What’s the feeling here? Will Nibali/Evans etc attempt a breakaway over the Col du Granier (surely that’s too early in the stage), or leave it to the final, smaller climb?
The Granier is way too early. Sky can just tap it out and draw them back in.
If anything, this stage is set for a Nibbles/Cuddles/Froome showdown on the Ardoix. Wiggo doesn’t have the explosive change of pace needed to cope with repeated attacks on a short climb.
I’m in work, so I can’t see the TV… be interesting to see how smooth Cadel’s looking given that yesterday took a lot of of him and his hope’s are fading. Is he still a serious contender, or are we saying Wiggo or Nibbles for the overall GC?
I reckon they’ll wait till the climbs at end. Anything could happen though. They would really need to game a bit time to hold out. Whats the chance they’ll have a bit of a rest (if its possible) and let a no threat group go out on real big break?
If anything, this stage is set for a Nibbles/Cuddles/Froome showdown on the Ardoix. Wiggo doesn’t have the explosive change of pace needed to cope with repeated attacks on a short climb.
~3 minutes on a 150m 3rd cat climb at sea level?
I agree Cuddles, Nibbles and Froomedog might breakaway in the last few km and Wiggins might not follow, but I suspect it’ll be closer to the line and a matter of seconds rather than minutes. i.e time BW can afford to lose but CF maybe can’t.
Good call Llama. Millar tweeted about the number of riders on the limit yesterday, and was thankful he wasn’t one of them. So I’m guessing he’s feeling good.
Can’t wait for 12 and itv4. Will it be as good as yesterday? Will Sky have worked out that if their rival teams have men up the road there will be a bit of action later?
nothing will happen [GC wise] and the last climb is too short to drop Brad..I am sure he can remember his 4 km Olympic gold as individual Pursuit and hammer it for that short a distance still. In all honesty if he really tried I would expect him to drop all of them but he wont as he does not need to
It is the Wiggo death zone he struggles with[ 1500-2000m]
I assume all the French riders will be saving their legs for attacks tomorrow?
No one will get away from sky as they will being them back over the long flat section.
It’ll come together and any attacks will come on the last climb. Can’t see who would win it so I’ll got for Hoogerland as he has been a bit of a let down for my team – at least Martin had a good excuse.
FFS flashy a bit of shaved men in lycra and you start calling them gorgeous…what with a public school boy background I am starting to have doubts about you 😉