TdF 2018 stage 3 TTT Cholet 35.5 km

[Robert5091]

https://www.cyclingstage.com/tour-de-france-2018-route/stage-3-tdf-2018/

At 35.5 kilometres, the 3rd stage of the Tour de France brings the first team time trial in La Grande Boucle since 2015. The race is played out on undulating roads near Cholet.

The team time trial is played out in and near Cholet. The town hosted the Tour de France three times before. Félicien Vervaecke won in 1936, Jeroen Blijlevens sprinted to victory in 1998, while Stefan Schumacher powered to the win in 2008’s chronorace, although the German was disqualified after testing positive on doping.

The TTT sets off on wide boulevards in the centre of Cholet. On Avenue Francis Bouet the teams hit a 700 metres climb at 5% before the route continues on long straight roads. At kilometre 7 the streets get somewhat smaller for 2 kilometres before the wide open roads are back, which obviously is perfect for the teams. Another 700 metres climb at 5% with 16 kilometres done and then it’s off to La Séguinière on a fairly easy course.

In La Séguinière – at kilometre 25 – the teams leave the main road and continue on Rue de la Bastille, which is a small street that runs uphill. The 1,500 metres climb is averaging 5% in the first half and 3% in the second half. On gently rolling roads with a few sharp curves the stage travels back to the centre of Cholet.

Team standing after stage 2 -
1 Quick-Step Floors 25:30:27
2 Wanty-Groupe Gobert
3 Astana Pro Team
4 Trek-Segafredo
5 Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Bahrain-Merida
7 Katusha-Alpecin
8 Dimension Data
9 Team Sunweb
10 Cofidis, Solutions Credits
11 LottoNl-Jumbo
12 Lotto Soudal
13 Direct Energie
14 Fortuneo-Samsic
15 AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:24
16 UAE Team Emirates 0:00:32
17 EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale 0:00:34
18 BMC Racing Team 0:00:51
19 Groupama-FDJ
20 Movistar Team 0:01:15
21 Team Sky 0:02:06
22 Mitchelton-Scott 0:02:56

The first squad leaves the ramp at 15:10 and the arrival of the last one is expected around 17:34 – both local times. Teams leave every five minutes. Teams go in reverse order so Mitchelton-Scott go first, Sky second etc. As Sagan has yellow though Bora will go last.

 

[Rollthedice]

Starting time and order:

1. Mitchelton-Scott (Aus) 15:10
2. Team Sky (GBr) 15.15
3. Movistar Team (Esp) 15.20
4. Groupama-FDJ (Fra) 15.25
5. BMC Racing Team (USA) 15.30
6. EF Education First-Drapac (USA) 15.35
7. UAE Team Emirates (UAE) 15.40
8. Ag2r La Mondiale (Fra) 15.45
9. Fortuneo-Samsic (Fra) 15.50
10. Direct Energie (Fra) 15.55
11. Lotto-Soudal (Bel) 16.00
12. LottoNL-Jumbo (Ned) 16.05
13. Cofidis, Solutions Credits (Fra) 16.10
14. Team Sunweb (Ger) 16.15
15. Team Dimension Data (RSA) 16.20
16. Katusha-Alpecin (Sui) 16.25
17. Bahrain-Merida (Brn) 16.30
18. Trek-Segafredo (USA) 16.35
19. Astana Pro Team (Kaz) 16.40
20. Wanty-Groupe Gobert (Bel) 16.45
21. Quick-Step Floors (Bel) 16.50
22. Bora-Hansgrohe (Ger) 16.55

 

[Robert5091]

Thank you Rollthedice for the start times!

This is the big one for GC in week one. All teams with any hope of a GC winner have to go well here. Sky, MS, BMC will be even more keen to gain time to make up for Saturday's loses.

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

Thank you Rollthedice for the start times!

This is the big one for GC in week one. All teams with any hope of a GC winner have to go well here. Sky, MS, BMC will be even more keen to gain time to make up for Saturday's loses.

Yes but they start first and very early, an advantage for the likes of Bahrain and Astana who will know what they are up against. Anyway, I'd say Thomas in yellow the rest is unpredictable.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I would think Quickstep will win, especially knowing their rivals times.

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

I would think Quickstep will win, especially knowing their rivals times.

Why would it matter knowing their rivals' times? Each team rides as fast as possible according to a plan - you can't be half a minute faster by knowing a time of a rival.

 

[Robert5091]

This was how things turned out at the recent CdD TTT over the same distance.

3rd stage Critérium du Dauphiné 2018 TTT 35 km result

1. Team Sky 36.33
2. BMC Racing Team + 0.37
3. Lotto Soudal + 0.52
4. Mitchelton Scott + 0.56
5. Quick Step Floors + 1.01
6. Trek – Segafredo + 1.26
7. AG2R La Mondiale + 1.29
8. Team Movistar + 1.31
9. LottoNL-Jumbo + 1.32
10. Groupama – FDJ + 1.33
11. Dimension Data + 1.41
12. Team EF Education First + 1.44
13. Bora – Hansgrohe + 1.45
14. Astana Pro Team + 1.48
15. Katusha Alpecin + 1.49
16. Bahrain Merida + 2.04
20. UAE Emirates + 2.28
22. Sunweb + 3.19

Weather forecast - from https://weather.com/weather/today/l/FRXX0033:1:FR

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Very warm. High 29C. Winds NE at 15 to 25 km/h.

