Stage 16 and Possible early Coverage

[Jasper]

And the favorites in the peloton keep on waiting and waiting.

 

[Parrot23]

Was just thinking, Andy Schleck is the kind of guy who could/would attack here/attack Menchov, IF he were here.

 

[Cobblestones]

And the favorites in the peloton keep on waiting and waiting.

It's a little bit late for Sastre and the Liquigas boys to attack on the last climb. It's probably not long enough to put sufficient time into Denis (if they manage at all). LL and DDL which have to make up less time don't have the same pressure.

 

[Jasper]

It's a little bit late for Sastre and the Liquigas boys to attack on the last climb. It's probably not long enough to put sufficient time into Denis (if they manage at all).

Hence my amazement. Ardila's tempo wasn't exactly killing, so they could have easily at least picked up the pace a notch.

 

[Parrot23]

Levi's had a flat on the downhill. Game over?

 

[Cobblestones]

LL has a mechanical/puncture

 

[Parrot23]

Next climb's really steep early, then progressively flattens. Who does that favour? Maybe the guys with the diesel engines, vs. more explosive di Luca?

 

[Cobblestones]

Next climb's really steep early, then progressively flattens. Who does that favour?

Early attackers

 

[BroDeal]

Next climb's really steep early, then progressively flattens. Who does that help?

Maybe Popo if he is not caught and gapped by Cunego on the steep part?

What is the last half a K like?

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Should be enough decent left to come back.

The "safty car" was great though.

But, wasn't there supposed to be a real huuuuge amount of attaking to take place BEFORE the last mountain?

BTW:
does anyone believe that Armstong will help LL today?

Last K is like first 500m 7,4% and last 500m 4,1%.

 

[Jasper]

Popovych is suddenly looking really good for the stage win, nearly 5 minutes ahead.

 

[Delicato]

Should be enough decent left to come back.

The "safty car" was great though.

But, wasn't there supposed to be a real huuuuge amount of attaking to take place BEFORE the last mountain?

BTW:
does anyone believe that Armstong will help LL today?

We all thought about that, but everyone seem to be tired and exhausted (too hot).

Now I am starting to think that the stage would be similar to stage 5- ten people at the finish contesting for the sprint.

 

[Parrot23]

What is the last half a K like?

Bro, see first post on thread for graph/chart. 4.5%

 

[BroDeal]

BTW:
does anyone believe that Armstong will help LL today?

That depends on whether there is a camera there to record it.

 

[Cobblestones]

Popo increasing his lead.

 

[Parrot23]

Looks like Astana has pulled Levi back. But what they hope to gain now, I dunno.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

We all thought about that, but everyone seem to be tired and exhausted (too hot).

Now I am starting to think that the stage would be similar to stage 5- ten people at the finish contesting for the sprint.

Well after 237 km of racing and 2 hard Mountains before that I believe that's still going to be veeery diffrent compared to stage 5.

My guess is that we have pairs arriving or grous of 3-5 riders mostly.

 

[Parrot23]

Okay, now Liquigas puts the hammer down....

 

[BroDeal]

Leakygas now upping the pace. The MR group is shredding.

 

[Cobblestones]

Petrano now.

Liqui's driving.

Cunego should win the stage.

Still, Popo's looking good.

 

[Animal]

Liquigas toughening the pace.

Just perfect for Menchov.

 

[Jasper]

Pauwels is leading the peloton, awesome. Eat that Sastre

 

[BroDeal]

Petrano now.

Liqui's driving.

Cunego should win the stage.

Still, Popo's looking good.

I don't know about Cunego. Popo looks really strong. He is hammering.

 

[Jasper]

Pauwels is leading the peloton, awesome. Eat that Sastre

And Sastre can't stay with his pace. What a turn of events.

 

[BroDeal]

Menchov easily follows Basso. Leupheimer does not follow.