Posted on 07/01/2011 7:58:26 PM PDT by Ready4Freddy
Climbers after Stage 16 yeaterday:
1. VANENDERT Jelle 38 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 74 pts
2. SANCHEZ Samuel 21 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 72 pts
3. ROY Jérémy 138 FDJ 45 pts
4. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 28 pts
5. EVANS Cadel 141 BMC RACING TEAM 26 pts
6. SCHLECK Frank 18 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 24 pts
7. HOOGERLAND Johnny 204 VACANSOLEIL-DCM 22 pts
8. CHAVANEL Sylvain 121 QUICK STEP CYCLING TEAM 20 pts
9. CASAR Sandy 131 FDJ 19 pts
10. THOMAS Geraint 117 SKY PROCYCLING 18 pts
11. KADRI Blel 106 AG2R LA MONDIALE 18 pts
~42km left
16:00 - De Weert Moving up the rankings...
Of the 17 men who are ahead of the peloton, the best on GC is Kevin De Weert (QST). He began the stage in 12th place overall. He is 9’00” behind Voeckler after 16 stages. His advantage over the peloton is currently 5’35”.
I really thought that Cadel was going to burn it on that last descent, but I guess he couldn’t get past the Schlecks on that narrow road?
Contador looking mighty strong, Voeckler continues to surprise & impress.
1. VOECKLER Thomas 181 TEAM EUROPCAR 73h 23’ 49”
2. EVANS Cadel 141 BMC RACING TEAM 73h 25’ 07” + 01’ 18”
3. SCHLECK Frank 18 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 73h 25’ 11” + 01’ 22”
4. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 73h 26’ 25” + 02’ 36”
5. SANCHEZ Samuel 21 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 73h 26’ 48” + 02’ 59”
6. CONTADOR Alberto 1 SAXO BANK SUNGARD 73h 27’ 04” + 03’ 15”
7. CUNEGO Damiano 161 LAMPRE - ISD 73h 27’ 23” + 03’ 34”
8. BASSO Ivan 91 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 73h 27’ 38” + 03’ 49”
9. DANIELSON Tom 52 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 73h 29’ 53” + 06’ 04”
10. URAN Rigoberto 118 SKY PROCYCLING 73h 31’ 25” + 07’ 36”
11. PERAUD Jean-Christophe 108 AG2R LA MONDIALE 73h 31’ 42” + 07’ 53”
12. DE WEERT Kevin 124 QUICK STEP CYCLING TEAM 73h 31’ 56” + 08’ 07”
13. TAARAMAE Rein 151 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 73h 32’ 24” + 08’ 35”
14. ROLLAND Pierre 188 TEAM EUROPCAR 73h 33’ 52” + 10’ 03”
15. CASAR Sandy 131 FDJ 73h 34’ 22” + 10’ 33”
16. ZUBELDIA Haimar 79 TEAM RADIOSHACK 73h 34’ 27” + 10’ 38”
17. JEANNESSON Arnold 134 FDJ 73h 34’ 41” + 10’ 52”
18. VANENDERT Jelle 38 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 73h 35’ 28” + 11’ 39”
19. VELITS Peter 179 HTC - HIGHROAD 73h 35’ 55” + 12’ 06”
20. COPPEL Jérôme 211 SAUR-SOJASUN 73h 36’ 33” + 12’ 44”
'nuff said. ;)
Now now, luvvy, he cain't hep it.
As Eddie Izzard would (and has) said - 'the French are kind of... French. ;)
To wit: Eddie Izzard - The French (@ ~2:00)
F'bombs are involved; it is Eddie Izzard, after all.
Where the hell did the Schleck’s come from at the end. They weren’t even in the picture at the kilo kite.
Watching the broadcast I was also quite surprised by that end.
Wonder why Sherwin/Liggett weren’t aware of them closing so fast?
Wow - brutal doesn’t even begin to describe what these guys are facing tomorrow.
It appears that AC and Sanchez are becoming right good little saddle buddies.
Giants of the sport to be sure.
