2009 TDF stage 5 - Le Cap d'Agde Perpignan - 196.5km

Stage 5 - Le Cap d'Agde Perpignan

MOUNTAIN PASSES & HILLS

Km 112.5 - Col de Feuilla - 4.0 km climb to 3.3 % - Category 4
Km 116.5 - Côte de Treilles - 1.3 km climb to 4.2 % - Category 4

Attached Thumbnails

     

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Steve
CyclingForums.com

A sprinters finish but with the proximity to the ocean and the possibility of the wind factor it could be another wild day, otherwise I hope some of those beaches are nude beaches to liven up the stage.

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Dope,when training and talent just aren't enough.

Borrrrrrrring. Another sprint.

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Lance Armstrong’s Last Words, August 10, 2007 - “We're proud of our record. We won eight Tours, a Vuelta, a Giro and other races and not one positive test," Armstrong said. “I’m not sure if there are many other teams who can say that right now. Couple that with our ethical record, despite all the gossip and nonsense that goes on.”

I don't think today is a sprint finish.

If you remember back to Stage 3, no team wanted to help Columbia. They thought it was a useless exercise to help as they knew Cav would win. They hope

Columbia do all the work to bring the gap back but Columbia are clearly tired.

This will be either;
a) a carbon copy of stage 3 with a split
b) a break

Don't be surprised if some major GC contenders like Silence Lotto and Rabobank who have now lost too much time on their rivals put a hammer down today in the hope of splitting the peloton to hopefully get Astana off guard.

This stage is a mystery today IMO.

The break is a good chance to survive today unless Columbia can bring the gap back themselves (highly possible) or GC teams repeat what Columbia did on Stage 3 (highly possible)

Look for Voeckler, Chavanel, Pineau and maybe Voigt to try something today.

We're running the tipping comp for today's stage, click here to submit your entry.

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Steve
CyclingForums.com

I can't see break survive this stage. Sprinters' teams will try to use every opportunity for a stage win, 'cause already tomorrow it's not pure finish for them and then, they'll have to wait until after Pyrenees, and who knows in what condition sprinters will be. I think Columbia will lay back today, leave someone else to do the work, but be there for the final sprint. Look at Garmin, Milram, Quickstep, Liquigas, maybe Lotto (they need to find some friends before the Pyrenees).

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"Soldiers! Heroes!

The supreme command has erased our regiment from its records. Our regiment has been sacrificed for the honor of Belgrade and the Fatherland. Therefore, you no longer have to worry for your lives - they do not exist anymore.
So, forward to glory! For King and country! Long live the king! Long live Belgrade! "

But that was his point, no one wanted to help Columbia and thats why they put the hammer down. If no one helps Columbia the break gets away and you cant be there at the final sprint if its already won.

No, you didn't understand me. I'm saying the breakaway today will be chased down by some other team (than Columbia). And that Columbia won't do anything (to catch escapees) until last 10k (if the sprint finish is certain). So, just to be fully clear - Columbia doesn't do anything today, no chasing, no attacking, just following. And if they step on the front of the peloton - the gap between bunch and breakaway won't be shrinking down. Breakaway will be chased by Garmin, Milram, Quickstep, Liquigas, maybe Lotto. Saxo, also, won't kill themselves chasing.

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"Soldiers! Heroes!

The supreme command has erased our regiment from its records. Our regiment has been sacrificed for the honor of Belgrade and the Fatherland. Therefore, you no longer have to worry for your lives - they do not exist anymore.
So, forward to glory! For King and country! Long live the king! Long live Belgrade! "

If a team break happens in this stage it will come later when the peloton gets near the beach and the wind stabilizes from one direction.
Some of these guys (GC contenders) need to make time up somewhere if they are to keep hopes alive otherwise sit back and watch Astana dominate.

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Dope,when training and talent just aren't enough.

Not the most exciting stage I ever watched but it was ok. I know a lot of people think Voeckler is a camera whore of sorts but if he had never raced before in the tour everyone would consider him a great racer today.

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Dope,when training and talent just aren't enough.

Columbia could have easily chased down the gap but no other team wanted to help them. They left the onus on the other teams to chase it down. The other teams didn't take it.

Why is Cav unbeatable? Every sprinter knows they can't beat him. This could have easily been a sprint finish. Columbia didn't work because no one else would. They know where they stand. They now know that no other sprinter wants to go up against Cav.

Good one, Grater

Adamastor

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Steve
CyclingForums.com

Nice win for Voekler - shaking his head in disbelief in the last 100m.

Nice to see one of the good guys, win.

Chapeau.

Nice Youtube film, Steve.

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.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

I'm glad Voeckler finally did it. He was trying and trying after his 2004 Yellow success, but always picking wrong break. Today he was in wright breakaway although it didn't look like stage for 100% successful break.
Nice one for him and his disturbed team.

__________________
"Soldiers! Heroes!

The supreme command has erased our regiment from its records. Our regiment has been sacrificed for the honor of Belgrade and the Fatherland. Therefore, you no longer have to worry for your lives - they do not exist anymore.
So, forward to glory! For King and country! Long live the king! Long live Belgrade! "