Tour de France Tour de France 2021, Stage 8: Oyonnax – Le Grand-Bornand, 150.8 km

[SafeBet]

The version of S.Yates we've seen today in the break doesn't count as a good climber.

True dat.

 

[Andre]

David Gaudu or Guillaume Martin for the win from a breakaway...cause it's Le Tour de France.

 

[JosefK]

If Cav takes the points in that intermediate sprint I'll stop watching the stage

Who are the good climbers that are also decent descenders and have lost time already? Woods, Quintana, Martin...?

Cav to shift focus to polka dot jersey, and then yellow.

 

[yaco]

Yates was not supposed to be in today's break - It has stuffed for the weekend.

 

[Big Doopie]

It will be interesting to see if the pure climbers suffer after the all out effort on the flat and rolling terrain of today's stage.

That is a great point. There may be some spectacular collapses.

 

[Mayomaniac]

First Colombian mountain raid of the Tour.

 

[fbjim]

This stage will make it clear - the Shark has the so-called "GC Contenders" right where he wants them.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Mont-Saxonnex should only count as 2nd cat., but three pretty steep climbs in the last 50 km make it a tough final. The yellow might go to Van Aert or Pogacar. We will find out if Pogacar has a team other than Majka. Porte and Lopez should attack to get back into GC contention.

 

[Escarabajo]

I don't see any reason why Chaves, Lopez and Higuita won't be in the break tomorrow.

 

[will-10]

I think we will see something closer to 2009 than 2018.

VdP in the break would be magnificent

 

[will-10]

I don't see any reason why Chaves, Lopez and Higuita won't be in the break tomorrow.

Ineos will not be letting Lopez go anywhere after today.

 

[titan31]

I don't see any reason why Chaves, Lopez and Higuita won't be in the break tomorrow.

Would be expecting likes of Martin, Woods, Poels, O'Connor too. If not tomorrow, surely Sunday.

 

[YavorD]

I think this (and Ventoux) are the best chances to put "more time" on Pogi. Portet and Ardinen are hard but on a single MTF, I don't see Carapaz putting significant time on Tadej and he as like 3-4 minutes advantage (given the last TT). So yeah, Ineos WILL try something I think.

 

[yaco]

I don't see any reason why Chaves, Lopez and Higuita won't be in the break tomorrow.

Chaves will not be allowed in the break - Same for Lopez - Higuita is a chance.

 

[Cookster15]

Porte should attack to rightfully replace Thomas as Ineos #2.

 

[Pirazziattacks]

I think this (and Ventoux) are the best chances to put "more time" on Pogi. Portet and Ardinen are hard but on a single MTF, I don't see Carapaz putting significant time on Tadej and he as like 3-4 minutes advantage (given the last TT). So yeah, Ineos WILL try something I think.

Is Ventoux a chance to put time into Pogacar, or for him to recreate Superman's time gaps from the Dénivelé Challenge?

 

[houtdffan]

I think we will see something closer to 2009 than 2018.

VdP in the break would be magnificent

Stage isn't hard enough for 2009. We had 4 big climbs before the Romme that year. There were only about 30 left in the peloton at the base of the Romme. It's how the top 10 were spread out by about 7 minutes

 

[The Hegelian]

Stage isn't hard enough for 2009. We had 4 big climbs before the Romme that year. There were only about 30 left in the peloton at the base of the Romme. It's how the top 10 were spread out by about 7 minutes

Yeah, but yesterday was super long and hard. Legs are already tired. I'm expecting some gaps.

 

[movingtarget]

Ineos tactics might define this stage. The performance of Pogacar's team yesterday will have been noted by rival DS. Unfortunately the stage design will help the break more than the GC battle if a few good climbers make the break. Ineos have to make use of their numbers on every climbing stage otherwise they are just riding for a podium. Defending attacks can also wear down teams especially when teams don't always decide to help each other with the chase.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Van der Poel, Van Aert and Asgreen will want to fight it out in the break again. The question is if Van Aert manages to get into the break despite UAE obviously not wanting him to do so. The stage could end up in complete chaos if he really insists.

 

[75Driver]

It's funny that Alapeepees name is only mentioned once because he's constantly thrown out as the next stage winner only to disappoint. I'd swear the official Le tour site is his personal cheerleader. Pitiful. That said, it seems like he's got the best chance at a podium yet. I wouldn't be surprised if he looked really good today and solidified his spot as a contender for 2nd or 3rd.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

In the last 53 km there's almost no flat section and nearly 2000 meters of steep climbing over 3 cols. Given Ineos offensive mindset this could be a classic...unless riders are too tired after yesterday and will be saving themselves a bit for tomorrow.

 

[Bolder]

I think Pogi will be in yellow after today. I don’t think anyone below on GC can drop him and hes easily capable of dropping Van Aert, who put in a big effort yesterday.

 

[Rackham]

Ineos to set a train to eliminate UAE. Richie Porte & Carapaz to attack, with Movistar chasing. Pogacar to wheelsuck down to the finish & win the grouped sprint & take yellow after van Aert had gotten dropped like a potato & finishes 4 minutes down. Meanwhile, van der Poel will attempt to get into a breakaway early again & then explode entirely.

All hopes & dreams of Friday's exciting crazy scenario dashed & Pogacar firmly in yellow, with Ineos & Movistar then engaged in their own little battle for the remaining podium spots in the rest of the Tour.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Voeckler got 2:26 mins lead in stage 9 tdf 2011 from breakaway. WVA and MVDP both have >3 mins on Pogacar. If they survive the Alps like Voeckler, they might have a chance