sad news

can he made it back in la vuelta?

 

[Netserk]

Will he be able to ride the Vuelta in good form?

EDIT: great minds think alike

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Knee trouble so bad that he can't even start is not sounding good for the rest of his season

 

[Miburo]

Will he be able to ride the Vuelta in good form?

EDIT: great minds think alike

He tried to do that 2 years ago but form wasn't that great. Then again his injury is not that bad now I hope at least.

Knee injuries can be a real ***** though.

 

[puffin]

I must the only person hoping for no wind.

I picked this as my bonus stage and loaded the team with sprinters in fantasy tdf as the profile looked so tranquilo.

 

[Lanark]

I must the only person hoping for no wind.

I picked this as my bonus stage and loaded the team with sprinters in fantasy tdf as the profile looked so tranquilo.

Yeah, I guess most of us rather have an exciting stage than a good day in a fantasy tdf game. Silly us heh?

 

[Pentacycle]

Knee trouble so bad that he can't even start is not sounding good for the rest of his season

A totally wrecked shoulder and ribcage 2 years ago didn't keep him out of the Vuelta. There's still hope.

 

[Cimber]

Yeah, I guess most of us rather have an exciting stage than a good day in a fantasy tdf game. Silly us heh?

I rather have exciting mountain stages, and lots of cross wind chaos mind ruin that. Silly me

 

[Lanark]

I rather have exciting mountain stages, and lots of cross wind chaos mind ruin that. Silly me

Yes you are silly Small differences before the mountains more likely cause conservative riding than excitement.

 

[Leonardus]

This could very well turn out to be a hyper nervous stage. I like the idea of echelons but don't like the huge risk of mass crashes. And which GC team could possibly get blown away with cross winds? They all have strong men to keep them out of trouble so can't see anyone who will try something.

Shame about VDB2, and not the first time I believe Bouhanni acts like an idiot in the peloton.

 

[Cimber]

Yes you are silly Small differences before the mountains more likely cause conservative riding than excitement.

Small differences, heh? Zülle and Moreau might have a different take of that Also the insane fight for positions today will cause crashes.

 

[Taxus4a]

I dont like crash, but the wind is another factor always in cyclingm, and a day is not bad. there are some people as Evans that is always in the front, and he dont have any prize.

Climbers dont have to speculate in the mountains, so that is better if they lost time before.

Today the wind has de good direction and enough strengh for echelons , from his right side. The road is sometimes quite narrow, and not very protected, there is a dangerous part about 70 from the finish, wit little bit tailwind from the right:

https://maps.google.com/?ll=43.6972...=ugJ0VC71HqSeTIQaVeNPug&cbp=12,201.04,,0,5.12

and then the last part of the stage is even less protected:

https://maps.google.com/?ll=43.6114...=F24s7byb9ftiM_Sf-hqqdA&cbp=12,245.63,,0,11.6

 

[Cimber]

Apparently the crosswind gusts are expected to be strongest on the descent from the cat. 4 climb. Will be super dangerous.