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Tour de France: Stage 12 Live Thread (Friday, July 14, 2006)
VeloNews.com ^ | July 14, 2006 | VeloNews.com

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


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: cycling; tdf; tdfstagethread; tourdefrance
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To: green iguana
LOL!! Did you notice the description of Landis in his PHO uniform at the end of that WaPo article? '..like an ear of corn..." :)

What did I say yesterday? That combo was hideous. Even a Mennonite could tell...

41 posted on 07/14/2006 6:33:57 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy ("The future ain't what it used to be.")
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To: commish
That's everyone's strategery now, commish! ;>)

Stay close through the Pyrenee's and put it away in the Alps.

42 posted on 07/14/2006 6:35:39 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy ("The future ain't what it used to be.")
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To: commish; BaBaStooey; green iguana; leilani; luv2ski

Hey, which one of y'all forgot to wake up the gurls!?


43 posted on 07/14/2006 6:37:35 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy ("The future ain't what it used to be.")
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To: Ready4Freddy

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.


44 posted on 07/14/2006 6:42:31 AM PDT by commish (Freedom tastes sweetest to those who have fought to protect it.)
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To: commish; BaBaStooey; green iguana; leilani; luv2ski
More strategery:

15:22 - Lelangue Comments On Today’s 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 doesn’t get a big advantage.

"Later we’ll see what the sprint teams decided to do and perhaps we’ll help them catch the escape group.”

45 posted on 07/14/2006 6:42:34 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy ("The future ain't what it used to be.")
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To: Ready4Freddy
And more:

15:40 - Beucherie Comments On Le Mevel…

The director of the Credit Agricole team recently spoke with LeTour.fr to discuss his squad’s intentions today. Serge Beucherie said, “It’s certain that Phonak doesn’t want to allow Popovych improve his position in the general classification. And Davitamon-Lotto doesn’t 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, it’s a great situation for us.”

No mention of Bastille Day...

46 posted on 07/14/2006 6:49:56 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy ("The future ain't what it used to be.")
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To: commish
I don't think Robbie's green is threatened today, is it? Are there enough sprint points available for Freire to threaten today?

IF McEwen wants to preserve his Green jersey, it looks like it will be up to Divitamin to reel the break in.

47 posted on 07/14/2006 6:53:32 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy ("The future ain't what it used to be.")
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To: Ready4Freddy

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.


48 posted on 07/14/2006 6:57:20 AM PDT by Eurotwit (WI)
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To: commish

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.


49 posted on 07/14/2006 6:57:48 AM PDT by BaBaStooey (I heart Emma Caulfield.)
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To: Ready4Freddy
Not threatened, but Friere could make up a big chunk of his deficit. He was 36 behind McGee as of yesterday and has picked up 6 in that last sprint.

As for me.. off to an hour long meeting. I'll have to catch up in arrears.
50 posted on 07/14/2006 6:59:32 AM PDT by green iguana
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Comment #51 Removed by Moderator

To: BaBaStooey

VElonews is saying that if Friere wins the stage and McEwen gets no points he takes the green. I was going by that.


52 posted on 07/14/2006 7:02:53 AM PDT by commish (Freedom tastes sweetest to those who have fought to protect it.)
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To: Baynative

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.


53 posted on 07/14/2006 7:04:33 AM PDT by BaBaStooey (I heart Emma Caulfield.)
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To: commish

Wow, OK. I was wondering how many sprint points were awarded for a win, having slept since I last knew that! ;>)


54 posted on 07/14/2006 7:05:19 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy ("The future ain't what it used to be.")
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To: Baynative
I think we'll be there to see Landis' moment of clarity on L'Alp D'Huez, I think, when he decides he wants this, no matter what.

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.

55 posted on 07/14/2006 7:08:36 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy ("The future ain't what it used to be.")
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To: Ready4Freddy

GAp is up to 4:30. Pace so far for the day is 46 kph -- the whole field is flying today.


56 posted on 07/14/2006 7:09:37 AM PDT by commish (Freedom tastes sweetest to those who have fought to protect it.)
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To: commish

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.


57 posted on 07/14/2006 7:10:28 AM PDT by BaBaStooey (I heart Emma Caulfield.)
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To: Baynative
That could impact his ability to take advantage of his support in the climbs.

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.

59 posted on 07/14/2006 7:12:13 AM PDT by commish (Freedom tastes sweetest to those who have fought to protect it.)
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To: BaBaStooey

Thank you, BaBa! I was wondering when you were going to step up to the plate and do my research for me!! LOL ;>)


60 posted on 07/14/2006 7:12:46 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy ("The future ain't what it used to be.")
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