STAGE 18: Pinerolo -> Galibier Serre-Chevalier - 200.5 km



steve

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STAGE 18: Pinerolo -> Galibier Serre-Chevalier - 200.5 km Three HC climbs in succession: the Col Agnel (23.7km at 6.5%), the Col d'Izoard (14.1km at 7.3%) and the summit finish atop the Galibier (22.8km at 4.9%). All three climbs are seemingly relentless – and because of their length, the average gradient may look a little feeble. This will be 200km of pure hell.




Stage 18 Mountain Passes
Km 107.0: Col Agnel (2 744 m) - 23.7 km climb to 6.5 % - Category H Km 145.5: Col d'Izoard (2 360 m) - 14.1 km climb to 7.3 % - Category H Km 200.5: Col du Galibier (2 645 m) - 22.8 km climb to 4.9 % - Category H
Stage 18 Map
Stage 18 Profile
The last Km's


General classification before stage 18 1 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar 73:23:49 2 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:01:18 3 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek 0:01:22 4 Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek 0:02:36 5 Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:02:59 6 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard 0:03:15 7 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD 0:03:34 8 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 0:03:49 9 Thomas Danielson (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo 0:06:04 10 Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky Procycling 0:07:36 11 Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:07:53 12 Kevin De Weert (Bel) Quickstep Cycling Team 0:08:07 13 Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne 0:08:35 14 Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar 0:10:03 15 Sandy Casar (Fra) FDJ 0:10:33 16 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Team RadioShack 0:10:38 17 Arnold Jeannesson (Fra) FDJ 0:10:52 18 Jelle Vanendert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:11:39 19 Peter Velits (Svk) HTC-Highroad 0:12:06 20 Jerome Coppel (Fra) Saur - Sojasun 0:12:44 21 Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale 0:14:06 22 Rob Ruijgh (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:15:01 23 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Katusha Team 0:18:42 24 Gorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:18:45 25 Yuriy Trofimov (Rus) Katusha Team 0:21:14
 
