Official thread - TdF Stage 11 Vatan - Saint-Fargeau (192 km)

[Amsterhammer]

A similar profile to Tuesday's non-stage: two cat 4 bumps, but with more bends and a final kilometer that is false flat, possibly more suited to the Hushovd/Freire sprint than to Cav (he hopes).

 

[DenisMenchov]

A similar profile to Tuesday's non-stage: two cat 4 bumps, but with more bends and a final kilometer that is false flat, possibly more suited to the Hushovd/Freire sprint than to Cav (he hopes).

I don`t think Cav is so superrior, it`s his train.

 

[Cobblestones]

A similar profile to Tuesday's non-stage: two cat 4 bumps, but with more bends and a final kilometer that is false flat, possibly more suited to the Hushovd/Freire sprint than to Cav (he hopes).

False flat? It lookes like a 6% slope on the last 500m.

 

[Pezrider]

Anyone think a break will survive or just like stage 10 the sprinters will gobble them up timing it better (if this is possible as they will be with radio's this time).
S Chavanel has been rather quiet recently...or even LL Sanchez again?

 

[benpounder]

I'm a bit disappointed. On paper, it looks like a very exciting stage, if only they would ban team radios.

Then it would be just as exciting as today's stage...

 

[180mmCrank]

I guess since Danilo has withdrawn we won't be seeing this...

 

[180mmCrank]

and shouldn't Tyler's picture be on the starter post as one of the favourites?

 

[180mmCrank]

QUOTE]

Do you think there is any truth to the rumour that the organisers deliberatley chose a route that passed through the maximum number of French towns with slightly silly sounding names that English speaking commentators will not be able to pronounce properly?

 

[dgodave]

I also find the course to be rather twee.
.

 

[craig1985]

Sean Kelly predicts a break will stay away. Good enough for me.

 

[Benneth]

I fancy Chavanel for a win too. No point him hanging around to lead out Boonen, he hasn't even got close to challenging a finish yet. Had a quid at 20-1

 

[stefank]

QUOTE]

Do you think there is any truth to the rumour that the organisers deliberatley chose a route that passed through the maximum number of French towns with slightly silly sounding names that English speaking commentators will not be able to pronounce properly? [/QUOTE]

It's not the fault of the French that the English speaking commentators have holes in their education!

 

[Mellow Velo]

False flat? It lookes like a 6% slope on the last 500m.

That's exactly what it is. Not on for the Manxman, I think, but a Freire/Hushovd duel, this time.....
....if a break doesn't stick, which it may well do, after the Bastille Day Bomb.

 

[Animal]

I don`t think Cav is so superrior, it`s his train.

The overhead shots tell a different story. Have you not been watching? The best of the rest sprinters begin right in his wheel with 100% the best draft. And he gaps them when he goes.

How would his lead out men who are all coasting, burned out at this stage affect this outcome?

Pls to explain?

 

[Animal]

Back to normal service today. A stream of instructions.

"Pedal" "Pedal a bit harder" "a bit softer" "right that'is it" "a bit faster now".... etc...............

 

[Hammerhed]

How about Boonen?

Could Stage 11 be the stage that Tommy has been waiting for? I hope he shakes off his funk and decides to compete, because he may have a chance today. He is a strong lad, and the uphill suits him, I think. Though I have no problem with Cav's dominance (he is the fastest guy, afterall), I would like to see him challenged with a bit more creativity. Obviously, he can't be outgunned, so he has to be out-thought, right? But separating him from the train isn't a surefire way to do it because before Highroad had the train led by Renshaw, Hincapie, Kirchen, and crew, Cavendish learned how to win ala Robbie McEwen, that is as a solo opportunist. So he win in more than one way. Today's finale should be interesting.

 

[mickkk]

Has Australian win written all over it, maybe Dean as well. Course is made for a break, might see a string of riders off the front for a lot of the race.

The "elastic band" could get a run on SBS tonight.

 

[39*23t]

expect a gift stage to ignatiev for upholding the refusal to work with french riders in a breakaway due to their anti radio stance.

 

[TRDean]

expect a gift stage to ignatiev for upholding the refusal to work with french riders in a breakaway due to their anti radio stance.

Gift stage my eye!! Ignatiev rode like a punk...why even get in the break if you are not going to work? Punk. There are no gifts in the Tour...

 

[msjett]

Oops....a crash for Vandevelde and Rosseler....but both are back...

 

[Anonymous]

no tv coverage here till 1

all still together with the first sprint coming up, will we actually see an intermediate sprint contested..

 

[craig1985]

I bet a lot of riders don't like Ignatiev. On stage 8 he kept attacking the breakaway and tried to drop everybody to which a few riders told him to pull his head in and settle down and yeasterday he just sat on and did no work. It would of been a joke if he had won.

 

[satelite]

Oops....a crash for Vandevelde and Rosseler....but both are back...

woow another crash with pineau, bichot and rojas affected!!

 

[msjett]

Van Summeran and Sapa are attempting a break away according to the ticker....but by the time it updates they will probably be back in the peleton. lol

 

[Anonymous]

interesting that zabel says cav not after green...

twitter last night> bradwigginsGood job today Cav, remember what we spoke about today, don't mess it up And don't forget those Omnibus shoes

id say brad and cav been talking.. we shall find out at the sprint point i guess..