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

[Dazed and Confused]

El Puma Darwin

Terrible injury.

Where did this happen?

 

[indianfanboy]

Strong headwind before the climb to the finish so long range attacks are less likely to succeed.

 

[pigoonse]

Contador does not need to do much with this stage, other than what he has been doing. But this is Alberto Contador and when the road goes up...
Also he and lo Squalo have had maybe too much time already checking each other out. The next step is: somebody goes for it

What is exciting is that I think Nibali and Astana will counter the attacks quite well, at least for this stage. But others are getting restless too - like Valverde, Costa, Kwiatkowski, Purito, underdawg (Richie Porte) and will be fun to see what they have got What I began to doubt after the cobbled stage is that Astana will intentionally give away the leader's jersey.

For now, I will just not expect much, even though I may be getting very excited. Everyone keeps their jersey's on. The break gets caught, and Sagan comes in 2nd to ?... Valverde and co.

 

[Jagartrott]

I saw Bakelants lost time today - perhaps in the brakeaway tomorrow with guys like Albasini, Riblon and Hansen?

 

[Taxus4a]

Someone requested the profile for the 2nd climb;

It sure looks like a tricky little one

I didnt realized about 16 %, that is more for Horner than for Valverde...even for Purito, he maybe is ready as well.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Terrible injury.

Where did this happen?

Today's stage, not sure where exactly.

 

[Red Rick]

Purito has been hanging in the back for a week now. I don't think he's great. I think he'll try to get in the breakaway, cause I don't think any team is going to chase, unless Contador really wants to try and take the stage.

 

[infeXio]

I assume Mathias Frank was the IAM rider who crashed along with Paul Voss and a couple of others with about 800m to go

 

[manafana]

sorry to hear about the broke femurs an awful injury, caused by when in clip in pedals or just bad luck? normally lower leg breaks are more common.

Kwia seems to have wasted energy the past few days don't think he rules here. Contador will be strong will certainly follow some attacks.

 

[Rollthedice]

Purito has been hanging in the back for a week now. I don't think he's great. I think he'll try to get in the breakaway, cause I don't think any team is going to chase, unless Contador really wants to try and take the stage.

These kinds of stages are too dangerous for safety resons for Purito, nervous, high tempo, large group. I think either a breakaway or in the high mountains so I am not expecting anything yet tomorrow.

 

[SeriousSam]

1. Horner
2. Valverde
3. Porte
4. Contador
gap
5. Nibali

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Purito has been hanging in the back for a week now. I don't think he's great. I think he'll try to get in the breakaway, cause I don't think any team is going to chase, unless Contador really wants to try and take the stage.

I doubt he can be successful in a break on this stage. Nobody wants to work with him.

 

[maxmartin]

1. Horner
2. Valverde
3. Porte
4. Contador
gap
5. Nibali

did you watch the horner interview? he said his job is staying at Costa's wheel.

 

[jaylew]

I would vote if someones explains the Vino option!

C'mon you've been here a long time. Vino just means "other".

Valverde/Kwiatkowski ftw.

if neither takes it, then it will be a non-GC rider.

This, most likely. Gerro might be in there depending on how hard they race.
Today is the first day Purito has shown any signs of life so maybe he's coming around but it might be too soon.

Sagan should get in the break to keep his streak going.

 

[GuyIncognito]

I expect Nibali to attack on the last descent if he gets over the climb with decent legs

 

[Netserk]

Too hard for Sagan, too hard for Gerrans (and Albasini), too hard for Kwiatkowski. Valverde or Contador FTW.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Mathias Frank DNS. Broken femur.

Damn. He actually finished the stage in 95th place - that must have hurt

 

[maxmartin]

Damn. He actually finished the stage in 95th place - that must have hurt

is it time to talk about Froom again?

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

Oh, I really like Alsace and the Vosges

Okay, this is a difficult pick.

- Is it the day for a breakaway with good 1st day mountain legs?

- Will it be like "two races in one", like a race for the stage win and a race between the GC guys?

- Or will the domestiques ensure the hardest ride for the GC competitors, so the breakaway is catched already at 2nd last climb?

I think the latter. Though I really like the "two races in one", I think it will come down to the first punch between the GC guys. Too many GC guys have too much time to catch up. Every second counts.

Astana looks strong. Nibali and Fuglsang could go for an expansion of the lead already at Col de Grosse Pierre. That could bring the hammer down. But I think they'll do a defensive moove. Theres still another 2 Vosges stages to go afther this one.

Though. It seems like a tricky decent from Col de Grosse Pierre, followed directly by the last, short steep climb.

To me, it sounds all like Nibali stuff. It all depends on how a defensive moove, he and his Lieutenant Fuglsang will do.

 

[Sterri]

Hmm, are there any "Hidden gems", that can win tomorrow and in the mountains?

Need some tips for my Fantasy team

Thanks!

 

[alspacka]

Lil Richie's got this in the bag.

Contrary to prevailing opinion I also wouldn't be surprised to see Sagan giving it a good crack, probably not a great idea but the lad's irrepressible.

 

[maxmartin]

Lil Richie's got this in the bag.

Contrary to prevailing opinion I also wouldn't be surprised to see Sagan giving it a good crack, probably not a great idea but the lad's irrepressible.

It will be something, if Richie can gap AC and put more time into him.

 

[Red Rick]

I doubt he can be successful in a break on this stage. Nobody wants to work with him.

People are working in a breakaway for attention and television time. The breakaway yesterday didn't have single shot at winning, did that stop them from riding?

 

[Parrulo]

About time Costa showed the rainbow bands.

Costa has been having some troubles with his right knee and with a saddle sore.

He says the knee is getting better but the cobbles stage ripped his backside apart.

 

[willbick]

Spilak from the break