Official thread - TdF Stage 5 Cap d'Agde-Perpignan (197.0km)

[39*23t]

Had a look at Leucate's weather forcast, for later.
25C and 55 km/h NW.

pretty much tail wind down the coast with the last section being a headwind

 

[msjett]

Gap is already down to 5.20 - columbia are driving...hope all those with GC hopes (albeit slim for some) are paying attention....cause we could see a stage 3 repeat if the wind plays its part.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Gap is already down to 5.20 - columbia are driving...hope all those with GC hopes (albeit slim for some) are paying attention....cause we could see a stage 3 repeat if the wind plays its part.

You're not going to see a repeat. Why would that happen ? What we will see is a massive pile up as everyone fights for space at the front. Mark my words. I know bike racing.

 

[Mellow Velo]

French tv now live, with 128kms to go.
Laurent Jalabert's prognosis: Immediately talks about the "dangerous" 40kms, between Leucate and Argeles. Almost a crosswind, (rear right shoulder) and a very "lively" finish.
Gap at 4'-20"

 

[Bala Verde]

3m 108km and Columbia and Garmin with one/two men at the front of the peloton. Astana wel represented at the front at well...

 

[ak-zaaf]

gesink in a ditch

he doesn't seem to be injured

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Gesink down

I think clement might be coming back for him... someone else too

 

[Amsterhammer]

French tv now live, with 128kms to go.
Laurent Jalabert's prognosis: Immediately talks about the "dangerous" 40kms, between Leucate and Argeles. Almost a crosswind, (rear right shoulder) and a very "lively" finish.
Gap at 4'-20"

Dutch tv also saying that the wind in the last 25 kms is likely to cause breaks in the peloton.

 

[Bala Verde]

Rabobank is really in de hoek waar de klappen vallen...

Hope it's not his collarbone...

 

[ak-zaaf]

Rabobank is really in de hoek waar de klappen vallen...

lol


gesink is now riding with the daver on his lijf.

 

[ak-zaaf]

here we go! \o/


/edit: gesink is prolly not coming back now.

should lose 15 minutes today and aim for a stage win.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Great.. high pace, while gesink (i think) still out the back?

EDIT: yep. fantastic... Rabobanks tour is getting worse each day

 

[Bala Verde]

Great.. high pace, while gesink (i think) still out the back?

Ha, that's what I thought. The stepped on the gas in the descent, while Gesink was climbing out of the ditch... Great, there goes his GC

SO are they doing this to put time in on him? Or just more bad luck?

 

[ingsve]

Gesink might lose any hope of winning white today. He needs to get back before the peloton breaks and even if he does it might still break ahead of him.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

you would think tehy could at least wait a few minutes for him to get back in the peleton before they step on the gas.

* They are a minute back...

 

[Bala Verde]

I thought it was 'not done' to take advantage of a chute... But hey, in love and war everything is allowed.

 

[ak-zaaf]

I thought it was 'not done' to take advantage of a chute... But hey, in love and war everything is allowed.

that usually only counts with the really big names.
in two years, they'll wait for him.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

that usually only counts with the really big names.
in two years, they'll wait for him.

Come on, they would have waited to push the pace a few more minutes and he would have made it back.

 

[Bala Verde]

that usually only counts with the really big names.
in two years, they'll wait for him.

Ha sinc ehe was ahead of Menchov, I thought he was RAB's big name

Great a minute behind. He'll lose 5-10m today especially after yesterday

 

[Publicus]

Where is Alberto?

 

[ak-zaaf]

if gesink is really injured they should pull him and let him focus on the vuelta again.

menchov f'ed up already, so he doesnt need a domestique

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

1.20 down now.
Gesink tour high place ambitions are over this is bulls**t

fu saxo and astana

** gesink seems hurt.

 

[Bala Verde]

Ha cancelara is stepping it up to drop Gesink, who is hurting (and bleeding)

ouch This is an early elimination race

Boonen times his flat really badly...

 

[Moondance]

fu saxo and astana

It's not their fault that Gesink fell on his a$$

 

[Mellow Velo]

Well, there you go. Leucate, as predicted. Eyeballs out time.
Gesink couldn't have picked a worse spot to crash.