It should be someone's. That mountain just doesn't lend itself to a group of favorites crossing the line. Menchov is a good pick PP. I can see Sastre opening up a good gap there though.Klodifan said:will this be frank's encore performance sealing overall classment?
i will say, no.
If Kohl is there, and he isn't tested 16 times per day after, it will be a crime. He and Potatohead roomies? They have to be sharing something...Powerful Pete said:I am curious to see whether Kohl and Kreuziger are able to mix it up with the big boys again.
Ok, I vote for Menchov causing trouble on this stage.
still surprised by Kohl. I agree about Menchov, he was going for it today when he crashed so I think he's going to put it on the line on Wednesday, well at least I hope so.Powerful Pete said:I am curious to see whether Kohl and Kreuziger are able to mix it up with the big boys again.
Ok, I vote for Menchov causing trouble on this stage.
You are right about Sastre too, but he never seems to have that extra little bit to blow things open. Even today he ended up following more often than not in the last climb. I see Sastre as an excellent rider, but not someone who can win it.thoughtforfood said:It should be someone's. That mountain just doesn't lend itself to a group of favorites crossing the line. Menchov is a good pick PP. I can see Sastre opening up a good gap there though.
I haven't seen anyone who I can say for sure will blow the race apart. Watch me eat my words about a group crossing together. I just hope not. I want to see someone shine wednesday....and then come up "clean" on their test.Powerful Pete said:You are right about Sastre too, but he never seems to have that extra little bit to blow things open. Even today he ended up following more often than not in the last climb. I see Sastre as an excellent rider, but not someone who can win it.
Me too! I would love to see the GC being torn apart with some putting in a reasonable time over others - not a puny few seconds as we have seen to date...thoughtforfood said:I haven't seen anyone who I can say for sure will blow the race apart. Watch me eat my words about a group crossing together. I just hope not. I want to see someone shine wednesday....and then come up "clean" on their test.
Galibier, Croix de Fer, D'huez!!!TheDarkLord said:Me too! I would love to see the GC being torn apart with some putting in a reasonable time over others - not a puny few seconds as we have seen to date...
The Croix de Fer is the least famous of the three but is an absolutely steep ball biter at the top IIRC.stilesiii said:Galibier, Croix de Fer, D'huez!!!
Is this unprecedented? I don't recall a more exciting stage.
How can there not be major destruction.
Surviving will not be an option. So many so close, only courage or foolishness will be rewarded.
Menchov with the courage, Vande Velde with the foolishness.
Evans will survive, but not good enough.
I have nothing to lose and everything to gain as well Grates. Doesn't mean I can stay with the front group on these three mountains then attack on d'Huez and gap the field. Point being that while Kirchen may have nothing to lose....it's evident that he doesn't have the strength/weight ratio to stay with the best climbers on these GT climbs. No matter how much he wants to.Grater said:Kirchen will put in a good performance. He has nothing to lose, everything to gain
I think that's right. An attack there could stick, if the pace was high enough beforehand. If they hold an attack to the base of the Alpe, especially with 1 or 2 helpers (ie CSC), it would blow the GC apart. Go hard at the end of C de F and then again at the start of the Alpe. Watch them crack and take minutes on the lot.classic1 said:The Croix de Fer is the least famous of the three but is an absolutely steep ball biter at the top IIRC.
Klodifan said:will this be frank's encore performance sealing overall classment?
i will say, no.
Depends on the previous day - if Cunego does poorly on Tuesday then he may be able to attack early on this day and try to stay away - pretty much what he did in 2006 when he came second.Powerful Pete said:If all is as it should be Kirchen should be minutes behind at the end of the stage. With Cunego, in the second or third mini group if he is doing very well that particular day.
But how much time are they going to get on the last part of Croix de Fer? There's 40 km (mostly descent) between the peak of C de F and the base of the Alpe d'Huez. If they were able to get even a few minutes... that wouldn't be that hard to bridge in the next 40km, would it?Drongo said:I think that's right. An attack there could stick, if the pace was high enough beforehand. If they hold an attack to the base of the Alpe, especially with 1 or 2 helpers (ie CSC), it would blow the GC apart. Go hard at the end of C de F and then again at the start of the Alpe. Watch them crack and take minutes on the lot.
Sorry to say, Grater, but if Kirchen does well I'd be surprised. Delighted, but surprised.
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