Posted on 07/15/2006 9:39:03 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 14: Montélimar to Gap - 180.5km
Course: With a rest day coming up in Gap, followed by the Alps, this gives the lesser known riders one of their last chances of glory. The intricate 180.5km stage through hilly terrain north of Mont Ventoux offers two Cat. 3 climbs in the first half and two Cat. 2s in the second half. The narrow back roads and constant ups-and-downs will make it a hard stage for everyone and encourage breakaways. The last of the climbs, the Sentinelle, is less than 10km from the finish and offers a great chance for a solo rider to stay clear of a small breakaway group.
History: Gap has seen the finish of 18 stages of the Tour, the latest being in 2003 when Vinokourov scored a solo win after breaking clear on the final climb and descent. Gap is also where Joseba Beloki suffered his horrendous crash and Armstrong had his "cyclo-cross" adventure. On a 1991 stage, Greg LeMond tried to take a morale-boosting win in a Tour he was losing to Miguel Induráin, but was outsmarted in the two-man sprint by Italian Marco Lietti.
Favorites: This is another unpredictable stage that favors long-distance breakaways that don't contain GC contenders. However, those who have lost a chance at the podium in the Pyrénées could be involved - maybe that will be someone like Christophe Moreau (AG2R). Otherwise, look for an enterprising rider like David Moncoutié (Cofidis) or Axel Merckx (Phonak) to succeed with a late solo move.
Graphics by CyclingNews.com
I would imagine Rasmussen is really hoping Quick.Step can bring this race back together prior to that climb.
Did you see Bobby Jullich's take on Phonak's relinquishing the maillot jaune? He thinks it may cost them in the mountains, when they need the help the most.
Wow that was a bad crash. Dirt in road. Maybe broken collerbone.
Yes, Verbrugghe and Kessler may be in bad shape.
Here ya go, it was on velonews, not OLN. This takes you to an article re: Phonak, the link to the vid of John Lelangue is at the bottom of the page - http://www.velonews.com/tour2006/news/articles/10424.0.html
Now Kessler is up and riding, incredibly.
Good point! I'm sure he's thinking that all those double points would be wasted on the riders in the escape, but that he could make far better use of them! LOL
LOL...
Oh, that's cold, that's so cold... (not that there's anything wrong with that! :)
I think that is what was bugging me so much about it yesterday. It would not have taken much to keep it and it seemed so disrespectful of the jersey not to try. I think Bob Roll's comments about showing weakness are on the mark, too. Lance would never have done this for so many reasons!
Maybe that's Landis' problem, it wasn't like he was in command, he hadn't bitch-slapped anyone yet, and still yielded...
Very interesting comments. Thanks!
The peloton is 22km from the finish of the stage. It is led by riders from the Liquigas team and is 3’00" behind Aerts, Commesso and Fedrigo.
And what a 22km it is! Cat 2 climb, then some really nasty descents!
16:41 - Verbrugghe & Canada In Ambulance...
Two victims of the crash at the 141km mark are in the ambulance and on the way to hospital. David Canada (SDV) has a broken right collarbone. Rik Verbrugghe (COF) will have x-rays for a suspected broken leg.
Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!
Those Dutch are big on the consonants, aren't they? Not as bad as the Welsh, who don't really need very many vowels at all! :)
I just felt disgusted yesterday...
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