July 21, Stage 18: Pinerolo - Galibier Serre-Chevalier 189km

ednwireland

The Tour's highest-ever finish

There probably haven't been many, if any, occasions when the Izoard has been the smallest climb on the day's itinerary, which sums up just how extraordinary this stage is. Starting with the ascent of the huge Agnel climb, "the roof" of this year's Tour, then passing over the spectacular Izoard, the day culminates with the ascent to the Tour's highest-ever finish on the summit of the Galibier. It will be of little consolation to most that this is reached from its easier side. The last 8.5km are tough and should see an intense battle between the podium contenders.

on_the_nickel

Is this really the first ever finish on the Galibier?

CianRyan

I do not envy them for tomorrow.

mahoo

im tired even looking at that profile... if my sums are right thats approx 4700m of climbing. should sort the men out from the schlecks ... cant believe how anti schleck im becoming on this tour. i was cheering andy on this time last year. but if i see him look around for his brother ONE MORE TIME.....
and on that note.. probably a new man in yellow tomorrow. im going for a top three of Evans, Contador, Sanchez after the stage (would love tommy v to stick in there though)

Morrisseeee

I'll add to that by introducing the climbs, and there's ALOT of climbing tomorrow, Andy > your wish has been granted.
The first climb Col Agnel is officially 23.7km @ 6.5% but they will be climbing for nearly 70km before the reach the summit !! The last part of Agnel is steep, a long stretch over 10%.



Then onto the Col d'Izoard, 14.1 @ 7.3%, again with a tough finish.



Then, if there's any legs/energy left, we have the Galibier, first ever finish on it, 23km @ 5.1, with a nice 9% at the end, and some snow also !



Recent pic I believe.

Basso should like this, him being a diesel. AC should like it (especially those 10% bits). Andy says he likes it but.............all that head turning will kill him. Cadel doesn't like it me thinks, too much grinding. Sanchez is a dark horse, to be watched carefully. Frank, is he on form or not ?! oh..........and Tommmmmy, go Tommy go
Who will win the stage ?! Is there a Kiryienka lying in wait somewhere, biding their time for a historic win ??!!
Should be compulsive watching anyway
And............will Cav make the TimeLimit ?

Brian?

This time tomorrow Contador will probably be in yellow, if the last couple of days are anything to go by. The only doubt is that he might not put enough time into Evans tomorrow, in which case I recknow Evans will take over the yellow.

I can't wait for this, three Hors Catergory climbs in one day should be epic. I have lost all faith in the Schlecks cracking Contador, they had their chance in the Pyrenees and couldn't do it.

It's strange, even though Evans has 2 minutes over Contador I still can't see him winning the tour.

mahoo

briankeating wrote: »

It's strange, even though Evans has 2 minutes over Contador I still can't see him winning the tour.

He has 3.15... which makes me think it'll be very close!

Thomas VOECKLER EUC 73:23:49
Cadel EVANS BMC +00:01:18
Frank SCHLECK LEO +00:01:22
Andy SCHLECK LEO +00:02:36
Samuel SANCHEZ EUS +00:02:59
Alberto CONTADOR SBS +00:03:15
Damiano CUNEGO LAM +00:03:34
Ivan BASSO LIQ +00:03:49

That Col Agnel looks savage. relentless 9%+ for last 9k is going to hurt

Brian?

mahoo wrote: »

He has 3.15... which makes me think it'll be very close!

Thomas VOECKLER EUC 73:23:49
Cadel EVANS BMC +00:01:18
Frank SCHLECK LEO +00:01:22
Andy SCHLECK LEO +00:02:36
Samuel SANCHEZ EUS +00:02:59
Alberto CONTADOR SBS +00:03:15
Damiano CUNEGO LAM +00:03:34
Ivan BASSO LIQ +00:03:49

You've got your sums wrong there horse: 3:15-1:18 = 1:57

Or just shy of 2 mins

Morrisseeee

The 'stage' is set Mr. Contador, tomorrow will be your finest day, a day when you will win on Galibier & probably the Tour or not as the CASe may be

mahoo

briankeating wrote: »

You've got your sums wrong there horse: 3:15-1:18 = 1:57

Or just shy of 2 mins

duuuuh.. sorry. blonde moment.... still think it'll be close though. evans has been hanging on to the attacks pretty well so far. cant wait to find out!

