Tour de France Stage 5: Carhaix - Cap Fréhel 164.5 km

[kjetilraknerud]

It certainly looks like a good finish for the HTC-train, but also for Garmin as Hushovd would be an excellent leadout-man for this kind of finish.

 

[Midnightfright]

For the sake of an interesting TdF I want Rabo, OPL and BMC to combine forces and generate a split leaving AC and AS behind. A minute and a half gap today and we can have a race between the five riders instead of the two way battle of 2010.

or u can just wait for Gesink and VDB to gain 3 + plus minutes on the 1st MTF to make it interesting. As for Andy getting caught out in the wind I imagine he will wedged so tightly inbetween Fabian, Jens and Stuey he won't even be aware that there's wind

 

[just some guy]

wind speeds are forecast to be higher now we need a direction change and game on.

 

[Bavarianrider]

I've quit on hoping that soemthing might happen today. Too many disapointnmenst on stage like this in the past.

 

[dlwssonic]

I hope there are crosswinds so that we can see BMC crank it up! in the attempt of gapping other gc riders. I wont be surprised if I see old man basso dropping from the peloton.. Contador might be in danger too as his team is honestly not that great.

 

[Richeypen]

I hope there are crosswinds so that we can see BMC crank it up! in the attempt of gapping other gc riders. I wont be surprised if I see old man basso dropping from the peloton.. Contador might be in danger too as his team is honestly not that great.

Contador wont get dropped. He was right at the head of the peleton yesterday for about half the race

 

[dlwssonic]

Contador wont get dropped. He was right at the head of the peleton yesterday for about half the race

you cant be so sure. every gc rider has a chance of getting caught up in the crosswinds. contador has showed that, in some stages like stage 1 and in 2009. the cobbled stage too.

 

[velosiped]

The last bump will split the field. Teams like Movistar and Vacansoleil will explode up the hill with the hope of getting rid off the best sprinters. The last 3 km's with twists and turns will then be so chaotic that no "long" trains can be organized that late.
Expect the winner from the group of Bozic, Rojas, Feillu or maybe Petacchi, Thor or Ebh if they can stay ay the front. Goss doesn't seem to be in great shape. Dark horse is Boonen.
If you lose distance at the last hill you are screwed. The speed will be to high the last couple of km's for the top dogs to get back into it.

 

[Frosty]

Maybe this is a good one for Team Sky? The leadout of Thomas, EBH, Swift should all get over the rise with 4km to go at the head of the peloton. They've still got to time it right but maybe this stage offers their best chance of a stage win?

Then again, EBH and Thomas have been at the front end on each of the four stages so far so it could be a bit tough for them, Swifty will have to just do it by himself

 

[lancaster]

really, really, really hope this splits into 6+ groups.

Boonen ftw

teneis cuidado samu

 

[Jan the Man]

Haven't read through the thread but what is the forecast in respect of the wind? There could be some serious havoc if there is cross winds.

 

[Bavarianrider]

The biggest chance for crosswinds should be on the Nort - South parts. If the peleton splits there and they keep going at the front this would cause huge time gaps.
But i know it won't happen

 

[greenedge]

Boonen, Cav, Ciolek, EBH FTW. Maybe Thor if he wants to go for it ( unlikely however as Farrar will ). However these riders are all strong/ have good teams to help them in the crosswinds so i expect these riders to contest FTW. Chavanel, Voeckler and Vino to try attack. ( Vino needs every second to gain yellow somewhere ). If Fedrigo were here i would also say him. Maybe Oss might attack like last yr as well. The teams to punch it will be Rabo and BMC. If Rabo had Breschel there would be even bigger gaps. Pity that Cancellara is sick but maybe the rest of Leopard could take some initiative to put the hammer down as well.

Bavarianrider that's not a cadel avatar, who told you to get that one???

 

[Bavarianrider]

Boonen, Cav, Ciolek, EBH FTW. Maybe Thor if he wants to go for it ( unlikely however as Farrar will ). However these riders are all strong/ have good teams to help them in the crosswinds so i expect these riders to contest FTW.

Bavarianrider that's not a cadel avatar, who told you to get that one???

Oh i didn't realise i was told to use ah Evans avarat, i 'll change it in a second

 

[greenedge]

Well you said you would change it to something embarrassing. Thx

 

[Bavarianrider]

Well you said you would change it to something embarrassing. Thx

Fixed

 

[greenedge]

No not in T-Mobile gear pls. They screwed up his career, he could have entered the TDF earlier instead at the age of 27 ( and maybe had a longer career ). Embarassing for you as an acknowledged Martin fan

 

[Bavarianrider]

No not in T-Mobile gear pls. They screwed up his career, he could have entered the TDF earlier instead at the age of 27 ( and maybe had a longer career ). Embarassing for you as an acknowledged Martin fan

Better know?
They didn't screw up his career by the way. Evans just had one crash after the other.

 

[greenedge]

yes. Thx. Sorry that i sounded lie a real a..ho.e

 

[Bavarianrider]

yes. Thx. Sorry that i sounded lie a real a..ho.e

Although that day in rosa was quiet an embaressement for Cadel too

 

[greenedge]

that's true...... Trying to fill up the characters.

 

[LabMonkey]

I am interested in the 2nd/3rd tier sprinters today, who will likely finish best out of...

Bonnet

Engoulvent

Turgot

Keen to here your thoughts as this will help my fantasy cycling team!

 

[Bavarianrider]

I am interested in the 2nd/3rd tier sprinters today, who will likely finish best out of...

Bonnet

Engoulvent

Turgot

Keen to here your thoughts as this will help my fantasy cycling team!

Hopefully Engoulvent as i picked him in TeamToto

 

[BYOP88]

you cant be so sure. every gc rider has a chance of getting caught up in the crosswinds. contador has showed that, in some stages like stage 1 and in 2009. the cobbled stage too.

2009 I'll give you, Stage 1 was nothing to do with a crosswind and neither was the cobble stage, say how did Cadel cope with the cobble stage last year?

Edit: Just checked he finished 3rd, maybe he should think about riding the cobble classics.

 

[Tuarts]

Finishes on a 4th category hill, with loads of hills along the way. Maybe a Hushovd in today's shape can do something there, but nobody else.

Pettachi, Rojas, Ventoso, Galimzyanov, Goss would beg to differ.