2015 Tour de France Stage 13: Muret > Rodez 198.5km

[Flamin]

So the peloton leaves the Pyrenees, heading North again towards the Massif Central. But first a transition stage to Rodez.

Hills:

Côte de Saint-Cirgue, 3ª (km 131): 3,8 km – 5,8 %
Côte de la Pomparie, 4ª (km 156,5): 2,8 km – 5 %
Côte de la Selve, 4ª (km 167): 3,9 km – 3,7 %
Côte de la Primaube, np (km 187): 4 km – 4,8 %
Côte de Saint Pierre, np: 570m – 9,6 %

Again a very hot day in the saddle, with temperatures climbing up to 35°C.

Not sure what to expect here, break away or uphill sprint. The pure sprinters will sit this one out obviously, but maybe someone like Degenkolb (and other punchy sprinters/puncheurs) might put their team on the front because outside this stage there's very little chance left for them in this Tour (though this is maybe too hard for Big John). Also Tinkoff might decide it's time to dedicate a few guys to Sagan here.

 

[King Boonen]

Next 3-4 days are where Sagan secures green, or at least they should be...

 

[May0maniac]

Coquard ftw.

 

[Netserk]

Break for the win.

Lars Bak has declared that this stage is for him. I think Sagan will try to get in the break.

 

[Bushman]

Bak in the breakaway is a certainty. Has been top 50 in every mountain stage the last three days, must be feeling very well.

 

[Sciocco]

Majka and Contador 1-2.

It's happening.

 

[Tonton]

Good to see that Netserk liked, or rather didn't dislike the OP for this stage .

Who am I going to jinx this time? Break. Voekler.

 

[Jim2784]

Good to see that Netserk liked, or rather didn't dislike the OP for this stage .

Who am I going to jinx this time? Break. Voekler.

You'd think if he was that concerned with the OP that he'd do it himself....Everyone's a critic!!!

 

[Netserk]

Good to see that Netserk liked, or rather didn't dislike the OP for this stage .

Who am I going to jinx this time? Break. Voekler.

You'd think if he was that concerned with the OP that he'd do it himself....Everyone's a critic!!!

If you read any thread before you joined, you would've seen that...

 

[Pulpstar]

Sagan to nearly win the stage, but not quite

 

[BigMac]

Re:

Coquard ftw.

Yes please!

#AllezBryan

 

[blaxland]

this stage has YATES written all over it go boys today is your day to shine.(and save orica/greenedge's TDF)

 

[Miburo]

Tinkoff, movistar and astana to do a putch today

 

[King Boonen]

Re:

Tinkoff, movistar and astana to do a putch today

Putsch.

 

[gunara]

I wish Gallopin be Gallopin again and contend for something like this with late move after other team, probably Tinkoff, drilling it.

 

[Sasquatch]

Re:

I wish Gallopin be Gallopin again and contend for something like this with late move after other team, probably Tinkoff, drilling it.

Gallopin might attack on that final lump and try to solo it. Although it will be hard.

I can't see the break getting established until after the sprint. Lotto can easily keep this together for Greipel up until that point.

 

[Taxus4a]

I hope more interesting that yesterday....
it will be a hard day with the weather...
Very explosive finish: Sagan, Degenkolb, Van Avermatet...Valverde...
if there is wind peloton could split, but depends on the riders and directors...

Likely a breakaway...

 

[Vasilis]

Sagan to get second. (I know, it's hardly a prediction). I think Degenkolb could take it too though.

 

[thrawn]

Thomas to do a 170km solo effort and win the stage by 15 minutes.

 

[movingtarget]

These are the stages that can cause surprises. The heat will also be a factor. Could go either way but a win to the break seems possible.

 

[Jspear]

Sagan for the win.

 

[Flinstone]

I am just hoping that NBCSN gets another set of commercials. Hannah and her horse, the Cadillac and anti smoking things are tiring. Anyone recognize the city from the Cadillac commercial?
I will pick Sagan. He seems to be doing ok on the lower climbs. He should be there towards the end. It doesn't look like a stage that a break will be allowed to stay out till the finish.

 

[dirkprovin]

Re:

this stage has YATES written all over it go boys today is your day to shine.(and save orica/greenedge's TDF)

A fit Matthews may've been some possibility on this one but frankly he isn't. Just what purpose is being served by his remaining in the race completely escapes me. It's not as if he's been able to recuperate to such a level that he can contend on any stage and there's next to nothing left. He should be withdrawn and allowed to rest and recuperate properly.

 

[Sasquatch]

The reason why Matthews hasn't withdrawn is that they think he'll be able to contest a stage.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Van Avermaet on the final climb to go for it (at least that is what I hope)