Might not be a bad bet if it does come down to a sprint finish. Does anyone have any details of the final climb?Rolfrae said:Could this be Ricco's first Tour stage win?
http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/TDF/2008/100/PROFILKMS.gifAnticyclone said:Might not be a bad bet if it does come down to a sprint finish. Does anyone have any details of the final climb?
I wonder if he'd want to take the jersey so early on and have the team feeling pressurised into holding it. Then again, who'd say no to the maillot jaune?MintID said:How about Valverde?
Could be to early in the race though.
Betinni will be in AustriaRolfrae said:I wonder if he'd want to take the jersey so early on and have the team feeling pressurised into holding it. Then again, who'd say no to the maillot jaune?
The great thing about this stage is there are so many possible victors (Ricco, Betinni, Valverde, Cunego, Evans, Friere, Kirchen...). I wouldn't even rule out the possibility of a break staying away.
Yeah, i was wondering who would do the chasing. I think the GC guys will only start to chase if the breakaway contains a rider who can climb well enough to make it difficult to get the jersey back. But then a rider like that wouldnt be allowed to get into the breakway and/or wouldnt make it through three weeks in the yellow jersey. It isnt really a great stage for a sprinter so their teams may well not be too interested - although if they think they have a chance to take the yellow jersey in the following stages then maybe they will want to prevent any breakaways staying away in case they get the time bonuses in the following stages and take the jersey. Also, the carrot of a yellow jersey if you can win the stage will prove strong for any teams who think they have a rider who might be able to do something at the end of the stage but isnt in the break.Andrija said:Maybe, there will be successful break away.
It's too early for the favorites to make risky, chasing finish and to take responsibility of wearing yellow jersey and tire their team.
SteegmansAnticyclone said:Yeah, i was wondering who would do the chasing. I think the GC guys will only start to chase if the breakaway contains a rider who can climb well enough to make it difficult to get the jersey back. But then a rider like that wouldnt be allowed to get into the breakway and/or wouldnt make it through three weeks in the yellow jersey. It isnt really a great stage for a sprinter so their teams may well not be too interested - although if they think they have a chance to take the yellow jersey in the following stages then maybe they will want to prevent any breakaways staying away in case they get the time bonuses in the following stages and take the jersey. Also, the carrot of a yellow jersey if you can win the stage will prove strong for any teams who think they have a rider who might be able to do something at the end of the stage but isnt in the break.
I think that the breakaway will get chased down if it only has a few people in it. One possibility is that a large group does get away but these dont normally work well with each other.
I dont think there is any time bonuses in this years raceAnticyclone said:Yeah, i was wondering who would do the chasing. I think the GC guys will only start to chase if the breakaway contains a rider who can climb well enough to make it difficult to get the jersey back. But then a rider like that wouldnt be allowed to get into the breakway and/or wouldnt make it through three weeks in the yellow jersey. It isnt really a great stage for a sprinter so their teams may well not be too interested - although if they think they have a chance to take the yellow jersey in the following stages then maybe they will want to prevent any breakaways staying away in case they get the time bonuses in the following stages and take the jersey. Also, the carrot of a yellow jersey if you can win the stage will prove strong for any teams who think they have a rider who might be able to do something at the end of the stage but isnt in the break.
I think that the breakaway will get chased down if it only has a few people in it. One possibility is that a large group does get away but these dont normally work well with each other.
Yes, that is trueScotttri said:I dont think there is any time bonuses in this years race
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