Stage 18 News

Voeckler hangs on; no gifts for Andy Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) collapsed on his handlebars after defending the yellow jersey by 15 seconds in Thursday’s epic stage over the Alps. The Frenchman looked ashen, spent and exhausted, but he was still in yellow, and that’s all that really mattered. “I suffered, suffered, suffered,” Voeckler said. “I didn’t expect to keep the yellow jersey at Luz-Ardiden nor at Plateau de Beille. Today, the idea was to defend. We managed to just pull it off.” http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/07/news/2011-tour-de-france-notebook-stage-18-voeckler-hangs-on-no-gifts-for-andy_185463 Tour de France stage 18: clash of gladiators I sat down and didn’t move during the time it took Andy Schleck to take out stage 18 of the Tour de France. What an awesome 198.4 kilometres of first-class cycling from Pinerolo to Galibier – Serre Chevalier. It was a stage made for the gladiators and the strongest and bravest of them all triumphed. Andy Schleck made a courageous move when he took off from the peloton without support, but that didn’t seem to faze him as he had a teammate ahead and was gaining time back from the yellow jersey and Cadel Evans. http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/07/22/tdf-stage-18-clash-of-the-gladiators/ Andy Schleck secures stage 18 win Andy Schleck closed to within 15 seconds of the yellow jersey with an audacious breakaway victory on the Col du Galibier in the Tour de France. Schleck was only denied the overall lead by a late surge up the climb from yellow jersey wearer Thomas Voeckler. Leopard-Trek rider Schleck, runner-up in 2010, raced clear with 60km left on stage 18 to win from brother Frank. Mark Cavendish was outside the time limit but escaped with a 20-point penalty to retain the green jersey. An enthralling day's racing on the 100th anniversary of the Tour's first trip up the Col du Galibier has set up an intriguing climax as the riders head to Paris. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cycling/14239059.stm Roche impressed by Schleck's Galibier ride Nicolas Roche (Ag2r-La Mondiale) was among the last riders to put up resistance to Andy Schleck’s winning ride on stage 18 of the Tour de France, but the Irishman admitted that he was powerless to do anything other than attempt to hold Schleck’s wheel on the lower slopes of the Col du Galibier. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/roche-impressed-by-schlecks-galibier-ride Schleck shines, Contador slumps in Tour Stage 18 fter two second-place Tour de France finishes behind the Spanish champion, Schleck all but quashed Contador's hopes for a three-peat with a bold, long-distance breakaway win in Stage 18 in the Alps on Thursday. http://www.newsday.com/sports/schleck-shines-contador-slumps-in-tour-stage-18-1.3041677 Andy Schleck wins Tour de France Stage 18 Andy Schleck’s heroic performance in climbing Galibier and reaching the finish alone might be enough for him to win the Tour de France 2011. Schleck didn’t only win the stage but most importantly he made separation against Contador. Morever, Schleck distanced himself from his main rival and defending champion Alberto Contador. Cadel Evans led the chase in the last ascent with Voeckler, Ivan Basso and Contador. However, in the last 4km Contador found himself in throuble that he couldn’t keep up with Evans anymore. Damiano Cunego was with the main group also. Evans pushed to the limit in chasing the lead of Schleck but it wasn’t enough for the group to catch up. http://www.itsonmytv.com/andy-schleck-wins-tour-de-france-stage-18/11335%20/ 98th Tour de France - Stage 18 Reactions Andy Schleck “We had a very precise plan today,” said Andy. “In the morning briefing we said we would send two riders in the breakaway. We wanted one good rouleur and one good climber in the break. On the Col d’Izoard, I would attack. In cycling you make a lot of plans, but a lot of times there are factors in play that you cannot control. Today, the plan worked out perfectly.” http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=19070 Andy Schleck makes big push as Tour reaches pivotal stages Strange sight a mile and half from the summit of the serrated, forbidding Col du Galibier: As Andy Schleck of team Leopard-Trek closed in on victory on Stage 18, the most difficult day of this three-week race, a middle-aged man popped through the sun roof of a nearby car. It was the Cannibal himself, five-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx, shouting encouragement at Schleck, who was in the process of finishing one of the most audacious attacks in the modern history of this race. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/austin_murphy/07/21/Stage-18-recap/index.html Andy Schleck’s Historic Galibier Ride on Tour de France Stage 18 Leopard-Trek leader Andy Schleck earned back the respect of many who criticized his ride in the Pyrenees, by launching an early attack and making a potentially historic ride up to Galibier. With about 60 km to go, on the Hors category Col d'Izoard, Schleck surprised the peloton by making a solo attack when the final Hors category climb to Galibier still remained. http://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/articles/184525/20110721/andy-schleck-s-historic-galibier-ride-on-tour-de-france-stage-18.htm Sanchez falls away from possible podium spot on Galibier If stage 18 was the Tour's first true race of attrition, then Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) became the first of the favourites to fall as the riders took on the might of the Agnel, Izoard, and finally, the Galibier. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sanchez-falls-away-from-possible-podium-spot-on-galibier Basso moves up to sixth but admits yellow is out of reach Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale) was yet again consistent and strong on stage 18 to Galibier, finishing fourth, just behind Frank Schleck (Leopard Trek) and Cadel Evans (BMC) but acknowledged that his hard work and suffering had earned him little in terms of time. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/basso-moves-up-to-sixth-but-admits-yellow-is-out-of-reach Andy Schleck Makes a Break, Contador Cracks With two days of enormous climbs, the weak were no longer had anywhere to hide, mountains like Col Agnel, Col d’Izoard, Col du Galibier, and Alpe-d’Huez are too big and too steep for those who aren’t good enough to survive. The high mountains are where riders who want to win the Tour make their move and stamp their authority on the race. Today, Andy Schleck threw down the gauntlet and told everyone that he wanted to win the race. On the climb of the Col d’Izoard, Schleck the younger made his move and put serious time into the bunch, at one stage getting up to a gap of over four minutes. Going for a break at over 60 kilometres from the end of the stage, seemed like a questionable decision, but one that was ultimately vindicated as Schleck took the stage win. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/774934-2011-tour-de-france-stage-18-resultsandy-schleck-makes-a-break-contador-cracks


