2016 TdF, Stage 12: Montpellier → Mont Ventoux (178km)

[Bardamu]

This break sucks. Hope peloton will not give them too much leeway.

 

[Cannibal72]

Re:

What is Greipel doing? He's 200 points behind the green jersey, so that can't be it. Is he really just there to fetch bottles for De Gendt?

My preferred answer is that Andre gets bored very, very easily, which is why he always seems to be getting in random breaks. Perhaps a more plausible answer is that he's concerned that the GC teams will hammer it in the crosswinds, meaning the gruppetto which will form up Ventoux will be very tired and more likely to get caught out of the time cut. By getting in the break, you might be better positioned going into the climb.

 

[saganftw]

Re: Re:

What is Greipel doing? He's 200 points behind the green jersey, so that can't be it. Is he really just there to fetch bottles for De Gendt?

My preferred answer is that Andre gets bored very, very easily, which is why he always seems to be getting in random breaks. Perhaps a more plausible answer is that he's concerned that the GC teams will hammer it in the crosswinds, meaning the gruppetto which will form up Ventoux will be very tired and more likely to get caught out of the time cut. By getting in the break, you might be better positioned going into the climb.

a time cut is not an issue in single climb stage

 

[RattaKuningas]

Re:

Oh God please, make sure this break is caught.

I don't think there is any doubt about that. Doesn't seem to be any strong climbers there.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

The break has 9 minutes now. Come on, I want to see the best fight it out!

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Re:

Oh God please, make sure this break is caught.

I don't think there is any doubt about that. Doesn't seem to be any strong climbers there.

Navarro. Pauwels and De Gendt could win as well.

 

[Gigs_98]

I'm actually surprised there aren't more polka dot contenders in the break. The winner will get 50 points.

Anyway I think this big advantage of the break could be another sign that Froome isn't super strong. Whenever he has gone all out in a stage Sky caught the break before and it was about the stage win too. Is it possible that he really fears that Quintana will just be stronger on the climbs?

 

[slim charles]

When is the stage expected to finish, aproximately?

 

[Hugo Koblet]

10 minutes now. Game over. Navarro wins.

 

[Red Rick]

Did the chasing group make it?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Please, please, please, Sky or Movistar, catch the break. I don't want to see some irrelevant rider like Pauwels, Navarro and especially not Chris A win on this MTF

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

Did the chasing group make it?

No they sat up.

Please, please, please, Sky or Movistar, catch the break. I don't want to see some irrelevant rider like Pauwels, Navarro and especially not Chris A win on this MTF

You better prepare for it. They're not gonna catch the break.

 

[SKSemtex]

Whoever is behind the information in race center must be one of the most incompetent employee in the word.

Siesta from 12 till the end of job

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Did the chasing group make it?

Please, please, please, Sky or Movistar, catch the break. I don't want to see some irrelevant rider like Pauwels, Navarro and especially not Chris A win on this MTF

You better prepare for it. They're not gonna catch the break.

What makes you think that? How about BMC? Please.

 

[deValtos]

Re:

10 minutes now. Game over. Navarro wins.

50kmph on the flat for a couple of hours isn't necessarily an ideal run up for Navarro ...

Wonder if Greipel is keeping the pace hard to wear out the pure climbers for DeGent.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Re:

Please, please, please, Sky or Movistar, catch the break. I don't want to see some irrelevant rider like Pauwels, Navarro and especially not Chris A win on this MTF

Serious Sam will be loving the likelihood of such a possibility also :lol:

 

[Poursuivant]

Movistar should chase, Quintana should be looking to put the hammer down these last ten days, he really shouldn't leave it up to st 17 onwards.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Re:

Did the chasing group make it?

Please, please, please, Sky or Movistar, catch the break. I don't want to see some irrelevant rider like Pauwels, Navarro and especially not Chris A win on this MTF

You better prepare for it. They're not gonna catch the break.

What makes you think that? How about BMC? Please.

Because noone is chasing. But don't worry about Chris Anker Sørensen, he's got no chance of winning.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Did the chasing group make it?

Please, please, please, Sky or Movistar, catch the break. I don't want to see some irrelevant rider like Pauwels, Navarro and especially not Chris A win on this MTF

You better prepare for it. They're not gonna catch the break.

What makes you think that? How about BMC? Please.

Because noone is chasing. But don't worry about Chris Anker Sørensen, he's got no chance of winning.

Yeah well some might later on, but its a relatively big break.. And how about crosswinds? That will surely up the pace.
Of course he won't, but the Danish commentators will hype him and get disappointed when he drops early (which actually is fun). Hoping for TEKLAHAIMANOT if the break succeeds.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

They can still be caught. I'll get nervous if it jumps to 14-15 minutes.

 

[Lequack]

So how strong are the winds today on top of Mont Ventoux? Was the shorting of stage justified?

 

[CheckMyPecs]

It wouldn't be the first time a second-rate rider wins on Mont Ventoux. Gárate comes to mind.

 

[Andro]

Chris Anker being in the break means I probably won't tune in before Ventoux starts. The Danish commentators are going to overhype him so much the entire broadcast, even though he's nowhere near good enough to win the stage even from this break. It's unbearable.

 

[dacooley]

the breakaway will take it. sky and movistar should perfectly coordinate their efforts to close that gap. not gonna happen.

 

[KGB]

What?Greipel is there?Greipel to win today.