TheBlaaMan

There's a 'prediction' thing for tomorrows stage going on over on www.velominati.com and its open season on nicknames !

Identify the following:
1. Jelle Roll
2. Grimpy the Elder
3. Bert
4. Cadelephant
5. JEROME F’IN COPPEL

or

1. Odor
2. Elephant Balls
3. Dog
4. Mermaid
5. Tits

or

1. Jelly Roll Morton
2. Clenched Butt Odor
3. Swivelhead Snr
4. Bumchin
5. Swivelhead Jnr

I recognise most..........but a few are hilarious !

AstraMonti

From the intermediate sprint until col Agnel is 60k.. 60k uphill .. :eek:

JacksonHeightsOwn

piece of piss :rolleyes:

Pherekydes

This is going to be epic. I see Voeckler finally relinquishing yellow. I'd love to see him hang on but these mountains are merciless. I'm not sure about Evans, either. I see these losing time. The Schlecks in yellow tomorrow, with the Spaniards breathing down their necks and the Italians closing in.

If Nico could just find his climbing legs he could move up substantially.

Now, to just ask the boss for the day off...


...wait, she'll be gone to work. Oh, the joys of being retired! :pac:

Super Freak

And............will Cav make the TimeLimit ?

Hopefully not :mad: Can't stand the thought of him winning another stage on the Champs Elyses. Althought even if he os outside the time limit he will not be excluded from the rest of the tour as it is a discretionary decision apparently.

Brian?

Super Freak wrote: »

Hopefully not :mad: Can't stand the thought of him winning another stage on the Champs Elyses. Althought even if he os outside the time limit he will not be excluded from the rest of the tour as it is a discretionary decision apparently.

The time limit will mean feck all tomorrow and probably the next day. The bus will be so big, no one will be eliminated.

Captain Havoc

AstraMonti wrote: »

From the intermediate sprint until col Agnel is 60k.. 60k uphill .. :eek:

pfft, amateurs :cool:

Aoibheann

Oh good God. I've been waiting for this stage, Friday and the subsequent time-trial on Saturday forever, it seems. I absolutely cannot WAIT, tomorrow is going to be epic. That many HC climbs in one day = a world of hurt. It's also perfect for AC (as is the rest of the next 3 days, unfortunately), though I'm still crossing my fingers for an Evans overall win - he's really grown on me the past few years. If he can even wheel-suck for the next 2 days (I hope not, but you can't have everything! :pac:), he shouldn't lose 2 minutes on that TT given that he's the only GC contender who's completed it in a racing scenario.

antogz1979

Contador to destroy tomorrow, the legend is back

Explosive_Cornflake

I'd really like to see todays stage.
Does any channel do decent highlights or anything? I have an exam at 2PM and I'm coming of night shift at 8AM so need to get some sleep in between.
Would love to watch it later as it's going to be a cracker.

jay.i.am

The heart says Evans, but the head says Contador.I think he may do something special today.Either way i hope the next few days carry on in the same vain as the last 2.5 weeks.Great Tour really dont want it to end....................ever!

xz

mahoo wrote: »

im tired even looking at that profile... if my sums are right thats approx 4700m of climbing. should sort the men out from the schlecks ... cant believe how anti schleck im becoming on this tour. i was cheering andy on this time last year. but if i see him look around for his brother ONE MORE TIME.....
and on that note.. probably a new man in yellow tomorrow. im going for a top three of Evans, Contador, Sanchez after the stage (would love tommy v to stick in there though)

+1 Couldn't have said it better myself, I'm surprised Andy isn't complaining of a sore neck

ednwireland

Aoibheann wrote: »

