Paris-Nice Stage 5:Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise Vernoux-en-Vivarais: 193 km

[Mellow Velo]

Here you go. The main mountain affair.






Mountain passes & Hills
Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise Vernoux-en-Vivarais - 193 km

* Km 29.0 - Côte des Ayats - 1.7 km climb to 4.8 % - Category 3
* Km 54.0 - Col de la Croix de Chaubouret (1201 m) - 9.8 km climb to 6.6 % - Category 1
* Km 96.0 - Côte de Saint-Jeure-d'Ay - 1.9 km climb to 5.5 % - Category 3
* Km 136.0 - Col de Montreynaud (760 m) - 7.4 km climb to 4.8 % - Category 2
* Km 144.0 - Côte de Vernoux-en-Vivarais - 1.0 km climb to 5.5 % - Category 3
* Km 151.0 - Col de Comberon - 4.4 km climb to 4.4 % - Category 3
* Km 184.0 - Col de la Mûre (765 m) - 7.6 km climb to 8.3 % - Category 1

Surely, we should see some attacking from the climbers with GC ambition, or is it all going to be about the clock?

 

[Michielveedeebee]

* Km 184.0 - Col de la Mûre (765 m) - 7.6 km climb to 8.3 % - Category 1 Surely, we should see some attacking from the climbers with GC ambition, or is it all going to be about the clock?

This is where it'll all happen if you ask me. Vino will be blowing the bunch up ^^ Just hoping Thomas will be able to hold on

 

[Escarabajo]

Oh, finally. Some mountains to separate the contenders.

Come on Uran, you are free to break away.

 

[The Barb]

This has Luis Leon Sanchez written all over it, right?

 

[Anonymous]

Breakaway group of riders well down on the gc to stay away.

Rigo to pick up the win for sky. Gutierrez (movistar) Perez (euskaltel) Brice Feillu (layotard) Grivko (Astana) and Dan Lloyd (garmin) to also be in the break.

 

[ttrider]

Im backing an Astana (one or two of vino kreuzinger and kiserlovski) LLS a Frank Shleck and samuel Sanchez to be the group to go away, Astana could shred the field if they choose, ironically the astana team is much stronger than when contador focussed on the race

 

[Ad Rock]

Just for the sake of being Patriotic.... Ryder Hesjedal is missed by the early leaders and allowed into a (fairly) early break. By the time the other leader's realize their mistake he's already shed most of his breakaway companions on the climbs to finish either solo or in a very small duo or group. Hesjedal jumps up the standings to a top 5 placing overall

 

[Jamsque]

I've been expecting Vino to attack every day, but he has let me down. SURELY this is the stage where he will go all-out.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

7,6km at 8,3%?

Seems a bit too steep for LuLu. Always think he fails miserably on that steep type of climb.

 

[Moondance]

I imagine the Sanchezs (LL and Samu) will duke it out for 2nd place behind TGBM here

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Too bad TGBM's form is questionable. Had to abandon earlier this season because of illness. This is the first race after that.

Does not have enough racing in his legs to do well imo. But we'll see, you never know with Rabobank this season

 

[Christian]

Brice Feillu (LEOPARD TREK) (...) to also be in the break.

Well either that or he is in pretty bad shape ... let's hope for the former

 

[search]

even yesterday he was one of the first drivers to be spotted at the back of the peloton, I'd be very supreised to see him in the mix tomorrow

 

[Ryaguas]

7,6km at 8,3%?

Seems a bit too steep for LuLu. Always think he fails miserably on that steep type of climb.

mmmmmm I dont remember welll but the last climb isnt the climb where Lulu and FS finalized 58' behind Contador last year when Sylvain Chavanel had La Maillot Jaune?

Well... I think that Astana will Hammer all the climb, they have a really good team for it: Vino, Roman, Kiserlovski, Di Gregorio... that is pretty solid... if everything goes well for them they could have Di Gregorio tomorrow in Yellow... I'd like to see Kreuziger attacking tomorrow if it is unsuccessful then Vino counter-attack... we all know that He descends REALLY well and He can make it tho...

Uran will be in the breakway as sure as the sun will shine tomorrow... come on Rigo! I want you showing that SKY suit

 

[Anonymous]

Uran will be in the breakway as sure as the sun will shine tomorrow... come on Rigo! I want you showing that SKY suit

He will be. This has been his target stage for the race. And the hope being that the time he "lost" on stage 1 will allow him to get away.

 

[nvpacchi]

Of course I have to miss the live edition tomorrow

but a win by Samu would be awesome

Taaramae dark horse pick

Gusev to limit his losses enough to be within striking distance for the TT

 

[will10]

Dark horse for me: Spilak

 

[veganrob]

Vino stretched his legs couple days ago, now it is time to race.

 

[joe1265]

Bookwalter - you heard it here first...!!!!

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Bookwalter - you heard it here first...!!!!

I shall remind you when he comes 20mins back

 

[Ryaguas]

I'll be watching Porte! lets see how He can handle the mountains after a very good camp training in Mallorca with Alberto... If He can deliver I can see him winning the TT, Alberto was on fire in the TT in Murcia, The team was pretty solid in Tirreno TTT, Porte should be in the same tone

 

[taiwan]

Samuel Sanchez for me.

 

[Ferminal]

I'll be watching Porte! lets see how He can handle the mountains after a very good camp training in Mallorca with Alberto... If He can deliver I can see him winning the TT, Alberto was on fire in the TT in Murcia, The team was pretty solid in Tirreno TTT, Porte should be in the same tone

Porte has probably been overlooked a bit, these kind of climbs are about his limit, and is as good as anyone in the ITT. But he has to attack.. otherwise he will get dropped imo. Can't quite work out how Martin is favourite for the overall @ 2.35 and Porte @ 18, when they are effectively the same rider (Martin a bit stronger in the ITT and Porte's form for today is more of an unknown I guess).

 

[python]

Well... I think that Astana will Hammer all the climb, they have a really good team for it: Vino, Roman, Kiserlovski, Di Gregorio... that is pretty solid... if everything goes well for them they could have Di Gregorio tomorrow in Yellow...

di gregorio could be tired after an all-day breakaway effort yesterday but the rest i agree will be breathing fire on the stage.

I'd like to see Kreuziger attacking tomorrow if it is unsuccessful then Vino counter-attack

didn't vino prerace say he's riding for roman this race ? whatever...vino is very obviously itching for action as he was near the head of the peloton last couple stages.

 

[Jancouver]

di gregorio could be tired after an all-day breakaway effort yesterday but the rest i agree will be breathing fire on the stage. didn't vino prerace say he's riding for roman this race ? whatever...vino is very obviously itching for action as he was near the head of the peloton last couple stages.

Vino riding for Roman? Are you kidding me. After he saw him dragging Nibali during the Vuelta he hired him to be his key domestique in 2011. Vino will not spend his last year of racing working for anybody. Roman will get his freedom riding Giro and will work for Vino in TDF.