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TdF Stage 12 - Fri 16th - Bourg-de-Péage - Mende 210.5km

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It would be interesting to see Löfkvist take a chance on this one. Like Rodrigues he has also done well a few times in Montelupone and also in Strade Bianche though that climb is a little shorter. He's also done well in FW. The problem for him is the flattish parts after the climb where he wouldn't even be able to outsprint someone on a trainer.
 
Jul 12, 2010
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Jamsque said:
If he wasn't broken, I'd say this finish looked tailor made for Cuddles.

I totally agree. Cadel and Vino were all over these stages in the Giro.

AC should let Vino go for the win this stage to bank up brownie points and support later in the race.
 
Jul 12, 2010
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I hope Andy has a dig, but I doubt he will. Assuming this is the case, as others have said I hope the classic riders have a real dig here. Its a shame Tom Boonen is not riding... And Hausler and Simon Gerrans for that matter...
 
Bennyl said:
I hope Andy has a dig, but I doubt he will. Assuming this is the case, as others have said I hope the classic riders have a real dig here. Its a shame Tom Boonen is not riding... And Hausler and Simon Gerrans for that matter...

Dude, you're not serious about Boonen or Haussler for a stage like this surely? No way they could go up that 10% final climb quickly enough. This stage is closer to Fleche Wallonne than it is Milan-SanRemo.
 
Jul 12, 2010
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The Barb said:
Dude, you're not serious about Boonen or Haussler for a stage like this surely? No way they could go up that 10% final climb quickly enough. This stage is closer to Fleche Wallonne than it is Milan-SanRemo.

sorry about that, helps if you have a good look at the profile or read through the thread first... yep, way too steep.
 
ericthesportsman6 said:
I really don't think he can drop Contador on the climb. Their both solid on steep climbs, and this climb in particular is just not long enough for him to gain time.

I don't think so either, but he has to attack anyway. What I wonder is does AC finally throw down a counter-attack or does he continue to hold his fire? Minimal gains are to be had tomorrow unless one of them has a spectacularly bad day (or bad luck), but AC loves this climb.
 
To the people that think about Gesink... He isn't gonna win this. He isn't explosive and that's what you need here. He said it himself yesterday. He likes long steep climbs, not short steep climbs.

Someone said riders like EBH and Hushovd could do this as well.. No way. This is too long for them.

This climb is perfect for Rodriguez/Contador and Evans proofed in Fleche Wallone he can do this. Allthough Evans might be too injured now.

I'm pretty sure there will be time gaps in the top10, but not minutes ofcourse.
 
Aug 22, 2009
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I think if it all comes together before the climb someone like Gesink or Roche or JRod will have a go and Andy/Contador might hesistate marking them due to how much time they are behind and a rider like that will go for the stage win and gain 10-20s or something similar. Hope so anyway! Always loves steep short finishes a la fleche.
 
Jul 28, 2009
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Cunego? Not even a chance...

In the contrary I wait a good performance from Samuel Sanchez. He's a "puncheur" exactly what such a stage finish requires.
 
Aug 6, 2009
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santacruz said:
I'm thinking Peter Sagan will crush everyone like tiny tiny people being crushed by a giant Slovakian robot, rawr!!

That would be a nice trick, but I think the commissioners might object to his presence in the race.
 
Kwibus said:
To the people that think about Gesink... He isn't gonna win this. He isn't explosive and that's what you need here. He said it himself yesterday. He likes long steep climbs, not short steep climbs.

Someone said riders like EBH and Hushovd could do this as well.. No way. This is too long for them.

This climb is perfect for Rodriguez/Contador and Evans proofed in Fleche Wallone he can do this. Allthough Evans might be too injured now.

I'm pretty sure there will be time gaps in the top10, but not minutes ofcourse.
Wrong. This climb is 3k, that's long enough for Gesink to find his rhythm. It's twice as long as the Mur de Huy, where he's consistently been one of the strongest. And in the much shorter finishing climbs of the Tirreno he was also constantly up there. He always underestimates his own explosiveness. Anything super steep is good for Gesink.
 

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