Tour de France 2015 Stage 12 Lannemeizan - Plt de Beille *contains unmasked spoilers

Darkglasses

Hellish day of climbing to come tomorrow. Serious climbing to do, and very high temperatures forecasted. Live coverage on Eurosport begins at 10 am, straight from kickoff. We'll likely see the early battle for entry to the day's breakaway, which is going to be even harder fought than today's. The early fireworks will also be fought by the green jersey competitors' teams, as the intermediate sprint comes only 20km down the road, and the competition is hot.

First cat1 climb...long and steady. Testing but not a launchpad I don't think.



Second cat1 climb, shorter and steeper, and changes in pitch are frequent. Potential to lose some there.



Final HC climb of the day. Any groups will fall apart here, will suit Froome and Quintana pretty well. They'll both make up a lot of time here, I'd be surprised to see the breakaway hang on here.




This is a critical day for the GC men, and as result Chris Froome enters as big favourite tomorrow. The book may really close on the GC story tomorrow, it'll take some real magic from Quintana, Contador or van Garderen for that to be otherwise.

It's also a big day for the polka dots tomorrow, with 75 points on offer in total. 50 of them for the finish line, so if Froome wins the stage, it could be game over in that competition too.

Oddschecker: Froome 11/8, Quintana 5/1, Rolland 14/1, Contador 16/1, Rodriguez 25/1, Majka 25/1

I hope it doesn't need saying, but the polite warnings for doping speculation have now run out. It doesn't matter if it's oh so subtle, rules are rules. Bans will follow.

dastardly00

Nairo Quintana

Francesco Reda as a poll option. Chapeau Darkglasses, chapeau.

I can't see anyone but Froome winning. He's too strong at the moment.

It's be great if Movistar went nuts and started attacking from the first climb and blew the peloton apart.

I don't expect too much from Dan as he's probably wrecked after today's efforts.

velo.2010

Long valley roads won't help any GC contenders who might give it a go tomorrow.

Esroh

I just want to say again. Thanks to threads TEAM

I think Nico should show some ambition and tell Froome and the lads he is fed up doing work unseen on TV and go in the break.
Sam should shift his sprinters ass and get in the break and pick up a few points in battle for green
and Dan needs to HTFU and go again no excuses

Talib Fiasco

Joaquin Rodriguez

Although there is a chance of rain, this stage is supposed to be even hotter than today's stage which is crazy to think. Loads more abandons you feels and loads more to drop and crack early.

dastardly00

Nairo Quintana

Esroh wrote: »

I think Nico should show some ambition and tell Froome and the lads he is fed up doing work unseen on TV and go in the break.
Sam should shift his sprinters ass and get in the break and pick up a few points in battle for green
and Dan needs to HTFU and go again no excuses

Arrow in the Knee

Pierre Rolland

Esroh wrote: »

I just want to say again. Thanks to threads TEAM

I think Nico should show some ambition and tell Froome and the lads he is fed up doing work unseen on TV and go in the break.
Sam should shift his sprinters ass and get in the break and pick up a few points in battle for green
and Dan needs to HTFU and go again no excuses

Quintana needs to HTFU and destroy Froome 2moro.

Darkglasses

Nairo Quintana

Esroh wrote: »

I just want to say again. Thanks to threads TEAM

I think Nico should show some ambition and tell Froome and the lads he is fed up doing work unseen on TV and go in the break.
Sam should shift his sprinters ass and get in the break and pick up a few points in battle for green
and Dan needs to HTFU and go again no excuses

Pleasure

This is sarcasm..right? Right? Hard to tell some days

Esroh

Darkglasses wrote: »

Pleasure

This is sarcasm..right? Right? Hard to tell some days

Yes Sir. Just thought it was best to get it started early as the stage is long enough:D

retalivity

Froome won up the same climb 2 years ago, his name is all over this

MPFG

Nairo Quintana

Doubt Dan Martin wil be in the running today after such effort yesterday . But he did show that he is one of the strongest climbers in the race and if he can chose his stages wisely then he can win one or 2

Kavrocks

dastardly00 wrote: »

It's be great if Movistar went nuts and started attacking from the first climb and blew the peloton apart.

