TdF stage 5

[The Hitch]

We have seen Andy (2nd) Cadel (1st, 2nd) and Contador (4th I think) all do pretty well on the Mur de Huy

Contador was third behind Cadel and Purito. And unlike Cadel and Andrew he wasnt on a peak, rather on the way down from a peak a month earlier.

But then that might be the situation hes in this year.

 

[Ryaguas]

Stagewinner will be someone with good punch and good climbing.

This finish as the name of Vino all over the place
Since He is going for La Maillot Jaune this is the place to take it...

Contador is just going to cover some attacks here... nothing more to see for the GC guys...

Contador was third behind Cadel and Purito. And unlike Cadel and Andrew he wasnt on a peak, rather on the way down from a peak a month earlier

Also was his first time in Le Mur... He missed the win for just 30 or 40m tho... his lack of exp in Le Mur costed him the win...

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Contador was third behind Cadel and Purito. And unlike Cadel and Andrew he wasnt on a peak, rather on the way down from a peak a month earlier.

But then that might be the situation hes in this year.

according to ac himself he was on a peak, or so I remember hims saying that somewhere? Regardless of that, experience beat ac not form.

 

[Ferminal]

Obviously this is a Gilbert stage, same goes for Stage 1. Any short finishing climb <8% or so is his bread and butter.

The fact is that because of no bonifications, there will be little impact on the GC. Evans might get 5 seconds on Basso, hardly a big deal. The TTT will be more important that both the uphill finishes in the first week. Bring back time bonuses...

Of course that doesn't make the stage boring, just less interesting from a GC perspective.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Contador was third behind Cadel and Purito. And unlike Cadel and Andrew he wasnt on a peak, rather on the way down from a peak a month earlier.

But then that might be the situation hes in this year.

Timmy is right. I think Alberto was in quite strong form coming off Pais Vasco and Paris Nice.

according to ac himself he was on a peak, or so I remember hims saying that somewhere? Regardless of that, experience beat ac not form.

Anyway, I don't think Gilbert will win this as it will just come down to who is the strongest in the sprint for the line on 1 single climb. Gilbert will be up there but won't win as there are better riders than him on these types of stage finishes.

This finish is similar to the one in Plumelec that was raced in the tour in 2008. Except I think there will be a few candidates for the win before Gilbert.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Obviously this is a Gilbert stage, same goes for Stage 1. Any short finishing climb <8% or so is his bread and butter.

The fact is that because of no bonifications, there will be little impact on the GC. Evans might get 5 seconds on Basso, hardly a big deal. The TTT will be more important that both the uphill finishes in the first week. Bring back time bonuses...

Of course that doesn't make the stage boring, just less interesting from a GC perspective.

In a sport where it is usually so difficult to get a time gap, it is ridiculous that they do not have time bonuses like they used to. And most of the other races have them. Correct?

I like Vino's chances on stage 4, but he wouldn't end up in yellow because Astana are unlikely to win the TTT. But if they had time bonuses (which I'd actually like to see be as much as 30 seconds for the winner - GC riders are almost forced to take a large interest in any small hill top finishers) then he might be half a chance to pull on the jersey.

What does anyone think about having massive time bonuses? Say, a minute for the winner? At least then at least half of the stages might be really interesting. And it's not going to improve Cav's GC position much if he gains a few minutes......

 

[Ferminal]

Anyway, I don't think Gilbert will win this as it will just come down to who is the strongest in the sprint for the line on 1 single climb. Gilbert will be up there but won't win as there are better riders than him on these types of stage finishes.

This finish is similar to the one in Plumelec that was raced in the tour in 2008. Except I think there will be a few candidates for the win before Gilbert.

The climb at the end of Stage 1 in 2008 was a bit shorter... around 1000m at probably 6-8% (just guessing) EDIT: 1.7km @ 6.2% apparently! with the flatter 200m or so at the top once they turned the corner. The sprinters were well behind that day. Bretagne will probably be a bit more like the finish in Malaga in the first week of the Vuelta.

Anyone know what Stage 1 Mont des Alouttes is like?

 

[theyoungest]

Anyway, I don't think Gilbert will win this as it will just come down to who is the strongest in the sprint for the line on 1 single climb. Gilbert will be up there but won't win as there are better riders than him on these types of stage finishes.

This finish is similar to the one in Plumelec that was raced in the tour in 2008. Except I think there will be a few candidates for the win before Gilbert.

I can think of only one candidate that could possibly be better than Gilbert on this kind of finish (if it's not too steep), and that's the same guy who beat him in Plumelec. But he won't be there.

 

[Ferminal]

I can think of only one candidate that could possibly be better than Gilbert on this kind of finish (if it's not too steep), and that's the same guy who beat him in Plumelec. But he won't be there.

What about Danilo?

I guess he will not be there either.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I think the more interesting stage to look at in the first week is the stage to cap frehel. Heavy crosswinds towards to the finish are a high possibility.

 

[Kwibus]

Definately Gilbert. If he has the same form as he had in the Vuelta of last year or the AGR I don't see anyone challenge him.