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

[python]

Anyone just got a feeling that Quintana is going to loose time tmr?

i hope it's the opposite we're going to witness...and we may ! here's my logic. so far the dawg has nor been able to shake quintana mano man on any of the climbs so far. unless i missed some coverage (possible). realizing that fact - the supposed climbing parity with quintana - the dawg took, imo, too much risks (given his supposed superiority) to gain some seconds on 2 sprinter stages. perhaps he saw himself in need of the handicap looking to tomorrows steeper grades where quintana's feather weight is likely to help him.

a truly exciting stage that should be !

 

[classicomano]

Valverde to take massive time on Quintana.

 

[Tank Engine]

Tomorrow is a day for the strong, i.e. Sky Train + Preying Mantis

 

[Tonton]

With the stakes being so high, the finish lower hence less glory ftw, a shorter and more nervous climb of the Ventoux to be expected, it's a different mixture that we're looking at. Teams will save energy, a BOD will develop, and with 3-4 minutes at the bottom of the climb, a good climber may succeed. I have someone in mind, of course . Among the current top-10, it's a gut check: who will ride in the wheels, hope to lose less than others, and who will go on the offensive. It's shorter, steep, good news for Valverde, he can better help Quintana. What will Froome do? How long will he put up with everybody's shenanigans before putting the pedal to the metal? I can imagine an aggressive Bardet, a defensive TJVG, Porte is intriguing in a shorter climb, Aru I don't know. But what I know is that something great is going to happen...I don't know what, but something .

 

[Red Rick]

With possible echelons, I think it's gonna be crazy nervous all day. Very small chance the break will win.

 

[lenric]

So... is tomorrow gonna be the day when BMC leader will be discovered? My bet is in Porte.
About the rest, with the crosswinds and windy climb I believe in a more explosive climb. Maybe Aru can have a say? Team up with someone?
Anyway, Quintana needs to start thinking about doing something.

 

[Bardamu]

Re:

So... is tomorrow gonna be the day when BMC leader will be discovered? My bet is in Porte.
About the rest, with the crosswinds and windy climb I believe in a more explosive climb. Maybe Aru can have a say? Team up with someone?
Anyway, Quintana needs to start thinking about doing something.

Porte will be stronger than Vangarderen, but in the Alps when he will start assisting him, Porte will have his off-day.

 

[ferryman]

Astana and Aru guys. Looking forward to them killing it...

 

[This Charming Man]

Astana, will do TERMINATOR action. Expect the punishment, they metted Dumolin, in the Vuelta, on poor Nario. SKY' looks unbeatable, I imagine they will follow ASTANA.

 

[Tonton]

Astana and Aru guys. Looking forward to them killing it...

Astana has been very...subdue...why not? Killing Sky is a long stretch tho'. But it's an interesting sub-plot. Is Aru for real, or Netserk's next Black Album? He'll face the BMC duo, Bardet, others maybe.

 

[KGB]

Re:

Valverde to take massive time on Quintana.

:twisted: That will be great.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Re: Re:

Valverde to take massive time on Quintana.

:twisted: That will be great.

My oh my how you (The Forum) have changed. It used to be that you only delighted in Valverde misfortune

Frank Schleck for the win, if the break survives. If not, then this will be Richie Porte's moment of glory.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I don't see any break surviving, but you never know. Porte would be as good of guess as anyone to win the stage, and gain a smidge of time.

Agree with who else said it, that if Quintana is going to test Froome, here's where he's going to do it.

 

[wirral]

Have they changed the start time? The original schedule had them rolling out at 11:45 CET.

 

[42x16ss]

Windforecast for tomorrow:
https://www.windyty.com/?43.666,5.361,9

It's definitely crosswind and the strength is comparable to today. It would be great to see the favorties on the final climb already separated before they even start to climb.

I'm staying close to Ventoux at the moment, near Vaison de Romaines and the wind hasn't stopped all night, it's absolutely howling. Yesterday I was doing 50kmh in sections coming back from Ventoux and I was barely touching the pedals.

There's gonna be crosswinds and splits for sure, the peloton will be on edge all day.

 

[spalco]

It's disappointing they're not going all the way up today, but I'm really excited to learn who's right - is Froome making such unorthodox attacks because he's weak or because he's strong?

 

[offbyone]

Real bummer about Ventoux, but I guess the lack of time gaps will help keep the drama going until the final week. The TTs will be doubly important now.

 

[hfer07]

halfway in the race and yet the two main contenders Froome & Quintana are separated by mere 35 secs.

It is time to either widening gaps or shortening them down "by being aggressive and putting the hammer down".

If Quintana wants to win this Tour - The path to forge the title starts today - neither this coming Sunday - nor later in the 3rd week. IT IS NOW!!!

As opposite - Froome can well keep gaining few secs steadily to build up the sufficient buffer to use against Quintana on the 3rd week while getting more out of on Friday's ITT which is the best chance for him to widen considerably the time gap on Nairo.

bottom line: Ventoux is "critical" for the TDF title. GAME ON!!!

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re:

Have they changed the start time? The original schedule had them rolling out at 11:45 CET.

No news on that yet.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Windforecast for tomorrow:
https://www.windyty.com/?43.666,5.361,9

It's definitely crosswind and the strength is comparable to today. It would be great to see the favorties on the final climb already separated before they even start to climb.

I'm staying close to Ventoux at the moment, near Vaison de Romaines and the wind hasn't stopped all night, it's absolutely howling. Yesterday I was doing 50kmh in sections coming back from Ventoux and I was barely touching the pedals.

There's gonna be crosswinds and splits for sure, the peloton will be on edge all day.

:twisted:

Fingers crossed.

 

[lenric]

Re:

It's disappointing they're not going all the way up today, but I'm really excited to learn who's right - is Froome making such unorthodox attacks because he's weak or because he's strong?

I believe he's strong. Since today's stage is a tough one, I think Froome wouldn't waste so much energy yesterday without knowing he is strong.
However, I believe he is afraid of not being stronger than Quintana in the next week, thus this new strategy.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

You don't jump on Sagan and Bodnar's wheel unless you're really strong.

 

[Matteo.]

Ventoux mutilated, but it's still a big climb with '' Italian slopes ''. for me it will be more than enough to create spectacle, worthy of the duel Quintana-Froome

 

[saganftw]

everybody is looking forward to this stage which means its inevitably going to be boring

 

[CheckMyPecs]

French guys will animate the stage.