Tour de France - Stage 20 (ITT) - SPOILER

[Keith Oates]

Today could be very interesting as the first three on the podium seems to be settled (barring accidents) but there is still a question mark of in which order they will stand on the podium. Evans has a chance of taking a minute out of AS if he's fully recovered from the last two days and AS a little below par. I think third place for Frank looks fairly certain and I really hope Evans can make up the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Auntie Helen]

Can't wait!

I have to go out this afternoon - any idea what time the big names are likely to be finishing their rides so I'm back in time to watch?

 

[gavroche]

Can't wait!

I have to go out this afternoon - any idea what time the big names are likely to be finishing their rides so I'm back in time to watch?

AS will be starting at 16.18 and expecting to finish at 17.13. ( based on average speed of 49kmh.)
The first rider will go at 10.30 then every 2 minutes start.
The last 20 riders will go every 3 minutes.

 

[beastie]

C'mon Cadel !

 

[gavroche]

we know now it will be Cadel or Andy and personally I dont mind either one.
If Cadel wins it, I think it will his only one due to his age.
If AS wins it, it will be the first of many.
May the best man win!

 

[raindog]

Evans to win the Tour by 5 seconds

 

[yello]

It's going to be close but I"ll be willing Cadel on.

Today's going to be interesting in that I'm not sure usual TT form will apply here. Normally you say Cancellera, or Martin.... but after days in the saddle, hugely sapping mountain stages... most of those guys are probably feeling tired beyond belief. It could be a matter of who wants it most.

I have to say, before the TT kicks off, whilst I think the change of format for this year's tour has been for the better, I'm not yet sure I like the TT being at the end of it all as opposed to early on. I agree that having it on day 1 or 2 sets up significant time differences to begin with, and does kind of make the following days less interesting as far as yellow is concerned, but I think I'd like to see the adversaries on the road together knowing what they have to do. All you can do in a TT is bust a gut and hope. Certainly that adds its own kind of tension, and will make for a tense 4 to 5 minutes after Cadel finishes, but it leaves riders powerless to respond, if you get what I mean.

I probably won't be switching on the TV until the top 10 are due to set off. TT is pretty dull to watch, imho

 

[PpPete]

AS will be starting at 16.18 and expecting to finish at 17.13. ( based on average speed of 49kmh.)
The first rider will go at 10.30 then every 2 minutes start.
The last 20 riders will go every 3 minutes.

Those are local times ? An hour earlier for UK ?

 

[aberal]

Hmmmm....Cav's first tweet of the day:

Mark Cavendish Bad mood this morning. I'm tired, have a 42km TT, it's wet & I'm going to have to put up with the bell-ends who reply to this saying I moan.

 

[MichaelM]

I'd like to see Evans take yellow (but don't think he will).

 

[gds58]

I think this will be another really close one but Evans to win yellow by a handful of seconds to rival the greatest Tour finish when Lemond won by 7 seconds back in the 80's.

I can't wait and it will be a nail biter!!

 

[gb155]

Hmmmm....Cav's first tweet of the day:

Mark Cavendish Bad mood this morning. I'm tired, have a 42km TT, it's wet & I'm going to have to put up with the bell-ends who reply to this saying I moan.

Cav's in fine fettle

Is there is a cut off for TT's ?

If not, as there is no sprint points, why doesn't he just tootle round in the granny gears, taking pictures, with a basket on his bike ?

 

[yello]

Yes, there's a cut off. Obviously they don't know what it is until after they've finished though. So if you're slow then you're in for a tense time until the last rider is in!

 

[raindog]

Rolland just been talking about his gearing for the TT - he's got 54/44 up front.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Yes, there's a cut off. Obviously they don't know what it is until after they've finished though. So if you're slow then you're in for a tense time until the last rider is in!

In practice at about 64 minutes Cav must have made the cut already, since the current fastest at 57 minutes is unlikely to be beaten by much. He will only miss it if someone does it in around 51 minutes!