Well this is a little different isn't it?! I'm really looking forward to this, it could be absolutely nuts.
Stage 17 is a mountain stage designed purely for attackers. It’s been thirty years since such a short stage wasn’t put on the map: 38km from Tarbes to Pau but it was a morning half-stage won by Adrie Van der Poel (ten years after Bernard Hinault put the peloton on strike to protest against the split stages on the same day). 65km in the mountains is unprecedented. So is the Formula 1-like start organised on a grit according to the overall ranking. Pre-race operations will offer a new kind of spectacle, including the necessary warm-up session because it’s the col de Peyresourde to start with! It’s not the hardest climb but it can make a difference from the gun, especially if some domestiques can’t make it back to the front of the bunch on time. Moreover, the final ascent is a gruelling one. The col du Portet has been asphalted just a few weeks before the Tour. It’s the Souvenir Henri Desgrange, the highest peak of the whole race (at 2215m of altitude, 100 meters taller than the Tourmalet), just as hard as the Mont Ventoux! It’s a big test for race leader Geraint Thomas with runner up Chris Froome ready to take over, if needed.
And the passes.
is this the day for GC? Or will be just see a couple of climbers smash it for 65km? Inrng?
he Contenders: what chance for the breakaway? It’s possible the GC contenders have a truce at the start of the stage but even if a move tries to pull away early there’s every chance it’s pulled back on the slopes of the Col du Portet, this stage is a decisive day for the GC contenders.
Chris Froome or Geraint Thomas? Or neither? Today’s the day and we’ll see how they fare on the final climb. Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) will follow and by virtue of this could well win the stage, just as he pipped Froome at La Rosière.
Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) looks down but not out. He was climbing well on Alpe d’Huez and trying to take time on GC. Does he go for a bold move or sit tight and hope for the stage win? Maybe the latter.
Primož Roglič (Lotto-Jumbo) got the jump on everyone on the climb above Mende, but as much as today is an explosive stage the final climb is a 50 minute effort, longer than Alpe d’Huez. Maybe Steven Kruijswijk is the better pick?
Movistar hold a key to this stage but so far their Trident has all the incision of plastic cutlery accompanying a meal during an economy flight. Nairo Quintana looks more stale than a baguette that’s been left on the back shelf of a car for three days and Alejandro Valverde’s lost his lustre too. Which leaves Mikel Landa as the point man, he’s been sore after crashing hard on the stage to Roubaix so we’ll see if he can turn things around.
Dan Martin (UAE Emirates) is on the margins of the GC which gives him room to operate, he’s got the jump to attack when he wants and the likes of Thomas, Froome and Dumoulin won’t pay him too much mind.
Among the non-GC contenders Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) stands out, he should be fresh and has been climbing well.
And as ever, yesterday.
Textbook Tour pic.
No, maybe this is the pic.
Cave riding.
Phil goes off road.
Whilst Julien goes for polka dots.
Nairo Quintana looks more stale than a baguette that’s been left on the back shelf of a car for three days
Quoted for lolz
Let's hope they have the security sorted today though does feel 50/50 as to how the gc treats it
Dumoulin will attack, Froome will follow and win the stage putting time into G. Or something like that...perhaps! Or it will be surprisingly boring!
I'm preparing myself for not much happening, but it's testing a new format so hope they stick with it for future tours anyway and it gets better each time
Would be great for Sky to send Foome up the road so all the other gc contenders have to chase saving all sky's efforts for the last climb to cement G.s lead. Never gonna happen...
It will be a procession to the bottom of the last climb then bau
Tempted to say “cool stage bro”
But I’m not sure whether serious or a pantomime will ensue.
One things for sure, if it’s a success then it’ll become a format for the rest of GT’s in the future whereby we will end up with another “specialists” category (like we have Sprinters/Climbers/Rouleurs) this one could be called a Fangio after the great racing driver who won Le Mans from a sprint grid.
And Fangio sounds right doesn’t it? Fan as in fan spectacle, Gio as in Gigalo a sort of pimp.
Predictions? Yeah about half the peloton will be unable to clip in properly and it’ll cascade into a peloton of strewn bodies all desperately trying to unclip thier right foot whilst rolling around like a crab that’s been turned upside down on its shell.
Climber, I recon Fromage has this. If Purito was here I’d have picked him.
But we still have Barguil to show up, this is looking like the gradient he prefers. Also Dan Martin, also Ala also Dillier or Küng or even Thomas.
Its not a wide open stage per-se because of the gradients within, but the start could be Prudi’s “Tabasco” sauce splashed on an Oyster.
