Tour de France 2015 Stage 14: Rodez-Mende 178.5km

[Miburo]

A break might make it, depends on the size of it and if piti/purito want to win today. My bet is on the dawg but since this is contador's hill i think he might be close to him. Piti too, he'll be close

Someone got the times they previously did on the Côte de la Croix Neuve? They did it in '07,'10 and '12 PN and tour'10 (i think)

 

[gerundium]

hopefully they go all out from the Cat 2 onwards. If that happens the time differences could be a lot bigger than most will expect.

 

[Arredondo]

I don't know if Purito is able to fight for the win with this hot weather.

In rain he would be the big favorite together with Dawg.

 

[Billie]

Re: Tour de France 2015 Stage 14: Rodze-Mende 178.5km

Someone got the times they previously did on the Côte de la Croix Neuve? They did it in '07,'10 and '12 PN and tour'10 (i think)

Also in Tour 2005 and 1995

 

[Poursuivant]

Breakaway I think.

 

[dacooley]

purito is a grand favorite. he couldn't lose contact today in vain. valverde, contador and froome to finish after him in 5-7 seconds

 

[The Hitch]

This was imo the best stage of the 2010 Tour. Vino and Kloedi killed the Saxo team for the rest of the Tour by creating the 2nd break 60k out. Sadly I cant see the current leading team experiencing the same fate.

 

[DBotero]

Re: Tour de France 2015 Stage 14: Rodze-Mende 178.5km

J.Rod for the triple
But there might be a problem with Katusha bringing the break back,they surely need some help.If the break somehow survives one of the Yates should be there to grab it

 

[postmanhat]

Re: Tour de France 2015 Stage 14: Rodze-Mende 178.5km

The sort of finish Simon Yates has done very well on in the past. Had a cold earlier in the week and has been in the grupetto since. If he's recovered then you'd think this must be a target stage

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Last 40 kms are ideal for serious racing (but the uphill sprint looms).
Will the GC contenders step up?

 

[Matteo.]

Breakway and behind Froome will put some seconds.
But forecast says rain for the afternoon, if it will be things could change...

 

[Velolover2]

A perfect breakaway would have Dan Martin and Purito in it. And Pinot, Bardet, Fuglsang, Yates, Kwiatkowski too. Let the best man win.

 

[Jspear]

Jrod for the win...I hope.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

A perfect breakaway would have Dan Martin and Purito in it. And Pinot, Bardet, Fuglsang, Yates, Kwiatkowski too. Let the best man win.

I forgot Vuillermoz. He should try to get in the break too.

 

[SeriousSam]

Valverde's consolation prize for having to sacrifice his podium aspirations in a bid to weaken Froome before Quintana puts up a top 5 all time Alpe climb to win the Tour.

 

[Velolover2]

Do you think the break will go very early?

Purito and Fuglsang would like the points for the KOM jersey.

 

[ILovecycling]

Last stage where quintana might lose time to froome, I hope it won't happen tho.

Alberto to contest the stage!

 

[ILovecycling]

Re:

Valverde's consolation prize for having to sacrifice his podium aspirations in a bid to weaken Froome before Quintana puts up a top 5 all time Alpe climb to win the Tour.

are u crazy? only with a monster tailwind, it would mean to be almost 2 minutes quicker than in 2013 something between 37:45 to 40:00

 

[DBotero]

Re:

Valverde's consolation prize for having to sacrifice his podium aspirations in a bid to weaken Froome before Quintana puts up a top 5 all time Alpe climb to win the Tour.

I don't think Valverde will bother,he didn't in the first week.Podium would have been amazing.I thought about it after PSM,not anymore.TVG looks decent again and Valverde will crack harder than him in the 3rd week.I expect to see Valverde burying himself for Quintana

 

[Punkan]

Sky to set a furious pace for the first half of the climb, then Froome to attack and ride away for the win.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

For the sake of the Tour a Contador win here where he gains even a few seconds would be great.

 

[wendybnt]

Re:

Sky to set a furious pace for the first half of the climb, then Froome to attack and ride away for the win.

Although Froome tried and failed at that on Thursday. I think we'll see a more sharpened attempt at thursdays tactics from the other contenders. If they have any sense they'll collude to unseat Thomas early on.

 

[Punkan]

Re: Re:

Sky to set a furious pace for the first half of the climb, then Froome to attack and ride away for the win.

Although Froome tried and failed at that on Thursday. I think we'll see a more sharpened attempt at thursdays tactics from the other contenders. If they have any sense they'll collude to unseat Thomas early on.

Froome didn't go all out when he attacked on PDB. The steepness tomorrow will suit Froome well. Of the GC conteders he was clearly the strongest on Huy.

 

[hfer07]

Purito taking no sh!t - he's got this one regardless who's on his wheel !!! Vamos Puritooo!!!!

 

[Punkan]

Re:

Purito taking no sh!t - he's got this one regardless who's on his wheel !!! Vamos Puritooo!!!!

Given Purito's current form I think Mende climb might be one kilometer too long for him. A murderous pace by Sky for 1-1.5 k will soften Purito up. Think Valverde will be the real threat to Froome if he doesn't need to babysit Quintana.