Stage 16 - Tuesday, July 20 2010, Bagnères-de-Luchon - Pau, 196 km

ednwireland

all schleck has to do is emulate merckx - easy

Pain on tap in the Pyrenees

This stage pays homage to one of the greatest exploits in Tour history. In 1969, on a stage that crossed the same four passes as today's, race leader Eddy Merckx launched a solo attack at the foot of the Aubisque and rode away to the finish in Mourenx, just west of Pau, arriving almost eight minutes clear of his rivals.

It would be astounding to see anyone attempt to copy the Belgian's incredible ride, especially given the long run-in to the finish.

Inquitus

With such a long finish after the final climb, you have to think noones going to take any time out of anyone today, and that the tour will be decided on Thurs mountaintop finish.

joker77

2 Cat 1 and 2 HC? Jaysus....

jwshooter

Daddy says nicholas is going ti try get in a break and attack early on .

Chips Lovell

I vote for unpredictable. They could stay together, but it could be all over the place as well if it kicks off. That much climbing can really cause havoc if some people want to make a go of it and guys will be beginning to realise that they don't have many chances left to move up the GC.

kennyb3

Inquitus wrote: »

With such a long finish after the final climb, you have to think noones going to take any time out of anyone today, and that the tour will be decided on Thurs mountaintop finish.

i wouldnt be so sure, this is a long stage and there is a lot of climbing

pprendeville

anyone read Nico's blog? Gadret wouldn't give him his front wheel. Rekon Nico will be in one of the breakaways over the next few days or will be pushing hard to regain time lost yesterday.

Rovi

Roche is in the first breakaway.

Guybrush T

And Lance and Wiggins,for those hoping for a last hurrah from Armstrong this could be the day...

bbosco

Rovi wrote: »

Roche is in the first breakaway.

Great stuff from Nico, let's hope he's got in the right break. Funny how his old man was Mr Cool on the bike. Always looked cool no matter what the pace or the pressure. Nico's the complete opposite today

niceonetom

I think Gadret just went out the back.

alibabba

Go roche

xz

LIVE STREAMING HERE http://www.fromsport.com/v-0/0/148/v-14923.html

Morrisseeee

Today should be 'mega', 188kms to go and attacking already, go Roche go Schleck !

RobFowl

niceonetom wrote: »

I think Gadret just went out the back.

12:11 CEST

Interesting to see Nicolas Roche up here. The Irish rider was very annoyed with his teammate Jean Gadret yesterday. It seems that Gadret refused to give Roche a wheel when he punctured on the last climb and added insult to mechanical injury by attacking as Roche was chasing back on. Even more interesting is that Gadret is now trying to bridge to the leaders..


Not quite out the back !!

niceonetom

RobFowl wrote: »

12:11 CEST

Interesting to see Nicolas Roche up here. The Irish rider was very annoyed with his teammate Jean Gadret yesterday. It seems that Gadret refused to give Roche a wheel when he punctured on the last climb and added insult to mechanical injury by attacking as Roche was chasing back on. Even more interesting is that Gadret is now trying to bridge to the leaders..


Not quite out the back !!

Saw him on his own. He could only be in one of two places like that. I picked wrong.

Vandenbroke could doom this break anyway...

Captain Havoc

What happened to Roche there? I've just tuned in

Dodge

I think Vino helps the breakaway. can't see Astana rushing to bring him back

Dodge

Grr, just as I was typing. Must have been another mechanincal for Roche

joker77

How can Vino still have enough in the legs for a breakaway today???

bbosco

Captain Havoc wrote: »

What happened to Roche there? I've just tuned in

No idea. He was in the lead group, then my router crapped out. When I got connected to Eurosport again they were showing with the 'Arriere de la course' caption

joker77

That's a lot of bad luck, he's out the back of the main bunch as well now yea?

Captain Havoc

bbosco wrote: »

No idea. He was in the lead group, then my router crapped out. When I got connected to Eurosport again they were showing with the 'Arriere de la course' caption

I tuned in just for that and was reading here that he was in the first break so was wondering, "12.09, ROCHE IN DIFFICULTY:Roche has dropped out of the lead group and is now in the five including Sastre and Vinokourov" Sounds like he may have put in too much yesterday trying to catch up. If this is the case he might go for John Gadret after todays stage.

Rovi

I THINK I just saw him with 2 teammates towards the back of the peleton.

Morrisseeee

Roche is at the back of the Peloton with his teammates atm

Dodge

But what is that based on. We have the same feeds as them and he wasn't shown in difficulty. Just "arriere" all of a sudden

Dodge

Morrisseeee wrote: »

Roche is at the back of the Peleton with his teammates atm

maybe one of them needed his wheel

Captain Havoc

Dodge wrote: »

But what is that based on. We have the same feeds as them and he wasn't shown in difficulty. Just "arriere" all of a sudden

The live feed on the tour site.

Morrisseeee

43 secs peleton behind break group, a group incl Armstrong and Wiggins!!

ednwireland

jens voight crashed (has he forgotten how to descend ) think hes back up and chasing

the question is carolineS on the cycling weekley feed the same one as here ?

Dodge

Captain Havoc wrote: »

The live feed on the tour site.

Sorry, I read that too but a lot of their stuff is wrong. From what I gather its based on TV pictures