Posted on 07/10/2006 8:59:43 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 10: Cambo-les-Bains to Pau - 190.5km
Course: This is a much easier introduction to the mountains than in recent years. Instead of a mountaintop finish, the last of three climbs on this 190.5km stage across the Basque part of the Pyrénées is 42.5km from the finish in Pau. That means that riders dropped on the Col de Marie-Blanque will have a chance to chase back to the peloton. Breakaways will inevitably go clear on the rolling roads that precede the day's major obstacle, the Col de Soudet, that climbs for almost 15km at over 7 percent, with some much steeper pitches on the upper reaches of the bumpy, narrow road that leads to the 5052-foot summit. The organizers have given the Soudet an hors-catégorie rating, which means that it's one of the toughest climbs of this Tour. The Marie-Blanque, another 40km along the way, is shorter but even steeper, and could easily spring a breakaway group.
History: There have been more than 50 stage finishes at Pau, but the only similar stages coming from the Atlantic coast were in the mid-1980s. The closest to this one was from Bayonne to Pau in 1987, when the very tough Burdincurutcheta climb preceded the Soudet and Marie-Blanque. That stage saw a four-man break go clear of a 34-strong lead group on the last climb, with Dutchman Erik Breukink winning the stage ahead of Frenchman Jean-François Bernard and Colombians Pablo Wilches and Lucho Herrera, 3:45 ahead of the next group. Bernard and Herrera went on to finish that Tour in the top five. Last year. Oscar Pereiro won the stage into Pau from a small breakaway group started by Cadel Evans on the Col d'Aubisque.
Favorites: The two main climbs will definitely break up the race, but a large group is likely to arrive in Pau to contest the stage win. The most likely stage winner is a climber not yet in contention, perhaps Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital), who is a great sprinter in a small group.
Graphics by CyclingNews.com
That's a domestique duty I would not want... Mercado and Dessel are quite impressive so far.
How many of Hincapie's teammates are with him?
I'm trying to remember but I think Azevedo was Lance's man in the Pyrenees.
Correct on Azevedo. No DSC are right next to Hincapie, but they're close.
Dessell crests first, Mercado right on his wheel.
The descent from Col de Soudet looks scary steep
15:07 - Honchar Dropping Back...
The pace of the peloton is still being set by riders from the T-Mobile team. As the bunch ascends into the clouds, the yellow jersey has slipped to the back of this group... which is about 9’00" behind Mercado and Dessel on the Col de Soudet.
15:09 - Mercado Attacks At Summit...
Mercado has attacked at the front of the stage. Dessel has chased him down in the clouds at the top of the Col de Soudet where crowds are spilling onto the road.
15:10 - Dessel Leading Now...
Dessel has dropped Mercado now. The AG2R rider has a lead of about 50 meters near the summit of the first ’hors category’ climb of the 2006 Tour.
15:11 - Dessel Leads Over Summit...
Dessel has added 20 points to his tally in the climbing classification by leading Mercado over the summit.
TMO dropping Honchar.
Will they be riding for Kloden?
Looks like the Polka Dot jersey will change hands tonight. Pineau has dropped from the Peleton, and unless he mounts a miraculous charge before the next climb, he is getting zero pts today.
Someone is going to attack T-Mobile on Marie-Blanc.
Looks like a new Yellow Jersey possibly too. Gonchar is shredded and is getting no help from his team.
Every year, there is a "King of the Hills," a sprinter who leads the KOTM competition through the first week.
After the first mountain stage, the "King of the Hills" is usually replaced at the top of the standings by the real climbers.
Right, the 'King of the Hill's accumulates his points on 2s, 3s & 4s.
15:24 - Rinero Catches Leaders...
There are now four riders in front of the stage. Christophe Rinero has caught up with Inigo Landaluze, Cyril Dessel and Juan Miguel Mercado.
Fabian Wegmann was "King of the Hills" last year. On Stage 8 he was passed by eventual KOTM winner Michael Rasmussen. Wegmann finished the race in 57th place in KOTM points.
In fact, after Stage 7 Wegmann was the leader of the KOTM with 10 total points. On the Champs-Elysses he finished in 57th, with....10 total points.
They all have big balls to fly down the first part of that descent in the fog. But you are right, Rinero was flat out flying.
And it looks like pinearo will be the same way.
So, what do ya'll rate the chances of the break succeeding and Dessell ending up in Yellow? They are looking strong now, but there is another climb and a long way to go.
How much energy do you suppose those guys have left for the Marie-Blanque?
Someone is going to attack.
Should be interesting. have to wonder how much Mercado and Dessell used up on the last climb and how much they have left in the tank. Also, who in the Peleton just worked through this climb saving up to attack on marie-blanque.
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