Who will win 2012 Tour de France

[Bavarianrider]

La Toussiere sucks as a climb. I remember in the Dauphine last year even when they made the race hard by attacking the climb before it didn't work and it was almost a 20 man group sprint until J-Rod did his 1km attack.

In 2006 there were quiet a few gaps on that stage.
1. Michael Rasmussen (Den, Rabobank) 5.36.04
2. Carlos Sastre (Esp, Team CSC) 1.41
3. Oscar Pereiro (Esp, Caisse d´Epargne) 1.54
4. Cadel Evans (Aus, Davitamon) 1.56
5. Andreas Klöden (Ger, T-Mobile) 1.56
6. Christophe Moreau (Fra, AG2R) 2.37
7. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita, Credit Agricole) 2.37
8. Cyril Dessel (Fra, AG2R) 2.37
9. Levi Leipheimer (USA, Gerolsteiner) 3.24
10. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp, Euskaltel) 3.42
:
11. Denis Menchov (Rus, Rabobank) 3.42
17. Marcus Fothen (Ger, Gerolsteiner) 8.37
20. Vladimir Karpets (Rus, Caisse d´Epargne) 9.40
23. Floyd Landis (USA, Phonak) 10.04

 

[Bavarianrider]

Only two mountain stages that I like are the Grand Colombiere one and Peyragudes. The others sucks badly
La Toussuire and Luchon stages are even on the edge of trolling...

Yeah what a trolling this stage was in 2006
1. Michael Rasmussen (Den, Rabobank) 5.36.04
2. Carlos Sastre (Esp, Team CSC) 1.41
3. Oscar Pereiro (Esp, Caisse d´Epargne) 1.54
4. Cadel Evans (Aus, Davitamon) 1.56
5. Andreas Klöden (Ger, T-Mobile) 1.56
6. Christophe Moreau (Fra, AG2R) 2.37
7. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita, Credit Agricole) 2.37
8. Cyril Dessel (Fra, AG2R) 2.37
9. Levi Leipheimer (USA, Gerolsteiner) 3.24
10. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp, Euskaltel) 3.42
:
11. Denis Menchov (Rus, Rabobank) 3.42
17. Marcus Fothen (Ger, Gerolsteiner) 8.37
20. Vladimir Karpets (Rus, Caisse d´Epargne) 9.40
23. Floyd Landis (USA, Phonak) 10.04

 

[LaFlorecita]

- 3 TTlers stages
- 2 Uphill Finishes for Puncheurs
- 1 Ardennes Type Classic Stage
- Stage 4: a chance for classic riders if the really try
- 3 Mountain Finishes for Climbers
- The Grand Colombier Stage. A stage for a climbers who are willing to take risks. Grand Colombier is a really difficult mountain
- Foix Stage: Offers a chance to drop weaker climbers
- 6 stages for a sprint royal chance.

Really this is by far the most balanced route in years.

We don't want balance, we want excitement!! Yes, excitement we want.

 

[LaFlorecita]

In 2006 there were quiet a few gaps on that stage.
1. Michael Rasmussen (Den, Rabobank) 5.36.04
2. Carlos Sastre (Esp, Team CSC) 1.41
3. Oscar Pereiro (Esp, Caisse d´Epargne) 1.54
4. Cadel Evans (Aus, Davitamon) 1.56
5. Andreas Klöden (Ger, T-Mobile) 1.56
6. Christophe Moreau (Fra, AG2R) 2.37
7. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita, Credit Agricole) 2.37
8. Cyril Dessel (Fra, AG2R) 2.37
9. Levi Leipheimer (USA, Gerolsteiner) 3.24
10. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp, Euskaltel) 3.42
:
11. Denis Menchov (Rus, Rabobank) 3.42
17. Marcus Fothen (Ger, Gerolsteiner) 8.37
20. Vladimir Karpets (Rus, Caisse d´Epargne) 9.40
23. Floyd Landis (USA, Phonak) 10.04

Yeah what a trolling this stage was in 2006
1. Michael Rasmussen (Den, Rabobank) 5.36.04
2. Carlos Sastre (Esp, Team CSC) 1.41
3. Oscar Pereiro (Esp, Caisse d´Epargne) 1.54
4. Cadel Evans (Aus, Davitamon) 1.56
5. Andreas Klöden (Ger, T-Mobile) 1.56
6. Christophe Moreau (Fra, AG2R) 2.37
7. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita, Credit Agricole) 2.37
8. Cyril Dessel (Fra, AG2R) 2.37
9. Levi Leipheimer (USA, Gerolsteiner) 3.24
10. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp, Euskaltel) 3.42
:
11. Denis Menchov (Rus, Rabobank) 3.42
17. Marcus Fothen (Ger, Gerolsteiner) 8.37
20. Vladimir Karpets (Rus, Caisse d´Epargne) 9.40
23. Floyd Landis (USA, Phonak) 10.04

Nice. Posting the same thing twice.

 

[Eshnar]

Yeah what a trolling this stage was in 2006

If you judge a stage only by its final climb...

 

[roundabout]

In 2006 there were quiet a few gaps on that stage.

No, he is right. Toussuire sucks as a climb. Sastre attacked from a long way out yet barely beat Pereiro etc because it's faster to go up as a group. Next day Sastre spanked Klöden and co on a much steeper climb.

 

[Bavarianrider]

If you judge a stage only by its final climb...

This years stage is even harder.
It has the Madeleine instead of the Galibier.

