Ooooooh, I am very excited about this stage, Galibier, Télégraphe, Col de la Croix de Fer, this could be awesome. Bit more info than normal, I got excited.
The col du Galibier (alt. 2642m) is one of the giants in the legend of the Tour. It's the third highest in the history after La Bonnette (2802m), the Iseran (2764m) and Agnel (2744m). It's the highest stage finish in the history since Andy Schleck won up there in 2011. Interestingly, the climb that hosts the memorial of race founder Henri Desgrange hasn't been on the Tour route since 2011. Actually, it was in 2015 but it was substituted by the col de la Croix de Fer due to a pile of rubble. Six years between two passages at the Galibier is a record. The peloton has changed a lot since 2011. From the current top 10 on GC, only Rigoberto Uran was racing the Tour six years ago, for Team Sky (26th). For the likes of Chris Froome, Fabio Aru, Romain Bardet and even Nairo Quintana who targets a stage win in the Alps, the Galibier will be a new experience. Climbing from Valloire after the Télégraphe, it's a grueling climb in the last eight kilometers past Plan-Lachat above 2000 metres of altitude. It's a downhill finish 28km further down at Serre-Chevalier. It's the kingdom of the climbers, the place for attacking the yellow jersey if Team Sky leaves some room for that.
a 183km clockwise tour around the Massif des Ecrins via classic route. There’s a lumpy approach the first pass of the day, the Col d’Ornon which is one of those climbs where one side is very different than the other. They take the easier side, 5.1km at 6.7% and then descent the harder side, it’s a technical descent down to the valley. It’s perfect for Michael Matthews to attack over and try to get to the intermediate sprint where 20 points await, not enough to put him in green but enough to narrow the gap to just nine points. Minutes after the intermediate sprint the road starts climbing…The Croix de Fer is a giant of a climb. Listed as 24km at 5.2% it reads like a long gradual climb, the kind trucks could get up but the average is deceiving. It starts climbing with some solid 8-9% gradients for the first six kilometres, and all on a reasonably straight road which allows the TV moto cameras to pan up the peloton to inspect the early damage. Then comes a steep descent and a matching steep rise which then levels out as they climb beyond the treeline up the Col du Glandon, another descent but this time less steep and the road that rises up after is less steep and then a final traverse to the Col de la Croix de Fer where we’ll see if the Croix de Fer, an iron cross, is there are talk of theft over the winter. It’s followed by a fast descent that has its moments but is mainly a ski station access road with the accompanying predictable width and signage.
ter a short valley section and the feedzone the Col du Télégraphe starts steep with some 10% ramps amid the early hairpins before levelling out and becoming a steady climb as it rises above the Maurienne valley. At the pass it dips quickly, a four kilometre pause to consume food for the climb to come. The Galibier begins out of Valloire at 1417m above sea level or roughly the same height as the top of the Grand Colombier. The climb is in two parts, the approach to Plan Lachat which has its moments but is generally steady and then the post-Plan Lachat area which is eight kilometres of 8-10% all above 2,000m above sea level on exposed terrain.
The descent is in three parts, first the run down the Galibier which is steep, twisty and fast for nine kilometres. Then they reach the Lautaret pass, a large traffic artery and it’s 10km at 5%, the kind of road you need to pedal hard to keep moving but at the same time it can be hard to close gaps. For illustration the last two winners of the Galibier and down the Lautaret, Andy Schleck and Mauricio Soler, have resisted the chase, not because of the brute power, just that it can be hard to close the gap. The closer they get to the finish the more the slope levels out. The Lautaret is famous for its afternoon wind, how a calm morning on the road can see the breeze pick up. Today the wind isn’t forecast to get up too much but a 10-15km/h headwind is still pesky to a lone rider.
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Who will win, who will lose time? Inrng may have the answers.
The Contenders: Warren Barguil is hard to look past for a breakaway. He can secure the mountains jersey today and given the way he’s climbing take a second stage win. Easier said than done but he does make it look easy with that effortless pedalling action.The main GC contenders are hard to pull apart. Among the top-4 Rigoberto Urán probably has the fastest sprint ahead of Romain Bardet but there could be more in the mix, Simon Yates is fast too and Dan Martin has more room now, perhaps he has to settle for the stage win, hardly a resignation but this time the others can see him sneak away without posing a threat. Unless of course Chris Froome takes flight on the Galibier and solos to the stage win he’s yet to claim.