Froome for me. This is where Froome attacks and pulls that minute off G, and G admits 3 weeks of big mountains was too much for him.
I’m not a Froome hater, but I would like that not to be the case and see G win hits first Tour, I just don’t see it being the Sky strategy.
I also think this has got Froome written all over it, especially after his solo effort at the Giro. The rest of Sky will work with G though to hedge their bets. Unless Froome and G just decide to do a very lumpy 65k two man TTT 😆
It's intriguing if nothing else with how the start's going to work.
Traffic light trackstands at the start line?
Any idea what time the start is, I may actually watch a start for the first time this year...
Unless Froome and G just decide to do a very lumpy 65k two man TTT
I was thinking that. Or even a 3 man with Bernal.
Traffic light trackstands at the start line?
This was my thought, if there's even a slight gradient up hill then it's a no brainer.
Re. the race, I've got a feeling that a big, pure climbers break will go, Alaphillipe, Nieve will feature as will Rolland and Barguil, one of them will win the stage. The GC guys will fight it out with Landa taking the win, Roglic will gain a few seconds and the top 3 will be relatively unchanged.
And if my predictions are anything to go by, the will absolutely not happen.
Start is 15:15 CET
I’m head down working all day, which is typical when there is a “fun” stage eh.
So, updates on the start would be appreciated (if you have time) and I’ll check feeds to see how the landscape unfolds.
Track Stands... Calamajane would have been good here, but he’s out which is a shame becuse I reckon this could have been a big bouys climbing day.
Anyone know what the descents are like? Open or twisty??
This could be a really interesting stage, would love Dan Martin to bag a stage win on it
think the GC are treating today's stage with respect, no one tried anything yesterday so they're saving their legs. Hopefully G has his Ready-Brek for breakfast and can hang on to the yellow.
Doubt the grid will have any overall effect. A bunch of French no hopers will push through the bunch and go for it. GC riders will watch each other, maybe attack, but doubt it on last descent and like all others any moves ( by people that matter) will be made in last 10 k.
Predict that somebody in the crowd will do something stupid which affects the race for at least one rider (hopefully not the Fromage).......................
I am going for Bardet today.
Followed by Froome.
Barguill is too tired.
Well those backing Froome keep saying he will do something - so far it's been chasing Whales when he isn't checking his stem 😉
For me it's still there for G to lose, if he cracks he cracks, if froome goes and he follows then it's down to them to see who is stronger. For racing I hope TD goes or sticks with whoever breaks from the top 3/4 that means the rest have to race rather than check the plan.
Will it be weird for them in terms of fueling starting so late in the day?
Will it be weird for them in terms of fuelling starting so late in the day?
Not really. Not much different to an individual time trial or even a team time trial
Going to be interesting. Possibly.
Going for Krujswick. Roglic.
Start is 15:15 CET
Thanks, so is that 14.15 bst?
yup
I haven't seen any mention of the actual gaps at the start. Does anyone know how strung out the peloton will be?
Hmmm as much as I would like to see Geraint Thomas (what's with this obsession with people who have not met him let alone can call him a friend calling him 'G' online? I've met him and called him Geraint as did everyone else who was there but didn't actually know him - in the real world 'G' is reserved for his good mates. If I'd called him 'G' to his face I'd have looked a right dick. Online Chris Froome is referred to by his surname and Geraint Thomas by his bezzie mate's name - odd ) prevail I think this might be the stage where he is undone. A big attack by either Froome which he allows to ride away unchallenged or from Dumoulin (should I be referring to him a 'T'?) and he cracks. I hope I am wrong.
Could also be really messy with attacks of non GC riders going off the front and burnt out domestiques not making the cut off time out the back and the GC boys cutting a lonely figure somewhere in the middle.
Could also be really messy with attacks of non GC riders
Whats this obsession with referring to the General Classification as GC on the interwebs its almost like people cant be arsed writing the whole words when talking shite on a cycling chat bored.
I haven’t seen any mention of the actual gaps at the start. Does anyone know how strung out the peloton will be?
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/tour-de-france-rest-day-2-so-far/page/2/#post-10108849
edit - forgot about the !"useful" linkie thing
From last nights ITV4 TDF rest day recap:
First 20 riders line up in offset echelons like F1 races except in rows of 5 – Yellow Jersey first, 2nd place slightly behind, third a little further back etc. 4 rows of 5
The remaining riders will be in groups of 20.
