Tour de France Tour de France 2021, Stage 7: Vierzon – Le Creusot, 249.1 km

[gregrowlerson]

Lukas Postlberger will win this bike race.

 

[Mayomaniac]

I just hope Van der Poel gets in the break with the yellow jersey and goes solo from Signal d'Uchon.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ala facied this one and had DQ keep the breakaway on a tight leash.

 

[Eclipse]

Carapaz will attack

 

[saganftw]

its gonna be one of those situations were you have a mountain stage the next day, so all the favourites will save themselves for that to then of course still do nothing

so its gotta be van der poel to attack in yellow for last hurra before he loses it, small group will form but 5km to go van der poel will attack again and win...matthews of course takes second from small group

 

[Escarabajo]

Sorry, but this is the perfect stage to attack. Even more than in the high mountains because we expect Pogacar to be far superior than everyone else. But here, it looks more like a team effort. Short Steep efforts combined with short power climbs up an down into the finish. This would be one of the stages in which Nibali would salivate.

 

[HelloDolly]

Let loose the hounds !
That are Richie P and Stevie K

 

[Kaptain Kool]

Sorry, but this is the perfect stage to attack. Even more than in the high mountains because we expect Pogacar to be far superior than everyone else. But here, it looks more like a team effort. Short Steep efforts combined with short power climbs up an down into the finish. This would be one of the stages in which Nibali would salivate.

For a stage win, sure. But to make up time on Pogacar, the only place to attack is in the final km 1 km+ of the last cat climb. So you can gain maybe 10 to 15 seconds if all goes well. It would have been a nice stage if if it there were multiple steep hills.

IMHO Stage 8 has offers an opportunity to break up the race a little earlier but, in general, this year's route offers few opportunities for chaos.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Sorry, but this is the perfect stage to attack. Even more than in the high mountains because we expect Pogacar to be far superior than everyone else. But here, it looks more like a team effort. Short Steep efforts combined with short power climbs up an down into the finish. This would be one of the stages in which Nibali would salivate.

The thing is that Pogi's team looks like it's stronger on the hilly stages than it is for the high mountains. McNulty, Formolo and Rui Costa are great on this kind of terrain.

 

[gerundium]

De Clercq interview indicated a breakaway was very likely tomorrow. so i guess DQT won't be pulling the peloton around tomorrow for Julian.

 

[Pinot's goat]

Hopes are on Alpecin bringing it back.

 

[RedheadDane]

I suppose Gilbert or Valverde is gonna win. After all; we have been time travelling lately.

 

[DanielSong39]

Breakaway for the win
Most GC contenders finish ST
There will be a few that are caught out though

 

[DanielSong39]

I suppose Gilbert or Valverde is gonna win. After all; we have been time travelling lately.

Rui Costa?

 

[Amazinmets87]

Breakaway for the win
Most GC contenders finish ST
There will be a few that are caught out though

Yup exactly what I'm thinking. A few top 15 GC riders are dropping time. Unsure about any top 5...

 

[Anderis]

This stage has too intriguing of a profile for something entertaining to happen.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Wow, what a stage. 250 km, second half very hilly. Normally I would say that GC contenders shuld save themselves ahead of the mountains but in these situation Pogi's rivals may try to surprise him - they need to take a lot of time back which maybe will make them go on offence (maybe on Uchon maybe on a downhill) and try to steal some seconds. This GC situation should make the race more attacking esp. from JV/Ineos (more action less chess). In the weekend (or on Ventoux) we may see an exciting action with both teams throwing a kitchen sink at Pogacar. If it fails they will focus on fighting for remaining podium places.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Depends a bit on the break size, but if it isn't super large there's a big chance of a select group sprint i'd say

 

[Breezy1985]

Very happy to see the road go up again. Break for the win and a very small GC battle at the end I reckon

 

[Tim Cahill]

Pogacar's team are excellent on this sort of terrain, so I would question the wisdom of a proper attack here. The weekend not so much, but if Ineos are serious you'd think Richard at least should be sent up the road quite early on one of those stages.

 

[Breezy1985]

Pogacar's team are excellent on this sort of terrain, so I would question the wisdom of a proper attack here. The weekend not so much, but if Ineos are serious you'd think Richard at least should be sent up the road quite early on one of those stages.

It will be very tough for any major Ineos rider to get out of the bunch this early in the race

 

[Escarabajo]

It will be very tough for any major Ineos rider to get out of the bunch this early in the race

Like Alaphilippe?
He never cared. He races on sensations. This stage has Ala all written over it.

 

[Red Rick]

What's going on here? Did you forget to take your pessimism pills again?

Okay I can I assure now I have definitely been cured of all optimism for this stage.

 

[glassmoon]

This stage has so much potential to disappoint...

 

[dgodave]

This stage has so much potential to disappoint...

That can only happen where a stage also has the potential to thrill.

 

[perico]

Valverde gonna steal that bag.