Tour de France 2015 Stage 6 Abbeville - Le Havre *contains unmasked spoilers*

Darkglasses

Continuing our jaunt across North France, which means more treacherous winds are a distinct possibility. Today's stage is distinctly more lumpy however, and this is particularly important at the finish. The final kilometre or so are a climb of about 7% or steeper, max of 14%, a very tough finish.

This hard finish leads one away from a Cavendish or Greipel winner, and moreso in the territory of Sagan or Degenkolb. Both really need the stage win to wrestle the green jersey away from Greipel. Bryan Coquard will also fancy his chances, but Europcar are really yet to get their Tour going.

Oddschecker: Sagan 6/4, Degenkolb 11/2, Van Avermaet 11/1, Kristoff 16/1, Coquard 25/1, Bennett 150/1

dastardly00

John Degenkolb

I think it's a bit too bumpy for Sam to contest. If he can stay in the main peloton, then that will be a decent result.

A wide range of riders could win today. Sagan is in good form. Degenkolb will fancy his chances as well. Purito and Valverde might go for it, along with Dan.

death1234567

Kristoff is a good each way chance at 16's

MPFG

Tony Gallopin

EBH for me (I hope)

Talib Fiasco

John Degenkolb

Dan Martin should finish highly here...finish is right up his alley. I'm hoping Sagan wins as he is due a win for his monstrous performances so far. But obvious Froome win is obvious.

Darkglasses

John Degenkolb

Watching yesterday's stage, I see Pinot was nearly dropped at around 15km to go. Poor fella, wonder what the problem is. Dread to think what'll happen in the mountains.

Beasty

On the basis that his quiff may lead him over the line, I'm going for AlPacino ...

dhayes73

Andre Greipel

Anyone think Rodríguez for today.

Reginald P. DuM

Andre Greipel

dhayes73 wrote: »

Anyone think Rodríguez for today.

Ya I initally favoured Deg or Sagan, but after seeing the finishing stretch graphic I think he has a right chance..

PS I'd like to shoot Carlton Kirby.. If Kelly worked for ITV4 I wouldnt dream of watching ES. Kelly entertains me with his accent and makey up words.

ThisRegard

Can we take it for granted that some people dislike Carlton. And the rest of us see him for the legend that he really is.

Taxuser1

Bryan Coquard

Every time I've looked at this finish I've thought climber. I don't know why Degs and othr punchier riders are being mentioned. It seems that the flat bit at the crest of the climb is the reason why everyone thinks it's going to be a sprint. With everyone on the limit for the 10 kilometres into the town and the 2 kilometre drag before they even hit the climb, it's going to be single file and then BAM, the gradient kicks in.

http://www.cyclingthealps.com/#cote-d-Ingouville-streetview

https://www.strava.com/segments/5915978

Those 25/30 seconds of double digit gradients will surely blow the likes of Degs away. Even if he does hang on, is he good enough to sprint it out over the top ?

Only Sagan maybe but surely the flyweights have the advantage ?

Valverde or Rodriguez for me

Taxuser1

Bryan Coquard

i backed those 2 with Froome and Cimolai

isitraining

John Degenkolb

ThisRegard wrote: »

Can we take it for granted that some people dislike Carlton. And the rest of us see him for the legend that he really is.

"And Thibaut Pinot coming home as the Incredible Sulk." Carlton Kirby 2015

Let there be no more discussion.

dastardly00

John Degenkolb

I think it's important we recognize that the Tour last finished in Le Harve 20 years ago with Mario Cipollini winning the stage.....

letape

Greg van Avermaet

I have Valverde, Rodriguez and Degs in my velogames team - so I'm hoping for good things today.

dhayes73

Andre Greipel

letape wrote: »

I have Valverde, Rodriguez and Degs in my velogames team - so I'm hoping for good things today.

I have Rodriguez in mine, also have a small wager on him for today, so here's hoping be comes up with the goods.

MPFG

Tony Gallopin

Have seen the finish Alexis Vuillermoz is a good each way bet

Arrow in the Knee

Dan Martin

Is it just my phone or is the Poll Chart look wonky.

What about the good old pie chart.

Darkglasses

John Degenkolb

Arrow in the Knee wrote: »

Is it just my phone or is the Poll Chart look wonky.

What about the good old pie chart.

