The Tour de Suisse 2013 official thread.

[SetonHallPirate]

Am I the only person who thinks this route is weak? Just one MTF (and that's a climb after 100 km of flat), and only one stage has multiple major-category (read: Cat. 2 or higher) climbs in the second half of the stage. I'm sure myself, Ms. Libertine Seguros, and Mr. Zomegnan are in agreement in disapproval. And this in a country that you would have to be trying to MISS the mountains!

 

[SafeBet]

Am I the only person who thinks this route is weak? Just one MTF (and that's a climb after 100 km of flat), and only one stage has multiple major-category (read: Cat. 2 or higher) climbs in the second half of the stage. I'm sure myself, Ms. Libertine Seguros, and Mr. Zomegnan are in agreement in disapproval. And this in a country that you would have to be trying to MISS the mountains!

It's not the first time they come up with a weak route.
You probably remember 2009 when Cancellara won.

No doubt there's plenty of opportunities to create a much better parcours.

 

[Ferminal]

Crans Montana is better than Albula because it's an MTF?

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Crans Montana is better than Albula because it's an MTF?

No, in fact, Albula is probably the best of a bad lot (and the only one I'd call acceptable), with two major climbs in the second half of the stage. With that much flat between Neufenpass and Crans Montana, not sure what that is except for an opportunity for the entire race to come back together.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

rujano should win this.

 

[theyoungest]

Is Skys focus on the dauphine so big? I mean they could send Porte here

Sky's focus on the Tour is so big. And the Dauphiné is the best prep race for the Tour.

 

[Oliver]

Kreuziger, Rolland, Pinaut, Mollema, Schleck, Klöden, Rui Costa, Anton, Purito, Van Garderen, Cunego, Lovkvist, Rujano, Ulisi, Roche, Monfort
e

Purito is doing Dauphiné.

 

[Kokoso]

Purito is doing Dauphiné.

What? No. Yes?

 

[Kokoso]

rujano should win this.

And Kreuziger has this in the bag for sure

 

[Afrank]

This race reads kind of like PN, not really a clear favorite. Hoping to see Rui Costa, Pinot, and Tejay do well.

Schleck I think has enough form that he could contend for a stage if he get's in a strong break that manages to survive.

 

[Oliver]

What? No. Yes?

Also no Cunego & Rolland.

 

[Kokoso]

Also no Cunego & Rolland.

That's shame, even if they are not real rivals for GC.

 

[Jelantik]

They should send Porte here although they prefer to send their Tour team to Dauphine, Wiggins may come for this.

so we can see the pushing and shoving on sky's leadership

 

[staubsauger]

That's shame, even if they are not real rivals for GC.

If they peak for Switzerland they actually would've good chances to take the victory. Look at Cunego in 2011.

They propably are just able to fight for spot 5-10 in the Tour anyway, so I sometimes don't understand why these riders don't try to win at least Switzerland before, when the big guns are not at 100%.

 

[Gloin22]

Rolland can easily win more prestigious stages at Tour, and he's capable of that.

Cunego? He's a shadow of his former self, not sure why even mention him as a contender.

Rather than a stage hunter.

 

[cineteq]

Where is the unofficial thread? Just wondering...

 

[Kokoso]

Rolland can easily win more prestigious stages at Tour, and he's capable of that.

Cunego? He's a shadow of his former self, not sure why even mention him as a contender.

Rather than a stage hunter.

Maybe Rolland should do the same, go for stage wins. In GC he isn't much competitive, especially in TdF. Very overrated at this point of carrier.
Long flat Dauphine's ITT is disaster for his GC ambitions.

 

[ILovecycling]

Maybe Rolland should do the same, go for stage wins. In GC he isn't much competitive, especially in TdF. Very overrated at this point of carrier.
Long flat Dauphine's ITT is disaster for his GC ambitions.

What?He was 8th last year,and with massive flat TT's.
He is a decent shot for Top5 this year.

 

[Gloin22]

What?He was 8th last year,and with massive flat TT's.
He is a decent shot for Top5 this year.

Exactly, although he can do Top 5 or could as well finish outside Top 10. Should be interesting.

Wonder how the slight split of the team affect his chances. Usually Europcar focused only on moutains.

This year there's Coquard that will co - lead the sprinter stages, along his helpers Gaudin, Turgot or Gene.

Gaudin actually could easily take break stage win as well

Anyway, back to the Tour de Suiise

 

[Kokoso]

What?He was 8th last year,and with massive flat TT's.
He is a decent shot for Top5 this year.

8th place, that isn't too good and not too bad. Bad was time loss on race winner - 16:26. On the third place 10 minutes. That's a lot. Even Roche was three minutes behind him. And I can't remember any decent result from around week long stage race. At this point of his carreer he's overrated.

 

[Kokoso]

What?He was 8th last year,and with massive flat TT's.
He is a decent shot for Top5 this year.

And Gesink, Samu Sanchez, Mollema, Hesjedal crushed out...or whatever

 

[ILovecycling]

And Gesink, Samu Sanchez, Mollema, Hesjedal crushed out...or whatever

Yeah,thats part of the race.This year it will be even worse with crashes imo.

Im ending with OT.

 

[Jason_Mercier]

8th place, that isn't too good and not too bad. Bad was time loss on race winner - 16:26. On the third place 10 minutes. That's a lot. Even Roche was three minutes behind him. And I can't remember any decent result from around week long stage race. At this point of his carreer he's overrated.

And in 2011?

 

[Gloin22]

Team Sky is going be led at Tour de Suiise by ...

Joe Dombrowski!!! That's according to the prov startlist. Best climber in the team.

 

[Afrank]

Team Sky is going be led at Tour de Suiise by ...

Joe Dombrowski!!! That's according to the prov startlist. Best climber in the team.

Expect domination.