Tour de France - Stage 17 - SPOILER

[Keith Oates]

Today is another hard one with the big climbs of Sestriere and the Pra Martino, but again there is a lot of downhill after each one so it looks as if they could favour Evans with his good down hill riding. Personally I like mountain stages to end at the top of a climb but we will have to wait until tomorrows monster before we get that. Contador is also not so good on the downhills but he seems to handle them better than AS. It will also be interesting to see if the Schlecks wait for each other or if AS will ride for Frank who seems to be in the best position of the two at the moment. There is also a possibility that Contador will attack again and drop the others but Evans looks strong at the moment and it will take a big effort to shake him off. All in all an interesting day ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Personally I like mountain stages to end at the top of a climb but we will have to wait until tomorrows monster before we get that.

Yes last year's Col Du Tourmalet was fantastic with the riders appearing out of the mist. Just a pity about the result mind.

 

[dellzeqq]

it's a sort of bigger version of stage 16. I like downhill finishes (remember Stephen Roche going in to Morzine).

Evans and Contador will wonder if Andy Schleck is still sulking after yesterday's poor showing. They will surely attack. Basso has nothing to lose by attacking. Sanchez must be tempted to go early. Voeckler will do his best to hang on (and good luck to him). Here's a thought - Cunego, Danielson or Uran might go early, reasoning that the leaders will be reluctant to chase.

Cav will presumably be feeling pretty darn confident after yesterday's ride.

So - I expect a fizzing stage, and that the Schlecks' chance of a GC win will be over by tonight.

 

[yello]

I hope I'm wrong but I can't see any changes today. There's just not enough, imho, for anyone
to try anything. Perhaps only those after polka dots are going to be interested. And, as someone commented elsewhere, who really cares about that jersey anymore?

The final 60km are effectively downhill, with a toughish but short 8km climb of 450m (merely a bump really).

A breakaway to go the distance again I think.

 

[dellzeqq]

I hope I'm wrong but I can't see any changes today. There's just not enough, imho, for anyone
to try anything. Perhaps only those after polka dots are going to be interested. And, as someone commented elsewhere, who really cares about that jersey anymore?

Is it not highly regarded in France?

 

[yello]

Is it not highly regarded in France?

No, it's not that. I don't think it's more or less regarded here than anywhere else. Mine was a bit of an ironic comment really. But I did see some truth in the comment when whoever it was on the forum made it. I think it was made after Roy got beaten by Hushvold a couple of stages back. He'd taken the polka dots but didn't get the stage. But it seemed the climbers' jersey was no consolation. Roy actually said he'd have swapped it for the stage win.

It does seem to me that it's lost it's value over the years. Which I'd see as a shame. For me, I see climbers as the real cyclists! (Without diminishing the talents of sprinters or rouleurs) Perhaps there ought be time bonuses for 1st over the top too, then we might see more competition for the jersey.

 

[cisamcgu]

with a toughish but short 8km climb of 450m (merely a bump really).

...which is almost half the height of Snowdon

It makes you realise how bl**dy hard it must be to climb these hills !

 

[yello]

Having never climbed Snowdon, I can't possibly comment!

My comments are made in the context of a pro-cyclist! The Coté de Pramatino isn't insignificant as a Cat 2 in itself, but after a 45km downhill I don't think it'll present too much of a difficulty.

It is possible that you might see a repeat of yesterday, in that someone might launch an attack a few km from the top and hope to hold the gap on the descent (since it is similar to yesterday's finish) but I don't think the conditions today will be like yesteday. Hence me thinking there'll be no change at the top of the GC today.

 

[VamP]

Basso will ride aggressively today for sure.

I can't see the GC riders taking it easy today, not after Bertie showed his appetite yesterday.

Really looking forward to today's stage (and tomorrow's, and Friday's )

 

[dellzeqq]

Andy Schleck has now criticised the finish of this stage, calling it a track across a wood. He says he's ridden it three times, and found it frightening.

He may or may not have a point. As we now know all too well, the Giro was dangerous, but, Schleck has probably got as close to inviting Contador, Evans and Sanchez to attack as he possibly could.

 

[dellzeqq]

breakaway with Boassen-Hagen, Chavanel and twelve others about five miles ahead of the yellow jersey group

 

[yello]

That break will stay away I reckon. WIll have EBH have the legs, after yesterday, to stay with it?

 

[raindog]

No Italians in the break - you'd think they'd be motivated today.

 

[VamP]

No Italians in the break - you'd think they'd be motivated today.

I know. Weird that.

 

[yello]

Comment on the cycling news describes Pramatino as a "brute of a climb" and predicts someone will have a go. I hope they're right and I'm wrong!