Oh good God. I've been waiting for this stage, Friday and the subsequent time-trial on Saturday forever, it seems. I absolutely cannot WAIT, tomorrow is going to be epic. That many HC climbs in one day = a world of hurt. It's also perfect for AC (as is the rest of the next 3 days, unfortunately), though I'm still crossing my fingers for an Evans overall win - he's really grown on me the past few years. If he can even wheel-suck for the next 2 days (I hope not, but you can't have everything! :pac:), he shouldn't lose 2 minutes on that TT given that he's the only GC contender who's completed it in a racing scenario.

eeeerrrrr i wouldnt build your hopes up, seen too many epic stages just fizzle out

(but i hope it doesnt)

nomadic

ednwireland wrote: »

eeeerrrrr i wouldnt build your hopes up, seen too many epic stages just fizzle out

(but i hope it doesnt)

Yea, there'll probably just be action on the last climb. It'd be great to see them attack from the first climb but that's not going to happen.

I don't get all the Berti love on here, I hope he has a nightmare stage (looking unlikely:().

ednwireland

nomadic wrote: »

I don't get all the Berti love on here, I hope he has a nightmare stage (looking unlikely:().

just think what kind of race we would be watching if he wasnt there

Brian?

nomadic wrote: »

ednwireland wrote: »

eeeerrrrr i wouldnt build your hopes up, seen too many epic stages just fizzle out

(but i hope it doesnt)

Yea, there'll probably just be action on the last climb. It'd be great to see them attack from the first climb but that's not going to happen.

I don't get all the Berti love on here, I hope he has a nightmare stage (looking unlikely:().

He's exciting, simple as that really. He attacks like a Tour winner should and doesn't sit around waiting for others to make mistakes.

I don't want to get into the doping debate, but it should gave been sorted out months ago. He could have 2 tours and a Giro taken off him, it's a joke how badly it's been handled.

Imagine this years tour without him, snoozefest.

Beasty

A number of the posts in this thread made before midnight (briankeating and mahoo in particular) included information relevant to yesterday's stage without spoiler tags - any more of this will incur infractions (bans for repeat offenders)

Thanks

Beasty

Seres

jay.i.am wrote: »

The heart says Evans, but the head says Contador.I think he may do something special today.Either way i hope the next few days carry on in the same vain as the last 2.5 weeks.Great Tour really dont want it to end....................ever!

i agree , was for AS at the start but have lost faith over the last few days , he needs to just take a risk and go for it , got to give it to Contador he is really shaken up all the other favourites , todays mammoth session will be fantastic !

RobFowl

Personally hope that anyone but AC wins.
Am an Evans fan so hope he'll do it but if its a Schrek than hope it's Andy (haven't forgotten Franks €10k to Fuentes!!).
Sanchez is a Dark horse though and certainly won't rule him out.
Tommy V will lose the jersey today but hope he can hang on for a top 5 or top 10 at least.
The way Roche rode yesterday a top 15 placing is still possible so here's hopin.

Vélo

Me too, anyone but AC to win but he'll probably do OK if he had his steak sandwich:D

mahoo

Beasty wrote: »

A number of the posts in this thread made before midnight (briankeating and mahoo in particular) included information relevant to yesterday's stage without spoiler tags - any more of this will incur infractions (bans for repeat offenders)

Thanks

Beasty

oops. sorry about that. i'm living on central european time at the moment wont happen again

Karagesh

I have climbed both these mountains (over 2 days in 2010) and the descents could be a factor here. I did the Col Agnel from the French side and when we got to the summit the view of the road into the Italian side scared me. I wouldnt fancy coming up it. The road surfaces aren't great in places either.

My mate ended up crashing on the decent of the Col Agnel. His bike was crap but still it was dangerous. The locals were telling us someone dies every year and a few people end up with injuries that permanently disable them, as they carted him off in an ambulance.

Alberto to win for me. I'm hoping for attacks from all angles!