Think the pie chart only comes up when I close the poll entirely.

dastardly00

John Degenkolb

It's really really small when the poll is still open for some reason.

Arrow in the Knee

Dan Martin

I would think there is too many options so that's the reason the pie chart is very small.

PowerToWait

I'm going for my new favourite rider - Greipel.

Def first 3. Just exudes confidence.

Darkglasses

John Degenkolb

PowerToWait wrote: »

I'm going for my new favourite rider - Greipel.

Def first 3. Just exudes confidence.

I think the finish is just a bit too hilly for him. Saw a video of it earlier on twitter, more than just a drag.

dastardly00

John Degenkolb

PowerToWait wrote: »

I'm going for my new favourite rider - Greipel.

Def first 3. Just exudes confidence.

The climb at the end might be a bit too much for him.

MPFG

Tony Gallopin

Can I just say Carlton Kirby is a pompous git who does not know what riders are thinking but goes on like he does ; says some really ridiculous made up stuff to make himself sound like an authority with inside knowledge (not) and has taken on himself to trash some teams/riders ( e.g. Cofidis/Valverde) and over big up some riders ( Like Cadel Evans who goes on and on about even after he has retired)

Talib Fiasco

John Degenkolb

Alas Tommy V

xxyyzz

Oh Jesus, Kirby will be going on about Voeckler for the rest of the stage.

dastardly00

John Degenkolb

How much is left?

spock.

Tony Gallopin

dastardly00 wrote:

How much is left?

34k

Darkglasses

John Degenkolb

Carlton makes the Tour for me. Call me immature but I can't not enjoy a story of eating steamed bull parts on holiday.

dastardly00 wrote: »

How much is left?

32km, gap is 1'48

retalivity

MPFG wrote: »

Can I just say Carlton Kirby is a pompous git who does not know what riders are thinking but goes on like he does ; says some really ridiculous made up stuff to make himself sound like an authority with inside knowledge (not) and has taken on himself to trash some teams/riders ( e.g. Cofidis/Valverde) and over big up some riders ( Like Cadel Evans who goes on and on about even after he has retired)

Did anyone hear his soliloquoy on froome about giving his water bottle to a little girl about 20k from the end of stage 4 (I think?).
It was ridiculous

isitraining

John Degenkolb

retalivity wrote: »

Did anyone hear his soliloquoy on froome about giving his water bottle to a little girl about 20k from the end of stage 4 (I think?).
It was ridiculous

Nobody is making you listen to him! There's ITV 4 and the mute button!

eagle eye

Kirby is great to listen to, every stage would be a lot more boring without him.

Darkglasses

John Degenkolb

Good man Teklehaimanot

Lumen

"First TdF jersey held by African rider"

Chris something something.

PowerToWait

Delighted for Teklehaimanot.

daramike

Sagan should win this easily. A few outsiders who should go well, Gallopin, Coquard and Navardauskas

retalivity

isitraining wrote: »

Nobody is making you listen to him! There's ITV 4 and the mute button!

Don't have ITV. I actually don't mind him that much, but that water bottle thing was awful

YeahOK

Froome or any of Team Sky could stop to take a leak and Kirby would think it was the greatest p*ss he's ever seen. Kelly earns his money, that's all I'll say....

MPFG

Tony Gallopin

Peloton splitting

MPFG

Tony Gallopin

BMC showing why they are favs for TTT

Darkglasses

John Degenkolb

Big crash at the flamme rouge, Tony Martin and Nibali down

MPFG wrote: »

BMC showing why they are favs for TTT

Actually Etixx are posted as favourites

CramCycle

Ouch, bye Tony and Nibali

MPFG

Tony Gallopin

TV editor forgot about the front of race there

CramCycle

sttop looking behind you

Pudsy33

Joaquin Rodriguez

Tony Martin caused that, he shouldered someone. No sympathy.

Darkglasses

John Degenkolb

Wonder how Stybar managed to open such a big gap

68 lost souls

isitraining wrote: »

Nobody is making you listen to him! There's ITV 4 and the mute button!

Didn't realise it was on ITV4 that would have been handy. At least now I know for the rest of the tour.

CramCycle

Did Tony Martin do his collarbone there

Darkglasses

John Degenkolb

Nibali looks fine thankfully

ThisRegard

Balls, not looking good for T Martin.