2016 TdF, Stage 15: Bourg-en-Bresse → Culoz (160km)

[HelloDolly]

Bardet or Valverde for the win

 

[Melo]

Re: Re:

Zakarin - 22/1

:surprised: He rides in Le Tour? In these 2 weeks I haven't heard of him.

That's actually a solid bet for tomorrow. He has been completely anonymous and had a pretty solid TT yesterday.

Even Le Tour is confused...

 

[Pricey_sky]

Froome to attack on the final descent and inflict more mental torture on his rivals, Bardet and Yates go with him and they stay clear of a reduced GC group.

 

[The Hitch]

Re:

Don't expect too much really, with all of Froome's competitors either out, off form, or seemingly happy with podium or worse

Getting into form is arguably the hardest thing about racing gts. Contador and Nibali have also both struggled to get into form for gts they targetted (look at Contador in 2010 suddenly being quite a bit weaker than 2009).

if Froome is able to click his fingers and get into form every year and people like Quintana, Contador, Aru can't then that is part of the game too

 

[trevim]

I wonder if Rui Costa will trying to get into the KOM competition. Tomorrow could be a good stage to win a lot of points and maybe even get the stage.

 

[HelloDolly]

Re: Re:

Don't expect too much really, with all of Froome's competitors either out, off form, or seemingly happy with podium or worse

Getting into form is arguably the hardest thing about racing gts. Contador and Nibali have also both struggled to get into form for gts they targetted (look at Contador in 2010 suddenly being quite a bit weaker than 2009).

if Froome is able to click his fingers and get into form every year and people like Quintana, Contador, Aru can't then that is part of the game too

Didn;t Nibali used to think he could click his fingers and get into form but then something went wrong

 

[sir fly]

Organisers are predicting, about, forty minutes for the circuit.
I believe the time limit will be wider than that, so there might be some catching.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Just hoping the peloton will put up a fight against the break, its boring when it wins all the time.

 

[Jspear]

Nibali for the win.

 

[UselessToo]

Jarlinson with ease

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Just hoping the peloton will put up a fight against the break, its boring when it wins all the time.

Hey what if Quintana got into the break and managed to win by 17 minutes. Wouldn't that be fun?

 

[El Pistolero]

I hope the break wins because otherwise it would just be Froome winning. I'd love to see Nibali and Degendt in the break again.

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Re:

I hope the break wins because otherwise it would just be Froome winning. I'd love to see Nibali and Degendt in the break again.

A Froome win would be earned on this profile. Either he solos away and holds off a chase on the flat, or he out sprints or out foxes a small group. In either case, he would be doing something to build tension for the finale of the stage.

Not hoping for a crash, but Froome Kruijswijk-ing the final descent would set up a good last week.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Don't be surprised if a French rider wins today (or one of the next days). It would confirm my conspiracy theory.

 

[RattaKuningas]

Re: Re:

Zakarin - 22/1

:surprised: He rides in Le Tour? In these 2 weeks I haven't heard of him.

That's actually a solid bet for tomorrow. He has been completely anonymous and had a pretty solid TT yesterday.

Even Le Tour is confused...

He has aged quite a bit after Giro.

 

[Le breton]

[quote="Praying Mantis[/url
Unlike the Giro and Vuelta which often have circuits in the finale, the Tour de France usually have point-to-point stages so the first test in the Alps

Thank you very much Praying Mantis for your detailed and enjoyable stage présentations.

Just one little thing : Grand Colombier is not in the Alps. That mountain is the southern tip of the Jura mountains.

About 10 years ago, I climbed it from all 4 sides, starting early in the morning.
I was doing it just to test myself but some people give it more respect than just that.
[url=http://www.felesducolombier.fr/index.php/accueil]http://www.felesducolombier.fr/index.php/accueil

Just after cresting it for the 1st time I saw a lynx running away. Lynx have been reintroduced in the Jura about 30 years ago I think, they will be hiding today.
Today, with the bright sun and low humidity, the 360° view from the top will be spectacular.

 

[glassmoon]

i wouldn't mind La Squalo wining this...

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Re:

I hope the break wins because otherwise it would just be Froome winning. I'd love to see Nibali and Degendt in the break again.

how could froome ever win this stage? in the sprint? no way

 

[cellardoor]

F. Schleck and Zubeldia to go in the break of the day. Then Mollema to attack on the Colombier and catch up with his team mates. Then Franck suddenly finds his 2010 form and puts in a monster turn that sets up Mollema for the win and yellow jersey. Contador acts as technical consultant for Trek's stage strategy.

 

[SafeBet]

Nibali vs Majka vs Zakarin.
I really hope Bala tries to attack early as well.

Martin and one of the BMC guys will fade today.

 

[Ferminal]

Looks harder than it actually is, I think, needs 60km without a break.

 

[nilfen]

Re:

Nibali vs Majka vs Zakarin.
I really hope Bala tries to attack early as well.

Martin and one of the BMC guys will fade today.

Majka will not be anywhere near the victory today!

 

[Fergoose]

I can't see anyone on GC doing a major attack on the Colombier due to the 10k of flat between the two climbs and the likely windy conditions. Maybe Bardet if he is feeling good and AG2R have managed to get a couple of riders in the breakaway.

An early attack today is probably the only way Bardet, Aru and Porte can even get close to achieving their goals but if they blow up they'll lose that "coveted" top 10 position so I don't think Sky will have to get out of second gear on the Colombier. Will probably be allowed to go up it at the same speed as the breakaway.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Re:

I can't see anyone on GC doing a major attack on the Colombier due to the 10k of flat between the two climbs and the likely windy conditions. Maybe Bardet if he is feeling good and AG2R have managed to get a couple of riders in the breakaway.

An early attack today is probably the only way Bardet, Aru and Porte can even get close to achieving their goals but if they blow up they'll lose that "coveted" top 10 position so I don't think Sky will have to get out of second gear on the Colombier. Will probably be allowed to go up it at the same speed as the breakaway.

there is no wind today and favorite teams will put riders up the road

 

[lenric]

With tomorrow being a rest day, going full *** today wouldn't be dumb.