Question: in that photo of them on the bikes, what are those things strapped under the down tubes of their bikes?
Also, can you imagine changing a tubular tire by the side of the road? Maybe you’ve done it, I’ve never ridden them, but I watch the guys at the shop install them and can only imagine what a mess that would be in the field.
I like the story of the early TDF where a rider’s frame broke. He managed to get to a village and find the blacksmith’s shop, where he managed to repair the frame himself, only to be disqualified because he had the outside assistance of a local boy working the bellows on the forge.
Yeah, there was a posting about that in this thread. Christophe, what a competitor.
Check out post #265, the whole story is there.
Stay safe FReeper, the next few days of the Tour will make for some interesting watching.
I think they’re small air pumps. If you have to change your own tube, you’re going to need to fill it up.
They sure don’t look like the typical pumps of the day, but they’ve gotta be something.
Man, wild descent at the finish today. Hivert went off the road several times, once into somebody’s driveway. Then here comes Voekler and goes off at the same point, through the gate, gets air, then skids sideways and nearly into a fence. Awesome!
I have to hand it to Voekler, he ain’t giving up, lost like 27 seconds on the stage, but still in yellow. Probably not much longer. I look for Contador to make a big move on one of the HC climbs tomorrow, hopefully the Schlecks can hang on to him, but you know Basso and Evans will be there too.
That final descent today was just nuts, them boys are lucky nobody in the hopefuls ate it in a big way.
Such an interesting stage today. I didn’t get to watch it until tonight so sorry for the late comments. AC gave it all he had and came up with nada. Like that! The TV views showed us EBH winning then the next little clump then, all of a sudden came Sanchez and AC with the Schlecks and Evans. How they re-grouped is anyone’s guess b/c they didn’t show us.
Those had to be the most narrow roads (and darkest) I have ever seen on the TdF. And the descent? Whoa, Baby! Into the Car Park go Hivert and Voekler! Craziness.
I cannot remember a TdF when the eventual leader was so up for grabs at this late stage. There are 5-8 guys who have a legitimate chance to win it. Voekler, Basso, Evans, Schleck, Schleck, Sanchez, Cunego and AC.
Tomorrow will. Be. Epic.
Haha! Yes, that’s probably it...
Stage 18 - Pinerolo (Italy) > > > Galibier Serre-Chevalier - 200.5 km
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Km 107.0 - Col Agnel (2 744 m) - 23.7 km climb to 6.5 % - Category HC
Km 145.5 - Col d'Izoard (2 360 m) - 14.1 km climb to 7.3 % - Category HC
Km 200.5 - Col du Galibier (2 645 m) - 22.8 km climb to 4.9 % - Category HC
Stage 18 - Pinerolo (Italy) > > > Galibier Serre-Chevalier - 200.5 km
Thursday, July 21, 2011
High Mountains - A sporting perspective
JEAN-FRANÇOIS PESCHEUX’S ANALYSIS: A record to celebrate a centenary
“We return to France and there are three very big cols on the menu. The Agnel will be tackled for the first time ever from this side, then there’s the Izoard and its legendary Casse Déserte, followed by the Galibier. This will be our chance to celebrate the centenary of this mythic climb’s first appearance on the race route back in the 1911 Tour de France. In addition, the finish, located at an altitude of 2,645 metres, will be the highest in the race’s history. It will remove from the history books the place held since 1986 by the 2,413m Col du Granon. This stage will certainly see a match-up between all those riders who are in contention for the overall title, as will the stage the following day. Whoever is leading the race runs the risk of succumbing to such physical demands.”
If ever there was a stage a true sprinter must dread, it is today.
But...the Tour certainly misses Armstrong. Funny how there is so little mention of his name in the various broadcasts and writings.
What a monster of a stage and with L’alp D’Huez tomorrow.
I would say today is the ultimate make or break stage, but with d’Huez tomorrow I am not sure that can be said. I think there will definately be some attacks today, but the main contenders may just try to keep things close so they don’t burn themselves out for tomorrow.
That said, while today may not determine the winner, riders could definately LOSE the tour today.
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