Posted on 07/12/2006 9:40:51 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 11: Tarbes to Val d'Aran/Pla-de-Beret - 206.5km
Course: Any Pyrenean stage that goes over the mighty mountain passes of Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde and Portillon merits the greatest attention from the race favorites - even though this one then continues into Spain for another 40km to finish on the long, but gently graded climb to the Pla-de-Beret summit. If this Tour is going to be a free-for-all, then climbers who want to shoot for the polkadot jersey or a high GC placing must attack on this challenging day. So look for likely KOM candidates to infiltrate the breaks that are bound to form on the narrow, winding roads that precede the Tourmalet. If GC contenders wait until the final climb (13.5km at 5.4 percent) before making a move, they will end up gaining (or losing) very little time.
History: This is the first time that a Tour stage will finish at Pla-de-Beret, but stage 8 of the 2003 Vuelta a España completed a similar course (except for the Tourmalet). At the Tour, the Tourmalet stage in this more difficult west-to-east direction (18.4km at 7.7 percent) has almost always caused major upsets.
Favorites: A stage finishing in Spain has to motivate the Spanish riders. Should a breakaway succeed, look for the Euskaltel team's Iban Mayo, Gerolsteiner's Georg Totschnig or Rabobank's Rasmussen, whereas a larger group arriving at the foot of the Pla-de-Beret will favor Valverde.
Floyd needs to win the stage and finish ahead of the yellow jersey by 4:26 in order to take the overall lead. (4:34 if he finishes second, 4:38 if he finishes third)
Levi keeps atacking and geting reeled in. Too early to get away - 2km to go is when Floyd will go.
YEllow now 3:45 back. Landis has only 5KM to put that last minute into it. May not happen today after all.
I know they are ex-teammates but Floyd should grab Levi's wheel and they should go together.
I think Floyd will fall a little short of the yellow today - he needs to make up another minute in 6 km.
GOtta give Boogard a little credit, he is climbing back into the lead group. Either he got a second wind or they are slowing to set up the final charge.
17:06 - Who Is Prepared To Surge?
The five riders who have been at the front since 6km to go are now all doing short turns of pace but there hasn’t been a serious attack since Leipheimer’s surge...
Considering that the last 2k's are flat, you might just be right.
??? He doesn't show at all on leTours site. maye he's trying to get back on the peleton?
Landis more than 4 minues ahead of the yellow jersey now.
I think he will make it.
This is considered a mountain top finish but the summit of the final climb is 2km before the finishing line. 17:08 - Landis Leading...
Landis has been setting the tempo for about 500m now. Behind him is Evans, then Menchov, Sastre and Leipheimer. They have 5km to race.
Leipheimer going again.
Landis following.
Go go go!
NOw they are three :-)
dessel gap up to 4:06!
They are at the top of the summit. 2k's to the finish.
Yes! So great to see Levi back, and 2 Americans in the group of 5!
Menchov has proven he is strong, he is not going to be shaken that easily.
Floyd may be seeing him for a while now, he may not shake Menchov until the final TT.
Landis attacking and putting time into the Yellow Jersey.
And it's a 2 km time-trial to the finish!
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