Tour de France - Stage 8, 195km - Castres / Ax 3 Domaines, July 6th

[Froome19]

Tour de France - Stage 8, 195km - Castres / Ax 3 Domaines, July 6th

Ok, so scrap tomorrow's stage. Well don't but we have more important things to move on to.

This stage has all the potential to be a dud, but then again it may just surprise a few. Highest point in the Tour and quite an exciting duo of climbs in the latter kilometres. It will depend all on the big guns whether they decide to neutralise themselves here or actually show us some proper racing. They better as I fear we won't be getting much more out of the Pyrenees this year.

Contenders:
Froome, Contador, Purito, Quintana (we can only pray)

Others:
Porte, Fuglsang, Martin, Talansky, Andy, Cunego, Evans, Tejay, Rolland, Valverde, Pinot, Anton, Navarro, Poels


Peschaux's opinion:

"After eight days of racing, we reach the Pyrenees. The scene would be a familiar one if it wasn't for the start in Corsica and the consequences that is likely to have had. Where will the contenders be placed before taking on the very difficult Col de Pailhères, the first key test of this 100th Tour? No one can say for sure, even though it's a good bet there will already be some decent gaps between them going into this stage. My worry?
That Wiggins, Froome and Porte finish one, two and three at the summit of Ax 3 Domaines, which wouldn't sit well with the glorious uncertainty of sport! But we will have to wait and see. In any case, the Spaniards will be ready. They are heading into their terrain..."

 

[ThirdWorld]

Break will win.

GC:

1-Froome
2-Porte
3-Contador
4-Valverde
5-Rodriguez
6-Quintana...

 

[DenisMenchov]

Exact same stage as in 2010. Wasn't much of a show then, bar Schleck-Contador standstill. And back then it was stage 14. But we can hope for a good racing, can't take that from a cycling fan.

 

[doperhopper]

vroom vroooom - skyborg train coming

 

[Ruby United]

Sky have looked slightly weaker than last year, but, once again will probably perform when needed, on stage 8.

Yep, another Skyborg diesel train prediction. Hoping Nairo or Purito will lighten it up.

 

[Ruby United]

That last flatish 1km or so will suit Rod.

 

[Afrank]

Sky train to motor up the climb and leadout Froome for his usual 1k attack to win it. Don't think the others, like Contador, will lose too much time though. 10-20 seconds at most.

This stage should separate the GC contenders from pretenders as well. And looking forward to seeing what Nairito does. Hopefully he won't be affected by his crashes today.

 

[Netserk]

That last flatish 1km or so will suit Rod.

A 15% ramp would suit him.

Flat; not so much.

 

[Froome19]

Sky have looked slightly weaker than last year, but, once again will probably perform when needed, on stage 8.

Yep, another Skyborg diesel train prediction. Hoping Nairo or Purito will lighten it up.

No they haven't.
Last year before PDBF they looked similarly weak.

 

[Froome19]

That last flatish 1km or so will suit Rod.

A steep uphill finish would have suited him even more.
The way the climb will most likely be ridden will suit though.

 

[DenisMenchov]

Roche to attack on Paliheres? I'd play on that card, Roman and Micheal should be there for Alberto.

 

[jens_attacks]

Exact same stage as in 2010. Wasn't much of a show then, bar Schleck-Contador standstill. And back then it was stage 14. But we can hope for a good racing, can't take that from a cycling fan.

2005 was pretty insane though with crazy t-mobile attack at the foot of pailheres. turbo guerini going thermo-nuclear, then vino caught by his teammate ullrich.

2003 was the best though. hmmm nice video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW-wJ3fuVzs


the way i see it:

sky sets apocalyptic pace on pailheres: around 15 remain at the top, rolland goes there for his points. then 25 riders together at the foot of bonascre. richie launches froomey with 6 km to go and chris won't be caught.

1. froome
2. contador +45
3. andy schleck +1:05
4. valverde
5. rolland



and don't forget:
http://climbing-records.blogspot.ro/2013/06/bonascres-finests-top-100-fastest.html
bonascre ascent record: mighty laiseka, almost as fit as froomey back then
pailheres ascent record: sastre and mercado 2003

 

[ThirdWorld]

ohh I forgot Andy Schleck! He will finish with the GC guys.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Jens, really love that video.

 

[Ruby United]

No they haven't.
Last year before PDBF they looked similarly weak.

I said slightly, stress on the slightly.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/slightly

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

pailheres 2007 was nice though, as a TD fan

 

[Froome19]

I said slightly, stress on the slightly.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/slightly

I said they haven't. Stress on the haven't.

 

[hfer07]

Break will win.

GC:

1-Froome
2-Porte
3-Contador
4-Valverde
5-Rodriguez
6-Quintana...

IF a breakaway makes it to the finish with someone in the top 40 and 1 minute ahead- then Froome won't be in yellow.

This is where is going to get tricky for Sky if they put Froome in yellow so early....

 

[jens_attacks]

Jens, really love that video.

did i show you that one, alpe 2003?

wasn't it cool bakc then when they took their helmets off in the front of the mountain? looked so respectful towards the big pyrenees and alps
why would anyone ride a mtf with a plastic on the head?it will never make sense to me

i'd love if someone puts sky in difficulty but it won't happen. ventoux and alpe might be a different story though. i think i will need some chill pills for this stage to be honest

 

[airstream]

Sky train to motor up the climb and leadout Froome for his usual 1k attack to win it.

He will attack earlier. Doubts?

 

[McLovin]

I fear we won't be getting much more out of the Pyrenees next year.

OT. Where did you heard that?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Think jens might turn out to be right. Oh boy. Well on the other hand maybe it's better to get my hopes crushed sooner rather than later.

 

[Afrank]

He will attack earlier. Doubts?

If Contador and others force him too, he'll go early. But for the first mountain stage I think he'll take advantage of the train for the most part.

 

[jens_attacks]

If Contador and others force him too, he'll go early. But for the first mountain stage I think he'll take advantage of the train for the most part.

i don't think so, he will attack with at least 5 kms to go. a wet cold day in the alps can happen, better take time now while you can

 

[Froome19]

OT. Where did you heard that?

Whoops a typo there.
Changed it