2014 Paris - Nice, Stage 6: Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon - Fayence (221.5 km)

[Geraint Too Fast]

2014 Paris - Nice, Stage 6: Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon - Fayence (221.5 km)

Climbs
Km 36.5 - Côte de Bonnieux - 4.8 kilometre-long climb at 5.1% - category 3
Km 164.5 - Côte des Tuilières - 2.2 kilometre-long climb at 7.8% - category 2
Km 180.0 - Côte du Mont Meaulx - 1.7 kilometre-long climb at 4.3% - category 3
Km 202.5 - Col de Bourigaille - 8.2 kilometre-long climb at 5.9% - category 1
Km 221.5 - FAYENCE - category 2

I'd say the last two stages were as good as could be expected. Hopefully this one follows suit.

 

[search]

the 2009 stage to Fayence was superb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ultWwXzhmq8

this year's profile is less promising, but let's hope it'll still be a good fight for the win

 

[alspacka]

Nibali, Betancur and... Kelderman, to go clear on Bourigaille and just about stay away largely thanks to Nibbles descending.

 

[Orbit501]

Tony Gallopin time.

 

[manafana]

Tony Gallopin time.

might be too much for him but no forlorn hope, keldermann, spilak or stybar my outsiders.

 

[hfer07]

How come nobody has mentioned Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa for this stage???

I have him, Nibbs & Fuglsang combo along with my man Betancur (the fat cat) doing the damage.

 

[Parrulo]

How come nobody has mentioned Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa for this stage???

I have him, Nibbs & Fuglsang combo along with my man Betancur (the fat cat) doing the damage.

He doesn't appear to be in really great shape. Imo If they get to the bottom of the last climb with the front group, Betancurt and Slagter are the favourites imo.

 

[VeloHuman]

He doesn't appear to be in really great shape. Imo If they get to the bottom of the last climb with the front group, Betancurt and Slagter are the favourites imo.

Curious what has given you the impression that Costa isn't in great shape? Not that I necessarily disagree, but I want to know why others think what they think.

 

[Jspear]

Nibali for the win.

 

[Parrulo]

Curious what has given you the impression that Costa isn't in great shape? Not that I necessarily disagree, but I want to know why others think what they think.

He couldn't follow Thomas on stage 4, he said it himself on his own website after the stage.

 

[saneguy]

Nibali should attack big time on this time. Tailor made for him. Tough climb leading into a nice descent and again an uphill finish. This should be his. Betancur could surprise us again though.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Will the riders all break into involuntary outbursts of swearing with 2km to go?

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Normally the last km should be perfect for Slagter; after the stage he won I thought he would be the favourite for this too. However, the last km is also perfect for Betancur and he also seems to be in shape despite being fat!

If they're racing hard on the penultimate climb, which, considering how they've been racing last two days, seems not to be wholly unlikely, that could also pose a problem for Slagter and Thomas. It should definitely be enough for Degenkolb to lose his GC aspirations.

 

[Flamin]

Nibali and Rui must go loco on the descent of the penultimate climb. Betancur looked kinda vulnerable going downhill yesterday. If they wait for Fayence I think bananito will just fly away and the GC might be over.

 

[Grupetto1]

Betancur ftw for me. Can see him taking a commanding control on yellow as well

 

[fraserhughes]

Nibs and Betancur to attack over the top of the Col de Bourigaille and ride away from everyone

If I was Astana I'd have Fuglsang attack at the bottom of the climb and force a hard pace from the others chasing him down - should be enough to put Thomas and co. in trouble.

Think we are in for some good racing last 2 stages have been aggressive even if the first 3 were rubbish.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Nibs and Betancur to attack over the top of the Col de Bourigaille and ride away from everyone

If I was Astana I'd have Fuglsang attack at the bottom of the climb and force a hard pace from the others chasing him down - should be enough to put Thomas and co. in trouble.

Think we are in for some good racing last 2 stages have been aggressive even if the first 3 were rubbish.

Good plan indeed, and I agree this race will be far from over after today. Two hard-to-control stages coming up over the weekend. Lets just assume Betancur grabs the jersey, ag2r will then have to control action with this team:

21 BARDET Romain France
22 BETANCUR GOMEZ Carlos Alberto Colombia
24 CHEREL Mickaël France
25 DUMOULIN Samuel France
26 MINARD Sébastien France
27 TURGOT Sébastien France
28 VUILLERMOZ Alexis France

I can see Betancur being isolated at the business end of the last two stages.

 

[VeloHuman]

Today is moment of truth for Costa and Nibali. Others have been nabbing seconds here and there in this race and they've been quiet. Could be laying low waiting for the big day, or maybe they're just off form... One guy who definitely isn't is Betancur so they don't really have a lot of room to play games.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Gerrans done. DNS today.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Costa said days ago he couldn't do better and couldn't follow Slagter nor Thomas.

Nibali has been saying all along his form isn't there yet. He's still good enough to have impact on the race obviously. But I don't think he is one of the strongest uphill, in this form (normally he would be the strongest obviously). He'd have to do it in the downhill of the bourigaille.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Bardet ftw!

 

[Amsterdam]

Bardet and Majka can get a little space when they attack. I think they have a good chance of winning this..

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Good plan indeed, and I agree this race will be far from over after today. Two hard-to-control stages coming up over the weekend. Lets just assume Betancur grabs the jersey, ag2r will then have to control action with this team:

21 BARDET Romain France
22 BETANCUR GOMEZ Carlos Alberto Colombia
24 CHEREL Mickaël France
25 DUMOULIN Samuel France
26 MINARD Sébastien France
27 TURGOT Sébastien France
28 VUILLERMOZ Alexis France

I can see Betancur being isolated at the business end of the last two stages.

with bardet?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

with bardet?

Maybe, depends on how many team members are around after 120km. You really need guys such as Vasil and EBH to do the heavy lifting. Don't see these types of riders on ag2r, so Bardet could be forced to work earlier than planned.

All this depends on how hard the stages are raced of course. If everybody waits until the very end, ag2r will be fine.

 

[Guybrush]

Maybe, depends on how many team members are around after 120km. You really need guys such as Vasil and EBH to do the heavy lifting. Don't see these types of riders on ag2r, so Bardet could be forced to work earlier than planned.

All this depends on how hard the stages are raced of course. If everybody waits until the very end, ag2r will be fine.

Bardet crashed yesterday, and AG2R will be riding in support of Betancourt