2014 Tour de France, Stage 7: Epernay–Nancy (234.5 Km)

[Linkinito]

When I saw the route, when Prudhomme talked about the Côte de Boufflers, it immediately reminded me of this stage that I had concieved back in January 2013 for the "ASO Project" on Velowire.com which was made to show to ASO unknown climbs.

It's the same climb (Côte de Boufflers) except that ASO made it a descent finish to the Cours Léopold (the usual finish site in Nancy).

Also, Thierry Gouvenou was invited to a radio broadcast in June 2013 - and the owner of Velowire talked him about the ASO Project.

It might be a coincidence, but there is a probability that he saw this stage and included the Côte de Boufflers at the very end.

 

[el_angliru]

The last 23 km according to bikeroutetoaster:

A difficult finale for a such a long stage. The final climb is of the same length as Cauberg or Muur de Huy. A bit steeper than Cauberg but not as steep as Muur de Huy. Somewhere in the middle of those two climbs. Will be interesing to see if it's decisive.

 

[Netserk]

The six riders in front are together and now with a 40'' gap to the bunch. I think we have our break of the day.

 

[Netserk]

When I saw the route, when Prudhomme talked about the Côte de Boufflers, it immediately reminded me of this stage that I had concieved back in January 2013 for the "ASO Project" on Velowire.com which was made to show to ASO unknown climbs.

It's the same climb (Côte de Boufflers) except that ASO made it a descent finish to the Cours Léopold (the usual finish site in Nancy).

Also, Thierry Gouvenou was invited to a radio broadcast in June 2013 - and the owner of Velowire talked him about the ASO Project.

It might be a coincidence, but there is a probability that he saw this stage and included the Côte de Boufflers at the very end.

Very nice lobbying!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Soft break with all four WCs involved established very quickly. Lucky coincidence......

Astana might be able to offload to the jersey to Elmiger.

 

[Frosty]

again, Fuglsang will not be allowed to get into the break. Neither will Thomas. The other teams will not allow it. Its that simple.

I might have given you a clue by saying that the other teams would have to chase I know full well that other teams won't allow Fuglsang to roll to the finish in a large break, but marking is a tactic used in cycling.... Thomas could possibly be allowed in a break as he will lose quite a lot of time in the mountains (although can climb quite well) - there are a lot of people who will see a chance of yellow and so could try the break so the break that goes could be the least worst. However, it is more likely that the riders make fools of all the speculation and a small break goes clear.

Anyway, racing is on

 

[WillemS]

Yeah, five top 5's in five days at the Tour. What a looser.

He's one of the best out there.

However, if you compare his podium results of the past three years with his current results, then you find that he used to get more first places than second and third place combined. This year, that's no longer the case.

He did start losing more in situations he would have won in the past.

 

[wirral]

The six riders in front are together and now with a 40'' gap to the bunch. I think we have our break of the day.

Now over 2 minutes. That is that.

 

[Carstenbf]

The six riders in front are together and now with a 40'' gap to the bunch. I think we have our break of the day.

Once again I was wrong. Had expected a bigger break with at least one OGE.

Ah well, suppose OGE/OPQS/Astana will control then. Kwia ftw!

 

[dduff442]

again, Fuglsang will not be allowed to get into the break. Neither will Thomas. The other teams will not allow it. Its that simple.

I think that's pretty much what Frosty was saying. Fuglsang just needs to track any GC threats who try to break and that forces the other teams to ride them down while Nibali, Scarponi etc. take it easy.

 

[manafana]

Kittel to take his day off surely we see Orica getting involved this is a nice stage before the weekend a little spice at the end of the stage

 

[MBotero]

Soft break with all four WCs involved established very quickly. Lucky coincidence......

Astana might be able to offload to the jersey to Elmiger.

Judging by their declarations i don't think they want to give the jersey away,they said that even when Nibali was having only 2seconds in GC.

 

[Netserk]

FDJ leading the bunch. For Demare or Vichot?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Judging by their declarations i don't think they want to give the jersey away,they said that even when Nibali was having only 2seconds in GC.

yep, but thats because its a big advantage going into the cobbles stage. Moving forward its a disadvantage.

Anyway I doubt Astana can get rid of it even if they wanted. GC has become a bit too complex already.

 

[Netserk]

yep, but thats because its a big advantage going into the cobbles stage. Moving forward its a disadvantage.

Anyway I doubt Astana can get rid of it even if they wanted. GC has become a bit too complex already.

Lots of riders (well placed in GC) will come out and play on Sunday. When everyone knows that a break will take the stage win, we should see a better break.

 

[wirral]

yep, but thats because its a big advantage going into the cobbles stage. Moving forward its a disadvantage.

Anyway I doubt Astana can get rid of it even if they wanted. GC has become a bit too complex already.

Whether Astana may or may not want to allow the break to win by 10 minutes is irrelevant if any other teams don't. e.g. Orica, Cannondale, OPQS, etc. all of whom have designs on the stage win.

 

[mrhender]

Would like to se a second break establish soon..
With some more quality and big teams represented..

This break won't last -Only question is when they will be caught..

 

[Netserk]

Now Cannondale leading the bunch. This break is doomed.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Now Cannondale leading the bunch. This break is doomed.

Good, it was just too soft.

 

[wahl84]

Is there any place that you can see stats of who has been riding in front of the peloton so far? I want to see how much work Di Marchi is doing for Sagan? Is he protected until the mountains in any way, or is he doing a lot of work for Sagan?

 

[dduff442]

Good, it was just too soft.

Maybe Cannondale should have showed a bit more nerve though. OGE etc. have every incentive to chase as well.

 

[difdauf]

Two cat 4 1km long climbs at 7 percents(one at 17km to go and other at 5km to go)shouldnt be too tough.Kristoff has been climbing decently he finished just 1 min behind in the Yorkshire stage.

Boufflers is a straight avenue, it's harder than you think even if it's really short. The next avenue is a long descent. That's not hard enough to gain some time, but hard enough for a small group or a strong man solo to go for the win.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Whether Astana may or may not want to allow the break to win by 10 minutes is irrelevant if any other teams don't. e.g. Orica, Cannondale, OPQS, etc. all of whom have designs on the stage win.

Not disagreeing. It came out of earlier discussion about the possibility of offloading the jersey. I think its very difficult regardless of the scenario.

 

[Frosty]

The other side of the coin being that if other teams want to do all the chasing on a given stage then having the yellow jersey isn't much of a burden on that stage.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Sagan to find a way to screw up yet again. Gerrans for the win.