2013 Tour de Suisse, Stage 9: Bad Ragaz - Flumserberg 26.8 Km

[WKA311]

really looking forward to this. Hopefully Frank manages a decent TT like in California would really like to see this guy doing a podium in his home race.
Also looking forward to the fight between Kreuziger and Costa, think Costa will do this and win his second in a row.
Thibaut Pinot should do well if he doesn't lose too much on the flat part and TJVG and Meyer are looking to improve their positions.
So an exciting day ahead

 

[wirral]

thanks, was pretty curious about that one since i never saw someone use it.

It is fairly particular to the Liverpool area.

 

[cineteq]

Van Gaderen for the stage and the GC.

Are you suggesting he's the new Levi Leipheimer?

 

[avanti]

Any rules on bike changes. Presume everyone taking this seriously will need to swap at the bottom of the climb.

If you mean switching from a TT bike to a road bike probably a bad idea - apart from losing time, wasting energy accellerating, and a change in riding position. My bet is a light road bike with bar extensions will be the choice.

 

[Pippo_San]

Are you suggesting he's the new Levi Leipheimer?

I guess the comparison isn't too farfetched, really.
He's gonna get this one.

Anyway Costa and TGBM are definitely way too overrated in here. While TGBM I can understand, what with the Dutch mafia and whatever, on the other hand Costa is so much hyped it's almost ridiculous.

Poor Roman. He thought his engine was bigger than Nibbles'. And now he can't even win a Suisse anymore, not even with such a crappy field...

 

[Kokoso]

Poor Roman. He thought his engine was bigger than Nibbles'.

Will people pull this out even after five or ten years? Everybody can make mistake (lof of people have made bigger one) and everybody can change.

 

[gizzajob]

The weather forecast for Bad Ragaz suggests that the wind will pick up slightly during the day and there is a risk of thundertsorms later in the afternoon.

The flat section is along the valley into the headwind, so wonder if the wind may be even channelled to be higher that the 3-4mph suggested?

Could we see some of the early starters in with a shout for the stage?

Start times:
http://www.pelotonwatch.com/calendar/2013/worldtour/tourdesuisse/stage9_start_order.html

 

[whittashau]

Kangert to do really well on this stage based on his Giro performance

 

[Miburo]

If Frank wins this, it'll be busy in another section of the forum

 

[manafana]

if their is a headwind, then a proper tt bike for the flat section for sure and likely a bike change then.

 

[Winnen]

I hope for Mollema. But is it realistic? No.

My prediction for the GC after today:
1. Costa
2. TJvG
3. Pinot

Costa is the best climber of this field imho. And with a serious climb in this TT he has the best chances.

Curious what to expect from Dombrowski! Looking forward to this TT even if the field isn't that strong.

 

[gerundium]

I am thinking Kelderman might do a good TT here as well. Coming out of the Giro he appears to be in decent form.

 

[SetonHallPirate]

I'm not sure how bad an idea it would be to go full road bikes...that road may not have 90-degree corners, but there are all sorts of subtle twists and turns in that road.

Then again, when it comes to technical aspects of the bicycle, I'm worse than clueless...

 

[jens_attacks]

if their is a headwind, then a proper tt bike for the flat section for sure and likely a bike change then.

i would change the bike no matter what

and i don't think the headwind in the valley(only if it's really really strong)will make the difference for the winner. flumserberg will sort the strong and weak ones

i think the route for this is absolutely great

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I hope for Mollema. But is it realistic? No.

My prediction for the GC after today:
1. Costa
2. TJvG
3. Pinot

Costa is the best climber of this field imho. And with a serious climb in this TT he has the best chances.

Curious what to expect from Dombrowski! Looking forward to this TT even if the field isn't that strong.

It will be interesting to see who clocks the best time on the climb. Could it be Dombrowski?

Anyway, agree with Jens_attacks, this is a great course to find the strongest rider in this race.

 

[theyoungest]

I hope for Mollema. But is it realistic? No.

My prediction for the GC after today:
1. Costa
2. TJvG
3. Pinot

Costa is the best climber of this field imho. And with a serious climb in this TT he has the best chances.

Curious what to expect from Dombrowski! Looking forward to this TT even if the field isn't that strong.

Seems like a good prediction. Mollema is just not enough of a time trialist to make it to the podium. At least Pinot is a good uphill TTist.

 

[Bavarianrider]

I can't understand why switching bikes is actually allowed in TTes. Should be banned really. Switching only if their's a mechanical problem. But no swithing between different types of bikes. If you start on a road bike you have to finish on one. If you start with a TT bike you have to use one all the time!

 

[Ruby United]

T.J.V.G. for stage honours.

Costa for the overall.

 

[Kwibus]

I am thinking Kelderman might do a good TT here as well. Coming out of the Giro he appears to be in decent form.

I was just checking the GC and noticed Kelderman waaay down. I havent seen him in the mountains at all. Just before reading your post i was thinking that they should give this guy a long rest period beore burning his talent.

He's obviously tired if you ask me and I don't expect him in the top 20 today. Allthough thats risky since a TT is his specialty.

 

[Kwibus]

I can't understand why switching bikes is actually allowed in TTes. Should be banned really. Switching only if their's a mechanical problem. But no swithing between different types of bikes. If you start on a road bike you have to finish on one. If you start with a TT bike you have to use one all the time!

I don't really see the problem.

 

[theyoungest]

I can't understand why switching bikes is actually allowed in TTes. Should be banned really. Switching only if their's a mechanical problem. But no swithing between different types of bikes. If you start on a road bike you have to finish on one. If you start with a TT bike you have to use one all the time!

That's not realistic. The lesser heroes never have a spare TT bike on the follow car, just a regular bike.

I was just checking the GC and noticed Kelderman waaay down. I havent seen him in the mountains at all. Just before reading your post i was thinking that they should give this guy a long rest period beore burning his talent.

He's obviously tired if you ask me and I don't expect him in the top 20 today. Allthough thats risky since a TT is his specialty.

Kelderman was dropped after De Greef, that was about his level in the Giro

Yesterday he did look quite good, maybe he's got some energy left for today.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Pinot haven't really impressed me much this Tour de Suisse, but I hope he can put in a good performance today.

I'm pretty confident that Costa will top 3 and win the GC, though.

 

[Alpechraxler]

If Frank wins this, it'll be busy in another section of the forum

depends a bit on the margin if its just 1 or 2 '' then blame the 2km banner first

 

[Gloin22]

If Frank wins this, it'll be busy in another section of the forum

Lolool. You really enjoy cycling dont you?

 

[Miburo]

Lolool. You really enjoy cycling dont you?

Is what i say a false statement? Well we'll see although it's very unlikely it'll happen, i don't think frank has it in him.

I wonder what canc will do, probably bad.