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

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D

Dazed and Confused

Jan 27, 2012
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The Hotsteppers will be ready for this.
Sagan and Dumoulin will latch onto Kwia's group. Perhaps Porte and Talansky can take advantage.

So I think we will see some GC action at the business end. Just a teaser.

Stage win could go to many different players. I hope Chavanel from a long range attack on Cote de Marrons, if the break is pulled back.

Could be a tough day in the office, well I hope so. Make Astana work a bit before stage 8.

Excellent flat stage design.
 
mrhender

mrhender

Jul 11, 2013
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Hope for Lars Bak on this one.. (breakaway)
He is really strong, eager and in perfect shape..
He should be given a free pass by his team, no way Greipel will be there in the final.. Anyway I think he derserves to ride his chance today..
If a "bunch" sprint then i would have my money on Kristoff...
 
S

Sophistic

Jun 29, 2009
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astana should try something, high pace on the hill to isolate contador and then attacks on the downhill, let ac chase them.
 
whittashau

whittashau

Sep 2, 2010
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Demare has crashed too much. We won't be seeing too much of him for the next little while in the sprints
 
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veji11

Apr 15, 2013
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Sophistic said:
astana should try something, high pace on the hill to isolate contador and then attacks on the downhill, let ac chase them.
Click to expand...

Why on earth would Astana try something ? They are in the lead, what they have to do is control. If a big opportunity arises for some reason, why not, but now is not the time to take risks.
 
indianfanboy

indianfanboy

Jun 9, 2014
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The finish is not too tough Sagan and Kristoff should hang on with team mates to spare to force a bunch sprint.

Kristoff is looking stronger and stronger I think he will win today or the break could even stay away its all upto to Katusha and Cannondale to chase.

There will be gaps all over the place but the I dont see any GC guys losing any time unless some mechanicals or crashes

The Gc guys will be keeping their powder dry as we head to Vosges this saturday
 
V

veji11

Apr 15, 2013
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indianfanboy said:
The finish is not too tough Sagan and Kristoff should hang on with team mates to spare to force a bunch sprint.

Kristoff is looking stronger and stronger I think he will win today or the break could even stay away its all upto to Katusha and Cannondale to chase.

There will be gaps all over the place but the I dont see any GC guys losing any time unless some mechanicals or crashes

The Gc guys will be keeping their powder dry as we head to Vosges this saturday
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It's not too tough, but the fact that the you have too hills in relatively close succession should play a role : If you only had that last one, a sprinter in the first positions of the peloton at the foot would slide down a bit, but still be able to come back. If he has already sled down because of the first hill (even if it isn't too hard), he might not be able to come back to the front or spend too much energy doing so and then not be able to hang on in the second.

If a breakaway doesn't win, Sagan will be there of course, but it might just prove better tailored for a Gerrans than for a Kristoff.
 
murali

murali

Nov 26, 2012
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Akuryo said:
After yesterday I am convinced either Bakelants, Tony Martin or Kwiatkowski himself will attack on that final climb. They are riding very aggressively since Cav is gone.
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I agree. OPQS desperately wants stage wins. i will add Trentin as backup sprinter.

Nibaali wud be extremely happy if Sagan or Kwiato takes the yellow jersey. But the team wont be intentionally losing the jersey.

btw, is there chance for crosswinds today? i love echelons.

i think the main GC guys will come together. but no matter what, this stage is going to be unmissable in the final half hour.
 
NUFCrichard

NUFCrichard

Jul 13, 2011
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Well his current finishing positions this Tour have been: 2nd, 4th, 2nd, 4th, 4th, 5th.

While many would be happy with that im sure Sagan does not want the green jersey just for being a consistent loser.
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Well in fairness he has been riding like a consistent loser. I can understand when Cancellara decides not to drag a group over to a break away, because he will just burn himself out and lose the sprint, but Sagan could and should usually win the sprint at the end.

I get the idea that loss to Ciolek in Milan - San Remo has hurt him mentally, but he needs to realise that he has to be in it to win it, and that Ciolek is a good sprinter, better than those who he hasn't helped out in this tour so far (on Stages 2 and 5).

He could have had 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 1st, 5th if he wasn't wheelsucking.
 
indianfanboy

indianfanboy

Jun 9, 2014
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veji11 said:
It's not too tough, but the fact that the you have too hills in relatively close succession should play a role : If you only had that last one, a sprinter in the first positions of the peloton at the foot would slide down a bit, but still be able to come back. If he has already sled down because of the first hill (even if it isn't too hard), he might not be able to come back to the front or spend too much energy doing so and then not be able to hang on in the second.

If a breakaway doesn't win, Sagan will be there of course, but it might just prove better tailored for a Gerrans than for a Kristoff.
Click to expand...

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.
 
D

Dazed and Confused

Jan 27, 2012
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Can't see a scenario where Astana can "give" the jersey away here, unless the team gets very lucky with the break.

The Hotsteppers will attack in the finale (95% prob imo), and when it happens GC wannabees will follow, forcing the rest of the GC field with them. Result: Astana keeps the jersey.

I can see one or two GC pretenders losing a bit more time today, primarily because of bad placement and fatigue from the accumulated race action over the first week. Much harder opening than normal for the tour.

Or we get a two man break and everybody takes a rest day.
 
indianfanboy

indianfanboy

Jun 9, 2014
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A Coquard win wont be much of a surprise either but i think Martin will do the monster leadout for Trentin like in Suisse:eek:
 
Jagartrott

Jagartrott

Apr 15, 2014
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I can see a strong breakaway surviving as I feel that maybe not a lot of teams will be willing to do the work + the nervousness in the peloton the past days may incite a more passive stance today ('Let's take it easy today guys').
 
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