Posted on 07/14/2006 10:20:34 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 13: Béziers to Montélimar - 230km
Course: At 230km, this is the longest stage of the race, and together with the likely fast pace and baking hot weather, it could be one of the most grueling, too. It starts at Béziers on the Mediterranean seaboard before cutting across the southeast corner of the Massif Central on winding back roads that are constantly dipping and climbing through the foothills. The critical part of the stage comes with 60km to go, from where the race twists through the spectacular canyons of the Ardèche and Ibie rivers and crests two Cat. 4 climbs before emerging onto the N.102 highway with 25km to go. There's a fast twisting descent to the wide Rhône River, which the race crosses before a flat finish in Montélimar.
History: Surprisingly, for a city of 30,000 and the home of world-famous nougat candy, Montélimar has never hosted a stage.
Favorites: This marathon stage is ideal for a small group to gain a substantial lead in the early kilometers. If potentially dangerous riders like CSC's Fränk Schleck are in the breakaway then the yellow jersey's team won't let the move get too far ahead. Otherwise, there will be little opposition to a break with riders way down on GC. It could suit a rider like Rabobank's Pieter Weening or Davitamon's Chris Horner.
Graphics by CyclingNews.com
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/part1/section-24.html
That shows what the various time cut-offs are. With 5 cat-4 climbs, I don't know if this would be a flat or rolling stage, but I'm guessing flat 'cause of the fast pace (42.5 km/h.) If that's true, then the cut-off would be 10%, or 32.4 minutes. Nicolas Jalabert came in last today at 31:00, so everyone is safe.
I saw that, too. I don't get it. Why would he take such a defeatist attitude? I keep hoping that it's all a ruse like Bruyneel saying that DSC had given up the other day.
The break never would have gotten away like that if George had been there.
Perhaps not but after all, Pereiro got the yellow from half an hour down. Do they consider George to be a threat in the Alps after the way he rode last week? What was the deal with Coyot? He was an hour and 19 min down but FDJ absolutely would not allow him to escape. Axe to grind there?
Stage 13 is defined as a Coefficient 1 stage in the rules.
According to the types of stages and their level of difficulty, permitted finishing times vary according to the application of the following coefficients:
Coefficient 1 (Stages with no particular difficulty)
The permitted finishing time is calculated according to the winner’s actual finishing time plus:
4% if the average speed is less than or equal to 34 km/h;
5% between 34 km/h and 36 km/h;
6% between 36 km/h and 38 km/h;
7% between 38 km/h and 40 km/h;
8% between 40 km/h and 42 km/h;
9% between 42 km/h and 44 km/h;
10% between 44 km/h and 46 km/h;
11% between 46 km/h and 48 km/h;
12% over 48 km/h.
14:22 - Francis Van Londersele’s Comments On Stage...
LeTour.fr contacted one of the directeurs of the Cofidis team, Francis Van Londersele to get his thoughts on today’s stage. The team has Sylvain Chavanel in the lead group that’s now 17’00" ahead of the peloton which is at the 101.5km mark. “We’ve tried everyday to put someone in the break. Today it worked," said Van Londersele. "It’s been really difficult to establish the perfect group. Unfortunately we were obliged to ask Coyot to come back to the peloton for today’s escape to be allowed to go. I don’t know why he was targeted as the rider who shouldn’t be there but as soon as he returned to the peloton, FDJ stopped chasing.
“In theory there is no team interested in setting the pace of a concerted chase so I’m confident that Sylvain’s group will stay away. Sure, there’ll be a lot of attacks in the finale and it will be hard in the last 20km before all of the riders in the lead group are strong.”
Or did Coyot come back, then the peloton allowed Chavanel to go? That would have been really weird...
I'm not sure what it was all about either. It reminded me of the time last year or the year before when a rider (can't remember the guy's name) that Lance was involved in a law suit with over the doping stuff went out on a break and Lance (in the yellow jersey) chased him down personally. It was clear what the message was.
Must be some kind of bad blood between Credit Agricole (or their leader) and Coyot. Maybe he was on their team and left under bad circumstances?
Maybe he head-butted Thor after the prologue. ;-D
"Maybe he head-butted Thor after the prologue"
I think you got it.
Also, from cyclingnews (now that I've had a bit of time to sit down...)
Elimination coefficients
Finishing times may be adapted under exceptional situations (weather conditions, blocked roads, serious accident or incident, etc.) according to the assessment of the stewards committee, with the agreement of the race management. If the percentage of eliminated riders rises above 20% of starters in the stage, permitted finishing times may be increased upon the decision of the stewards committee, with the agreement of the race management.
It is understood that the riders who finish within the new permitted times will qualify for following stages, without a precedent being set for the rest of the race.
I can't believe that Phonak et al were willing to give up that much time to Pereiro. He finished 10th last year and is a good climber. I think it was a big mastake to give up so much time to him. With a moderate stage tomorrow, followed by a rest day, what was everybody saving themselves for?
Everybody's focusing on Landis, but all the other leaders let this happen as well. I just don't understand their thinking, to give up THAT much time on a relatively flat stage.
I sorta figured that Landis didn't want the yellow jersey. Glad to see Voigt get it. A real good guy. But Pereiro is no real threat in the mountains. I'm most interested in what Popo and Azevedo will do for Discovery. Bruyneel may still have an ace or two up his sleeve. This is not over yet and watch out for Stage 16. That monster might eliminate half the field.
Meant to say I was glad to see Voigt get the stage win.
This is what's so funny. So many people have entered the charade of "conceding" the GC now, they just might have to give it to Lance again because he'll be the only guy on the Champs-E on the 20th. Also, luv2ski, was the guy you were thinking about in post #111 Filippo Simeoni? I read somewhere he recently withdrew the suit, & Lance withdrew his countersuit. All kissy-kissy now. Pro cycling can be such a soap opera. (As the Gear Turns?).
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