Tour de France Stage 12 – July 17th, B. en Bresse - St. Etienne **Unmasked Spoilers**

Darkglasses

Only slightly different profile to stage 11 yesterday (easier finish) it's another one that gives a breakaway or late attack a very good chance of succeeding. Tomorrow's going to be another hot one with no wind at all. Sagan must be absolutely spitting about still not picking a stage win, so I would predict that there will be no repeat of yesterday's possible carelessness in making an attack and not committing to it when Gallopin went away (in my opinion). The Cat 3 Col des Brosses is the longest climb of the Tour so far, however it's gradient is quite relaxed. That and the easier Cat 4 climb at the end may offer Greipel the opportunity to get involved in the day's race.

Oddschecker: Sagan 9/2, Degenkolb 9/2, Greipel 13/2, Trentin 12/1, Kristoff 14/1

dave3004

Gerrans

The climbs are fine. I don't think the gradient will worry the sprinters too much. I think there's value to be had for the stage win. Sagan will have his chance but is $5.5 and used plenty of petrol yesterday.Coquard is 25/1, Demare at 60/1 and Navardauskas at 80/1 are my value picks for the stage win.

Would love to see a breakaway group with a good few bodies in it make a real go at distancing themselves from the peloton. Stage 11, there wasn't enough men to do it and I think if you can get at least 10 guys and maybe a Tony Martin in there we can see someone really test Astana's mettle. Otherwise, Nibali can sit near the front of the peloton and admire the countryside.

Darkglasses

Greipel

As expected, Talansky does not start today.

pelevin

Bakelants

Quitter.

MPFG

Love Sean Kelly's imitation of Sagan .."When all the stages are the same i don't like ....it"

Pudsy33

That crash was nasty

ThisRegard

Yeah, looked very sore.

But Sean 'has been found out'. They were playing that interview as it happened and Sean said he didn't see the crash as he was reading the local paper when the interview was on.

MPFG

Net-App not having much luck in this Tour

eagle eye

These melted roads might change things but I still expect a mental end to this stage.

eagle eye

Rordriguez might try to win this again today, its just the type of finish that suits him. This Europcar move is interesting this early, commentators wondering if the stage suits Voeckler.

letape

eagle eye wrote: »

Rordrigues might try to win this again today, its just the type of finish that suits him. This Europcar move is interesting this early, commentators wondering if the stage suits Voeckler.

Or maybe they are looking for Roland to go for the stage and recover some time on GC

Darkglasses

Greipel

I'm not sure I see this working out for Europcar, they've burnt themselves out too early and they've hardly made any ground on the break.

eagle eye

Darkglasses wrote: »

I'm not sure I see this working out for Europcar, they've burnt themselves out too early and they've hardly made any ground on the break.

They cut it down by over a minute and then seemed to back off. They have started again now and wiped 13 seconds off it in a couple of kilometres. I think they were smart about it and took a break and now off they go again with 40km to go.

couerdelion

Greipel

Should pro cyclists wear shoulder pads to protect them against injury from falling? No one gets head injuries anymore since they wear helmets so surely shoulder pads is the next logical step. With them in place Cav would still be riding!

Darkglasses

Greipel

couerdelion wrote: »

Should pro cyclists wear shoulder pads to protect them against injury from falling? No one gets head injuries anymore since they wear helmets so surely shoulder pads is the next logical step. With them in place Cav would still be riding!

If you're being serious, I don't think there's any demand for it whatsoever within the peloton. It would take a pretty heavy pad to make a significant difference, which on 37 degree day like today would be unwelcome. I think it's classed as a risk the riders just have to take.

Darkglasses

Greipel

Bloody hell, Cannondale have great numbers. G-S have their work cut out for them.

Darkglasses

Greipel

Kristoff, Sagan, and then Demare I think

cityman 18

How many times has Sagan finished 2nd now!? crazy. Was roaring him on at the end.

dave3004

Gerrans

All 4 had a chance !!

My first ever tour to watch or bet and the bookies have got themselves a new cycling gambler !!

Darkglasses

Greipel

cityman 18 wrote: »

How many times has Sagan finished 2nd now!? crazy. Was roaring him on at the end.

Fourth time!

Talib Fiasco

Greipel

Sagan is gonna kill someone if he doesn't win a stage soon

dave3004

Gerrans

Typical. I back 4, speak of 3 and the other wins.cant believe i never watched the tour before this year !!! What a race it is !!

Darkglasses

Greipel

Well done to Raoul Duke, only one to pick the winner today!

Tony Gallopin lost 5'45 today and drops out of the top 10.

gordongekko

Bennati

Sagan is really frustrating to watch. He was way to far back in the Sprint today and he was way to prominent yesterday. Riis will have to teach him a few tricks next year.

couerdelion

Greipel

Darkglasses wrote: »

If you're being serious, I don't think there's any demand for it whatsoever within the peloton. It would take a pretty heavy pad to make a significant difference, which on 37 degree day like today would be unwelcome. I think it's classed as a risk the riders just have to take.

I wasn't - was a bit quiet in here and thought it might get a bit of discussion going. Maybe should have waited till tomorrow

Dr. Bre

the way Kelly said Demare's name - Damary ha