Tour de France - Stage 16 - SPOILER

[Keith Oates]

Today looks very interesting and tough as there is almost non stop climbing until reaching the top of Col de Manse before dropping down to the finish at Gap. Looks like another chance for a break to get away and stick but for sure the 'favorites' will be watching each other like Hawks to ensure none of them gets an advantage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Yes, quite.

By the way, does the explanation mark button on your keyboard get stuck down or something??

 

[Keith Oates]

I don't know but it seems to happen on all the computers I use when on the forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[VamP]

Yup, today and tomorrow are the last two opportunities for riders who want a stage win, and have got nothing from the Tour so far, so I am expecting lots of attacking on these two days, maybe one of the breakaways will stick. The GC riders will save their powder for Thursday and Friday I reckon.

BTW I heard that snow was forecast for Thursday above 1800 m. Should make the 2.5 km finish entertaining!!

 

[biking_fox]

First hour of racing at 51 kmh !!! uphill.

No breakaways yet. Everyone wants to be in it, no-one wants to let it go without them. HTC want Cav at the front for the intermediate sprint at the least. (can he survive a Cat2 and still bunch sprint it out?)

 

[dragon72]

Liggett keeps mentioning riders called "Boyson-Hagen" and "Voykler". I'm trying desperately not to throw things at the screen.

 

[yello]

That is a strong breakaway group. I fancy it to stay the distance.

Mark my words, that Hushvold fella is going to keep notching up the points. Forget Gilbert or Rojas, I reckon it could be Hushvold that could well be Cavendish's rival for green... again!

 

[dragon72]

Yes! Between my last post and this I sent Liggett a tweet pleading with him about his pronunciation. He just said "Veurklair". Well, it's a big improvement!

 

[perplexed]

Why didn't Cav try to pick up some minor points from the intermediate sprint? Were there any left on offer?

 

[yello]

Only a couple on offer so I guess he wanted to save his energy.

Hushvold wasn't looking for max points there either so maybe he's not interested in green?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

if the break stays the course, a hushovd/boasson-hagen duel should be great and split norwegian loyalties down the middle…

 

[perplexed]

How about Tony Martin to time trial his way to the end over the last few Kms?

 

[perplexed]

Only a couple on offer so I guess he wanted to save his energy.

Hushvold wasn't looking for max points there either so maybe he's not interested in green?

Could well be...

 

[VamP]

if the break stays the course, a hushovd/boasson-hagen duel should be great and split norwegian loyalties down the middle…

Eight guys in that break who got a huge vested interest in avoiding a sprint finish.

 

[VamP]

Of course Hushovd is not just a sprinter anymore. And he really wants that stage win!