Tdf Stage 11 - Thursday, July 15 2010, Sisteron - Bourg-lès-Valence, 180 km

[Jamsque]

Even the guys in the break look bored today.

 

[theyoungest]

Unlikely that any of the contenders will race it though, 3km flat at the top and no time bonuses make it tough to get time gap worth putting the effort in for.

Of course, it will be more interesting than these two days though. Stage 13 should be a bit better too.

It might be a good opportunity for someone like Gesink to gain a few seconds on Leipheimer. And to win a stage of course.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Loving the gentle meander through one of my favourite areas in France.
So sparsely populated, until the town of Die, which is famous for the sparkling wine of that name: Clairette de Die.

 

[Cobblestones]

Loving the gentle meander through one of my favourite areas in France.
So sparsely populated, until the town of Die, which is famous for the sparkling wine of that name: Clairette de Die.

Hah, just when VS switched to commercials, I spotted a big ad sign for Clairette de Die.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Mellow dropping the knowledge.

Thanks, Mr. Sherwen.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Mellow dropping the knowledge.

Thanks, Mr. Sherwen.

Yes. I am the phantom Lance lover!
From now on, the valley will begin to widen and gradually the hills drop away.
By Crest it's pretty flat.

Lloyd Mondory has been on the deck. The headwind is due to last until the final 8km.

 

[Cobblestones]

Vino!!!!!!

... among the cars. False alarm.

 

[bicing]

Why are Liquigas working at the front of the peleton?

 

[sometriguy]

Why are Liquigas working at the front of the peleton?

They are trying to get in an actual workout, rest days are bad for you

 

[Cobblestones]

Why are Liquigas working at the front of the peleton?

Going any slower, they would fall off their bikes?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Going any slower, I could keep up

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Schleck and Contador having a nice chat.

 

[sometriguy]

Schleck and Contador having a nice chat.

With nothing else going on, maybe they can finally settle that Energy Gel debate once and for all

 

[sublimit]

Perhaps they should have a picnic and then continue to ride..

 

[eljimberino]

Perfect opportunity for BBox to drop the hammer.

Andy has a history of losing concentration in these situations.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Zzzzzzzzzzz

wake me up before they go go!

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Canny riding from the 3 riders in front - a two minute lead with 20km left (with a tailwind for the last 10km) could be pretty hard to peg back if they go slow enough for the preceding 150km...

... unless this is actually as fast as they can go

 

[Cobblestones]

... unless this is actually as fast as they can go

That.

Gap is barely above 1' now.

 

[eljimberino]

Where the hells is Karpets when you need a good pun or two?

Any other descent pun friendly riders in the field?

 

[Fourier]

Where the hells is Karpets when you need a good pun or two?

Any other descent pun friendly riders in the field?

Christian Knees?

 

[Spare Tyre]

Where the hells is Karpets when you need a good pun or two?

Karpets got pulled out.

 

[Cobblestones]

Karpets got pulled out.

It was curtains for Karpets.

 

[Fourier]

Karpets swept from contention

 

[Jamsque]

Karpets folded.

 

[Fourier]

Absence of Karpets brings Katusha to the floor.