Alberto Contador has room to attack now, he fell out of the top-10 yesterday so could go clear on the Galibier without threatening the others. Among others for a long range breakaway maybe Esteban Chaves reminds us what he can do, Thibaut Pinot‘s over his illness and Bauke Mollema tries for another stage.
And to finish, a quick look back.
Sunweb on the front, as they were most of the day.
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Echelons
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Scenic roads and a big group.
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Kwiatkowski, loving the work.
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And to the line, the top 3.
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Their legs are beginning to show the journey, slowly turning into autumn leaves.
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Morning, sleepyhead! 😉
Barnet has to go for it today. The run in might be tricky though. Fast off the mountain and then a long, false flat descent through Serre Che. Not too many places to hide, assuming they take the main valley road, which I think they are doing.
* Yep, valley road in then up to Le Bez. Sharp turn, that. If it's a few together, reconnaissance could pay off!
Finishing near to La Grotte, too. I expect the place will be bouncing around!
Morning, sleepyhead!
Hang on a minute, what have I made a mess of?!
Our posts crossed in the ether! See thread below....
Ah, that makes sense. Still done by 8:15am you cheeky git!
The pic of them legs ... well.. that's not a good look !
HAs the potential to be an epic stage today.
Got to be something from Aru.... whether that's a massive attack or a massive fail, i'm yet to see.
Looks good though !
Very excited about this stage, can't see me doing much work this afternoon! Lucky to have ridden most of this stage (not all in one go mind) a few years ago. Done Col d'Ornon, Glandon, Telegraphe and Galibier, with the last three in one ride. The Telegraphe/Galibier climb is an absolute beast, and with so much riding in their legs one of the contenders must surely crack?
And those legs, blimey 😯
Sunweb will blow it up in the first quarter of the race. Matthews for the intermediate and to launch Barguil at the Croix de Fer. How long can he stay out, though.....
The last long climb, and the descent, really suits Froome. Could we see yellow attacking on the little descent between the two climbs?
I have ridden these roads several times and the thought of racing down CDF and Galibier is terrifying!
Massive failed attack from Aru
Landa to go rouge and win the stage and take GC
diglover - Landa goes red to take yellow! 🙂
Since the weather pretty miserable down here this will be a good one to watch all the way through 😆
I'd love Barguil to Hoover up the mountains points, finish with a flurry but I'm not sure if he will burn himself out trying.. I hope not.. stage win ? Highly doubtful.
The GC will be trying to undo each other's di2 batteries, they'll be that close. Except Aru and Dan. Unlikely duo could work together, bring Bertie along too and this could be a formidable finish line trio. Unlikely, because if they go off, they'll be caught. I'd like Bertie to pop off though, that familiar dance he has is inspiring and I like it when he smiles.. and hasn't been smiling much lately.
But I'm going left fields, again.
Danny Navarro,
Sergio Henao (I know he's a skybouy)
Mathias Frank or Cyril Gautier (both AG2r, but I think Bardet will stay with the GC)
Keen De Kort or Jarlinson Pantano
Armel Moinard
Or
Luis Meintjes.
That's a list I know, but this will be more about whose been able to save thier legs, rather than a GC/Favorites stage win.
Rogue or rouge?
🙂
Dans la Rogue.
VERY excited about today's stage!
Gonna be clock watching until 16:30 then warp speed home to start watching the ITV4 recording.
I feel we may see Contador causing havoc again today - he knows he can't win, but he can definitely put on a good show.
AG2R looked very strong yesterday, might be in SKY's best interest to play the Landa card again and make them chase.
Sensible money says AG2R but I think Uran could surprise people.
I feel sorry for the gruppetto today!
Got to be Sunweb driving it from the start and then possibly AG2R taking it over. Will be interesting to see who gets in the break, Landa seems an obvious one + team mates of the other GC guys. Ultimately though unless there's crashes/mechanicals I can't see the GC changing much
Great hopes for today, out with the old fellas on their club ride this morning then an afternoon watching the race.
