July 23, Stage 20: Grenoble (ITT) 41km

GT_TDI_150 · 24-07-2011 9:05am

delighted with cadel evans performance .... means i can return to the bookies with a winning betting slip!!!:D

guapos · 24-07-2011 9:12am

im only new to cycling so excuse my ignorance but why dont they contest the last stage?

Captain Havoc · 24-07-2011 10:29am

guapos wrote: »

im only new to cycling so excuse my ignorance but why dont they contest the last stage?

Any break wouldn't have a snowballs chance in staying away, this is a sprinter's stage. As it's a sprinter's stage they usually have a bit of a faff around up to Paris, Cadel will probably have a glass of champagne (probably really apple juice) and have a bit of a parade at the front of the peloton, then once they hit the Champs-Élysées, it's back to racing.

Pherekydes · 24-07-2011 10:30am

guapos wrote: »

im only new to cycling so excuse my ignorance but why dont they contest the last stage?

They do! Because of the make-up of the stage it suits the sprinters down to the ground, so individual or very small group breaks have little chance of succeeding. A GC contender making a break would be chased down relentlessly by the race leader's team.

Hail 2 Da Thief · 24-07-2011 6:29pm

Cool photo taken during the stage.

Roche%20stage%2021%20tour%20de%20france%2011%20-%20gallery.jpg

Hermy · 24-07-2011 6:42pm

Would that not slow him down?

thebouldwhacker · 24-07-2011 6:42pm

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Cadel will probably have a glass of champagne (probably really apple juice) and have a bit of a parade at the front of the peloton, then once they hit the Champs-Élysées, it's back to racing.

Its like you saw into the future and typed....