Tour de France 2020 | Stage 17 (Grenoble - Méribel Col de la Loze, 170 km)

[Big Doopie]

I kinda agree. But I don't think they will get rid of Kuss that easily.

who in bahrain and astana could ride even WvA off their wheel on the first climb of the day?

there will be at least four JV at the start of Lose, and likely more.

 

[DenisMenchov]

who in bahrain and astana could ride even WvA off their wheel on the first climb of the day?

there will be at least four JV at the start of Lose, and likely more.

Bahrain's Caruso and Bilbao are surely better climbers on a HC climb than Wout. And I'd guess on a good day Lutsenko and Gorka Izagirre from Astana.

 

[Leinster]

who in bahrain and astana could ride even WvA off their wheel on the first climb of the day?

there will be at least four JV at the start of Lose, and likely more.

Poels spend 4 years at Sky riding all but Contador and peak Quintana off of Froome's wheel. And he's been sitting in the wheels all through this Tour.

I'm not saying he's definitely been sandbagging. But just that that was his MO at Sky, and it wouldn't surprise me if he has been here too, and that if he has something more than what he's shown so far, tomorrow's the day.

 

[CyclistAbi]

As for GC competition, the key will likely be to survive and get to that last 5 kilometers, or so, of Col de la Loze. Roglič at this point still might have some team members left, Pogačar likely not anymore. If bonifications will still be in reach, then likely we will see an attack (attempt).

P.S. In his previous career, as a ski jumper, Roglič jumped at ski jumping hill at Le Praz in Courchevel. As it is near, likely one can see this ski jumping hill from Col de la Loze.

 

[DenisMenchov]

Poels spend 4 years at Sky riding all but Contador and peak Quintana off of Froome's wheel. And he's been sitting in the wheels all through this Tour.

I'm not saying he's definitely been sandbagging. But just that that was his MO at Sky, and it wouldn't surprise me if he has been here too, and that if he has something more than what he's shown so far, tomorrow's the day.

That's because he broke his rib on the first stage. He's not been sandbagging, he's been surviving until 3rd week.

 

[CyclistAbi]

And by the way, people potentially saying boring, should really get a bike and really should get to ride Col de la Loze. No special need to do Col de la Madeleine just before. People potentially saying attack, a pensioner, like Contador, can be your lead out man. Hence lead.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Time limit? Any sprinters at risk?

 

[movingtarget]

Time limit? Any sprinters at risk?

Ewan at least has to be a risk you would think.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Yup, he hasn't looked good. But what incentive is there for any rival team to put pressure on him?

 

[Amazinmets87]

As for G.C, if no one within 10 minutes (13 riders meet these qualifications) attacks on the penultimate climb the stage is likely to be a disappointment.

I don't believe Quintana has a mountain raid in him; his injuries seem to have left him in pitiable condition. Not expecting anything from Bernal either...

 

[movingtarget]

Should be great viewing. Oddly I am more interested in what Yates, Landa, Porte and Uran do than the two Slovenians. Lopez had his shot yesterday and it was thrilling................Jumbo should have the train working well until Pogacar makes his inevitable attack. If either of the Slovenians are going to show some weakness this should be the stage. Rolland to rack up some more points at least on the first climb.The riders vying for the third podium place have been mostly holding their positions but with the TT to come some of them will have to try something. unless Jumbo deadens their legs before they get a chance............

 

[movingtarget]

As for G.C, if no one within 10 minutes (13 riders meet these qualifications) attacks on the penultimate climb the stage is likely to be a disappointment.

I don't believe Quintana has a mountain raid in him; his injuries seem to have left him in pitiable condition. Not expecting anything from Bernal either...

Neither of them are likely to I agree.

 

[movingtarget]

Yup, he hasn't looked good. But what incentive is there for any rival team to put pressure on him?

The pressure will be at the front of the race which will affect the elimination time for Ewan. He will be in survival mode all week if he makes it to Paris.

 

[Big Doopie]

Bahrain's Caruso and Bilbao are surely better climbers on a HC climb than Wout. And I'd guess on a good day Lutsenko and Gorka Izagirre from Astana.

