2013 Tour de l'Ain: 9th-13th August (2.1)

[theyoungest]

Then what was your point?

My point is that these formidable duos you mention aren't that formidable. It will depend on individual strength.

BTW, if I'm not mistaken Luis Leon did very well on the Colombier in the Tour last year.

 

[Flamin]

My point is that these formidable duos you mention aren't that formidable. It will depend on individual strength.

BTW, if I'm not mistaken Luis Leon did very well on the Colombier in the Tour last year.

I got that, and that's why I said you don't have to be that formidable to drop the Belkin duo

 

[theyoungest]

I got that, and that's why I said you don't have to be that formidable to drop the Belkin duo

Oh sure, theoretically everyone could drop them.

 

[Flamin]

Oh sure, theoretically everyone could drop them.

Lol, what?

 

[Kazistuta]

Bardet/Gadret is better climbers than LL Sanchez, no doubt about that.
LL Sanchez though is more experienced, hence knows how to adjust his energy consumption
Slagter is an unknown (I think he's more than capable to keep his lead)

At least the Ag2r duo should be able to surpass Lulu, if they decide to race as a team and attack in turn instead of racing like Team Gadret & co.

I'm wondering when John Gadret finds himself a race where his "above average" climbing skills will give him a victory. He sure knows how to pick a race where the strongest climber won't win anyway..............

 

[Ferminal]

Decent break but subsequently Rabo aren't letting them go anywhere. 30km until GC.

 

[Ferminal]

Ok they are at Artemare already, Poels 10" off virtual GC.

 

[roundabout]

Oh, Berard and Dupont are there.

Might be a bit too close though.

 

[Ferminal]

6km to the top, gap to the break is still around 2 minutes so doesn't sound too promising.

Reichenbach attack.

 

[Ferminal]

Bardet bridges to Dupont...

 

[Ferminal]

Bardet Reichenbach Dupont Poels have 50" on Slagter group (Pinot and Elissonde are there not sure who else).

 

[Ferminal]

About 15km to go.

Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) et Wout Poels (Vacansoleil-DCM)
Dupont et Reichenbach de 25",
Atapuma de 50"
groupe Slagter de 1'05''

 

[theyoungest]

It looked good for Slagter... but somehow the group behind manages to lose time on 2 riders in front.

 

[Kazistuta]

Is Gadret once again doing his own thing and not protecting a team mate??

"John Gadret vient de s'extraire du groupe de poursuivants"..... is he trying to break away from Lulu and Reichenbach? He should just save powers and let the two work to get Bardet back.

 

[Ferminal]

Slagter has been dropped from "his" "group".

GC will end up Bardet, LLS, Gadret, Reichenbach

Err nvm Gadret has dropped his group, the others may be falling back to the FDJ'ers.

 

[Flamin]

Hey guys

Colombier is twice as long as today's climb. Pinot/Elissonde and Bardet/Gadret could definetely crack the Belkin boys. And Bardet looks like he's a good descender.

 

[theyoungest]

Weird development... everyone thought Slagter would get dropped on the Colombier, he didn't. But then he cracked anyway.

 

[Ferminal]

Wonder if Poels gets the stage...

 

[Kazistuta]

Weird development... everyone thought Slagter would get dropped on the Colombier, he didn't. But then he cracked anyway.

He DID get dropped on the Colombier? At least by Bardet and Reichenbach, probably also Gadret et.all.

 

[theyoungest]

He DID get dropped on the Colombier? At least by Bardet and Reichenbach, probably also Gadret et.all.

Yeah, but that wasn't very disastrous per se... he stayed with most of his rivals.

 

[classicomano]

Wout Poels gets the stage victory

 

[Ferminal]

Should move up a few places on GC too.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Bardet wins, Démare wins... what a great cycling day.

 

[roundabout]

Gadret riding away from Sanchez on the flat is quite shocking.

 

[Afrank]

Very nice win for Poels. Good to see Bardet take the overall as well.