Official Thread: TdF Stage 9, Saint-Gaudens - Tarbes 160.5 km

[BroDeal]

If no one else is going to put one up.

 

[Publicus]

I hope Schleck and others come out to play on Tourmalet. I don't want a repeat of Stage 8's snooze fest.

 

[The Barb]

I think there is a chance that Oscar Freire is the only sprinter to get over the Tourmalet with the main peloton and Rabobank therefore chases down the break in the last 50km. I mean Rabo has got to try and get something out of this Tour don't they?

Overall though, I think there is about a 90% chance the breakaway succeeds. I said it yesterday and I'll say it again ... surely this is the day when David Moncoutie gets into a break (god knows he tried yesterday). Same with Jens Voigt.

I never thought I would be this unexcited about a stage that includes the Aspin and the Tourmalet, but there you have it. Well done Tour organisers. Well done indeed.

 

[Grater]

Well Moncoutie tried last night - he will try tonight.

Saxo Bank to put the hammer down on the Tourmalet?

 

[180mmCrank]

I think we'll see some action on the Tourmalet...

How about Saxo or Cervelo put a guy or two up the road early and Sastre or Schleck make a run for it on the Tourmalet and hook up with their team mate(s) on the decent... and gain a bunch of time?

Ok so it's not going to happen but we can dream can't we!

 

[Cobblestones]

Another stage which would be more exciting when shortened. Alternatively, a short but nasty little climb at the end could stir things up. But no such luck.

Agreed on the breakaway. If they don't chase, Nocentini should have a chance to catch the peloton after the Tourmalet.

 

[craig1985]

If Moncoutie wants to win the KOM then I think this is the stage that he should go and do it.

 

[Grater]

Moncoutie's team-mate, Kern is on 59 points.....Moncoutie may not go for it anymore. He may ensure Kern can do it. Go out today and stop everyone else from getting close to Kern. Give Kern a rest.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I hope Schleck and others come out to play on Tourmalet. I don't want a repeat of Stage 8's snooze fest.

I hope your right. What a ****ty stage the organisers have put together with great, historic mountains such as te Aspin and Tourmalet in the middle of the stage. BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mickkk]

Warm and a head wind.

Same story as today Id imagine. Evans will have another crack. Some maniac will go away at the flag.

 

[msjett]

Warm and a head wind.

Same story as today Id imagine. Evans will have another crack. Some maniac will go away at the flag.

Mickkk, do you really think he will? It didn't work last night, and he will have paid for that in terms of energy.....

 

[richwagmn]

I hope Schleck and others come out to play on Tourmalet. I don't want a repeat of Stage 8's snooze fest.

All they might do is try force Astana to get the yellow jersey. Riis must be enjoying the machinations on Astana.

 

[mickkk]

He has nothing to lose. He needs to make up a minute here and there if he can. Hes not going to get 3 or 4 minutes on a stage. The more times you try the more likely one will work. Last night could have just been a test. Feeling out for the same thing tonight.

 

[msjett]

He has nothing to lose. He needs to make up a minute here and there if he can. Hes not going to get 3 or 4 minutes on a stage. The more times you try the more likely one will work. Last night could have just been a test. Feeling out for the same thing tonight.

I'd like to think so....but I am sceptical...

 

[craig1985]

If there wasn't such a long way to the finish, Evans could try and attack on the Tourmalet and desend like a manic (and he is good at desending) and TT to the finish. Only way he will get away is if S/L get him to stop and get on a motor bike and ride away to the finish yelling: "TAKE THAT SUCKERS!"

 

[Publicus]

All they might do is try force Astana to get the yellow jersey. Riis must be enjoying the machinations on Astana.

I think Astana ends up with it tonight. And dumps it on Tuesday.

 

[Publicus]

I'd like to think so....but I am sceptical...

I'm with you msjett. I don't see it happening, but I really hope he tries. Maybe it will get Sastre in the act too. I want to see the Astana train under stress.

 

[msjett]

I'm with you msjett. I don't see it happening, but I really hope he tries. Maybe it will get Sastre in the act too. I want to see the Astana train under stress.

I don't think Sastre will go....the only ones who have had any sort of crack at it are baby schlek and Cadel....but mickkk makes a good point....keep trying cause something will work in the end.

 

[issoisso]

Still holding out for the glimmer of hope that today won't be boring.

Fingers crossed

 

[bikeGURU]

Didn't Sastre get dropped on the final climb in stage 8?? He isn't looking so great this tour.

The only way Saxo can 'force' Astana to take the yellow is to put Andy or Frank S on the attack and keep him out front. Not sure that would be worth the effort to their top GC guys to force Astana into a yellow jersey (what every team is trying to get for even a day)

 

[Dr. Maserati]

I think Lance is going to attack from Km0 and stay away all day and win by 20 mins.... I really do.

This post was sponsored and fueled by Heineken!

 

[whiteboytrash]

I think Lance is going to attack from Km0 and stay away all day and win by 20 mins.... I really do.

This post was sponsored and fueled by Heineken!

According to a news article I read in a US newspaper you could be right. See below:

The first ascent will be Col d'Aspin (elevation 4,888 feet), about 30 miles into the stage. But the more difficult ascent crests at Col du Tourmalet (elevation 6,939 feet), the second hors categorie (the most difficult) climb in three days about 45 miles into the stage. It has been part of the Tour de France since the early 1900s, and it progresses 10.6 miles with an average grade of 7.4 percent.

The stage is ideal for a breakaway mountain specialist – or for Alberto Contador of Spain, Lance Armstrong of Austin, Texas, or Santa Rosa's Levi Leipheimer.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Still holding out for the glimmer of hope that today won't be boring.

Fingers crossed

Doubt it. Shelck Jnr is getting frustrated with the limited number of opportunities to strut his stuff.

The next mountain top finish is Ventoux ! at a push Wednesday July 22nd has a mountain 30km from the finish but thats it.

As to the bias towards French riders I doubt it. I think it was designed to keep the field bunched on time until Ventoux.

Zzzzzzzzz.......

 

[subzro]

I think Lance is going to attack from Km0 and stay away all day and win by 20 mins.... I really do.

This post was sponsored and fueled by Heineken!

I think Spartacus will chase him down, and tell him to go back to the pack ... Lance will react with obvious contempt and the two will eventually come to blows whilst still on the bike ... both end up hitting the tarmac. ending with matching broken collar bones. Contador and Sastre will eventually ride past barely containing their amusement.

This post is brought to you in association with Shiraz.

 

[595RED]

Aspin and Tourmalet, we won't see the accumulated effect of these until a weeks time, still would be nice to see a monster like this actually deliver a result.