Tour de France Tour de France 2021, Stage 12: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux – Nîmes, 159.4 km

[Netserk]

They turn right back to riding in crosswind in ~8 km.

 

[Eclipse]

It would be cool to have an attritional breakaway that's just whoever is left near the front after 50km.

Less breakaway and more breakapart

 

[hayneplane]

HAs anyone significant missed out so far

 

[spalco]

The stage already delivered more than I thought. I expected at best some cool riders in the breakaway that are easy to root for, and at least a bit of hope that they manage to do it.

 

[sir fly]

The forecast wasn't precise, fortunately.
Stronger wind than expected.
We'll see later during the day.

 

[Ramira]

De Gendt apparently struggled just to come back to the final echelon. The pace really has been insane.

 

[Netserk]

Soon it will break apart again.

 

[gerundium]

Pretty nice opening of the stage so far! i think it will die down though midway through. Not harsh enough crosswinds to do this all day long.

 

[ppanther92]

Maybe Pogacar can lose some time today. Because I definitely found out yesterday that I hate playing weak more than destroying everyone.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

This looks like a breakaway day now.

 

[ppanther92]

Lol at Henao being in the group.

 

[titan31]

Got boring now. That break will surely go with the teams represented and the riders there.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

With Alaphilippe as passenger I doubt there's going to be much cooperation up front

 

[Lequack]

Sprint teams will chase this down easily and then Cavendish will win.

 

[Netserk]

So no exposed roads for a while? Bah.

 

[MrTea1976]

Greipel from the break! Or will DQS bring it back?

 

[Netserk]

The 13 riders in front:

André Greipel
Edward Theuns
Julian Alaphilippe
Imanol Erviti
Nils Politt
Stefan Küng
Stefan Bissegger
Connor Swift
Harry Sweeny
Brent Van Moer
Luka Mezgec
Sergio Henao
Edwald Boasson Hagen

Even if Alaphilippe functions as a spoiler, the break should still stand a good chance to win.

 

[Red Rick]

Yeah that break is gone probably

 

[happytramp]

Sprint teams will chase this down easily and then Cavendish will win.

Teams? I'd be fairly sure there's only one team who feels they have a shot of winning this.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

I think with Greibel, Theuns, Swift and Mezgec in that break, DQ will not feel confident Alaphilippe can take the stage on the line - and they probably want that record for Cavendish.

Without the record in play, they would let the break go to the end - now I'm not so sure.

 

[titan31]

I think with Greibel, Theuns, Swift and Mecgec in that break, DQ will not feel confident Alaphilippe can take the stage on the line - and they probably want that record for Cavendish.

Without the record in play, they would let the break go to the end - now I'm not so sure.

There is the opportunity for Ala to break away with guys like Kung and Bissegger from that group.

 

[glassmoon]

Isn't removing your helmet (Ala) while riding an automatic DSQ?

 

[Netserk]

Both (B)DSM and Alpecin-Fenix are not represented in the break. If they don't chase, this break is gone.

 

[spalco]

I think with Greibel, Theuns, Swift and Mezgec in that break, DQ will not feel confident Alaphilippe can take the stage on the line - and they probably want that record for Cavendish.

Without the record in play, they would let the break go to the end - now I'm not so sure.

I would feel very confident about Ala winning that sprint, especially if he's able to avoid doing any work all day long on account of Cavendish coming up from behind.

 

[Eclipse]

Always a bit annoying when you're teased with chaos and 5k later it's smiles and laughs and day potentially done