 

[jens_attacks]

In 2006 there were quiet a few gaps on that stage.
1. Michael Rasmussen (Den, Rabobank) 5.36.04
2. Carlos Sastre (Esp, Team CSC) 1.41
3. Oscar Pereiro (Esp, Caisse d´Epargne) 1.54
4. Cadel Evans (Aus, Davitamon) 1.56
5. Andreas Klöden (Ger, T-Mobile) 1.56
6. Christophe Moreau (Fra, AG2R) 2.37
7. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita, Credit Agricole) 2.37
8. Cyril Dessel (Fra, AG2R) 2.37
9. Levi Leipheimer (USA, Gerolsteiner) 3.24
10. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp, Euskaltel) 3.42
:
11. Denis Menchov (Rus, Rabobank) 3.42
17. Marcus Fothen (Ger, Gerolsteiner) 8.37
20. Vladimir Karpets (Rus, Caisse d´Epargne) 9.40
23. Floyd Landis (USA, Phonak) 10.04

the thing is toussuire was always raced uber hard.even last year it was done at 25 km/h.they can't go faster than that.lots of guys can keep the same speed so no big differences

only chance is just like in 2006.....
























....levi to attack on croix de fer

 

[Bavarianrider]

the thing is toussuire was always raced uber hard.even last year it was done at 25 km/h.they can't go faster than that.lots of guys can keep the same speed so no big differences

only chance is just like in 2006.....


Last year they did a different route to Tousuire!

 

[Eshnar]

This years stage is even harder.
It has the Madeleine instead of the Galibier.

It has 34 kms less.
It came after L'Alpe D'Huez, qhile this year it will come after a much easier stage (certainly less hard raced).
It was in the third week instead on second.
The gaps you posted weren't that high actually.
Madeleine north is pretty much equal than Galibier south.

 

[jens_attacks]

andy can't take more than 30 seconds on the other guys.he has to attack on croix de fer if he has plans to win the tour here.toussuire there will be a group arriving

 

[Bavarianrider]

It has 34 kms less.
It came after L'Alpe D'Huez, qhile this year it will come after a much easier stage (certainly less hard raced).
It was in the third week instead on second.
The gaps you posted weren't that high actually.
Madeleine north is pretty much equal than Galibier south.

But it's closer to Croix de Ferre.

 

[Eshnar]

But it's closer to Croix de Ferre.

So what. No one will attack there anyway. The stage would be good with something like 50 kms more. Even flat.

 

[airstream]

Seems like the Giro made sure us that steepness gives nothing by itself. Yes, Toussuire has only 6% at average, but again, a superclimber doesn't need steep pieces to attack. Contador attacked at 4% Etna section using a 53 gear and riding as though that was a flat. Andy will demonstrate something simlilar probably even in a more entertaining style.

 

[jens_attacks]

Last year they did a different route to Tousuire!

no they didn't
it was the same ascent but 4 kms shorter.they entered on D78 from the south

 

[Eshnar]

Seems like the Giro made sure us that steepness gives nothing by itself. Yes, Toussuire has only 6% at average, but again, a superclimber doesn't need steep pieces to attack. Contador attacked at 4% Etna section using a 53 gear and riding as though that was a flat.

I'm not saying anything about this. Even if it'll turn out to be the race of the century, the route will still suck. It lowers the chance to see a good show. It could still happen obviously, but that's not the point.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Why haven't the final two mountain stage profiles been added to the TDF website yet? Only these three?

http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2012/1000/PROFIL.gif
http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2012/1100/PROFIL.gif
http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2012/1400/PROFIL.gif

Anyone have profiles for those stages?

 

[cineteq]

Even if it'll turn out to be the race of the century, the route will still suck. It lowers the chance to see a good show. It could still happen obviously, but that's not the point.

So if the point is to have an exciting race, lots of tactics and competition, then what's the point?

 

[airstream]

Then Wiggo and Evans will think after the stage that the climb really sucks.

I suppose one of 10-15 Tour routes should be like that. Time trialists deserve to get their chance. Very interesting which Tour was closest to the 2011 one by simplicity? Maybe 1999?

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

So what. No one will attack there anyway. The stage would be good with something like 50 kms more. Even flat.

It makes perfect sense to attack there provided there's not a lot of headwind. They'll have to put serious time into the superior time trialists before Peyragudes.

I remain cautiously optimistic that this stage will be good.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Why haven't the final two mountain stage profiles been added to the TDF website yet? Only these three?

http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2012/1000/PROFIL.gif
http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2012/1100/PROFIL.gif
http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2012/1400/PROFIL.gif

Anyone have profiles for those stages?

Steephill.tv has ALL the profiles.

 

[Eshnar]

So if the point is to have an exciting race, lots of tactics and competition, then what's the point?

I'm sorry you missed it.
The point is whether or not the route is good.
A good route gives more chances to good racing. It can't force it, just like a bad route doesn't prevent a good race.

 

[Unkown]

Why haven't the final two mountain stage profiles been added to the TDF website yet? Only these three?

http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2012/1000/PROFIL.gif
http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2012/1100/PROFIL.gif
http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2012/1400/PROFIL.gif

Anyone have profiles for those stages?

 

[Eshnar]

It makes perfect sense to attack there provided there's not a lot of headwind. They'll have to put serious time into the superior time trialists before Peyragudes.

I remain cautiously optimistic that this stage will be good.

On the Madeleine? REALLY?
C'mon.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

On the Madeleine? REALLY?
C'mon.

Croix de Fer