Approx 80 metres from front of the start line to the back of the peloton
Whats this obsession with referring to the General Classification as GC on the interwebs its almost like people cant be arsed writing the whole words when talking shite on a cycling chat bored.
I see what you are doing there. Thing is though, referring to 'General Classification' by its acronym doesn't make you sounds like a dick and people are more than happy to type out all 6 letters of Froome's surname - why not refer to him as 'F' if we are all bored and lazy. Maybe it's just people just can't spell Geraint - whatever, just sounds odd when you've met him and know how weird it would be in real life.
Whats this obsession with referring to the General Classification as GC on the interwebs its almost like people cant be arsed writing the whole words when talking shite on a cycling chat bored.
Listen to riders being interviewed and they invariably say "GC" rather than "General Classification". It's no different from saying MTB rather than "mountain bike"
the trouble with this kind of stage is everyone in the peloton already probably knows the time they can do it in and what power and effort they need to do it (assuming they are not on a bad day , crash or puncture). Need to turn the power meters off 😉
I normally just watch the highlights in the evenings after work.
Might record the full stage today. Any idea how long it'll take them?
thanks, surely that's not enough to matter, unless there is serious blocking going on.
(the strung-out start I mean)
Isn't Geraint's book called "World of cycling according to G?" and don't most reporters call him G to his face?
It's not as bad as "Froomey".............
Need to turn the power meters off
It would also be a much better stage without team radio and ear pieces.
G because it is easier to spell, but also it's his internet name now. See Cav, Nibbles, Cuddles, Wiggo etc. Of course, if I met him I would call him Geriant or else Thomas the Bike.
For predictions, who knows what will happen, the GC is there for any of the top 3, it's going to be a dramatic day watching everyone struggle (to get any work done this afternoon).
But coming into this stage I'm still going Dumoulin for yellow in Paris
Froome to win, Geraint Howell Thomas MBE to finish second in an elite group that may or may not include Dumoulin. He and Geraint Howell Thomas MBE are very evenly matched but given the gradient I just think Dumoulin might lose a bit of ground - and lack the finishing kick that Geraint Howell Thomas MBE has could eke out a few seconds.
Geraint Howell Thomas MBE
🙂
G because it is easier to spell, but also it’s his internet name now. See Cav, Nibbles, Cuddles, Wiggo etc. Of course, if I met him I would call him Geriant or else Thomas the Bike.
good point
G is his nickname and also his internet name. No different to referring to Nibali as Nibbles, Greg Van Avermaert as GvA, or indeed Edson Arantes do Nascimento as Pele.
I can't see Froome(y) doing another comeback Giro style
Call him what the **** you want, it's the internet not a Q&A
Maybe you should mention that you have met G once more, it might change peoples minds 😉
G and F to distance TD today (last climb will be too steep for him). The two of them can then duke it out to the line.
Or it could be a non GC day and all be the same this time tomorrow.
I'm thinking TD will attack on last climb with F following and G shortly behind, TD will realise his GC ambitions are shot til ITT and sit up. F will ride away taking DM and JA with him. G will come home still in lead of GC but time gaps shaved.
Maybe you should mention that you have met G once more, it might change peoples minds
🙂
Is this the point I mention I had his bike (the one he rode as a replacement when he fell off and broke his pelvis) on loan for a few weeks? Was meant to be going in an exhibition I was putting together but made for a very pleasant illicit Christmas day treat taking it for a quick spin round the back lanes. Top tube definitely said Geraint (Thomas) not G 😉
No, you are right, I won't - make me look even more of a twonk.
I can't see beyond Geraint Howell Thomas and Christopher Clive Froome cementing their advantage today.
I would absolutely love either Romain Bardet or Tom Dumoulin to attack and put some meaningful minutes into Sky but I just can't see it.
Hoping for a real spectacle of a stage but I would imagine that Sir David John Brailsford will have it all covered from start to finish.
Call him what the **** you want, it’s the internet not a Q&A
Cav first called him G, preceded by 'Oh' in a Gavin & Stacey kind of way apparently. "Oh, G" as a piss-take, and it has stuck because a lot of commentators can't pronounce Geraint correctly.
Old friends call him Gez btw,
[His book is a good read, amusing and quite informative ^^]
F over G, flat 40, right, twisty, T over R, left 90, flat, jump, B over Q...
Yeah, like that reads like a Rally Navigators notes..
Stick with common names y’a weirdos.
Howell and Clive. 70's non-pc sitcom?
G referred to Nieve as "Frosty" in an interview which was cute - I think that is the Spanish for snow ?
