2014 Tour de France, Stage 9: Gerardmer – Mulhouse: 170km

[Hugo Koblet]

I just hope that Voeckler won't be in the break.

 

[Flamin]

Lots of KOM points up for the grabs will be an extra incentive for a strong break away. Rest day for the GC guys.

 

[Cimber]

The last 20k will nullify AC gains on the climbs, unless Nibali has no one left at Cernay to pull him to the finish. Roche and Rogers look pretty strong to haul AC to the end. "Marginal gains" for AC?

Well TS could put Rogers or Roche in the break so he would have one for the flat part. That would be a likely scenarior if this stage was late in the race and AC still needed time. But this is early days and hence they wont make such a risky move already. It will most likely be a boring stage after the break gets away, but on the first climb till that has happened it will be firework (0:

 

[search]

Sagan will try to get into the break. He was active today as well and tried to escape, but was caught and then Chavanel attacked.

I was watching it live on France 3, didn't see Sagan getting involved.

So that must have happened very early on then, before there was live coverage

 

[Justico]

The last 20k will nullify AC gains on the climbs, unless Nibali has no one left at Cernay to pull him to the finish. Roche and Rogers look pretty strong to haul AC to the end. "Marginal gains" for AC?

and how exactly Rogers and Roche will drop Nibali ?

My personal opinion is that Nibali is an overrated and hyped up rider but he is not that bad...

 

[Fzotrlool]

Spilak or Trofimov.

Pinot to attack on the last climb but get caught on the flat.

 

[Netserk]

Well TS could put Rogers or Roche in the break so he would have one for the flat part. That would be a likely scenarior if this stage was late in the race and AC still needed time. But this is early days and hence they wont make such a risky move already. It will most likely be a boring stage after the break gets away, but on the first climb till that has happened it will be firework (0:

Which we won't see... :-(

 

[Tournesol]

A little bird just told me Fight the Power's missus is a big Murilo Fischer fan.Just saying.

 

[veji11]

this stage is very well design in conjunction with the 2 other Vosges stages. that trifecta is just awesome. That stage should see a breakaway win but could see accidental fireworks if :
- a big gun or even semi big gun appears suddenly to be suffering. If a guy like TVG or VandenBroek or other seem to suffer at some point, you could see rival teams pressing very hard to drop a rival for a top5. If a big big gun appears suddenly in trouble (Porte, Contador or Nibali) you could see all hell breaking loose suddenly.
- If GC contender who has had some problems decides to give it a go with a team strategy. Say a Talansky or VandenBroeck or TVG decides to have his team attack and tries to bridge the gap himself, it could provoke big moves.

But the most likely remains a breakaway win. Although If I am Astana i would love for a Trofimov, a Ten Dam, A Machado or a Cyril Gautier to get that yellow jersey off my shoulders.

Weather being bad again could lead to suprising difficulties and sudden accidental fireworks..

 

[search]

Which we won't see... :-(

coverage on France 3 starts at 12:55 cet, stage starts at 13:20

there might be "Village Depart" first, but most of the stage should be live, also the early part

 

[sir fly]

A little bird just told me Fight the Power's missus is a big Murilo Fischer fan.Just saying.

She likes the Brazilian... Nice!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

coverage on France 3 starts at 12:55 cet, stage starts at 13:20

there might be "Village Depart" first, but most of the stage should be live, also the early part

Great stuff.
Requires a stream somewhere....

 

[Netserk]

coverage on France 3 starts at 12:55 cet, stage starts at 13:20

there might be "Village Depart" first, but most of the stage should be live, also the early part

 

[ciranda]

I just hope that Voeckler won't be in the break.

He will not be able to. On the longest hill on stage two he attacked and caught Kadri, but then could not stay with Kadri who had been away for 150 km.

 

[Tournesol]

She likes the Brazilian... Nice!

Fight the power brings alot to the table,switched on cycling fan and likes a bit of humour too,really good feeling on the forum since start of the Spring Classics,this is looking like a great pro cycling year.One to remember.

 

[search]

okay, Netserk, so maybe we will not see the first climb, but usually it takes way more than half an hour for the break to establish on a stage like this.

 

[Tournesol]

Kelly was saying earlier this week that Tommy V's glory days might be over.Collective forum sigh.Little insulting gurner,still unhappy most probably nearly 8 years later after WC Tom Boonen was rude to him in the bunch.Laughable.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

and how exactly Rogers and Roche will drop Nibali ?

My personal opinion is that Nibali is an overrated and hyped up rider but he is not that bad...

I am just saying that by Cernay, Nibali may not have the team support, whereas I expect AC will.

 

[Netserk]

okay, Netserk, so maybe we will not see the first climb, but usually it takes way more than half an hour for the break to establish on a stage like this.

Yeah I know, but I want to see that half an hour where lots of riders try to get in the break :O

 

[veji11]

Kelly was saying earlier this week that Tommy V's glory days might be over.Collective forum sigh.Little insulting gurner,still unhappy most probably nearly 8 years later after WC Tom Boonen was rude to him in the bunch.Laughable.

saddly it seems quite true. Was still a great rider to have in the peloton. Hope he can get a couple more nice wily sneaky wins before the end though

 

[manafana]

not for Tommy V in my view diffcult to know who fancies it really going be lots who are still hurting not able. Navarro is far enough back but looking stronger to go for something here.

 

[Orbit501]

For Europcar I think Gautier or Rolland would be a better option in the break. Not sure if Rolland will be allowed to get away though. Maybe he'll have to go later on and ride like he did in the Giro, in which case Gautier could prove the perfect bridge. Not sure who Europcar have pinned their KoM hopes on? - Rolland I'd have thought.

Tomorrow is the day we see another young Frenchman shine I reckon. Step up Cofidis and Rudy Molard. They always have someone in the break and tomorrow must be Molards turn at last. I expect Edet to be there too for KoM points, but Molard now has the strength I believe to stay the distance in a break, unlike last year. Just look at how strong he was in his first foray in the Ardennes this Spring. Lost a lot of time today too after keeping up all week, so he'll be given the freedom to go.

 

[VeloHuman]

I'm really hoping to see Sagan make the break. Would be fun to watch everyone to try to drop him to avoid a sprint finish.

 

[Frosty]

not for Tommy V in my view diffcult to know who fancies it really going be lots who are still hurting not able. Navarro is far enough back but looking stronger to go for something here.

Yeah Navarro has lost a lot of time so far but did well on Saturday - could be one for the break, could even have designs on the king of the Mountains.

 

[hoolaparara]

I was surprised to see Cannondale do what they did on Friday. I thought this was a more likely stage. Lots of hills to make the break controllable, then a long but not steep cat 1 to get rid of any last sprinter grimly hanging on before a long flat section means no puncheur will try to get away.

But I suspect they shot their wad on friday so this will be another break gallivanting away.