TDF Stage 14: Saint-Gaudens - Plateau de Beille 168km

[Cycling the Alps]

Plateau de Beille (1780m)

Plateau de Beille (1780m)
Direct link for 3D Tour:
http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#plateau-de-beille-tour
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Direct link for Streetview
http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#plateau-de-beille-game

 

[Maxiton]

Col de Latrape (1110m)

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Col d'Agnes (1570m)

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Port de Lers (1517m)
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Plateau de Beille (1780m)
Direct link for 3D Tour:
http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#plateau-de-beille-tour
Direct link for Profile:
http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#plateau-de-beille-profile
Direct link for Streetview
http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#plateau-de-beille-streetview
Direct link for Streetview
http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#plateau-de-beille-game

Thanks for the links. They are fantastic.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

There you go again. Classic keyboard commando. What an enforcer.

Someone has to do the dirty work...

Guys, posting like that isn't necessary, and a good way to end up on my bad side. You don't want that, trust me.

Don't like what someone is posting? Ignore them. Don't like anything they post? Put them on your ignore list.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

, but this is a forum, though. IMO, one of the main ideas of an internet forum is that it is a tool for people to publicly state their opinions. Even without being asked for them first.

This. If you disagree with someone, disagree politely, or ignore it. Insults are not allowed.

Susan

 

[meat puppet]

basso to cook 'em up properly whistling the sidi jingle

 

[Sophistic]

this stage begs for someone like Velits or Taaramae to attack and put a little bit of pressure on the gc guys early.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Trying to keep things on track, I am going to predict a win for Andy. I just think he's got the most in the tank at this point, and is focused on this stage. Plus there's every reason to think Frank will be there with him until the last 5km or so, and that's about as good of teammate as you could ever want.

A small part of me thinks there will be a very fast pace and Contador is going to crack near the finish and lose 3 minutes, maybe more. The other side sees him bouncing back and winning the stage.

 

[theswordsman]

L'Equipe says that at worst, there will be overcast skies today.

Fromsport.com already has a first Eurosport feed that will have pre-race starting 2 hours and 12 minutes from now. I'm not posting the link, because broadcasters have a habit of switching channels. Six and a half hours of coverage.

Around start time I usually find a French feed on justin.tv so I can watch that when Eurosport goes to commercial.

Go Contador!

Enjoy, everyone

 

[The Barb]

I've thought all Tour that this would be Andy's stage, but my confidence has been shaken.

Did everyone notice at 4km to go to Luz Ardiden when Frank looked back to Andy waiting for him to take him turn to attack and Andy quickly shook his head (seemingly telling Frank he had no energy to do so). Andy looked totally done at the finish as well, nearly wobbling into the barriers just after the line.

How much should be read into this?

 

[benpounder]

But someone with the capacity to attack also has the capacity to ride someone off their wheel no?

c'est vrai. While the mechanics may be different, the psychological aspects are the same. Creating a gap, and getting out of sight can be devastating. An explosive rider can achieve that mental edge much quicker.

[my edit] But a grinder has more certainty that the fellow shod will not be able to return.

 

[slim charles]

i think that andy will win this. i hope he doesn't, but i think he will be very motivated to put himself among the great names that won stages on this mountain before. i also think that cadel and maybe even contador could lose significant time today.

 

[phanatic]

I've thought all Tour that this would be Andy's stage, but my confidence has been shaken.

Did everyone notice at 4km to go to Luz Ardiden when Frank looked back to Andy waiting for him to take him turn to attack and Andy quickly shook his head (seemingly telling Frank he had no energy to do so). Andy looked totally done at the finish as well, nearly wobbling into the barriers just after the line.

How much should be read into this?

You read it right. I have no confidence in Andy winning. He has looked like he's yoked to a plow all year. Maybe he's still tired from 2010. I remember when he attacked so hard he broke his bike and lost the race. Not this year, I don't think. Cunego or Samu ftw today.

 

[gerrans for the win]

do we reckon we will see the smart teams put a guy in the break away (gc guys teams) to help later on in the day... bmc should send a guy in the break i get a feeling evans will need some help at some stage to peg back attacks

 

[movingtarget]

Basso and Evans won't attack even if they have the legs. With their experience and another week to go, they would be happy to just not concede time to the Schlecks unless one of the Schlecks has an off day. Andy was not too convincing on Thursday. This stage is all about Contador's performance and how it shapes the rest of the race .

 

[KiserlovskiFan]

IMO Frank attacks again today and wins easy 1 min over everyone!

 

[Mellow Velo]

ACF will be pleased to note that this "BMC Basher" picks Cadel ftw.

He got targeted and badly worked over in 2007 by trying to follow the "sprint" attacks of Cont and the Chick on the Plateau and blew a gasket.
This year, with the Schlecks and Bertie take that responsibility and so far, seem obsessed with each other. Evans seems to be riding slightly under their radar, regardless of Contador's comments.
Plus, he has an excellent "high tempo" partner in Basso.

More in the mix makes things far more Cuddles friendly.

 

[Cycling the Alps]

Thanks for the links. They are fantastic.

Thanks!

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Bertie to bounce back.

Don't call it a comeback.

 

[uphillstruggle]

I've thought all Tour that this would be Andy's stage, but my confidence has been shaken.

Did everyone notice at 4km to go to Luz Ardiden when Frank looked back to Andy waiting for him to take him turn to attack and Andy quickly shook his head (seemingly telling Frank he had no energy to do so). Andy looked totally done at the finish as well, nearly wobbling into the barriers just after the line.

How much should be read into this?

There was also a point where AC was pulling back one of Frank's attacks and Andy was a fair way off AC's wheel. He got himself back obviously but from my experience if you feel strong you get right on your main rivals wheel strait away. It may have been Andy being dozy - not impossible I suppose.

 

[Sasquatch]

On my birthday Yauhenni Hutarovicz won a stage at the Tour of Poland

Erik Dekker won Paris-Tours on my birthday in 2004.
Oscar Freire won Paris-Tours on my birthday in 2010.

 

[Woody22]

This is a critical stage for Evans tonight. If he doesn't lose time tonight on his main rivals then as I see it there are only 2 stages left where he could lose major time. If he gets through this only a handful of seconds down, then he has to be the favourite for the overall in my humble opinion.

However, he stated in an interview before the tour that he doesn't like the final climb tonight very much. I hope I am wrong but I fear that he could lose some damaging time tonight.
Anyway, go Cadel!!!

 

[sultanofhyd]

This is a critical stage for Evans tonight. If he doesn't lose time tonight on his main rivals then as I see it there are only 2 stages left where he could lose major time. If he gets through this only a handful of seconds down, then he has to be the favourite for the overall in my humble opinion.

However, he stated in an interview before the tour that he doesn't like the final climb tonight very much. I hope I am wrong but I fear that he could lose some damaging time tonight.
Anyway, go Cadel!!!

If he doesn't win this stage he doesn't win this tour. Simple as that.

 

[The Barb]

If he doesn't win this stage he doesn't win this tour. Simple as that.

That's a ridiculous thing to say. If they were to go into the time trial with the GC gaps the same as they are now he would be an overwhelming favourite.

He doesn't need to win. Great for him if he does but not at all necessary.

 

[Delicato]

That's a ridiculous thing to say. If they were to go into the time trial with the GC gaps the same as they are now he would be an overwhelming favourite.

He doesn't need to win. Great for him if he does but not at all necessary.

Just a superstition. People who won on Plateau went on to win overall GC.

 

[AussieGoddess]

love having coverage from early on today