Wilburt I didn't get your email on the other thread 😉 could you re sent it! Thanks.
Going to be a brute today.
1st man out of the GC onto the Galibier will be crucial....
Sunweb driving the front to the sprint seems a given - the question is can they nullify the break and deliver Matthews there (or is he capable of surviving in the break over a cat 2 given that's his finish line for the day?) On which thought and to continue the discussion from yesterday, I had a look at the profile of stage 19 and the stages Kittel has won (or contested the finish on), and I'm going to change my mind. It might not have as tough a climb as yesterday, but Kittel hasn't stayed with the peleton on any stage with a cat 3 climb in, so it seems Matthews has a good chance of taking it - if he's also wearing green at the time (as seems possible, if not likely) then he could wrap up that competition before Paris.
Yes, think the next couple of stages will see Matthews pick up the intermediate uncontested, QS have to try and help Kittel and Martin so won't be able to cover Matthews too. It's going to hinge on stage 19. If Matthews picks up most of the points on offer there it'll be all over (it's classed as a flat stage too despite the climbs so 50 points at the finish.) Also points available for the first 15 on the ITT stage which may be doable for Matthews considering it's not too long and many will be cruising round.
No idea how it's going to play out today for the GC. Expecting it all to kick off so they'll probably all just mark each other and finish with the same time 🙂 Think it's more likely that someone will lose it today rather than win it. Long climbs and altitude for the first time in this Tour so it's a bit of an unknown.
I feel sorry for the gruppetto today!
There's a pretty strong chance that a lot of riders will be outside the time limit. Given even yesterday the Kittel group rolled in 7% behind, this could smash them to bits.
When is Bertie going to go? Surely now he has nothing to lose we're going to be seeing one of his long-range attacks? Early on the Col du Glandon would be my guess, after Sunweb have hoovered-up the points for Matthews.
Bardet to attack not far off the top of the Telegraphe. If he can put a bit of time on the yellow on the descent into Galibier and then keep it together, his descent off Galibier will be fun to watch!.
Bertie's still only 7 minutes down on GC, won't be given that much room. Expect Sky and AG2R to set a hard pace, I'd be surprised if anyone within about 10 mins on GC will be allowed that far up the road.
Most reports seem to suggest that the descent of the Galibier actually needs a fair bit of pedalling effort. I'd expect AG2R to try and get someone in a break and then have Bardet bridge up near the top of the Galibier.
Supposedly Quintana who was already expected to be out of Movistar at the end of 2018, is being told he can bugger off at the end of 2017 potentially. The 2018 date seems certain, 2017 less so.
That would certainly open thinks up for Landa to go to Mov.
Erm.. I don't get that.
Quinty has been a top performer for some time now, loads of support from the team too. To leave a year early ? I dunno about that claim.
Quintana to Trek and Landa to Mov then?
Be a good fit, Bertie and Quinty ??
Why the ek' not.
Contador can do to Quintana what Basso did to him, be the super domestique and support rider.
Kittel to Katusha.
Most reports seem to suggest that the descent of the Galibier actually needs a fair bit of pedalling effort.
Once you're past the Col du Lautaret it does - it's a fairly shallow descent and there was a strong headwind when I did it.
The Eurosport feed on Virgin TV Anywhere has gone completely mad this morning. Skipping all over the place. Nooooooooooooooooo! 👿
EDIT: ITV player seems to be OK. Panic over. Though I may have to do some work for a minute there. 😯
I think the descent is descent no rises but once on the valley floor there going the opposite direction than most ride Galibier. A few KM east on the D1091 which does come out on the graphic above but reports suggest slightly inclined.
That could favour anyone with team mates?
Can't imagine there's actually that big a queue to sign Quintana.
There's no doubt he's a hugely talented rider, but maybe doesn't fit in too easily with most teams.
Doesn't seem to speak English, which is hardly a sponsors dream, and disappears off to Colombia for months at a time to train rather than integrating with the rest of the squad.
Movistar genuinely seem like the best fit for him, and if they don't want him any more....
Don't think Sky will really miss Landa. Assuming he manages to fully recover from knee injury, Poels will be rejoining the queue for a shot at leading a grand tour, and the fact that Thomas has re-signed suggests he's been promised another shot.
Let's off road! Bugger.
