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
What did I say yesterday? That combo was hideous. Even a Mennonite could tell...
Stay close through the Pyrenee's and put it away in the Alps.
Hey, which one of y'all forgot to wake up the gurls!?
Looks like Phonak has decided that 3:30-4 Minutes is fine..they are not pressing to reel in the break, but are not letting them get away either. IF McEwen wants to preserve his Green jersey, it looks like it will be up to Divitamin to reel the break in.
15:22 - Lelangue Comments On Todays Stage
The Phonak team has been at the head of the peloton since the 100km mark. The bunch is four minutes behind Freire, Le Mevel, Ballan and Popovych. France Television recently interviewed the director of the Phonak squad, John Lelangue to get his thoughts on the stage. This morning I took the overall ranking and drew a line at the riders who are nine minutes behind Landis to know exactly who we could allow to escape," said Lelangue. "Popovych is exactly on this line so we will control the pace of the peloton to ensure that he doesnt get a big advantage.
"Later well see what the sprint teams decided to do and perhaps well help them catch the escape group.
15:40 - Beucherie Comments On Le Mevel
The director of the Credit Agricole team recently spoke with LeTour.fr to discuss his squads intentions today. Serge Beucherie said, Its certain that Phonak doesnt want to allow Popovych improve his position in the general classification. And Davitamon-Lotto doesnt want Freire to add to his tally in the points rankings but I continue to support Le Mevel. I want him to give everything he has in the escape group.
First of all, he has worked hard and he deserves to have a chance if this escape succeeds. Secondly, you never know what can happen with the chase group. At the same time, the fact that he is in the escape means that we are not obliged to help with the pursuit. Should it all come back together, however, Thor will be ready to contest the sprint. In summary, its a great situation for us.
No mention of Bastille Day...
IF McEwen wants to preserve his Green jersey, it looks like it will be up to Divitamin to reel the break in.
Freire is fairly close isn't he.
With his 6 points just now, and the points for a win, he would at least close in on McEwen, but not too much if McEwen wins the bunch sprint in the peloton.
I think it will be academic anyways. The breakaway will be caught.
Robbie is not under any threat of losing his jersey today. Boonen is 29 points back, Freire is 30 points back, and Bennati is 46 points back.
With only 4 riders in the break Robbie still has a chance to take points from the bunch sprint at the finish, even if they are only 5th place points.
VElonews is saying that if Friere wins the stage and McEwen gets no points he takes the green. I was going by that.
All Floyd has to do at this point is stay on the best climber's wheel on l'Alpe D'Huez and finish in the top 5, do the same thing up La Toussuire the next day, survive the mountains the next day without any big losses, put in a good time trial, and he's got this thing locked up.
He just might win this thing without winning a stage, which would suit his mentality pretty well.
Wow, OK. I was wondering how many sprint points were awarded for a win, having slept since I last knew that! ;>)
He is a hard worker who by nature is not comfortable having others sacrifice for him. That could impact his ability to take advantage of his support in the climbs. But, it gives him the tenacity to battle anyone to wire.
GAp is up to 4:30. Pace so far for the day is 46 kph -- the whole field is flying today.
I was just reviewing the race rules and first place on the line today takes 25 green jersey points.
Stage 12 is what the race rules refer to as a "Coefficient 2 "medium mountain" stage, and the finish line green jersey points are as follows: 25, 22, 20, 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 for the first 20 riders to finish.
So Freire doesn't have any shot at the green today. Likewise with Boonen, who is 29 points back. Regardless, McEwen is bound to get some points at the line today anyway.
Tomorrow's stage is a Coefficient 1 "flat" stage, with 35 green jersey points going to the stage winner.
true enough, but his statements after yesterday's stage that he told the team to take it easy tell's me he realizes he is going to have to use them up in the alps to protect himself.
It may go against his personality, but he knows what has to be done to win. he may not like it, but when it comes down to winning the Tour or not, he knows what he has to do.
Thank you, BaBa! I was wondering when you were going to step up to the plate and do my research for me!! LOL ;>)
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