Bike Ping
Well there was not much in the way of fireworks or strategies today, except for battling the wind. I think most teams were seeking as much "road rest" as they could manage with the tough stage coming tomorrow.
From Le Tour:
"In between the Mont Ventoux and the Alps, there's the Grand Colombier. Only once this grueling climb in the Jura overlooking the Mont Blanc and the Bourget lake has been featured in the Tour de France. In 2012, it didn't impact the race really, probably because the finish was a bit far away from the top of the hill. This time around, the riders have to climb the Grand Colombier one and half time, the first time via Lochieu, which is not the steepest part, the second time via the famous S above Culoz, which makes it necessary to pass the finishing line with 23.5km to go. The summit won't be reached twice but the downhill back to Culoz is a spectacular one.
The terrain is suitable for movement in the race. Many climbs beforehand, even some that aren't categorized in order to not frighten the riders are likely to give way for a big breakaway to take shape. It's a day for France to finally win a stage with Romain Bardet but at the difference of last year, he's maybe too high on GC, seventh with a deficit of only four minutes. It doesn't give him a total freedom."
I think this is going to be a day when Tejay just might try to become a podium contender if Richie Porte is strong and can help.
