2009 TDF stage 20: Montélimar - Mont Ventoux 167 km

[steve]

Stage 20: Montélimar - Mont Ventoux 167 km

MOUNTAIN PASSES & HILLS

Km 14.0: Côte de Citelle - 5.2 km climb to 3.9 % - Category 3
Km 65.5: Col d'Ey - 6.7 km climb to 4.8 % - Category 3
Km 87.0 - Col de Fontaube (D.72-D.41) - 4.7 km climb to 4.2 % - Category 4
Km 121.5: Col des Abeilles - 7.7 km climb to 4 % - Category 3
Km 167.0: MONT VENTOUX - 21.1 km climb to 7.6 % - Category H

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epqFq2fv7gg"]YouTube - Analysis of the stage[/ame]


General classification after stage 19 ( top 25 )

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 77:06:18
2 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:04:11
3 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana 0:05:21
4 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream 0:05:36
5 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0:05:38
6 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:05:59
7 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas 0:07:15
8 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream 0:10:08
9 Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française des Jeux 0:12:37
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:12:38
11 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Team Katusha 0:13:36
12 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas 0:14:08
13 Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux 0:14:37
14 Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:15:27
15 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Cervelo Test Team 0:17:23
16 Stéphane Goubert (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:19:47
17 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Silence - Lotto 0:19:49
18 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Team Katusha 0:24:26
19 Christian Knees (Ger) Team Milram 0:27:51
20 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - HTC 0:28:20
21 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step 0:29:02
22 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Team Milram 0:31:08
23 Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale 0:31:45
24 Pierre Rolland (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom 0:31:54
25 Brice Feillu (Fra) Agritubel 0:32:2

 

[Andrija]

As the Badger said - it's all about third place.
Saxo vs. Astana I think... I can't see Wiggins holding with Schlecks Armstrong and Kloden. I'm not sure if Frank can distance Armstrong even with help of his brother. Also, it will be interesting to see Contador's role in this shuffle. Somehow I think he'll again ride for the stage... "Go with your Radio Shack, I'm the new great champion."
Armstrong holds third, Kloden stays off the podium, Contador takes it.
Or Armstrong has prepared something special for the one he's missing?

 

[DiabloScott]

Contador bonks, looses 5 minutes.

Schleck goes too early - Armstrong catches him.

Schleck barely holds on to Armstrong's wheel but Armstrong sits up at the line in a show of supreme sportsmanship to give Andy the stage. What a magnificent munificent man.

 

[steve]

Contador bonks, looses 5 minutes.

I'd like to see that

 

[guncha]

Contador won't bonk, of course. He is a machine full of steroids which never bonks. I don't think there is something to fight for tomorrow.

 

[thebluetrain]

The French are predicting 500,000 people on the mountain tomorrow.

 

[Andrija]

The French are predicting 500,000 people on the mountain tomorrow.

Only!?

 

[steve]

Please visit the tipping thread: http://www.cyclingforums.com/2009-t...-stage-20-montelimar-mont-ventoux-167-km.html

Wining prize includes:
1 x pair of bib-knicks valued at $130 aud
1 x set of thermal arm and leg warmers
1 x pro team jersey
1 x pro team knick

 

[nonns]

Contador bonks, looses 5 minutes.

Schleck goes too early - Armstrong catches him.

Schleck barely holds on to Armstrong's wheel but Armstrong sits up at the line in a show of supreme sportsmanship to give Andy the stage. What a magnificent munificent man.

teee hee hee hee hee

That folks is comedy. Genius.

 

[nonns]

Contador bonks, looses 5 minutes.

Schleck goes too early - Armstrong catches him.

Schleck barely holds on to Armstrong's wheel but Armstrong sits up at the line in a show of supreme sportsmanship to give Andy the stage. What a magnificent munificent man.

Working the munificent in there as well.....classic class

 

[jhuskey]

This could be one of the best stages in years with so many looking to get on the podium and some with nothing to lose but pride to be regained. Astatna will no doubt try and have Contador, Armstrong and Kloden at the finish line and I would guess try and get the win for Armstrong if opportunity allows but the Schlecks, Wiggins can let go and not worry about tomorrow.
Of course Sastre and Evans can be suicidal on their attacks if they have the legs for it, nothing to lose and pride to gain.
Yes, it could be a magnificent stage today.

 

[JAPANic]

Reports of as many as 1 million spectators on the course...

Very strong winds...

Going to be interesting if the attacks are non stop...

 

[Tonto]

Great to see them really hurting today after some of the superhuman performances lately. And they haven't even got to the really hard bit yet!

Kloden back with the Armstrong/Wiggins group now.

 

[DV1976]

I ve watched all Tours since 2000. Hands down the most boring one.
The Schlecks were riding for each other, Contador for LA, and in the end the made a mockery of the stage. Ventoux must be respected, its disgracefull to ride Ventoux and not try to win it.

 

[Ted B]

Well, it's all over but the shouting.

Contador looked unbeatable.

Hats off to the Schlecks for trying so hard to shake things up. They did a great job.

Armstrong looked cool throughout the stage. Coming off the bench after several years and landing on the podium at 37 years of age is tough.

Kudos to Bradley Wiggins for a stellar GC performance. He definitely has a bright future within reach.

And finally, props to Franco Pellizotti for a gutsy, entertaining performance. That guy seems to be all smiles.

 

[guncha]

LA looked quite good today.

 

[steve]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSJ_kH6vmDc"]YouTube - Tour de France 2009 - Stage 20 - Climb Mont Ventoux final kilometers[/ame]

 

[coneofsilence]

I just watched it and it was a very entertaining stage. One of the best i've seen in a while.

 

[DV1976]

I just watched it and it was a very entertaining stage. One of the best i've seen in a while.

You havent seen many have you ?

 

[coneofsilence]

You havent seen many have you ?

Well there hasn't been much to offer in the last 4 Tours i've seen. Maybe Floyd Landis' epic ride but we all know how that turned out. Other then that, not many other stages have made me go "Yeah that was Good"