Tour 2012: Route Rumours / Our wishes

[Libertine Seguros]

In the last mountain stage, the Peyragudes one, they might actually do something very interesting indeed: Climb Balès-Peyresourde east-descent into Louderville then up a road to the Peyragudes ski resort, which would be 5kms at 9,5%.

To be fair to the ASO, it does sound like it might at least be a well-polished turd.

 

[The Hitch]

In the last mountain stage, the Peyragudes one, they might actually do something very interesting indeed: Climb Balès-Peyresourde east-descent into Louderville then up a road to the Peyragudes ski resort, which would be 5kms at 9,5%.

Wow. Its amazing how short TDF climbs have to go to get anywhere near 10% average.

 

[Bavarianrider]

In the last mountain stage, the Peyragudes one, they might actually do something very interesting indeed: Climb Balès-Peyresourde east-descent into Louderville then up a road to the Peyragudes ski resort, which would be 5kms at 9,5%.

Knowing ASO, i am pretty sure they won't do this

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Wow. Its amazing how short TDF climbs have to go to get anywhere near 10% average.

Errozate: 10,1km @ 9,6%. Looks like another year without it

 

[Dancing On The Pedals]

I dont argue with it. Andy doesnt need to become a great TT'er to win the Tour. That would be enough to have his '09 '10 form. He rode the worst long TT throughout all the Tours and somehow many people consider he'll do the same further. I just think Evans is unlikely to improve more. He can only regress. Andy's able to get a lot stronger. His potential is enormous.

I don't think anyone doubts Andy's got the physical potential, but so much of what is wrong with him as a rider is mental - always waiting for Frank, lack of tactical awareness, seemingly lacks the killer instinct etc. That will be much harder for him to get right, no matter what he does to his TT over the winter. I think he would be better served by actually racing, and trying to win more, rather than placing everything on the Tour.
Cadel is in enjoying the best period of his career. What's to say that's going to change suddenly next year?

 

[McLovin]

For example, he wasnt touched in the Pyrenees at all. It will never happen again. Schleck and Contador will saw him in half in the mountains.

Untill next year, Evans cut Contador in Pyrenees and cut both in half in the Alpes, last Tour.

 

[The Hitch]

Untill next year, Evans cut Contador in Pyrenees and cut both in half in the Alpes, last Tour.

I dont see how he cut Schleck in half in the Alpes considering Schleck took 2 minutes from him after attacking from 65 k out, which is mindblowing He managed to limit his losses on 1 of the hardest mtfs even though he had been in front for 55km.

Even if you are counting as the Alpes, Schleck still took time out of him in the Alpes.

And he didnt cut Contador in the Pyranees either. He just stayed in the group in all 3 Pyraneen stages. Szmyd pushed the pace. Samu attacked twice. Frank attacked once. The rest just stayed in the group.

Contador was cut by others (and of course Karpets the Giro etc) but not by no Evans.

Its one thing to say Evans won the Tour its another to act as if he can outclimb Schleck and Contador.

 

[airstream]

I don't think anyone doubts Andy's got the physical potential, but so much of what is wrong with him as a rider is mental - always waiting for Frank, lack of tactical awareness, seemingly lacks the killer instinct etc. That will be much harder for him to get right, no matter what he does to his TT over the winter. I think he would be better served by actually racing, and trying to win more, rather than placing everything on the Tour.
Cadel is in enjoying the best period of his career. What's to say that's going to change suddenly next year?

I agree partially. Sometimes I wonder maybe there's a sect inside of the Schlecks' family and Johny Schleck ordered to win le Tour for Frank at first... The Pyrenees looked abnormally weird. As for mental ability, I believe Bruyneel will manage to change something in Andy's thinking. The same is for ITT. In 2005 Riis told about Basso:" The rider who climb so good like you саnnot TT bad". It must work for Andy also. Just a little bit more of mental focus and not to spare himself! It was my personal opinion about Evans. You see this otherwise... OK.

Errozate: 10,1km @ 9,6&#37]
Do you believe it will be included someday apathetically without emotions?

 

[Siriuscat]

If Contador is there and in Giro 11 form he will be unbeatable. Andy has had his chance, both 2010 and 2011 were his years, he failed then whinged when the parcours didn't suit him.

