Tour de France, Stage 21: Creteil - Paris!!, 95 km

[jobiwan]

WE MADE IT!

This year's thrilling Tour has finally made it to Paris, and Cadel Evans has nothing left but a victory parade around the Champs Elysses from his 1st Tour Victory!

Just below the appropriately named Arc de Triomphe, the final podiums will be presented, and the Australian National Anthem will play!

And by the way, this year's Random Paris Suburb to host the start is Creteil. Just a short ride into Paris, and then the circuits begin!!

AUSSIE! AUSSIE! AUSSIE! A well deserved victory lap for Cadel and the ACF Mafia!

 

[jobiwan]

This stage, however, won't be ALL fun and games. There's still a race to be had.
One last chance for THE SPRINTERS!

Who will win?

Can Mark Cavendish cap another great Tour with a 5th stage win and a 3rd straight Champs Elysses win, and seal his Green Jersey?

Can OPL take it to HTC and get Andre Greipel another stage win over his faster rival?

Can Garmin-Cervelo finish off a FANTASTIC Tour in Epic Style, by finally beating HTC on the Champs and taking Tyler Farrar to victory?

Can Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen finish a great Tour with a beautiful win for the grieving Norwegians? It would be wonderful to watch!

And that's all the pictures allowed in one post, BUT there are others...

J.J. Rojas would have gotten a picture, HAD HE WON A STAGE! But he's been consistent, and it's kept him close enough in the Points Competition. Can he pull off a HUGE upset?

To quote Phil Liggett from last year: "Is Thor Hushovd gonna pull off the big surprise?" He was put in a great position last year and couldn't cut it. Can the World Champ get another win, or will he be working for Farrar?

Will Alessandro Petacchi please stand up? He's been nowhere so far this Tour, but will he show up in the Grand Finale?

And will someone try to pull off a Vino? Philippe Gilbert, anyone?

WHAT A GREAT END TO A GREAT TOUR!

 

[Chef_Vodnik]

Cadel to get dropped on the hill prior to Vincennes as he's taking a sip of champagne and both Schlecks to get taken down by a crash because of a rampaging fan standing too close to the road.

In a stunning turn of events, Voeckler to win the tour as the New Bernard Hinault sets a blistering tempo in the field.

 

[goggalor]

Would like to see Phil try some heroics on the final laps. Maybe Voeckler as well. Jérémy Roy will certainly have a go.

 

[The Hitch]

I look forward to seeing them pour Champaigne, and see Sammy in the polkas, on the road, with the champagne and on the podium, celebrating Sammy style by acting as if he is an 8 year old who has just gotten a playstation, every step of the way.

Also I look forward to the national anthems.

Since the Spanish get messed with, with the Tour playing the Danish national anthem in 09 and the Giro playing the Franco version this year, i do hope that the TDF organisers mistake will be to play "Toms Traubert Blues" by Tom Waits which contains a chrous of "Waltzing Matilda" rather than the real "Waltzing Matilda" which exciting as it may be, is less likely to get me standing on my feet with my hand on my heart, or at least to keep me in that position after La Marseillie brings me to it.

 

[El Pistolero]

Gilbert to pull off a Vino

 

[Apollonius]

I'm not able (because of work) to tune in to the action till 15:00 tomorrow - will this see me miss the action (the sprint finish to the line specifically)?

 

[hrotha]

Gilbert to pull off a Vino

I was going to give you a good telling-off because of your fanboyism, but you know, I could see this happening.

 

[Cobblestones]

Gilbert to pull off a Vino

Sacrilege!

Only Vino can pull off a Vino.

 

[El Pistolero]

I was going to give you a good telling-off because of your fanboyism, but you know, I could see this happening.

I could also say Cav, but what's the point of making a prediction like that. We all know Cav will win, but let's keep the hope alive even if it's just for the lulz.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Gilbert to pull off a Vino

De Gendt to pull off a Vino with Roy and Voeckler in his wheel

 

[El Pistolero]

De Gendt to pull off a Vino with Roy and Voeckler in his wheel

Roy, Voeckler, Gilbert, Hushovd, De Gendt should really try tomorrow. A group like that would be hard to pull back. Although Roy is probably dead tired and I don't think Hushovd cares all that much anymore.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Roy, Voeckler, Gilbert, Hushovd, De Gendt should really try tomorrow. A group like that would be hard to pull back. Although Roy is probably dead tired and I don't think Hushovd cares all that much anymore.

He had the best tour of his career, 3 stages and 7/8 days in yellow? I wouldn't bother if I were him tbh

but I doubt any attackers will stay away. Pate and Bak will pace Martin to the last km, he'll put in a blistering pace and Eisel followed by Renshaw will once again show the world how to do a lead-out.

 

[The Hitch]

Roy, Voeckler, Gilbert, Hushovd, De Gendt should really try tomorrow. A group like that would be hard to pull back. Although Roy is probably dead tired and I don't think Hushovd cares all that much anymore.

Why would Hushovd try? There arent any mountains

 

[El Pistolero]

Why would Hushovd try? There arent any mountains

Perhaps he'll get tempted by the terrible cobbled stones at the Champs Elysees. Better hope Cancellara is in better form then otherwise Hushovd won't now what to do

 

[hrotha]

I could also say Cav, but what's the point of making a prediction like that. We all know Cav will win, but let's keep the hope alive even if it's just for the lulz.

Agreed. So, I'm going to tip the closest thing to Vino we still have: De Gendt and Hoogerland on a tandem.

 

[luckyboy]

I'm not able (because of work) to tune in to the action till 15:00 tomorrow - will this see me miss the action (the sprint finish to the line specifically)?

Time schedules are here - http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/2100/etape_par_etape.html

Looks like they finish about 5pm CET.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Is there anybody who really, honestly, believes that Cavendish isn't going to win this?

 

[Cobblestones]

Is there anybody who really, honestly, believes that Cavendish isn't going to win this?

Greipel does.

 

[The Hitch]

Agreed. So, I'm going to tip the closest thing to Vino we still have: De Gendt and Hoogerland on a tandem.

Contador is the new Vino.

He became it when he attacked on the Galibier 90k from the end, just like Vino.

They also have the Astana connection, and that other connection.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Greipel does.

He doesn't, does he?

 

[El Pistolero]

Contador is the new Vino.

He became it when he attacked on the Galibier 90k from the end, just like Vino.

They also have the Astana connection, and that other connection.

Also the Liberty Seguros connection

Would be sweet if Contador attacked tomorrow. Slim chance of that happening though. But hey, why not? It's not like he has anything to lose.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Also the Liberty Seguros connection

Would be sweet if Contador attacked tomorrow. Slim chance of that happening though. But hey, why not? It's not like he has anything to lose.

He's not Vino or Cancellara. If he attacked, HTC would close it down within seconds.

He'll cruise round Paris in the peloton with his head held high, though. He's ridden with great pride and dignity during these past 3 weeks.

 

[taiwan]

Gilbert to pull off a Vino

I think Phil Gil's form has finally gone. If anyone were to try this I'd now suggest Thomas De Gendt. 4th in the final chrono WTF?

 

[bicing]

Agreed. So, I'm going to tip the closest thing to Vino we still have: De Gendt and Hoogerland on a tandem.

I would love that.

On a rare serious note, don't you think the pure sprinters Renshaw and Cavendish will be still in pain tomorrow from the hurt of the Alps and that the victor will be a tough-guy sprinter? e.g. a Norweigan, a Greiple or maybe even aRojas!?