Could be a bit windy which plays into the hands of the more powerfull riders - sweaty though.

 

[del1962]

Yeah but look at Swiss time trial some had stronger squads there

Could be better conditions earlier before wind picks up later on

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

I would think Quickstep will win, especially knowing their rivals times.

Why would it matter knowing their rivals' times? Each team rides as fast as possible according to a plan - you can't be half a minute faster by knowing a time of a rival.

There could be an advantage to going last. Analyzing, watching your rivals, and knowing the speeds can help you push more.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Re: Re:

I would think Quickstep will win, especially knowing their rivals times.

Why would it matter knowing their rivals' times? Each team rides as fast as possible according to a plan - you can't be half a minute faster by knowing a time of a rival.

Because it helps some people mentally. It is easier to set off knowing a time to beat and how much you have to put in then into the unknown and gives you bench marks while on the road.

In what ever it is I always find it easier if I know the time I have to beat if I am racing.

 

[Robert5091]

The shorter TTT at TdS gave following result -

Results 1st stage 2018 Tour de Suisse TTT 18.3 km

1. BMC Racing Team 20.18
2. Team Sunweb + 0.20
3. Quick-Step Floors + 0.27
4. Bora-Hansgrohe s.t.
5. Mitchelton-Scott + 0.29
6. Movistar + 0.33
7. Bahrain Merida + 0.36
8. Groupama-FDJ + 0.45
9. Katusha-Alpecin + 0.46
10. UAE Team Emirates + 0.50
11. LottoNL-Jumbo + 0.53
12. Lotto Soudal + 0.58
13. Trek-Segafredo s.t.
14. Team Sky + 1.02
15. EF Education First-Drapac + 1.05
16. AG2R La Mondiale + 1.07
17. Dimension Data + 1.10
18. Astana + 1.16

 

[Bot. Sky_Bot]

Sky should win it.
GT in yellow, GVA, TJVG, CF.
Bernal may lose some seconds not being able to cross finish line with his team at the same time (unfortunately).

 

[Red Rick]

And today in "Things that are that should never be"

 

[Robert5091]

Re:

And today in "Things that are that should never be"

Take it you're not a big fan of TTT's, but admit it, if Sky bring along their exploding wheels again, it'll be "must watch TV".

 

[Bavarianrider]

Imagine the excitement and suspense we'd feel right know if this was TTT of decent length.
Sadly, today's fanboy's who have destroyed our beautiful Sport will never understand that.

 

[tobydawq]

Imagine the excitement and suspense we'd feel right know if this was TTT of decent length.
Sadly, today's fanboy's who have destroyed our beautiful Sport will never understand that.

So you think Sky should have 60 kilometres so they could take five minutes on their rivals?

I wonder how the rest of the Tour would pan out then, but of course we would have stuck to tradition, so a complete borefest would be fine, I guess. Like giving Induráin hundreds of TT kilometres five years in a row.

 

[Googolplex]

I think having a 100 km TTT could be nice, but would obviously have a way too big effect to GC. Maybe let it count as it is to team competition, but divide times by 5 or something for GC.

 

[bob.a.feet]

Nibali will most likely be a victim of the TTT and the big teams like Sky and BMC will reap the rewards

 

[Bavarianrider]

Given this year's insane mountain stages this should be 70km or nothing. Tomorrow is pointless and a waste of a race day.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Re:

I think having a 100 km TTT could be nice, but would obviously have a way too big effect to GC. Maybe let it count as it is to team competition, but divide times by 5 or something for GC.

Or have like with US Postal in the time trials for giving fixed time to the finishes of other teams for the places they finished to make it more fair.

 

[tobydawq]

Food for thought:

Couldn't it be nice if they scrapped the "nth rider across the line stops the time" rule and instead just let every rider get his own time?

I think that would make TTTs more entertaining both from a tactical point and entertaining-wise.

 

[hazaran]

That makes no sense. As the sprinters have learned, until the final 200 metres you are better off in a group..

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

Nibali will most likely be a victim of the TTT and the big teams like Sky and BMC will reap the rewards

I doubt that. 1'15" at most. 20 something seconds down on Froome in GC.

 

[DNP-Old]

Fuglsang to lose close to 3 minutes.

 

[hazaran]

Re: Re:

Nibali will most likely be a victim of the TTT and the big teams like Sky and BMC will reap the rewards

I doubt that. 1'15" at most. 20 something seconds down on Froome in GC.

I think you are underestimating the Bahrain TTT suck. It's rolling, too, much bigger time loss over straight flat power course.