2014 Tour de France, Stage 8: Tomblaine – Gerardmer/La Mauselaine: 161km

[Red Rick]

Stage 8: Tomblaine – Gerardmer/La Mauselaine: 161km, medium mountains + hilltop finish
Overview:
Another short stage. Flat for a bit more than 130km, and then a difficult final with 3 climbs and some very steep pitches.

The first climb is the longest of the day, but quite regular and not very steep, being 7.6km @ 6%.

The second climb, the Col de Grosse Pierre (3km @ 7.5%), is rather a shortish but very steep ramp through the hamlet of La Roche, reaching 15% and more, preceded and followed by some false flat. The final climb, towards the ski station of La Mauselaine is also the finish: 1.8km @ 10.3%. That’s more something one expects in Tirreno-Adriatico or the Basque country, and I guess most of us were very surprised to see it here. All in all, there are enough opportunities to distance your rivals, if you feel up to it.

Predictions:
A breakaway to form in the flat beginning, the favorites for the final GC won’t really bother, unless some of them would have lost a bit of time the first days. So, it depends on the teams of the punchy climbers aiming for stage victories (Moreno, Rodriguez if he feels ok, Valverde, D.Martin,…) if the break is caught or not. Between the favorites some gaps in the range of 10 seconds will appear.

First uphill fight for the GC

1 question for this stage: Where will Sagan finish

 

[Miburo]

Sagan won't even be up there, too hard for him so yea dumb poll

 

[Red Rick]

Sagan won't even be up there, too hard for him so yea dumb poll

It's a force of nature, he's got between 2nd and 5th on the first 7 stages
It's impossible to do otherwise

 

[Miburo]

It's a force of nature, he's got between 2nd and 5th on the first 7 stages
It's impossible to do otherwise

That's true but he'll still drop like a stone on this one. I would be very surprised if he's able to top 5 on this stage.

 

[LaFlorecita]

2nd behind Alberto

 

[l.Harm]

Before the Tour I expected Purito up here. But he hasn't shown anything yet, so I've no clue about his form. Maybe Valverde? Or Slagter. But maybe the first climb is too difficult for him or he has to work for Talansky.

 

[sultanofhyd]

 

[TomekA]

Contador to finish about 20s ahead of Nibali

 

[Red Rick]

I think the favourites will wait for the last 300m with real attacks. It's pretty steep and and if you bonk you can still lose some time

 

[Red Rick]

I also think that the fight for positions will be ridiculous

 

[Netserk]

Can a mod remove the damn poll?

 

[Lanark]

I also think that the fight for positions will be ridiculous

I think it'll be okay. The first climb is long enough that you don't have to start with the first 10, and those first two climbs should be enough to make the group small enough for the final climb.

 

[Taxus4a]

It is not for Sagan, I bet Valverde

 

[cineteq]

Sagan won't even be up there, too hard for him so yea dumb poll

It is dumb. But look who's criticizing it. A dose of your own medicine? LOL

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Valverde or Porte.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador to finish about 20s ahead of Nibali

That would be amazing Contador got 15s on Valverde in 500m on a similar climb at Pais Vasco. I don't expect that now though, I'd be happy with a couple of seconds

 

[MBotero]

Little Richie seems anxious to put his mark on this Tour,i go with him for stage win,but i don't get what this stage got to do with Sagan

 

[the sceptic]

Chris Horner will win this one. He is ready.

 

[murali]

is there a profile for the second climb.

i think tht climb will decide who gets to sprint the uphill finish.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

About time Costa showed the rainbow bands.

 

[CycloAndy]

Rodriguez should take this, if he's in shape. The favourites don't need to worry about letting him go either which will help his cause.

Valverde should be the first of the GC boys.

 

[De Snelle Duif]

Doesn't seem so certain to me that Sagan will get dropped. If he's up to it he could get very far. If he's not he'll probably relax instantly after the intermediate sprint/ at the first slopes. I am hoping for a Frank win but it seems a bit too steep.

 

[Carstenbf]

This is where we find out if Purito's got anything to shoot with.

(stupid poll, not voting)

 

[Lord Stanley]

I also believe Sagan could handle this stage.

 

[Escarabajo]

I would vote if someones explains the Vino option!