Yeah, I would say something like this (so less significant than original stage, serves more like an appetizer):roundabout said:Portillon on the stage to Luchon? Or Aspet-Mente-valley?
togo95 said:Stage 18: Pau - Hautacam; 161 km
Last mountain stage should open possibilities for those who want to change something about the result of the race. I think this one does it much more than the original one, although I like Tourmalet.
Climbs:
Col de Marie Blanque (56) - 9.2 km; 7.7%
Col d'Aubisque (93) - 16.6 km; 7.2%
Col de Spandelles (127) - 10.2 km; 8.4%
Hautacam (161) - 15.8 km; 7.6%
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I am sorry, i really am. But it was necessary, as the weekend would have been too much. Now i have a hard stage 13, a super hard stage 14 and a medium hard (and very scenic) stage 15 with a very steep if short final climb. It's better balanced that way, i would say. And there always is your Fedaia! stage, isn't it?Libertine Seguros said:Nothing like the chaos I will provoke on you for removing the queen of the Dolomites, the majestic peak of Marmolada, the mighty ruler of Alpine summit passes.
Fedaia! FEDAIA!
That would have been very good (with Borderes between Tourmalet and Soulor), and was long rumoured to be stage 18. But no, can't be.SetonHallPirate said:Stage 18 of the Tour got me wondering, how about Tourmalet-Aubisque (Soulor)-Spandelles-Hautacam? Just a thought.
That's what I was thinking, as a recommendation. Frankly, Tourmalet-Hautacam as currently planned is friggin' lame.fauniera said:That would have been very good (with Borderes between Tourmalet and Soulor), and was long rumoured to be stage 18. But no, can't be.
Bad IMO it's not the length of the stage or the omnipresent here "Tourmalet problem". Bad is that it's almost sure that in this last mountain stage a rider who is more than 2 minutes down on GC will not be able to attack before the last climb.SetonHallPirate said:That's what I was thinking, as a recommendation. Frankly, Tourmalet-Hautacam as currently planned is friggin' lame.
Excellent stage.Netserk said:
Of course it's hard. I have to balance out 132.5 (mostly flat) km of ITT.jsem94 said:I absolutely LOVE this route so far. A bit too difficult, but the mountain stages are actually REAL.