The 2012 Tour will probably come down to a fight between Contador, Evans and Wiggins, on this route I don't see the Schleckys within 5 minutes, worse Levi the wheelsucker deluxe might be a better option for Team FrandyShack

 

[McLovin]

@ Hitch
I'm talking about Luz Ardiden (Contador) and Gap ( Andy). Galibier was a special situation, it's not like he couldn't follow on Izoard, he just had a different tactic. I'm talkin about mano a mano.
I was on Galibier for that stage and didn't see it properly, but I heard Cadel was in front all Galbier and a few kms on Lautaret. When they pass near me, Contador was suckin wheel in the penultimate position. Anyway, lookin forward for next Tour.

 

[Richeypen]

If Contador is there and in Giro 11 form he will be unbeatable. Andy has had his chance, both 2010 and 2011 were his years, he failed then whinged when the parcours didn't suit him.

The 2012 Tour will probably come down to a fight between Contador, Evans and Wiggins, on this route I don't see the Schleckys within 5 minutes, worse Levi the wheelsucker deluxe might be a better option for Team FrandyShack

They'll have to ask Quickstep for him back then

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

In the last mountain stage, the Peyragudes one, they might actually do something very interesting indeed: Climb Balès-Peyresourde east-descent into Louderville then up a road to the Peyragudes ski resort, which would be 5kms at 9,5%.

That'd be great ...............if it weren't for the simple fact that the road is UNPAVED. Let's face it, it's not gonna happen.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Do you believe it will be included someday apathetically without emotions?

We might need an amazing French - or even better French Basque - pure climber for that to happen.

 

[roundabout]

That'd be great ...............if it weren't for the simple fact that the road is UNPAVED. Let's face it, it's not gonna happen.

You shouldn't really pay attention to posts that are based on nothing but wishful thinking.

There haven't been any indications in the regional media that the final climb on that stage is going to be anything but the extension of the Peyresourde.

 

[Moncoutie]

We might need an amazing French - or even better French Basque - pure climber for that to happen.

Sicard!

 

[The Hitch]

We might need an amazing French - or even better French Basque - pure climber for that to happen.

Enter Sicard.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Enter Sicard.

amazing > Sicard


That's greater than, not an arrow.

 

[will10]

Pinot > Sicard

 

[roundabout]

Now you have cursed him.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Pinot > Sicard

Agreed.

Sicard has been blighted with the traditional Euskaltel injury problems. I hope he gets his time to progress and can reach the heights he had the potential to, but I'm not overly optimistic.

 

[gregrowlerson]

I think that people are underating Andy Schelck's chances also, even though I think he should ride the Giro instead.

He has finished 2nd 3 years in a row, and often his TT is not too bad. It could only take a couple of epic efforts in the mountains from him to still emerge victorious. Unlikely I know, be I'd still have him as a potential 3rd favourite next year behind Alberto and Cadel.

 

[cineteq]

I think that people are underating Andy Schelck's chances also, even though I think he should ride the Giro instead.

He has finished 2nd 3 years in a row, and often his TT is not too bad.

He won't be riding the Giro, and his ITT performances have doomed him thus far.

 

[theyoungest]

Agreed.

Sicard has been blighted with the traditional Euskaltel injury problems. I hope he gets his time to progress and can reach the heights he had the potential to, but I'm not overly optimistic.

Not just that. Pinot is now as old as Sicard was when he won the Tour de l'Avenir. Imagine Pinot taking part in that race right now, he'd play with the opposition.

 

[Shooter]

I maintain my belief that it is a good thing for Andy Schleck that there is a time trial before the mountains. He will fall behind and know he must not only make up that time, but also gain at least that much time to give him a cushion for the time trial. I think somewhere in the 7-8 minute range he will need in the mountains. I'm not saying he will do it, but he could. And it won't be like 2011.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I maintain my belief that it is a good thing for Andy Schleck that there is a time trial before the mountains. He will fall behind and know he must not only make up that time, but also gain at least that much time to give him a cushion for the time trial. I think somewhere in the 7-8 minute range he will need in the mountains. I'm not saying he will do it, but he could. And it won't be like 2011.

7-8 minutes?! How in God's name is he going to gain that much time on Contador??