Official Thread: Stage 20: Montélimar - Mt. Ventoux 167km

[Parrot23]

I wonder what will be said on this forum, if Kloden manages to jump Armstrong, for 3rd place?
Probably, that Berto should have done more attacking on the Colombieres!

LOL, that's the race I'm looking at. But I can't see Bruyneel giving Kloden freedom. Think he will have to shepherd Lance up the climb (but all bets are off if he goes with Alberto). Ha, ha, ha.

 

[frizzlefry]

Kloden is the stronger rider. I think he overtakes LA and Wiggins no problem.

 

[Anonymous]

Kloden is the stronger rider. I think he overtakes LA and Wiggins no problem.

Maybe, but I think if Frank climbs like he did on Wednesday, 3rd is his.

 

[RigelKent]

Kloden is the stronger rider. I think he overtakes LA and Wiggins no problem.

I'm not sure I buy that. He's been on and off, and in the recent stages more off than on. Not that he can't, especially if he's riding like he did earlier in the race.

 

[Publicus]

Kloden is the stronger rider. I think he overtakes LA and Wiggins no problem.

The question will be can he hold off Frank Schleck. But I otherwise agree with you.

 

[Parrot23]

Yes, it's just that the intra-team race at Astana has the soap opera element, hence I didn't mention Frank S.

 

[Buninyong Bunny]

RE: The Concerns that the stage will be netualized.

Do any of the more dedicated follows of the sport know what the protocol is for this sort of thing? Has ASO done it before for competitive stages (ie. Not the Paris roll around)? More to the point I suppose, is there even any point riding the stage, when it will be so hard to get away that even Wiggins and Armstrong are going to keep up with any attacks that do eventuate... I am beingging to think that this is just going to be a massive anti-cliamax.

 

[frizzlefry]

The question will be can he hold off Frank Schleck. But I otherwise agree with you.

Yes and that is where AC comes into play. Does he take off for the stage win or stay help Kloden with the Schlecks.

 

[RigelKent]

RE: The Concerns that the stage will be netualized.

Do any of the more dedicated follows of the sport know what the protocol is for this sort of thing? Has ASO done it before for competitive stages (ie. Not the Paris roll around)? More to the point I suppose, is there even any point riding the stage, when it will be so hard to get away that even Wiggins and Armstrong are going to keep up with any attacks that do eventuate... I am beingging to think that this is just going to be a massive anti-cliamax.

Just a rumor. No way it'll happen. This is the stage ASO designed the whole Tour for.

 

[Publicus]

Yes and that is where AC comes into play. Does he take off for the stage win or stay help Kloden with the Schlecks.

With the wind, I think he just rides wheels. He's all of 139 pounds, so a good gale could blow him (and the Schlecks) off the mountain!

 

[Wergeland]

Apparently a fire has just started at the bottom of mt. Ventoux!

 

[TrudyTas]

With the wind, I think he just rides wheels. He's all of 139 pounds, so a good gale could blow him (and the Schlecks) off the mountain!

Will the wind then give LA (and perhaps Wiggins) an advantage?

 

[Anonymous]

Apparently a fire has just started at the bottom of mt. Ventoux!

Wouldn't that be a kick in the pants? The most boring Tour in memory is castrated because its most exciting stage ends before the final climb begins. Actually, it would be a perfect ending to this Tour.

 

[Publicus]

Will the wind then give LA (and perhaps Wiggins) an advantage?

If they make the selection, then probably.

 

[Wergeland]

Now they just showed the fire. That looked dangerous, wind the wind and it's really dry ground in the area.

 

[RigelKent]

Now they just showed the fire. That looked dangerous, wind the wind and it's really dry ground in the area.

VN coverage says its far enough from the route to not be a problem.

 

[Cobblestones]

Current conditions say winds of about 10-15 mph (which is a good wind but not extraordinary). Where does the 110 km/h come from?

 

[Buninyong Bunny]

But it is fairly small and they have caught it early so I don't think it will be a problem.

 

[RigelKent]

Current conditions say winds of about 10-15 mph (which is a good wind but not extraordinary). Where does the 110 km/h come from?

Top of the mountain. Interesting topography make the wind howl up there.

 

[Cobblestones]

Top of the mountain. Interesting topography make the wind howl up there.

I think the 10-15 mph come from the weather station up there.

 

[Amsterhammer]

They're using a plane now to try and douse the fire. According to Dutch tv, the local gendarmes don't appear to be unduly worried by what's happening.

 

[RigelKent]

They're using a plane now to try and douse the fire. According to Dutch tv, the local gendarmes don't appear to be unduly worried by what's happening.

Its July. They're French. What would it take to get them worried?

 

[Cobblestones]

Tony Martin is a decent climber. Could he pull a 'Virenque'? He had, I think, a 10' gap on the bottom and won by what, 1'? Uh, gap now down to 8'.

 

[Boleyn]

They're using a plane now to try and douse the fire. According to Dutch tv, the local gendarmes don't appear to be unduly worried by what's happening.

Phil thought it was the plane supplying their links!! Paul corrected him - as usual.

 

[Publicus]

Current conditions say winds of about 10-15 mph (which is a good wind but not extraordinary). Where does the 110 km/h come from?

I'm going to guess that the 110 km/h are gusts and not sustained winds. But this is purely a guess.