Getting in early with the thread as I’m out all day after this!

A mountain stage in all but name, today is just a constant series of punchy climbs around the Massif Central as the race heads towards the Pyrenees.

Mende is another airport runway finish although not as steep as Stage 10’s finish in Megeve. It was here in 2015 that Steve Cummings attacked under the Flamme Rouge to win.

Today has to be one for the breakaway. Yesterday could have gone either way but with Jakobsen out of sorts and Caleb Ewen crashing, it was left to a single team to attempt to bring the break back and the peloton had zero interest in contributing to it. Today, they’ll know there’s no point bringing it back and it could prove to be a welcome day of rest for everyone other than the break.

The sort of day that so far we’ve seen the likes of Bob Jungels and Lennard Kämna do well in. Could also be one for Simon Geshcke to look after his Polka Dot jersey. Steve Cummings’ breakaway companions in 2015 were Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet; the latter is too high up on GC to be allowed much leeway but Pinot is usually a good call for a flamboyant attempt at a stage win as well.

Thanks for the daily posts @crazy-legs cracking job

WvA to go 23.6km out for a solo

WvA to go 23.6km out for a solo

Yes please…more points for my fantasy team 🙏

WvA to go 23.6km out for a solo

Pogacar to launch at the foot of the final climb. 😉

Should be a fun start, lots of riders will want to get in the break. Love Orla’s outfit today.

Adam’s shirt, not so much.

the Pog monster is playing with jumbo 😀

and looking grim for Caleb

peleton is in tatters

“he Pog monster is playing with jumbo”

yep – that what i feel too. There was something not quite right with that stage where he ‘blew up’

this is mental, it’s looking like a “GC” break!

Surely Inneos have to try something to pierce JV and not hope it’s only going to be Pogacar attacking.

My dream team has been sucking by and large so far*, Mohric is in it though and he’s looking keen. Wonder if the dropper is fitted today….

*Actually the team have been moderately active and it’s been great to watch, they just aren’t particularly good at accruing points it seems.

JV don’t have the numbers here, if they blow WvA out anyone could get up the road! even yellow 😕

How much can they lean on Wout? Has anyone worked harder this tour so far?

Boooo don’t spoil the fun 🙁

Is it too much to ask for a Pidcock attack from the top of la Fage? 15km descent + 5km climb.

GC: Pog to take a handful of seconds from everyone else.

I’ve got Pinot,Kung and Mollema up the road. I doubt Kung will figure into the final mix but Mollema and Pinot have a chance.

Pidcock to lead Thomas down the hill for an all out attack. Pogacar to mug them at the top….maybe. I think they’ve gave the break the gap to save the legs for some fireworks at the end.

Pidcock dropped before the descent

Pidcock out the back, descent doesn’t look that technical anyway. It’s long enough though maybe he can do something to get back on.

frickin’ el!

brilliant!

Sprinters aren’t supposed to do that uphill! Chapeau.

I would have expected a bit more sacrifice from Yates to help Thomas back on there

More shouting at the telly today, what a measured effort from Matthews. Great stage

tears from Matty White ? 😉

Seeing Matthews almost crack and then open his Suitcase of Courage™ to come back and win wa a great moment.

Finally catching up with the highlights now. I know the result but I’d not seen any of these early attacks other than the comments on here (thanks for those! 🙂 )

they went nuclear on the last climb, however they looked comfortable

from Twitter

Pogačar did something special on Cote de la Croix – Mende. 7,36 w/kg for 9:05 min. Only 7 seconds from Pantani’s record. The fastest time on Mende since 1995. Pantani, Riis and Indurain are the only ones with a faster time.
W/Kg est. by
@NaichacaCycling

Jonas Vingegaard did his by far best short effort on Cote de la Croix Neuve – Mende. 7.25 w/kg for 9:05. 0.11 w/kg less than Pogačar because of drafting. Jonas probably could have pushed more w/kg, which is scary to think.
W/Kg est. by
@NaichacaCycling

Good post, especially with that forum name!

wot no matty white tears!