Pre Race News
Thomas Voeckler Might Just Do This! Could Thomas Voeckler win this thing? The yell0w-jersey-wearing Frenchman predicts his own demise every day, saying he has “zero chance” of being the first French winner of the TDF since Bernard Hinault in 1985. But every day he keeps riding as well as the big boys and not, literally, losing his shirt. And we’re only four days away from the end. Even if Cadel Evans or Alberto Contador ultimately spoil Voeckler’s run, we still won’t like them as much as we’ve grown to like this brave, humble, tenacious dude. http://nymag.com/daily/sports/2011/07/thomas-voeckler-might-just-do-this-.html
Riders set off on 18th stage of Tour de France Tour de France leader Thomas Voeckler defends his yellow jersey as riders set off on Stage 18, a 205-kilometer (125 mile) mountainous route over the Alps back into France. The punishing stage from Pinerolo takes in three tough climbs so difficult they are considered "beyond category," including the Col Agnel, at 2,744 meters (9,000 feet) the highest peak in this year's Tour. It finishes atop the legendary Col du Galibier at 2,645 meters (8,700 feet) the highest race finish in the Tour's 108-year history. http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1658996 Sanchez still aiming for Paris podium Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) has formed a potent alliance with Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard) in the third week of the Tour de France, and the Olympic champion is hoping that the two stages over the Galibier can help him finish on the podium in Paris. Already a stage winner at Luz-Ardiden, Sanchez now approaches the final difficulties of the Tour in a relaxed frame of mind, and pointed out that there are other riders who are under more pressure to attack on the Galibier on Thursday afternoon. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sanchez-still-aiming-for-paris-podium Voeckler laments difficult decision The Tour de France goes uphill on Thursday with Thomas Voeckler predicting further trouble in his bid to retain the race leader's yellow jersey. The Europcar leader was given a descending masterclass as Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen won his and Team Sky's second stage of the Tour on the 179-kilometre 17th stage from Gap to Pinerolo in Italy on Wednesday. Voeckler, meanwhile, saw his lead in the yellow jersey cut ahead of the return to France, losing crucial seconds after a wayward descent. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/latest/2011/07/21/voeckler-laments-difficult-decision-115875-23285844/ Andy Schleck’s time to launch an attack in TDF Stage 18 Andy Schleck’s chance to win the tour lies in this Tour de France Stage 18 because of the fact that this is a long stage with high category mountains. Schleck must increase his lead over Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans. Schleck’s advantage is his brother’s presence to guide him to the summit. Contador’s move in another attack in Stage 17 was not a surprise to Schleck that he countered them successfully by staying on his wheels. Schleck has to stop the damage and his reactions were on timing. Contador accelerated so many times but the contenders bridged the gap immediately. http://www.itsonmytv.com/andy-schlecks-time-to-launch-an-attack-in-tdf-stage-18/11332%20/ Schlecks undecided over lead role With only one more week of racing left, the Schleck brothers have yet to figure out whether it will be Andy or Frank that will be lead their Tour de France challenge. Frank is second in the overall standings, 1:49 behind France's Thomas Voeckler while Andy, runner-up to Alberto Contador in the last two editions of the Tour, is fourth and 26 seconds further back. Both still have a chance to claim their first grand Tour, but one of them will have to make a sacrifice to help his brother and Leopard Trek team-mate win. "We know that we cannot both win the Tour, at least not in the same year," Andy told a news conference on Monday. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-19/schlecks-undecided-on-tour/2799682/?site=sport&section=more Pereiro predicts Galibier as decisive As the Tour de France waits for its final two summit finishes coming up, Oscar Pereiro continues his work as an advisor for Spanish radio. Like everybody, the 2006 Tour de France winner is looking forward to the expected showdowns between the overall favourites, and has his own ideas on when the attacks will take place. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pereiro-predicts-galibier-as-decisive Tour rookie Péraud targets top ten If it wasn't for Thomas Voeckler, the French media would be all over Jean-Christophe Péraud as the nations's best-placed rider on the Tour de France general classification. Indeed, the AG2R-La Mondiale rider has been riding an impressive race so far, currently sitting in eleventh position behind the leader. For his very first try at the French Grand Tour, it's an amazing result. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-rookie-peraud-targets-top-ten
 
A killer stage that should put a lot of pressure on all the teams that have contender. They must keep up the tempo to prevent an early devastating attack but who has the best team to accomplish this? This stage may not determine the winner but I think it will indicate who won't be on the podium. Contador needs some big chunks of time and can't depend on Friday's stage and the ITT to get it all back. Time is running out for him.
 
Contador doesn't look to be going well today. He's not in trouble but he's not looking at ease (if this makes sense).

It is a killer of a stage alright.
 
Originally Posted by limerickman .

Contador doesn't look to be going well today. He's not in trouble but he's not looking at ease (if this makes sense).

My thoughts exactly Lim, he's riding at the wrong end of the main bunch a lot of the time.
 
Contador could of course be trying to bluff too.

I don't think he's riding at the level of previous years. Even his attempts to break the field yesterday didn't come across as being decisive in their intensity.

Eurosport are reporting that if Evans wins the TDF, the Aussie MP's are calling for a national holiday!
 
If I was Voeckler I think I would be trying to stay with Evans (that's assuming that Voeckler can't outride Evans).
I think the Schlecks and Contador are not riding as well as they can.

Sanchez and Evans have been going well the past few days.
 
Originally Posted by limerickman .

Eurosport are reporting that if Evans wins the TDF, the Aussie MP's are calling for a national holiday!
So we should /img/vbsmilies/smilies/cool.gif

Australian public holiday if Evans wins the Tour?
Watching the Tour's 12th stage to Luz-Ardiden on Saturday, Australian Federal Member of Parliament Ed Husic told Cyclingnews via Twitter that he would push for a national holiday if Cadel Evans goes on to wear the yellow jersey in Paris. Evans would be the first Australian to claim the honour. The bold, but not impossible plan is steadily gaining momentum thanks to Evans' performance on Tuesday into Gap with the Australian taking advantage of a tricky descent off the Col de Manse, gaining three seconds on the Alberto Contador as well as 21 seconds on his general classification rivals, including current leader Thomas Voeckler. Meantime Evans' move cost 2010 runner-up Andy Schleck 1:09 on the BMC rider. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/australian-public-holiday-if-evans-wins-the-tour
500
 
Originally Posted by limerickman .

Andy Schleck has broken away from the group : still 50kms to ride though

Cool be good tactics, two teams mates in the early break.....hmmmm
 
Frank is in the bunch. if the bunch try to chase down Andy, Frank can sit there and do no work and wait to go for it on the Galibier.
 
The final climb is 22.8km long @ 4.9%.

What are sammy and alberto discussing? /img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif
 
Great stage! That's what it is all about and why I will watch this stage again. Makes tomorrow even more exciting,
 

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