2009 TDF stage 6: Gérone - Barcelone 181.5 km

[steve]

Gérone Barcelone - 181.5 km

MOUNTAIN PASSES & HILLS

Km 32.0 - Côte de Sant Feliu de Guixols - 2.0 km climb to 5.4 % - Category 4
Km 55.0 - Côte de Tossa de Mar - 3.8 km climb to 4.2 % - Category 4
Km 98.0 - Côte de Sant Vicenc de Montalt - 3.3 km climb to 5.2 % - Category 3
Km 110.0 - Collsacreu - 4.1 km climb to 5.2 % - Category 3
Km 159.0 - Côte de la Conreria - 4.7 km climb to 4.5 % - Category 4



[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncfnc-bERd0"]YouTube - Analysis of the stage 6[/ame]

General classification after stage 5 (top 25)

1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 15:07:49
2 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0:00:19
4 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0:00:23
5 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 0:00:31
6 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream 0:00:38
7 Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre (Spa) Astana 0:00:51
8 Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTC 0:00:52
9 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream 0:01:06
10 David Millar (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream 0:01:07
11 Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) Astana 0:01:16
12 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
13 Gustav Erik Larsson (Swe) Team Saxo Bank 0:01:22
14 Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team Columbia - HTC 0:01:29
15 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas 0:01:31
16 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - HTC 0:01:32
17 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - HTC 0:01:36
18 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Astana
19 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
20 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:01:41
21 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Slipstream 0:01:46
22 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank 0:02:03
23 Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) Team Saxo Bank 0:02:05
24 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia - HTC 0:02:16
25 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:02:17

 

[limerickman]

This is the first interesting stage from my point of view.
I've cycled part of that route from Girona to Barcelona and I have done the climb at Montjuich in Barcelona in 2005(where the
'73 WRR title was held, if I am correct).

Mountjuich is quite a tough climb at the finish - you should get an excellent view of the Olympic Stadium

This stage is a nice pipe opener.

I'm going to go for a Freire win.

 

[ad9898]

An interesting stage before the main course on Friday, I expect a little testing of the legs on the run in to the finsh by perhaps Evans or Sastre, they need the time.

 

[classic1]

I've cycled part of that route from Girona to Barcelona and I have done the climb at Montjuich in Barcelona in 2005(where the
'73 WRR title was held, if I am correct).

Mountjuich is quite a tough climb at the finish - you should get an excellent view of the Olympic Stadium

84 when Criquelion won as well. Super tough race on a hard ciruit with a stinking hot day.

 

[Grater]

Who would be in the break?

Rabobank:

Juan Manuel Garate is currently 4'09 down.
Juan Antonio Flecha is currently 4'32 down.

Rabobank are trying to save face. Gesink is gone. Not only that, Menchov is too far down. Flecha was saving himself last year and never tried a break. Rabo would want someone there because there is a chance Freire won't win the stage if it comes together.

Euskatel:

Igor Anton is currently 3'48 down
Egoi Martinez is currently 4'09 down
Ruben Perez is currently 6.54 down
Mikel Astarloza is currently 2.54 down

One of those riders would be the front runners for Euskatel.

Quick-Step:

Sylvain Chavanel is another one that might go.

Agritubel:

Too early for Moreau?

Caisse:
David Arroyo is 4'10 down
Luis Leon Sanchez is 3'18 down

My first thought would be that Luis Leon Sanchez would try a break and then I realised they have Arroyo on their team. No doubt Arroyo tries a break today.
Don't know about the other teams.

If it did get back together, the sprinters won't win. I see Luis Leon Sanchez, Kim Kirchen, Tony Martin or Andy Schleck attacking and one of them winning it.

 

[limerickman]

84 when Criquelion won as well. Super tough race on a hard ciruit with a stinking hot day.

Criq won there in '84 of course.
I'd forgotten that.

 

[classic1]

Criq won there in '84 of course.
I'd forgotten that.

The stage finish should look awesome on the telly, like the Monaco opening or like stage 2 racing along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Really looking forward to it.

 

[limerickman]

The stage finish should look awesome on the telly, like the Monaco opening or like stage 2 racing along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Really looking forward to it.

I'll tell you it's hard climb at Mountjuich : don't know what it would be like after 100+ miles racing today : and 4 days prior cycling thrown in to the mix too!

 

[jhuskey]

What a great stage for a couple of the teams to set up a blistering pace to try and weaken some of the GC's before Friday.

 

[Trev_S]

Who would be in the break?
Quick-Step:

Sylvain Chavanel is another one that might go.

.......

If it did get back together, the sprinters won't win. I see Luis Leon Sanchez, Kim Kirchen, Tony Martin or Andy Schleck attacking and one of them winning it.

Chavanel's in the break with Millar and Auge.

I'm favouring LL.Sanchez for the win as well.

 

[steve]

Remember to post your tips here before the thread closes.

 

[jhuskey]

I am enjoying this bike race and it's not even to the good part yet.

 

[limerickman]

Good win for Hushovd.

Where did Freire finish, does anyone know?

 

[jhuskey]

He finished second.

 

[slovakguy]

unreal level of carnage today. wonder if anyone will complain about racing under dangerous conditions?

valiant effort by millar.

 

[limerickman]

Thanks Slovak & JH

 

[limerickman]

Johan Cruyff at the TDF!!!!!!!!!
Nice one.

One of my favourite players.

 

[Andrija]

Johan Cruyff at the TDF!!!!!!!!!
Nice one.

One of my favourite players.

He knows cycling too.

 

[limerickman]

He knows cycling too.

Yep - listened to him speaking on the highlights prog tonight.

He sounds quite knowledgeable.
He was Rabos invited guests.

 

[JAPANic]

Within the last 2 or 3km Millar went from virtual Yellow to losing another 1 minute 21 seconds in the last km.
He must be really ****** off about that.
At least he had a go.