It would be great if they actually tried to attack Froome and take time out of him instead of just giving up and sitting on his wheel.

It baffles me why the likes of Quintana, Valverde, Contador and TJ wouldn't band together to try and isolate Froome. It would give them a much better chance compared to their current tactics which seem to be lets just sit behind Froome and see how far we can follow him for.

dastardly00

Nairo Quintana

Kavrocks wrote: »

It would be great if they actually tried to attack Froome and take time out of him instead of just giving up and sitting on his wheel.

It baffles me why the likes of Quintana, Valverde, Contador and TJ wouldn't band together to try and isolate Froome. It would give them a much better chance compared to their current tactics which seem to be lets just sit behind Froome and see how far we can follow him for.

I think Van Garderen has said already that he is more focused on defending his second place rather than aiming to win the race.

daramike

Froome walks this if we don't get a strong break. I'm going with a strong break.
My picks Valls, Kangert, Vuillermoz, and Rolland

dermabrasion

Alberto Contador

Teejay, Nairo, and Froome will kill each other. Alberto will slip a little more but still cling on. I have no clue who will win, but I bet Porte will be on the line with whoever does.

wanderer 22

Nairo Quintana

10 o'clock start? ffs, I have to get all my work done in the next 35 minutes.

ZiabR

Nairo Quintana

Froome for me, even though I want someone else to attack.

Russman

Kavrocks wrote: »

It would be great if they actually tried to attack Froome and take time out of him instead of just giving up and sitting on his wheel.

It baffles me why the likes of Quintana, Valverde, Contador and TJ wouldn't band together to try and isolate Froome. It would give them a much better chance compared to their current tactics which seem to be lets just sit behind Froome and see how far we can follow him for.

Would love to see them isolate and attack Froome, if only to see how he reacts to a different situation, but realistically he's far, far stronger than the other 4 contenders put together and they'd be basically wasting their time and energy. This tour was always a race for a pretty distant second place unfortunately.

I guess today will depend on how much he wants to win this stage. I'd say he really wants to win on AdH next week, so may stay defensive and keep his powder dry til then.

ThisRegard

colm18 wrote: »

10 o'clock start? ffs, I have to get all my work done in the next 35 minutes.

I've a clear diary for the day, kept the kids at home as a result. I've 20 minutes to decide if I should send them off to day care and put my feet up for an epic 7 hours or so of cycling. My daughter usually enjoys watching it with me, but I think a whole day of it will put her off for life.

MPFG

Nairo Quintana

Even Quintana has intimated 2nd place would be fine

& Mick Rigers let slip the TCS think a second is within reach

So looks like no cooperation

Leroy42

It easy to sit here and say they should all attack Froome, but it really does seem like he is the far stronger rider and thus trying to attack him is pointless.

They can all work out the numbers he is putting out and compare that to their own and only they can judge whether it is realistic to attack him, but from the evidence so far, not just the last two stages but overall Froome has never had a moment of problem, then it would appear that the battle is for second.

Anybody that cycles with stronger riders than themselves (don't we all) know that it really doesn't matter what you do they are easily capable of simply following and then counter attack once you're gassed.

They will stick to Froome's wheel hoping to be the last survivor.

Brian?

Pierre Rolland

Kavrocks wrote: »

It would be great if they actually tried to attack Froome and take time out of him instead of just giving up and sitting on his wheel.

It baffles me why the likes of Quintana, Valverde, Contador and TJ wouldn't band together to try and isolate Froome. It would give them a much better chance compared to their current tactics which seem to be lets just sit behind Froome and see how far we can follow him for.

I don't think isolating him will do any good. He's far too strong.

Captain Havoc

I hate the Col de Portet Aspet, so steep, good place for anyone with a bit of legs to get going.

Arrow in the Knee

Pierre Rolland

Is there any recent examples of when GC contenders colluded together to attack the leader at tdf,Giro or Veulta?

ZiabR

Nairo Quintana

Are we live now? What time does coverage start on Euro Sports today?

neris

Pierre Rolland

are they showing it from the start? lemond on tour is still on now

MPFG

Nairo Quintana

logik wrote: »

Are we live now? What time does coverage start on Euro Sports today?

