2016 Tour de France, Stage 4: Saumur → Limoges (238km)

[spalco]

I predict the newfound sympathy a lot of people here have for Cav will wear thin very quickly if he wins this one too.

 

[RattaKuningas]

Katusha has to make faster tempo in peloton if they want Kristoff to win.

 

[pink_jersey]

If they ride as easy as yesterday, Cav has again a big chance. Otherwise, this has Sagan written all over it. A long uphill drag difficult enough to remove sprinters, but without changes of percentages to give the likes of Valverde and Alaphilippe a real chance.

 

[MikeTichondrius]

Yeah it's an obvious Sagan stage this. Considering he's been no slouch in flat sprints either I can't see past him here.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Re: Re:

Who is this Praying Mantis guy? Shouldn't we be making sacrifices to the Gods for having him doing these opening posts? Well, I guess Alberto was the first sacrifice, but totally worth it!

Take it to the Pelotoon
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=18062

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Who is this Praying Mantis guy? Shouldn't we be making sacrifices to the Gods for having him doing these opening posts? Well, I guess Alberto was the first sacrifice, but totally worth it!

poor Richie

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re:

I predict the newfound sympathy a lot of people here have for Cav will wear thin very quickly if he wins this one too.

I think most of the posts I've seen are from actual Cav fans or those with respect for his achievements. That won't just go away if he wins here.

To be honest though I think this stage is perfect for Sagan, or maybe GVA can do something? He was fancied by BMC the other day but messed up the final.

Could be splits in the bunch too, Contador must be in danger of losing a few seconds if he's still suffering.

 

[Ferminal]

Classic Degenkolb stage, Matthews would be a chance if he had top form but Sagan appears to be well ahead. Expected Coquard to have a bit more kick yesterday so would be surprised if he were to do better today.

Impey-Matthews leadout for Gerrans from 500m would be interesting.

 

[Keram]

Matthews for win. I hope Orica will pulling more this time. They were pathetic stage 2. It is time for second for Sagan. From Gent- Wevelgem he has more wins than seconds which seems unusual to him

 

[Kwibus]

Re:

Classic Degenkolb stage, Matthews would be a chance if he had top form but Sagan appears to be well ahead. Expected Coquard to have a bit more kick yesterday so would be surprised if he were to do better today.

Impey-Matthews leadout for Gerrans from 500m would be interesting.

Degenkolb is a shadow of what he was last year unfortunately. The crash has certainly affected him obviously and sometimes I wonder if he will come back to his best level. Too early to tell obviously.

 

[The Hegelian]

Re:

Classic Degenkolb stage, Matthews would be a chance if he had top form but Sagan appears to be well ahead. Expected Coquard to have a bit more kick yesterday so would be surprised if he were to do better today.

Impey-Matthews leadout for Gerrans from 500m would be interesting.

Degenkolb's surely still quite underdone. Agree that Matthews looks like he's missing a few %, perhaps due to his crashes. I reckon Coquard is a big chance today, but Sagan is simply devastating at the moment. All year really. It will need a meticulous plan completely nailed to beat him - maybe Etixx can do something. Can't see Orica winning anything until the opportunist stages start popping up in the 2nd/3rd week, just lacking firepower at the top end.

 

[Lexman]

they're off, all together still after 20 km...

 

[classicomano]

Stage is perfectly suited to Kristoff

Kristoff looked abysmal yesterday.

 

[Lexman]

high place in the bunch which makes attack impossible...

a few riders try :
Thomas De Gendt with Bodnar, Irizar, Berhane, Schillinger, Vermote and Impey
30 seconds

Katusha, Fortuneo, and Direct Energie chase

 

[Lexman]

4 riders Irizar Schillinger Naesen Gougeard

bunch right behind them

 

[Lexman]

the 4 riders have 2:40 on the bunch...

 

[CheckMyPecs]

We've got the break of the day.

 

[Lexman]

5 minutes not more ...

 

[Praying Mantis]

Re:

5 minutes not more ...

They fear the great Gougeard.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Who is this Praying Mantis guy? Shouldn't we be making sacrifices to the Gods for having him doing these opening posts? Well, I guess Alberto was the first sacrifice, but totally worth it!

poor Richie

The portraits of Froome and Richie are becoming tiresome !

 

[movingtarget]

Can't see any reason why Cavendish won't win again.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re:

Can't see any reason why Cavendish won't win again.

Again? He's never won in Limoges.

 

[Singer01]

July the 5th is the national day of the Isle of Man.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

The portraits of Froome and Richie are becoming tiresome !

So sickening, Richie isn't even trying to get out of Froome's claws, he's even giving a thumbs up. Doesn't he realize they're no longer on the same team?

 

[Poursuivant]

Sagan
Matthews
Richeze