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
Peleton crests at 9:17. PIcked up a full minute on the climb. Can they cut any more into the break on the descent?
THey just topped it.
They're on the descent.
This seems to happen every year. Virenque used to do this, and Rasmussen did it last year. Someone attacks the first mountain stage as a stepping stone to the KOTM jersey. Sometimes they also end up in yellow. Virenque did it in 2003 after winning Stage 7. Armstrong let him go because he knew he would make up the time on Virenque later.
I think it is a little of both. I think Mercado and Dessel surprised them a little with their strength, and I also think that T-Mo, Disco, etc all realize that tomorrow is the real day to make a move. Not to mention L'Alpe Duez is looming on the horizon next week.
Armstrong letting guys like this go is one thing, Hincapie, Lanis, etc may not be able to afford giving up this much time.
My guess is that at least those 2, plus Moreni & Vasseur, will end up in the GC top 10.
Quote of the day. We'll see tomorrow if Dessel (3:50) and Mercado (6:32) are for real. Probably not Mercado...
Probably not Dessel either - 31 years old, pro since 2000, 1st TdF.
Gonchar is obviously history, but 9.5 min is a pretty serious time differential even this early in the mountains, especially if they can add to it tomorrow, then not lose much on the 2?? flat stages before the Alps.
Most likely he will be pulled back, and you know he will definately be marked by all the big names now, but he could just surprise everyone.
WOW, they are actually extending the lead. Now up to 9:30. I am shocked the Peleton is not chasing harder than it is.
OH Man, how humbling is this. The Yellow Jersey is hauling water bottles from the team car to the rest of the team.
I am shocked the Peleton is not chasing harder than it is.
Don't you just love it when the Peleton treats the first mountain stage as a rest day?
Well I guess the only question now -- Does Dessel go for the stage win, or does he let Mercado have it since he has the Yellow and Polka Dot Jersey's locked up.
If Dessel thinks Mercado has been doing his share of the work, he may let him have it. But who knows? Dessel is French...
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