What are the hardest mountain top finishes that have been used in recent years? Is Ventoux super difficult? Just trying to determine what will be the final mtf in the Tour as it always seems to be a famous hard climb. ex: Ventoux, Tourmalet, Alpe D'Huez.
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- Feb 20, 2010
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Swede1 said:
Yea, they tend to be a bit lazy and go "pick a big name finish". If the race until that point has been good why should we care if they're climbing to Cam Basque instead of Hautacam?
TTs
I have read on three separate websites that there will be a time trial up Alpe d'Huez, and a summit finish on La Toussuire.
I am also reading that the tour will start with a short TTT in Liege with a short steep hill right at the start.
So a total of three TTs:
(a) first the TTT in Liege,
(b) then the Alpe d'Huez BEFORE the Alps, and
(c) finally a completely flat 27 km ITT AFTER the Pyrenees.
AtletiSK said:
I have read on three separate websites that there will be a time trial up Alpe d'Huez, and a summit finish on La Toussuire.
I am also reading that the tour will start with a short TTT in Liege with a short steep hill right at the start.
So a total of three TTs:
(a) first the TTT in Liege,
(b) then the Alpe d'Huez BEFORE the Alps, and
(c) finally a completely flat 27 km ITT AFTER the Pyrenees.
- Jul 16, 2010
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I reckon they'll concentrate on medium mountains.
I'm going for only 1 stage in the Alps and 1 in the Pyrenees. Hard stages in the Massif Central, Vosges, Ardennes and Jura's.
Maybe some cobbles although I'd rather go for the cobbled climbs similar to flanders than roubaix cobbles next year.
I'm going for only 1 stage in the Alps and 1 in the Pyrenees. Hard stages in the Massif Central, Vosges, Ardennes and Jura's.
Maybe some cobbles although I'd rather go for the cobbled climbs similar to flanders than roubaix cobbles next year.
- Jul 16, 2010
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No long time trials - it just encourages conservative racing. The fewer riders with the 'qualities' of Levi Leipheimer doing well, the better.
Some cobbles - well we're up in Belgium and not paying sufficient homage to L-B-L by the looks of things, so maybe cross into France and get some Roubaix involvement instead. Failing that something flat and windy in the north creating echelons in week 1.
A bit more massif central.
Some more riding by the sea.
More stages finishing at the bottom of category 2 or 3 hills - I like my summit finishes but sometimes the quick attacks on the climbs and pulling out the lead on the descent are both exhilarating and decisive for GC.
Some cobbles - well we're up in Belgium and not paying sufficient homage to L-B-L by the looks of things, so maybe cross into France and get some Roubaix involvement instead. Failing that something flat and windy in the north creating echelons in week 1.
A bit more massif central.
Some more riding by the sea.
More stages finishing at the bottom of category 2 or 3 hills - I like my summit finishes but sometimes the quick attacks on the climbs and pulling out the lead on the descent are both exhilarating and decisive for GC.
- Apr 7, 2011
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Á focus on the medium mountains would be interesting. It would be something new. in 2013 there will be a monster course anyway
ElChingon said:
I disagree, I like a small venture outside of France. "The exception that proves the rule", if you will. That said, I think this current trend of holding every other grand depart outside of France is too much - I quite liked the small venture into Italy like this year. And New York/Qatar/Martinique is ridiculous - Belgium or England or Germany is fine. When you're crossing 4 or 5 time zones and you need a 7+ hour flight back to France it stops being about the riders and starts being a circus.
- Mar 12, 2010
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MTFs
I would agree except for the Tourmalet. And my reason is that it is not completely open and unprotected, and thus great for attacking. That is unlike Ventouse and Galibier, which are quite 'bald' in the upper half with significant head or cross winds, and good only for opening or closing existing gaps, but not for attacking and creating them.
Totally agree. If there is a mountain TT, then
(a) three other uphill finishes, and
(b) one HC climb with short downhill finish (less than 15 km) without flat will be enough.
Among the three MTFs,
(a) one should be a monstrous Italian climb (average 12% with sections of 15-18%),
(b) one a long 20-25 km drag that starts at 3-4% and goes up to 10% at the top
(c) and third a steady 15km or so at 7-8%.
It will offer the perfect variety for all different kinds of climbers. Also, I would not like to see any flat between the cols, to encourage people to go for it on the penultimate climb as well.
The Hitch said:
I would agree except for the Tourmalet. And my reason is that it is not completely open and unprotected, and thus great for attacking. That is unlike Ventouse and Galibier, which are quite 'bald' in the upper half with significant head or cross winds, and good only for opening or closing existing gaps, but not for attacking and creating them.
The Hitch said:
Totally agree. If there is a mountain TT, then
(a) three other uphill finishes, and
(b) one HC climb with short downhill finish (less than 15 km) without flat will be enough.
Among the three MTFs,
(a) one should be a monstrous Italian climb (average 12% with sections of 15-18%),
(b) one a long 20-25 km drag that starts at 3-4% and goes up to 10% at the top
(c) and third a steady 15km or so at 7-8%.
It will offer the perfect variety for all different kinds of climbers. Also, I would not like to see any flat between the cols, to encourage people to go for it on the penultimate climb as well.
Pilgaard said:
I agree, but I would like there to be something to decide the GC pecking order a bit prior to some of these stages. To make it a little less nervous. Maybe a slightly longer prologue and/or a medium mountain that gets some GC seperation and/or a TTT.
- Mar 13, 2009
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El Pistolero said:
Granon was used in 1986, grouped with the Vars and the Izoard.
Eduardo Chozas was in a lone break all day and was victorious. Granon chewed up the peloton, destroying Hinault in the process, and giving Lemond the yellow jersey for good.
Great climb that needs to come back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kzLYlVYS7k&feature=player_embedded#at=377
TTs
Hi there. Thanks for the link. I saw that already, and my understanding (from a french blog) is that it is not final and Prudhomme is still to decide between TTT and ITT.
But I agree, a flat ITT in Liege sounds more logical, with one TTT and one mountain ITT.
jobiwan said:
Hi there. Thanks for the link. I saw that already, and my understanding (from a french blog) is that it is not final and Prudhomme is still to decide between TTT and ITT.
But I agree, a flat ITT in Liege sounds more logical, with one TTT and one mountain ITT.
- Apr 7, 2011
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I am sure the route in 2012 won't be that spectacular.
They certainly will hold back a lot for 2013.
So maybe we 'll se a rather unique parcours next year. Not many high mountains but lots of medium stuff.
They certainly will hold back a lot for 2013.
So maybe we 'll se a rather unique parcours next year. Not many high mountains but lots of medium stuff.
- Feb 20, 2010
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- Apr 7, 2011
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- Feb 20, 2010
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- 13,878
- 28,180
Bavarianrider said:
Who else would be looking for more TT mileage and fewer high mountains, sugar?
Any hints on the order of the big mountain blocks? Will they go first to the Alps then the Pyrenees?
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