Tour de France: Stage 18, Blagnac – Brive-la-Gaillarde 222.5KM

[doperhopper]

14 teams represented in the break (CN ticker) and the gap not exploding instantly, who's actually pulling the peloton? BMC for Gilbert?

 

[maltiv]

14 teams represented in the break (CN ticker) and the gap not exploding instantly, who's actually pulling the peloton? BMC for Gilbert?

Yup. I'm surprised they're bothered to pull for the 5% chance that Gilbert will win. Surely if the break is brought back, Sagan will beat Gilbert no matter how the finale develops.

 

[Cimber]

EBH will take it, but I hope Nuyens will.

 

[Yingge]

And here we are at the mid point of the 3rd last stage - with just 76 posts.

Borefest again.

The same stage last year was of course the stage to the Alpe.

What a difference.

 

[maltiv]

And here we are at the mid point of the 3rd last stage - with just 76 posts.

Borefest again.

The same stage last year was of course the stage to the Alpe.

What a difference.

Of course there are few posts, the live coverage hasn't started yet

 

[The Barb]

Maybe I'm weird but I actually like stages like this, because there are multiple possible outcomes: early break, late attack, group sprint.

If you don't find this at least somewhat interesting why are you here?

 

[Lance Armstrong]

2:10 now.

Who's working in peloton?

 

[kanari]

Only 2 minutes now, this break looks doomed.

 

[The Barb]

Did not envisage this break being kept on such a tight rein.

Gilbert must have good legs?

 

[Cimber]

Only 2 minutes now, this break looks doomed.

Indeed, unless we see some of them in a counterattack. Reckon to few of them are working hard

 

[maltiv]

Only 2 minutes now, this break looks doomed.

Perhaps BMC only wants to bring the break down to a minute or so, and then have Gilbert bridge up to the breakaway.

If not then yes, they are doomed and Sagan will win the stage thanks to BMC's pointless chase.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Looks like the break is not going to make it today then.

Have a sneaky feeling if it ends in a bunch finish then Farrar may do it. He finished just behing Greipel on Stage 15 in the sprint for 7th place after the break won it.

Maybe just riding back into form after spending most of the 1st week on the floor.

 

[maltiv]

Crash in the peloton, Gilbert is down!

That should put an end to the chase.

 

[BillytheKid]

Did not envisage this break being kept on such a tight rein.

Gilbert must have good legs?

The last Cat. 4 climb as this stage in the Tour will be a point of attack. Gilbert, Sagan.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Crash in the peloton, Gilbert is down!

That should put an end to the chase.

A dog has caused a crash in the peloton

There has been an accident in the peloton that's been caused by a dog rushing on to the road. Gilbert (BMC) is one of the riders involved and he's just made a point of walking over to the owner of the dog to give them a piece of his mind...

 

[El Pistolero]

Another stage ruined and an easy victory for Bo Hagen.

 

[Antianti]

Would be a fitting (almost)finale to this tour with a sprint finish :/

 

[Lexman]

Nuyens FTW told you yesterday already !

 

[Cimber]

A dog has caused a crash in the peloton

There has been an accident in the peloton that's been caused by a dog rushing on to the road. Gilbert (BMC) is one of the riders involved and he's just made a point of walking over to the owner of the dog to give them a piece of his mind...

Lol brilliant act by Gilbert. Put the freaking dog on a leash!

 

[labratty]

It is just not the TdF without some muppet letting their dog loose.

 

[Cimber]

Would be a fitting (almost)finale to this tour with a sprint finish :/

Well u will get that on sunday

 

[Stilletto]

So again a non-race event causes the most exiting action of the day...
DOG vs Peleton

can be added to the Tacks vs Peleton
Surely this must make the powers that be realize that they need to change the concept for the audience, who after all are the people that matter.
Im not saying racing should be unsafe for the riders but come on this has been the worst Tour i have ever watched.

 

[search]

Would be a fitting (almost)finale to this tour with a sprint finish :/

the runin to the finish is quite dangerous, there is a tight corner with ~2k to go (they reach coming from a downhill) - if the peloton reaches this corner on full speed a couple of rider won't see Paris for sure...

 

[RownhamHill]

I doubt that's relevant for today's stage. Cavendish won't be dropped by the peloton if the break goes all the way (pace will be slow) so then there's no way he'd need a team car for himself.

Looks like EBH accidentally joined the breakaway anyway

Looks like David Brailsford is following the cycling news race threads for tactical insight!

 

[Yingge]

Assuming Gilbert is OK, he will be in a rage now and will tear off the front.............maybeeeee.....