Its on now

Started at 10am

neris

Pierre Rolland

MPFG wrote: »

Its on now

Started at 10am

and straight into the ads

Talib Fiasco

Joaquin Rodriguez

Poll needs a Geraint Thomas option.

I've gone with Contador, more in hope that he does have the legs and puts in a suicide attack to stir some sh*t than anything else.

I think Gesink will have another good day if he has the legs...loves the heat.

neris

Pierre Rolland

wonder will there be a few outside the time limit today.

Arrow in the Knee

Pierre Rolland

Are those Ag2r motorbikes their own (service) or is it just their name on it (Sponsorship)?

Talib Fiasco

Joaquin Rodriguez

Froome should shatter Pantani's time here...Contador's record here is about a half a minute off Pantani's.

ThisRegard

35 degrees at this time is ridiculous.

happytramp

Who are people up for in the Green Jersey competition? I'm in two minds since I'd like Griepel to win for a change and also have one eye on Sagan not beating Sean Kelly's green jersey record

But then I do like Sagan and feel bad for the amount of Flak he takes from the management.

happytramp

Talib Fiasco wrote: »

Froome should shatter Pantani's time here...Contador's record here is about a half a minute off Pantani's.

Not sure that's something we should be hoping for.

happytramp

happytramp wrote: »

Not sure that's something we should be hoping for.

Although just reading now that Pantani waited for Ullrich to rejoin after a puncture before attacking so he probably could have done it quicker.

Talib Fiasco

Joaquin Rodriguez

happytramp wrote: »

Not sure that's something we should be hoping for.

You can bet your life he'll go for it though...and who can stop him in both senses of the word

Talib Fiasco

Joaquin Rodriguez

happytramp wrote: »

Although just reading now that Pantani waited for Ullrich to rejoin after a puncture before attacking so he probably could have done it quicker.

If Contador and Rasmussen didn't soft pedal it for so long after they attacked each other over and over again, they would have surely broken the record.

MPFG

Nairo Quintana

Why are the TV camera not back with the peloton so we can see the action

No point looking at the 3 leaders ...that is not not where the action is

ZiabR

Nairo Quintana

happytramp wrote: »

Who are people up for in the Green Jersey competition? I'm in two minds since I'd like Griepel to win for a change and also have one eye on Sagan not beating Sean Kelly's green jersey record

But then I do like Sagan and feel bad for the amount of Flak he takes from the management.

Only 3 in it really. Sagan, Griepel and Degenklob.

happytramp

How did Garmin manage that? ...............I mean, who didn't know the break was going to form directly after the sprint?

MPFG

Nairo Quintana

happytramp wrote: »

How did Garmin manage that? ...............I mean, who didn't know the break was going to form directly after the sprint?

Hesejedal was down the back as per

Granolite

Two Garmin riders tried to follow the breakaway and get a rider up there but Sky closed them down.

edit: couldn't tell for sure if Dan Martin was the second Garmin rider.

happytramp

Granolite wrote: »

Two Garmin riders tried to follow the breakaway and get a rider up there but Sky closed them down.

edit: couldn't tell for sure if Dan Martin was the second Garmin rider.

Didn't see his red plates.

Arrow in the Knee

Pierre Rolland

What's up with Froome at the back of the Peleton?

You'd think the others would put a bit of pressure on!

ThisRegard

The King of the Mountains horse taking a dump when the camera comes on it.

happytramp

Arrow in the Knee wrote: »

What's up with Froome at the back of the Peleton?

You'd think the others would put a bit of pressure on!

Bad form. Wouldn't happen.

happytramp

ThisRegard wrote: »

The King of the Mountains horse taking a dump when the camera comes on it.

That'll definitely be in the top 10 most exciting things to happen today

MPFG

Nairo Quintana

ThisRegard wrote: »

The King of the Mountains horse taking a dump when the camera comes on it.

Shows what he thinks of the Tour so far or maybe just the KOM jersey wearer he isn't too gone on

MPFG

Nairo Quintana

John Degenkolb in these hair ads is not fooling anyone
Its like getting Quasimodoto to advertise beauty products

Arrow in the Knee

Pierre Rolland

Froome back up behind the Sky train