Posted on 07/13/2006 11:37:15 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 12: Luchon to Carcassonne - 211.5km
Course: There are no major climbs on this first of three transitional stages between the Pyrénées and Alps, but that doesn't mean it will be an easy day. Stages like this often give rise to long breakaways that succeed, especially when the weather in this southern part of France is hot and sticky. Any break that develops in the hilly opening two-thirds of the stage will need to get at least a 10-minute lead if it has any chance of holding off the pack on the straighter roads and flatter terrain of the final 70km.
History: An almost identical stage from Luchon to Carcassonne in 1962 was won by multi-time French champion Jean Stablinski, who finished 12 seconds ahead of 11 chasers. The last of four stages to finish in Carcassonne was a 77km team time trial from Narbonne won by TI-Raleigh in 1981.
Favorites: This stage is taking place on the French national holiday of July 14, so expect an all-out effort from the home riders, especially Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Télécom), Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) and Patrice Halgand (Crédit Agricole).
Graphics by CyclingNews.com
(Yawn - whassat?whereamI, whadImiss?) LOL. Don't know about luv2ski or nutmeg, but I was actually bright-eyed & bushy-tailed tuned in to OLN at 6:30 CST - thought they were going to have another early start (time zone change?what do I know) but it was informercials. Then all heck broke loose around here and I couldn't sit/watch/& plug in to the net. I'm going to have to do reruns today.Did get to see Popo fly across the line though. YEEHAW. There's life in Disco yet.
One thing I have been wondering.
Why in the world do they show the finish from the front angle?
In every other sport I can think of, you show it from the side. That makes it a lot easier to follow the action to see how everyone is doing.
Freire is now only 10 points from McEwen in the green jersey, however, Robbie is sure to grab some points on the line today.
The best angle is the overhead, which they always usually show as a replay, especially for the bunch sprints.
Gap at finish is 4:31. With bonus time etc that should put Popo right at around a 5 min pickup. I have him 10th at 4 to 4:15 back.
As a directur sportif, no, he has not. He has only been one for 7 years, the same 7 years which Lance won.
Boonen and McEwen lead the peloton over the line 4:25 behind Popo.
THat is correct - Bruyneel is undefeated as a team director in the tour.
16:51 - 46.15km/h For Popovych
The average speed for the stage winner was 46.15km/h.
Yup, the peloton fell back a tad, didn't they?
Just saw that 4:25 was the time. Popo gets 20 bonus seconds correct? If so he picks up 4:45, which will put him 4:15 back and most likely in 10th.
McEwen finishes 6th, his green jersey lead is 25 points over Freire and 28 points over Boonen.
Yes, sir.
1. Floyd Landis (USA), Phonak 2. Cyril Dessel (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 00:08 3. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, 01:01 4. Cadel Evans (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, 01:17 5. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, 01:52 6. Klöden Andréas (G), T-Mobile, 02:29 7. Michael Rogers (Aus), T-Mobile, 03:22 8. Miguel Juan Miguel (Sp), Agritubel, 03:33 9. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 03:44 10. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, 04:15
Oooh! Thanks! I'll show this to Charlie!
Maillot Jaune
Pos. N° Name Surname Team Nat. Gaps
1 071 LANDIS Floyd PHO USA
2 035 DESSEL Cyril A2R FRA 00' 08"
3 051 MENCHOV Denis RAB RUS 01' 01"
4 061 EVANS Cadel DVL AUS 01' 17"
5 014 SASTRE Carlos CSC ESP 01' 52"
6 021 KLÖDEN Andréas TMO GER 02' 29"
7 026 ROGERS Michael TMO AUS 03' 22"
8 191 MERCADO Juan Miguel AGR ESP 03' 33"
9 031 MOREAU Christophe A2R FRA 03' 44"
10 007 POPOVYCH Yaroslav DSC UKR 04' 15"
11 042 FOTHEN Marcus GST GER 04' 17"
12 129 ZUBELDIA Haimar EUS ESP 04' 26"
13 027 SINKEWITZ Patrik TMO GER 05' 38"
14 041 LEIPHEIMER Levi GST USA 05' 39"
15 052 BOOGERD Michael RAB NED 05' 54"
Maillot Vert
Pos. N° Name Surname Team Nat. Points
1 065 MC EWEN Robbie DVL AUS 232
2 056 FREIRE Oscar RAB ESP 207
3 101 BOONEN Tom QSI BEL 204
4 083 BENNATI Daniele LAM ITA 183
5 181 ZABEL Erik MRM GER 148
Yep. Once again the Tour is coming down to the momentus climb up L'Alpe D'huez.
I have to say that as a Hushovd fan, the battle for the green jersey has been a dissapointment.
That said, Thor had an eventful first week - winning the prologue, going down in a bloody accident, then reclaiming the yellow jersey the next day with a bandaged arm.
Would like him to get a stage victory though :-)
But, it is hard. Heck, Boonen has not even achieved one yet.
Cheers.
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