Stage 14 TDF : Agde - Ax-3 Domaines : Spoiler

limerickman

First stage of the Pyrennean section of the TDF : 220kms.

First 90kms are practically flat.
The remaining distance covers a couple of cat 4 and cat 3 climbs before hitting the hors category Port de Pailheres.
Descending Port de Pailheres, the riders have to climb again to the finish at
Ax-3 Domaines.

Is this another potential DC stage win ?
Or maybe Kloden might fancy his chances ?
Rasmussen ?
Basso ?

I am going to go for Kloden : just to get the ball rolling.

steve26

I am going with Armstrong for stage win...dropping Rasmussen in the last KM.

Eldrack

Discovery will push the pace hard on the Port de Pailheres, thereby making a selection. Ascending the final climb to the finish LA will still have 2-3 teamates with him who will nail the pace as hard as they can, then whoever is still there will fight it out for the win, definately could be LA.

Attacks? Don't think discovery will let anyone get away today.

tinks

I believe Rasmussen has indicated his desire to attack in the Pyrenees and put a few minutes between himself and Armstrong or at the very least, Basso et al before the TT. He also said stage 10 was his [Rasmussen's] worst stage and Armstrong is beatable.

nonameboy

if there´s no escape group and the stronger riders arrive togheter at the last climb i got go with armstrong he says he wants to win a stage and now with valverde out i dint see unless he has a bad day nobody who can beat him tomorrow.

MJtje

The speeds have been soo amazing high this could be a stage were a lot of riders will finish outside the timelimit! This is because the HC climb is very steep, same as ax 3 domaines!

I think disco will drive everyone off there wheel and in the end it will be decided between LA, Rasmussen and Basso........I think those 3 are the strongest at the moment. Jan just doesn't have it in him (will he ever have??) And Vino will probably attack, but he will be reeled in again by the disco's......pretty straight-forward stage

jhuskey

Anyone considered that Heras might pull himself together for just one stage.......nah!

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nonameboy

if he has good legs why not atack he´s no threat to the GC they would let him go,i can see that happening probably beloki too.

tcklyde

That's a good thought! The later mountain stages have often seen breakaways get off and survive...

What I want to see is Ullrich feeling better and putting up a tough fight. Basically he now has two days to make a mark. Also, Basso needs to look strong.

Predictions: I'll say a group of Basso, Armstrong, Azevedo, Rasmussen, Ulle come to the last kms together and Basso goes in the last km for the stage win. Sastre, Landis, Leipheimer, Kloden, Mancebo, Moreau, etc. drift in a couple minutes down. Mayo abandons.

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Harry

jhuskey

And how about Vino?

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Sobriety is over rated!

limerickman

I know he's not been going well - he's not threat on GC - could Mayo do something ?
Think about it : he's had a very poor TDF for a guy who was considered as a contender in the last couple of years.
EE have a full team : a stage win would salvage something.

limerickman

You predicted the finish on the Galibier stage perfectly.

nonameboy

i think euskatel will probably try something cause they will have a lot of supporters in those mountains,if not mayo somebody else.

jhuskey

DC will probably set a very fast pace before the mountains and only the one that are having a good day will be able to stay with the lead group when before hit the steeps.
Dc will probably be the only team with a near full cast of players when they hit the climb and will play their classic chess game of burning out DC riders one by one while burning up an already tired peloton.
The boys better eat their wheaties in the morning. I see pain coming.

__________________
Sobriety is over rated!