What will be the decisive stage(s) of the Tour?

[auscyclefan94]

Stage 3. The cobbles will wipe out a number of pretenders, will promote a number of dark horses, and will show just which team really can support its leader.

I suspect Astana, SaxoBank, Radio Shack, Cervelo and HTC will finish the day well. Yeah, so will QuickStep, but what chance do they have in the GC?

No BMC????

 

[wiry pyruvity]

Stage 3. The cobbles will wipe out a number of pretenders, will promote a number of dark horses, and will show just which team really can support its leader.

I suspect Astana, SaxoBank, Radio Shack, Cervelo and HTC will finish the day well. Yeah, so will QuickStep, but what chance do they have in the GC?

they do have chavanel

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think by Stage 8 to Morzine we'll pretty much know who is likely to win. By Stage 16 we'll pretty much have the top 10 figured out, though I like having the long TT at the end.

 

[oncehadhair]

Could be as early as stage 7 or 8 for someone who can ride a time trial (and climb a bit obviously) - who has a hand picked team - dedicated to winning at all costs - someone trying to get a psychological advantage early on - who maybe has doubts about their ability compared to what it once was

Then again there's no one like that in the race this year that i can think of.

 

[benpounder]

Great piece.

I knew alpe de huez was no ventoux but i didnt know that the madeline and tourmalet were harder.

Naturally, the climbs rated are the ones being ridden. Having ridden many of the Alp routes, I've long contended that Col de la Madeleine is one of the toughest [my edit 187 from the south], and article profiles the easier side. But unlike Izoard, or Galibier, or Ventoux, Madeleine is visually unimpressive, especially from the harder southern approach.

Inciedntally, the Dauphine had a MTF in Longchamp last year. Longchamp is the ski station 5km short of the summit of Madeleine

 

[benpounder]

No BMC????

My mistake, with Burghardt, Ballan, and Hincapie aboard, Evans will have some pretty savvy protectors.