Poels spend 4 years at Sky riding all but Contador and peak Quintana off of Froome's wheel. And he's been sitting in the wheels all through this Tour.

I'm not saying he's definitely been sandbagging. But just that that was his MO at Sky, and it wouldn't surprise me if he has been here too, and that if he has something more than what he's shown so far, tomorrow's the day.

But not on the FIRST climb of the day.

Well. We will see.

 

[Andre]

Didn't realise this was coming when I made plans for a ride tomorrow afternoon

I'm riding early morning while I record the stage.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

I'm riding early morning while I record the stage.

Bike + Wahoo Kickr + Tour for weekday stages for me

 

[Andre]

I think Pogacar is un-droppable. My prediction for the stage is :

1. Pogacar...he gains between 10 and 30 seconds on Roglic
2. Roglic
3. Uran

 

[Leinster]

That's because he broke his rib on the first stage. He's not been sandbagging, he's been surviving until 3rd week.

Gah! You got me. I don’t know if I forgot that, or just never knew it.

 

[ngent41]

Climb will be nicknamed by fans as the Col de Lozenge. Because either a) they scream and shout too much from excitement as the climb turns the GC upside down, or because b) they scream and shout too much from frustration as the finish turns out to be not much more decisive than stage 13.

Or maybe just a bunch of them screaming in the riders faces as they run along side of them will have sore throats and coughs from the corona

 

[SafeBet]

The problem with such a relatively tight GC, especially from 3rd to 7th, is that riders will just hope their rivals have a bad day, knowing a bad day on these climbs means minutes (and not just seconds like in other stages). They probably believe beating Roglic and Pogačar is impossible at this point and will likely be very pleased with a podium spot.

At the same time the riders with the potential for a long range attack, like Quintana and Bernal, are so banged up that I'd be surprised to see them trying. Quintana has historically had some incredible climbing performances even when his level wasn't top notch over the course of three weeks, but he was never as injured as he's now.
Would be nice to see him attack on Madeleine, possibly with G. Martin and a couple strong domestiques from other teams, but I wouldn't count on it. And Jumbo would likely keep riding tempo and reel them in eventually.

Realistically speaking, we should hope both De La Cruz and Polanc survive Madeleine and feel good enough to drill it from the bottom of Loze. I'm not counting on Bahrein or Astana doing this.

 

[Netserk]

I’m in the ‘hardest ever’ camp, but I also think Loze is such a gimmick, just like the extra km to PdBF. On the other hand, that was also said of Angliru.

And my bid for the best climbing time of the last 22 km is 1h03’30’’.

 

[search]

Does anyone else think it's weird how quiet Astana have been in this race ? I think they've only had 3 riders in breaks of the day so far (and won one of those stages). Nothing since Sanchez being in a doomed 4 man break last Thursday. Also nothing to set up Lopez either

il'll come, they are keeping their guys fresh for when it counts. There was an article in Spanish press the other day, Gorka is in the race for the only purpose to do exactly that today or/and tomorrow. So when you see him up the road today, you know Lopez is going to attack early

 

[Gargamel35]

Is there any chance JV tries with 2 dom attack? Tom and Kuss look very strong, maybe even on Roglič level for climbing. They go in front, Pogačar behind them and Roglič is glued to Pogačar. Then Tom and Kuss attack. Pogačar can try to catch up (if he does, they attack again) and burn himself up only to be defeated by Roglič who has help of 2 doms in front later on. OR Pogačar can choose not to follow them. In that case they take bonus seconds away from Pogačar.

 

[Red Rick]

Is there any chance JV tries with 2 dom attack? Tom and Kuss look very strong, maybe even on Roglič level for climbing. They go in front, Pogačar behind them and Roglič is glued to Pogačar. Then Tom and Kuss attack. Pogačar can try to catch up (if he does, they attack again) and burn himself up only to be defeated by Roglič who has help of 2 doms in front later on. OR Pogačar can choose not to follow them. In that case they take bonus seconds away from Pogačar.

If I were a DS I'd consider it, but it's not going to happen.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Ineos confirms Bernal DNS, absolutely the correct decision.