Le Tour de France 2011 STAGE 8 - Aigurande-Super-Besse Sancy 189 km

[dlwssonic]

Sorry for the early thread, but im excited about this hilly stage. We will get to see the contenders battle it out for the first time. the last hill is a hard one. Who will do better the puncheurs or the climbers? Will contador attack again? Will andy schleck do better? Will evans win or get yellow? or will the unbeatable superman gilbert win again!

Expect to see these 3 riders battling it out!

 

[just some guy]

It will be a saucy stage

I hope Andy loses a few minutes not going to happen but 30 - 45 seconds would be nice enough

Evans may get the KOM back as well as a fair chance at Yellow if it is raced hard and BMC will race it hard.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Is it outrageous to assume that Hushovd as a top 5 shot in this stage?
3,5km a 5 % are not that easy, but if it isn't ridden superfast he certainly can stay there. And 1,5km wit 7,5% is easier then the Mur de Bretagne

 

[PedalCastro]

Contador will attack, definately

 

[Jamsque]

I think we'll see a similar result to what we had on the Mur de Bretagne, a few of the more explosive climbers will sprint for the victory and take a handful of seconds on the diesel.

 

[Bavarianrider]

The unbeatable superman Gilbert was already toasted twice on stages which should have been a lock for him

 

[dlwssonic]

Is it outrageous to assume that Hushovd as a top 5 shot in this stage?
3,5km a 5 % are not that easy, but if it isn't ridden superfast he certainly can stay there. And 1,5km wit 7,5% is easier then the Mur de Bretagne

I dont think so not this time. Its just too hard and long, but maybe he will spark a surprise! whats up with that "hit the wall" cadel avatar.

 

[just some guy]

I think we'll see a similar result to what we had on the Mur de Bretagne, a few of the more explosive climbers will sprint for the victory and take a handful of seconds on the diesel.

Evans is a diesel , but a power climb it is maybe Evans is best described a Power diesel

 

[The Hitch]

Its not that hard. Evans to get yellow though.

 

[Spaniard]

I think If Contador has legs he should launch a long attack, dropping Andy in the second and third week will be harder.

 

[Bavarianrider]

I dont think so not this time. Its just too hard and long, but maybe he will spark a surprise! whats up with that "hit the wall" cadel avatar.

I predicted that BMC would lose 1 minute in the TTT. As a punishment i had to take an Evans avatar

 

[dlwssonic]

Cadel for the stage and yellow! IMO cadel has a great chance of winning this.

 

[dlwssonic]

I predicted that BMC would lose 1 minute in the TTT. As a punishment i had to take an Evans avatar

in the end they lost 4 seconds.
you should take this one

 

[just some guy]

in the end they lost 4 seconds.
you should take this one

Meh ACF would not be happy with the Silence lotto on the front - BR keep it pink

 

[Bavarianrider]

in the end they lost 4 seconds.
you should take this one

Nahhh the Evans in rosa was already confirmed

 

[Jamsque]

Evans really should take yellow unless a break stays away or Frank Schleck manages to get the jump on him.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Evans really should take yellow unless a break stays away or Frank Schleck manages to get the jump on him.

Yepp Evans will get yellow.
The question is, will BMC be willing to defend it on Sunday?

 

[just some guy]

Yepp Evans will get yellow.
The question is, will BMC be willing to defend it on Sunday?

it the perfect stage for them to defend - no high mountains but good climbs an a long run in - get the right breakaway

ps sorry for the stage 9 in the stage 8 discussion

 

[roundabout]

Given that Evans really suffered that day in the pink ACF or whoever it was that made the bet should have specfied a 2010 pink jersey.

But anyway, I expect BMC to play it cleverly. They have done very well this week so far but they should aim for the overall instead of being satisfied with a few days in the lead.

Edit: stage 9 is very tough for the middle 120k. Probably 3000 vertical meters or so. Will be hard work for the leader's team if raced aggressively even with the needless detour on the way to Saint-Flour.

 

[Cimber]

Evans in yellow and Contador will take a few more seconds on Andrew.

Maybe Leopard will try to put pressure on SBS by attacking with fx. Fuglsang before the last climb.

 

[nomendil]

I'm not sure why anyone would chase down the breakaway on this stage. Nothing in it for the sprinters, and the GC contenders don't really care so far. Just let the right break down the road, and the GC duke it out on the final 7km. With what his shape looks like, it'd be a shame if Evans put too much energy into getting a few days in yellow now.

 

[icefire]

Something must be very wrong when people gets so excited about this stage after one week of racing. I would ask an admin to fix the thread title: the stage finish should be called Mini-Besse-Sancy.

 

[Lexman]

Devenyns in the breakaway with Voeckler and Hoogerland amongst others...

Evans the yellow jersey, Cotador putting the hammer down on A.S.

 

[Lexman]

On the other hand the finish would be more tempting and interesting if it was on the 2nd category climb instead at SuperBesse...

 

[gilbertador]

If Andy loses time here we no hes in trouble