2014 Tour de France, Stage 18: Pau–Hautacam (145.5 Km)

[the_cutter]

Tommy V. to get into the break, nailed on. Don't think Europcar will get the win they crave though.

 

[whittashau]

Yes, but there is only one GC rider who counts. As for logic, he has the mountains jersey, and two stage victories and a second. Further, he was just toying with his competition today; it was a dominant victory from a select group of climbers.

Nibali has climbed faster or equally as fast as the best on every finishing climb except when AC took two seconds on him. Therefore he has climbed the best in this race. There can be no argument.

 

[phanatic]

Nibali has climbed faster or equally as fast as the best on every finishing climb except when AC took two seconds on him. Therefore he has climbed the best in this race. There can be no argument.

There have been three MTFs since Bertie crashed out. Majka finished second to Nibali in the first and won the other two. As for the times on the final climb, the maillot jaune group will almost always ride faster than the breakaway group because they will have expended less energy.

 

[Climbing]

There have been three MTFs since Bertie crashed out. Majka finished second to Nibali in the first and won the other two. As for the times on the final climb, the maillot jaune group will almost always ride faster than the breakaway group because they will have expended less energy.

Don't be ridiculous...

Anyway I think Nibali want this stage, not sure Astana can help it chase breaks, probably not.

 

[Escarabajo]

It's called Tinkoff Tour Peak Magic®

LOL. Plan B. Had to do it for the sponsors.

 

[alin.constantin89]

Don't be ridiculous...

Anyway I think Nibali want this stage, not sure Astana can help it chase breaks, probably not.

this or the TT.

 

[sir fly]

Nibali to smash the Hautacam on 53x15.
Just to ensure Riis and Oleg that Contador wouldn't stand a chance.

 

[Escarabajo]

If Majka wins or is close to Nibali, Tinkoff had it all wrong from the beginning. Who needs Contador anyway. Time to negotiate because we have super Majka!!!

 

[Escarabajo]

Nibali to pull a Riis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSC-9_uWQeg

 

[the_cutter]

not sure Astana can help it chase breaks, probably not.

Westra, Bird, Boots and Kangs could probably smash themselves and bring the break back on Tourmalet, but that would leave Nibbles isolated in the last 50kms. Vino needs to cut a deal with someone tomorrow.

 

[cineteq]

Horner FTW
http://www.nbcsports.com/cycling/tour-de-france/american-chris-horner-fighting-uphill-battle

 

[Moviefan1203]

Van Garderen!

 

[the_cutter]

Van Garderen!

Would love it if TJVG tried a long range suicide attack on the Tourmalet tomorrow. He has a 5th place 2012, so what's a 6th to him? Movistar might let him go, to see how would the Frenchies react. They would most likely bring him back sharpish. Still, go for gold (or bronze), TJ!

 

[Flamin]

I wonder how much those descents take out of Pinot. His two least good performances in a mountain stage (Risoul and today) came after Ag2r tried to put pressure on him on the descent.

All excitement is long gone, so I'm hoping he'll be better again tomorrow. Seeing him dance on the pedals like on Port de Balès is all there's left.

 

[Jspear]

Majka to repeat and defend his jersey. This time Jrod will sling shot him to victory.

 

[Jspear]

Would love it if TJVG tried a long range suicide attack on the Tourmalet tomorrow. He has a 5th place 2012, so what's a 6th to him? Movistar might let him go, to see how would the Frenchies react. They would most likely bring him back sharpish. Still, go for gold (or bronze), TJ!

Tejay could still possibly podium. If he is able to stay with Bardet in the mountains, he should pass him in the TT...Bardet is a very poor TTist.

 

[djpbaltimore]

I could see someone like Konig get in the break and have the French teams keep it close until the final climb to protect their podium places. That would allow Astana to save their matches until the end. Otherwise I don't think they have enough power to keep the break close enough for Nibali to go for the win.

Voigt has been really quiet in the last week. I feel he has one last tour breakaway in his legs. And Tommy V is almost a certainty too.

 

[whittashau]

According to Nibali he hasn't really been pushing to the limit, so I think he should win tomorrow unless there is an incredibly strong break

 

[the_cutter]

Tejay could still possibly podium. If he is able to stay with Bardet in the mountains, he should pass him in the TT...Bardet is a very poor TTist.

Bardet might just be a possibility, but the rest are simply too far away. He's not smashing Valverde and Peraud by 4+mins. That simply isn't going to happen.


Looking at the top 15 - Mollema, Rolland, Van Den Broeck and Schleck tried it today. Peraud will try to catch the Nibali train again. Pinot must attack Valverde at some point. That leaves Bardet, TJVG, Ten Dam and Konig to try some creative moves.

 

[Jspear]

Bardet might just be a possibility, but the rest are simply too far away. He's not smashing Valverde and Peraud by 4+mins. That simply isn't going to happen.


Looking at the top 15 - Mollema, Rolland, Van Den Broeck and Schleck tried it today. Peraud will try to catch the Nibali train again. Pinot must attack Valverde at some point. That leaves Bardet, TJVG, Ten Dam and Konig to try some creative moves.

I'm a ding donng. Didn't mean to say he could podium....I had highlighted you saying "what's 6th place to him." I meant to say I think Tejay could still get top 5. I agree with you that he won't podium.

 

[maxmartin]

Would love it if TJVG tried a long range suicide attack on the Tourmalet tomorrow. He has a 5th place 2012, so what's a 6th to him? Movistar might let him go, to see how would the Frenchies react. They would most likely bring him back sharpish. Still, go for gold (or bronze), TJ!

agree TJVG has nothing to lose but everything to gain, but he does not seems like a gutsy rider to me, he is more of an Evans type rider. Anyway I think Astana will ride strong and steady pace for tomorrow, so it could play into TJ's favor.

 

[MBotero]

Last chance for Sky to save Le Tour,but who the **** they could send in the break,maybe it's time for plan G If he wants to show he could be more than a helper for Froome,this would be a good stage to show his talents.

 

[Netserk]

Majka to cross Tourmalet first and secure his jersey. Pinot FTW.

 

[Frosty]

Last chance for Sky to save Le Tour,but who the **** they could send in the break,maybe it's time for plan G If he wants to show he could be more than a helper for Froome,this would be a good stage to show his talents.

Thought G might just be saving his legs today for a big effort tomorrow but he tweeted that it was a genuine bad day.

 

[Carols]

He came 6th in Giro, 3 minutes behind Aru lol

That was because he s*cked in the TT even though it was a mountain one. Once this kid can TT he will be deadly