Tour de France: Stage 20 Rambouillet - Paris Champs-Élysées 120km

[RedheadDane]

Tour de France: Stage 20 Rambouillet - Paris Champs-Élysées 120km

(Why hasn't anyone made this?)

Every year the recipe is the same:

First the riders take it easy towards the Champs, competing in goofiness. Then, as they reach the Champs the speed is amped up and everyone wants to break away in an (for most parts futile) attempt to trick the sprinters.

My bets are for Vino to try and repeat his 2005 stunt.
I suspect Voeckler will also want to show off his dottyness. And perhaps he'll also go first over those cat. 4 climbs.
Jens Voigt too wouldn't surprise me
Mørkøv, unfortunately will be saving energy to help Haedo.

Cav, of course, is the big favourite for his fourth Champs stage win. And he might end up being the only person ever who can brag of having won on the Champs-Élysées, as a World Champ, while being lead out by the Tour winner.
Will one of the other sprinters be able to challenge the Manx Misile, or are they going to be blown apart?

No matter what!

It's time to pop those bottles!

 

[Steady]

Top 10

My top 10 for the best stage in Tour de France 2012 !

1.Cav
2.Greipel
3.Sagan
4.Goss
5.Boeckmans
6.Haedo
7.Farrar
8.Kort
9.Henderson
10.EBH

 

[Pantani_lives]

I predict this stage will be just as predictable as the rest of the Tour.

 

[Morbius]

It is impossible to get away from the bunch on the Champs Elysses like Vino in 2005. He only succeeded because eveyone thought it was impossible, but now that he has proven it can be done it really is impossible

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

It is impossible to get away from the bunch on the Champs Elysses like Vino in 2005. He only succeeded because eveyone knew it was impossible, but now that he has proven it can be done it really is impossible

And yet, I would still put money that Vino will give it a go given its his last Tour.

 

[RedheadDane]

It is impossible to get away from the bunch on the Champs Elysses like Vino in 2005. He only succeeded because eveyone thought it was impossible, but now that he has proven it can be done it really is impossible

Now there's a paradox!
Anyway... I wouldn't put it past him to try!

 

[SafeBet]

I predict this stage will be just as predictable as the rest of the Tour.

No Wiggins will outsprint Cav

 

[ansimi]

And yet, I would still put money that Vino will give it a go given its his last Tour.

Will he be getting a ceremonial retirement lap? That would be the perfect opportunity

Seriously though, is Vino getting a lap? Surely Big George gets the big send out?

And, of course, Cav will win. Having a leadout from the yellow jersey may make it slightly less dull than his other wins on this stage.

 

[RedheadDane]

Old Boy Lap!

 

[CasperVg]

What happens if the breakaway riders pass the peleton (an entire lap ahead) on the Champs? Is the entire peleton disqualified? If yes, there is still hope for a Vino tour win

 

[Yingge]

Old Boy Lap!

So, Hincapie, Vino and Voight to fill the top 3 places?

 

[cineteq]

Sagan to steal the stage in green!

 

[will10]

It is impossible to get away from the bunch on the Champs Elysses like Vino in 2005. He only succeeded because eveyone thought it was impossible, but now that he has proven it can be done it really is impossible

He only succeeded cos McGee is a beast. Fact.

 

[Finn84]

I would like to see similar gesture as there was for Ekimov in 2006.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Always worth another look

Vino wins on the Champs-Élysées

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Always worth another look

Vino wins on the Champs-Élysées

Vino will always be remembered for this

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

SBS showing musical tour 2012 montage. Can never get enough of the musical montage.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Wiggins just stood on his pedals for the first time this Tour!

 

[CobbleStoner]

pretty cool how today is the first day Wiggo is riding a completely yellow bike after 14 days in yellow, has anyone ever done that in the past, adding a little each day and not going full yellow until after the last TT? I can't think of anybody
and nice job TJVG, front row on the penultimate day of the TdF

 

[zigzag wanderer]

. He only succeeded because eveyone thought it was impossible, but now that he has proven it can be done it really is impossible

Exactly why I think Cavendish will never win M-SR again

 

[auscyclefan94]

SBS showing musical tour 2012 montage. Can never get enough of the musical montage.

I know, in general they are pretty average and long.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Eurosport open with 10 minutes of cringing embarrassment. Maurice Green trying to interview various riders, some of whom don't recognise him.
I'm glad Vince Nibs rides a bike better than he speaks English!

Nice shot of all the jersey wearers in line abreast, spoiled by that awful, red dalmatian look of Voeckler's.
Truly vomit educing.

 

[spalco]

pretty cool how today is the first day Wiggo is riding a completely yellow bike after 14 days in yellow, has anyone ever done that in the past, adding a little each day and not going full yellow until after the last TT? I can't think of anybody
and nice job TJVG, front row on the penultimate day of the TdF

I think it's tacky. Yellow shirt, team bibs, team helmet, team bike is all any race leader should use. I'll make an exception for little-name riders who get into yellow unexpectedly who don't think they'll keep the jersey for more than a day or two.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Eurosport open with 10 minutes of cringing embarrassment. Maurice Green trying to interview various riders, some of whom don't recognise him.
I'm glad Vince Nibs rides a bike better than he speaks English!

Nice shot of all the jersey wearers in line abreast, spoiled by that awful, red dalmatian look of Voeckler's.
Truly vomit educing.

Well us Aussies got another 10 minute montage like we do after every ad break.

Anyway, that is me for the Tour. Congrats to Wiggo...well done.

 

[spalco]

Why isn't this stickied anyway?