Morrisseeee

Has it started yet, is there anyone of note in the break, Roche, has Conti attacked yet, have the Schlecks got their wing-mirrors on, has Evans broken down, is Basso smilling yet, has Tommmmy attacked...........bring it on :pac:

Seriously tho, this stage is savage, not only ALL the climbing but the altitude aswell, up to 2700m then back down, then back up to 2400m, back down and then finish on 2600m, and it's not a sportive it's gonna be raced at a furious pace !!, it shouldn't be allowed, it's some kind of sick joke gone wrong, but...............I'll watch it all the same

Johnners1878

Today's route is so demanding that it may well be an anti-climax, as everyone hangs on for dear life. It's equally possible that it could be the stage for a career-defining performance from one or more riders. If Andy Schleck takes 10 minutes out of Contador, Cadel et al, a lot of the comments on here over the last week or so will look very foolish. He seems to have ridden like a clown so far and frustrated his fans, but it could be part of a shrewd plan. Who knows? A lot could have changed by tonight. Let's hope that it lives up to expectations and we see a new hero emerge.

Hermy

nomadic wrote: »

Yea, there'll probably just be action on the last climb. It'd be great to see them attack from the first climb but that's not going to happen.

You'd never know given the unpredictability of this Tour.

Like others here I've enjoyed Bertie's attacks despite everything.
I'll be hoping the Schleks continue to do nothing, that Voeckler can hang on for as long as possible and that Evans comes out on top.

Hermy

From eurosport.com:

The peloton was driving along at a fierce pace early on today -pushing a barmy 60 km/h. 20 riders caused a split but have been reeled in, although two men are now ahead of the bunch: Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil) and Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank). Just kidding, Bertie's not there... it's a FDJ rider, of course: Gianni Meersman. The duo have 12 seconds over the bunch.

AdpRo

Sanchez at 13/2 for todays stage is a great bet!

Rovi

Morrisseeee wrote: »

Has it started yet, is there anyone of note in the break, Roche, has Conti attacked yet, have the Schlecks got their wing-mirrors on, has Evans broken down, is Basso smilling yet, has Tommmmy attacked...........bring it on :pac:

They've done a bit over 21km at this stage, nice 'live' graphic ticker here:
http://gaps.letour.fr/us.php

Unregistered.

'mon the Roachmeister!

Gipo3

ITV have good updates on Twitter

oflahero

Johnners1878 wrote: »

If Andy Schleck takes 10 minutes out of Contador, Cadel et al, a lot of the comments on here over the last week or so will look very foolish. He seems to have ridden like a clown so far and frustrated his fans, but it could be part of a shrewd plan.

It would still be a real pity to see someone win the Tour like that - with a distinct lack of class in all the other disciplines. Wouldn't be a popular winner.

petethedrummer

Johnners1878 wrote: »

If Andy Schleck takes 10 minutes out of Contador, Cadel et al, a lot of the comments on here over the last week or so will look very foolish.

That's a big IF. We can only call it as we see it, Bill.

Morrisseeee

Cheers Rovi, might aswell get all the links going: :cool:

mgmt

Rovi wrote: »

They've done a bit over 21km at this stage, nice 'live' graphic ticker here:
http://gaps.letour.fr/us.php

It says snow has been falling on the final climb, I wonder if it will be cut out of the race.

AG2R

I hope not

Gipo3

Roche up near front maybe looking for break?

Edit: Roche in break of 16, 45seconds ahead.

D3PO

Roche = Jeremy Roy mark II

That is all :D

goods

any live links ?

buffalo

goods wrote: »

any live links ?

Won't be on 'til 12.30 - http://www.cyclingfans.com/tdf18.html

jiffybag

I think Cadel will have a strong showing today on the Galibier . Dont see him losing to much time to the super climbers. As for a dark horse for a stage win , maybe Basso as he needs something to save a poor tour.
That breakaway group will be in pieces on the Izoard , the drop down to Briancon is an entertaining spin too .

Guybrush T

Gipo3 wrote: »

Roche up near front maybe looking for break?

Edit: Roche in break of 16, 45seconds ahead.

Good on Nico, but you have to ask if this is the best day for a break for him?