Is this the point I mention I had his bike (the one he rode as a replacement when he fell off and broke his pelvis) on loan for a few weeks? Was meant to be going in an exhibition I was putting together but made for a very pleasant illicit Christmas day treat taking it for a quick spin round the back lanes. Top tube definitely said Geraint (Thomas) not G 😉
No, you are right, I won’t – make me look even more of a twonk.
One of my facebook friends (you know the ones you knew in real life ages ago but havnt seen or spoken to for ten years) spent the day with G at a friends wedding. He even played football with their kids.
I have also considered buying a junior road bike that has been signed by G off ebay, its a right bargain considering it`ll double in price once he wins the tour.
I think both of these facts give me the right to consider myself a friend and therefor call him "G"
I use a G about 2.015% of the time. Do I qualify?
scandal42
I can’t see beyond Geraint Howell Thomas and Christopher Clive Froome cementing their advantage today.
You missed the MBE you jeb end!
Anyway, looking forward to today's stage, working at home so will have it on whilst 'working'. I'm hoping G manages to see it through to Paris, but would like to at least some attacks from some of the others, I'm looking at you Movistar!
G and F to distance TD today
You mean G and C to distance T don't you?
someone asked about timings:
Start at 1415 UK time
Top of the Peyregourd at 1455 +/- 5 mins dep on speed
Top of the middle Col at 1533 +/-
Finish / top of Col de Portet at 1630 +/-
Obvs depends on speed and farmers, etc., but the Portet is supposedly a 45-50 minute climb?
I can’t see Froome(y) doing another comeback Giro style
Nor me, but no one could see him doing it at the Giro either!
You missed the MBE you jeb end!
I once saw a picture of him in a magazine so I don't feel like I need to use the MBE anymore.
I'll continue to call him by his nickname, Christopher Clive Froome, unless I see another magazine article suggesting he doesn't like it.
someone asked about timings:
Start at 1415 UK time
Top of the Peyregourd at 1455 +/- 5 mins dep on speed
Top of the middle Col at 1533 +/-
Finish / top of Col de Portet at 1630 +/-
Obvs depends on speed and farmers, etc., but the Portet is supposedly a 45-50 minute climb?
I think he meant time gaps for the start, ie. each group starts at 1 minute intervals
Edit - I don't think there are time gaps, just grouped sections to stand in on the start line. All go off at the same time, but with no neutralized section they race from the gun.
Team Sky sports director, Nicolas Portal (TSDSNP to his mates): "We may ride an hour in the morning and then do a very long warm-up before the stage"
Sounds like they are going to go flat out
Maybe. Or just that they need to be ready if anyone else does.
I have also considered buying a junior road bike that has been signed by G off ebay,
I've seen that one, the photos don't show the signature though.......
I suspect the start will be a non event. They will all roll out and re-order themselves in the first minute or two.
I'd be surprised if no one took the opportunity for some TV time - just quite possibly not the GC guys.
or someone like Mollema/Bargueil/Yates (17+mins back) could go for a proper long one to try and rescue the race for them (as in a stage win rather than winning GC)
G signed a book for Mrs NBT, with a personalized dedication message. I like him *a lot*. Not man-crush style though. That's currently Begbie.
It depends how much spacing there is on the grid I think.
I think he meant time gaps for the start, ie. each group starts at 1 minute intervals
No, it was in response to rugbydick
Might record the full stage today. Any idea how long it’ll take them?
I like him *a lot*. Not man-crush style though
Only 1 man worthy of a man crush at Sky and that is Kwiatkowski...I've gone all of a fluster.
Not a massive amount of clear space either side.
You wouldn't want to be having a puncture or mechanical in the first couple of K, you probably wont see the pack again by the time your team car can get to you.
that is a waste of time
might be, might not be but I applaud the organisers for trying to shake stuff up.
Will they be going from side to side to warm up their tyres???
The fact there are no grid girls should please the PC brigade
might be, might not be but I applaud the organisers for trying to shake stuff up.
Me too
Just watching in the background whilst doing spot of diy. ITV4 ads - not exactly customised to the target cycling audience are they - funeral expenses, flash kitchen cleaner and incontinence pads. Maybe we are all that old and domesticised.
WELL THAT WAS POINTLESS!
aaaand it turned out to be a waste of time
not completely - few have gone out quick including some GC teammates, who could be useful for bridging
Just caught the slo-mo replay of that start.
Ah, no I didn't - it was actually live...
don't think we'll see that again