Crash! Cummings tumbles down the bank at the side of the road. Barguil and Kittel both go down
2 minutes since the crash and Kittel still standing at the roadside. He may not be inside the time limit
he's back on the bike and moving. massive hole in his jersey shoulder where he went down. He;'s going to have a hard day
front of the race still going full steam.
going to be a horrible day now for Kittel
Ouch. Disaster for Kittel.
Kittel's shoes damaged in the fall. Hes now leaning on the car as they try (somewhat unsuccessfully) to change the shoes as the car accelerates
next, kittel goes to the doctor's car...
That's a really sad way to lose it. Fair enough if he's beaten in the mountains.
Anyone know if QS are waiting for Kittel? That'll be the guide as to if they think he's going to continue.
Kittel now back in the bunch thanks to being looked at by the docs. dressings being applied to his injuries
QS mostly up at the front from what David and Ned are saying. Kittel's on his own, but at least back in the race
There's me all excited and forgot it had started already! damnit
What a crazy start!
3 of my choices today are in the break 😀
not sure cummings will get much tv time today (i wanted to say air time, but he's already had that 😆 )
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Matthews sprinting for KOM points - love it!
Matthews toying with everyone in the last couple of days. What odds he goes on the attack on the CdF and goes into yellow as well? 😆 😆
Right then... here we go???
Gets steep now, cant see them staying away long.
Kittel dropping off - is he likely to have a real time limit problem today?
Bertie's off...
When is Bertie going to go? ....Early on the Col du Glandon would be my guess
BOOM!
Hysterical, Eurosport just get done saying how strong Astana look today and how they have almost as many riders as Sky at the front and someone immediately blows up.
Contador has dropped Quintana too
Haeno out the back too. They must be wishing they'd brought Poles.
Who was commentating over the last 10 minutes on ITV?
Haeno out the back too. They must be wishing they'd brought Poles.
They have Kwiatkowski?
Cycling will be a lot poorer when Contador retires.. might not be the force he once was, but loves causing chaos..
Who was commentating over the last 10 minutes on ITV?
Not sure who was asking the questions, but the one commenting was Barry Hoban.
Whys one of the sky riders on a white bike? Does it match his national jersey?
Haeno out the back too. They must be wishing they'd brought Poles.
They have Kwiatkowski?
😆
Some buggers are having a meeting behind me that is so loud I can't follow the commentary, even with my humungous closed-back headphones.
#FWP
Bloody hell Bertie's riding well... 😀
Contador is fantastic today. I never really warmed to him in the past but he's been a joy to watch in this tour.
Bloody hell Bertie's riding well...
Steak dinner on the rest day has kicked in... 😉
Death or glory, will miss him when he retires...
I like to think he's squeaky clean the last few years.
Thing is though, in recent years it's been his trademark... big attack, blow up, end race.
Yeah, we've done that to death (steakbake/ginsters)
Big ring riding, pace on.. tapping it out.
Don't You wish You could ride like that ?
First time I've see wheelsucker_mathews on the front 🙄
Sorry, just realised for the past week on hiday I've been watching on Itv4+1!
So I'm just listening to the Barry Hoban interview. Neds just basically said it was a coincidence that Tom Simpson death anniversary coincides with the Tour. Duh!
Don't You wish You could ride like that ?
I can ride like that, thanks. (for 50 yards) 8)
Mollema towed him past that main break group like they were in the steady group of a club ride. 😯
Thibaut Pinot scratched.
FdJ not having the best of tours. Think they'll make it to the end with one left ? Touch and Go innit.
Danny Navarro up front with TdG and Mathews 😀
Thing is though, in recent years it's been his trademark... big attack, blow up, end race.
Maybe, but I'd prefer to watch him race than most of the other GC riders who will settle for a top 10 / top 5.. it's win or nothing for AC..
If he was just after the stage win today he'd have attacked far later on.. he almost certainly won't manage it, but he's trying to get back his 7 minutes today IMO..
I just can't see Contador making his attack stick, great going if he does. I foresee him being passed by Landa and Froome somewhere up the Galibier, Landa breathing through his nose looking a bit bored (as normal).
He may or may not get a chuck of that time back today, but he'll pay for it tomorrow.