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

[Dedelou]

I am asking myself this : Is the downhill of the col before the uphill finish long enough to setup the stage for some "interesting attack by somebody "capable to sustain the downhill gains and carry the advantage to the finish?

 

[Dedelou]

Outside bet would be tejay van gedaran, his job is done for the first week and is out of gc contention now!!!

tejay could get a "ticket" to go on the break but some vacansoleil has to be part of it

 

[Iker_Baqueiro]

Alberto Contador will start Saturday's stage with his finger on the trigger.

Then, if he has good "feelings" in his legs, he will shoot to kill. In a "kill 'em all" kind of way.

My guess is he'll go big. He needs to make significant time on the "lucky" ones who have not crashed like he's done all week.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Breakaway will go and stay away. Gerrans ftw.

Tell me one team who will chase the break down?

 

[El Pistolero]

Breakaway will go and stay away. Gerrans ftw.

Tell me one team who will chase the break down?

Team Gilbert

 

[luckyboy]

Good point. Maybe Lotto could rope someone in to help though.

 

[rides like a girl]

Breakaway will go and stay away. Gerrans ftw.

Tell me one team who will chase the break down?

IMO it will depend on who gets in the break. If the break gets time that threaten the Schleck's spots I could see LeOpard Trek doing some work.

At more than one race this year, teams take up the lead for unknown reasons.

Heck with all the crashes, maybe every team will fight to be in front just to be safe!

 

[Je ne sais quoi]

Klodi to wheelsuck behind Levi - all the way to the stage victory and the yellow jersey

Sorry, I'm afraid that position is spoken for:

(Scene from the finishing climb on Stage 4)

I realize I'm taking a risk posting a photo of someone sucking that wheel, a conundrum so profound it risks a rupture in the space-time continuum. If the entire Tour and everyone in it vanishes, you'll know what hap

.

 

[More Strides than Rides]

tejay could get a "ticket" to go on the break but some vacansoleil has to be part of it

I can't imagine that after such a hectic first week, teams with contenders would risk sending such a helpful teammate up the road. But by the same token, who knows?

I think a break of strong riders will try but be tightly controlled by sprinters' teams if the break is large, then OPL and BMC. Frank may want a stint in the yellow, but on this course theres not much he can do that Evans can't. Thor will fight, as this is really the most he can get out of this tour, but then get gapped by the few seconds it takes to put Evans in Yellow.

I don't think Evans will win again, but the winner will be some form of GC contender. Berto is always aggressive and only getting stronger, Frank might be motivated too. Garmin's leader will emerge, but not in any spectacular fashion. Rojas has shown some tenacity, which I tend to lean to, and I've been tipping Vino often as he's close to getting what he wants in his last big show. I think the likes of Voeckler or someone similar will survive the high pace of the GC teams, and will sneak late (finally).

 

[Tuarts]

Johnny will go in the breakaway to keep his polka dot jersey

You really don't know anything do you? You should listen to Phil and Paul (they have over 50 years experience between them dontcha know), you might learn something. Once the road goes up we won't see Johnnie ever again, peroid. Newbs these days, gosh

 

[Bala Verde]

Good point. Maybe Lotto could rope someone in to help though.

Team Sky. They have lost their GC leader and Uran could do well on this type of finish. They also need to boost their morale after today's small catastrophe.

On the other hand, if they keep it together, someone like Evans, or Contador might steal the prize.

 

[Parrulo]

Sorry, I'm afraid that position is spoken for:

(Scene from the finishing climb on Stage 4)

I realize I'm taking a risk posting a photo of someone sucking that wheel, a conundrum so profound it risks a rupture in the space-time continuum. If the entire Tour and everyone in it vanishes, you'll know what hap

.

don't worrie that group was being driven by cunego so levi was actually behind a wheel he knows very well

 

[Tuarts]

Team Gilbert

Heard a rumour that them and TeamGADRET could form an alliance.

"Team Vanité"


The first mountain stage last year, can't remember who won it, I think Andy put some time Bertie (5sec) there but the thing I'm asking is most the favourites finished together - what sort of climb was that and gradient?

I think the Cat 2 will force the peloton to be around 80 riders. Is the last climb long enough to encourage defensive, watching each otheer riding or is it short enough to encourage punchy type attacks?

 

[dlwssonic]

Im sure contador will make a dig, but others will be able to follow. I think evans can win it from a sprint.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Super Besse was quite a good stage in 2008. Hopefully it will be attacking like that stage.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Im sure contador will make a dig, but others will be able to follow. I think evans can win it from a sprint.

I would say a group of 10 makes it to the finish. Great chance for Evans to win again tomorrow.

 

[thehog]

Super Besse was quite a good stage in 2008. Hopefully it will be attacking like that stage.

Yes bring back Ricco it was a stage to remember.

 

[dlwssonic]

I would say a group of 10 makes it to the finish. Great chance for Evans to win again tomorrow.

yes! i will go nuts if he wins! dont think there are many that can beat him in a power sprint.

 

[craig1985]

TGBM to get back the time that he lost on stage 7 and get yellow.

 

[ggusta]

Im sure contador will make a dig, but others will be able to follow. I think evans can win it from a sprint.

Not so sure it wouldn't benefit Contador (and any other GC contender) to have Evans in yellow.

 

[Dedelou]

yes! i will go nuts if he wins! dont think there are many that can beat him in a power sprint.

contador was 4 inches away but ran out of real estate the other day.. If Conti can do it , other will be there as well

 

[dlwssonic]

contador was 4 inches away but ran out of real estate the other day.. If Conti can do it , other will be there as well

he started his sprint too early, but after a hill not many can beat cadel in a power sprint.

 

[BillytheKid]

I think it's fair to say that the climbers and GC guys will want to rid themselves of half-likes of sprinters.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

if gilbert is serious about green he needs big points in the next 2 stages.
so yes I think lotto will chase.

I like Evans again. We'll see.

Hoping that Gesink can handle this.

 

[dlwssonic]

I think it's fair to say that the climbers and GC guys will want to rid themselves of half-likes of sprinters.

a contador attack should be enough. anyway im sure this profile is a bit too hard for half sprinters.