Tour de France - Stage 12 - SPOILER

[Keith Oates]

Today is the first of the big climb stages and it is a tough one for an opener. It should also give us some idea of who is going well and who is struggling a little, but so far we can expect a tussle between Contador, Evans, The Schlecks and maybe Basso. Contador has the knee situation that may affect him but also having given his all at the Giro he may not be able to reach that peak again only month later. The accident and time lost by Contador earlier in the race makes his job even more testing. Thomas Voeckler will no doubt try to stay in yellow with his current 2 minute lead but I think that is unlikely, even if he is on his new yellow C59.

 

[biking_fox]

They're already underway. My biggest questionis whether or not Cav can keep the green. He'll probably have to contend for the uphill intermediates if he does - and I'm not sure he'll be able to.

Geriant Thomas is away in today's break. Chances of reaching the finish ahead - zero?

 

[Kirstie]

The contador-knee situation is a massive bluff I reckon

 

[Holy Warrior]

Not sure which spoiler thread we are using



Long long long stage today, brutal too. I also fancy a lot of teams/ top riders to ride strongly today. I don't want to make a prediction as I want to be entertained, it may be a little too early for mass attacks though but we'll see, the crashes have left quite a few riders needing to make time up.


Would be nice to see someone like Moncoutie win today but if I had to stick my neck out i'd say Damiano Cunego Andy Schleck to win it overall though

 

[Sonofpear]

Good to see Thomas away in the break. He's having a great tour so far.

 

[Melonfish]

129km left to go and FINALLY i get coverage heh.
almost at the feed point now cannot wait till they get past the intermediate and hit those mountains.
cat 1 climb! to be fair i can only describe todays stage as BRUTAL!

 

[Molecule Man]

I would just like to add my support to the original and best Keith Oates spoiler thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[raindog]

Geraint virtual yellow jersey for the time being.

 

[Melonfish]

Geraint virtual yellow jersey for the time being.

yeah but wait until they hit that first climb, i reckon the 9min lead will drop off pretty damn sharpish.
however i do see thomas going for the sprint points in a mo.

 

[User169]

Good points for Cav there in the intermediate.

 

[biking_fox]

Nope - Thomas was last of the break in the sprint. However Cav did take the peleton lead, so gains a small increase in his green points. Now he just has to make the time cut!

 

[raindog]

Nope - Thomas was last of the break in the sprint. However Cav did take the peleton lead, so gains a small increase in his green points. Now he just has to make the time cut!

Nope? Nope what?

 

[Crackle]

Thomas, locked his back wheel, that'll knock his confidence - Jeez, again!

 

[Holy Warrior]

Thomas, locked his back wheel, that'll knock his confidence - Jeez, again!

Commentators are saying it's the carbon rims? Surely they can't be that bad? Looks well dodgy.

 

[Beebo]

What is the time limit on a mountain stage?

Is there someone at the back of the autobus telling then how fast they need to go to get home in time?