Tour de France Tour de France 2021, Stage 15: Céret – Andorre-la-Vieille, 191.3 km

[sir fly]

Dunno...
Today's rush showed the effects already towards the finish of the stage.
Relentless tempo at the altitude, on top of two weeks of racing, could create a chance on Beixalis... if not even before.
The rest day afterwards is a concern less for attackers.
The mix in the breakaway should be interesting. If Van Aert could smash the double Ventoux, why wouldn't a bunch of rouleurs fancy their chance on these rolling gradients? Climbers wouldn't mind having them on all the false flats.

 

[roundabout]

I'm just assuming they don't want big mountain stage action they just want to appease the sort of fans that don't have any clue all climbs before Beixalis are weak stuff.

I think casuals will look at this profile and see a big mountain stage.

I think Envalira was the climb when Beloki randomly got dropped by about a gazillion people in the 2001 Vuelta after looking good the whole race before that.

Not saying that this will happen to Pogacar, but Puymorens-Envalira did play a bit of a role in deciding the outcome of a GT the last time it was done.

 

[Sciatic]

It’s not just that it’s over 2000 meters—there are 4 km of climbing (true, not all that steep) at over 2000 meters prior to the summit. Nairo to make and go of it (and then get caught).

 

[The Barb]

I don't know what to make of Miguel Angel Lopez's form, but ordinarily this stage would suit him well (maybe not the descent to the finish, but the long moderate gradients and altitude is perfect for him).

And he has ridden well in Andorra before (2018 Vuelta, stage 20, he tore the race up on Beixalis before finishing second to Mas).

 

[Breezy1985]

By the time somebody else than Rohan will try to force a selection on Envalira, Nibali will already be at the hotel packing the bag for Tokyo.

But what is "in the bag" and more importantly does Nibali have "it" in the bag for the olympics

 

[movingtarget]

Some KOM action and the break will be hoping for a quiet GC day but I think Carapz will try something. Martin like O'Connor probably won't stay in the top 3 for long.

 

[solo80k]

No, it isn't. He can't escape until Beixalis, and that's not a long range then...

Last 4 kms on Envalira are not that easy and it's 2000+. With teammate up the road all you need is 30 second's on the top. It can be done but needs a good setup and great legs.

 

[Finn84]

Too bad it's not ending on mountaintop. But should take toll on riders anyway, having an effect for the last week.

Btw, I believe it's exactly 20 years today from my avatar moment.

 

[Red Rick]

I'm so happy altitude is back to being overrated again

My bet at least 50 riders will be in the peloton on top of Envalira.

 

[Brough]

The amount of negativity on here towards stage designs is laughable. Do you actually like the sport? Why not see what happens instead of banging on about what a bad route it is?

 

[jfazendeiro]

The amount of negativity on here towards stage designs is laughable. Do you actually like the sport? Why not see what happens instead of banging on about what a bad route it is?

I see you are new here.

 

[RedheadDane]

I see you are new here.

Two years is hardly "new".
But I'm not new, and I'm also confused by all the negativity.

 

[sir fly]

One other thing I'm personally finding tasking in this stage is riding on inclined motorways.
Mental drainage.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

it's basically 3 false flat climbs and 1 good climb, ofcourse people are critical.

 

[jfazendeiro]

Two years is hardly "new".
But I'm not new, and I'm also confused by all the negativity.

I just said it because the negativity toward stage design is common here.

 

[Netserk]

The amount of negativity on here towards stage designs is laughable. Do you actually like the sport? Why not see what happens instead of banging on about what a bad route it is?

Reject criticism
Embrace ignorance

 

[Red Rick]

Meanwhile I'm legit confused about people thinking this stage design is fine.

 

[Red Rick]

Anyway, Beixalis is a good climb at least. Would have preferred Collada de Gallina but I get max 1 thing I want per stage.

 

[Brough]

it's basically 3 false flat climbs and 1 good climb, ofcourse people are critical.

Yeah, they should just ride up and down Ventoyx for three weeks.

 

[Eclipse]

The stage could be a bit devoid of action, but I suspect we're all just a bit scarred by a TdF peloton that has historically been carefully controlled by strong teams who have managed to soft pedal harder days than this.

With lots of weak teams and a unique race shape I think there's plenty of chances for a pleasant surprise, especially given yesterday was hardly an easy day for the legs.

(though I will confess I agreed to play 5 a side this afternoon instead of watch live because I thought it might be a damp squib)

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Btw, I believe it's exactly 20 years today from my avatar moment.

Partly to do with screen resolution, and partly the diminished eyesight of an old man, but you are going to have to help at least me, and I suspect many others, out. Does that picture somehow reflect Jalabert winning at Verdun, the main cycling significance I can find to 11/07/2001?

 

[RedheadDane]

Meanwhile I'm legit confused about people thinking this stage design is fine.

I'm just not that bothered by race design.

 

[glassmoon]

Meanwhile I'm legit confused about people thinking this stage design is fine.

+1

 

[Netserk]

Partly to do with screen resolution, and partly the diminished eyesight of an old man, but you are going to have to help at least me, and I suspect many others, out. Does that picture somehow reflect Jalabert winning at Verdun, the main cycling significance I can find to 11/07/2001?

Zoomed in:

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Thank you. How to be roadside and not looking at the riders 2001 style was safer than its 2021 equivalent.