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
Hincapie was right there, finished 8th, Landis & Levi were 30/31, all at 00'07"
1. Pierrick Fedrigo (BTL)
2. Salvatore Commesso (LAM) s.t.
3. Christian Vande Velde (CSC) +0.03
4. Christophe Moreau (A2R) +0.07
5. Georg Totschnig (GST) s.t.
6. Stefano Garzelli (LIQ) s.t.
7. Cristian Moreni (COF) s.t.
8. George Hincapie (DSC) s.t.
9. Cadel Evans (DVL) s.t.
10. Alexandre Botcharov (C.A) s.t.
no sign of Chou-chou.:<(
Kloden, Sinkewitz, and Rogers were right there, too, TMO still looking strong & well-positioned for the mountains. American Vandevelde of CSC in 3rd w/ 4" on the peloton.
I'm thankful that there weren't any accidents on that last descent, odd that there was a bad one on the flats (curve, tho). Most of the pundits called this an excellent stage for a solo break, and that's what we essentially had at the end...
Chou-Chou #3 GC!
Yeah, sometimes I get tired of using line breaks, too, leilani..... ;>)
What can I say. Very busy, minor emergency this AM. Eurotwit wanted his egg reboiled. Evidently it has to be 3'57". Not 3'56". Not 3'58". Sheesh. Don't know how luv2ski put up with it all these years.
So... he gets to wear the maillot jaune for 3 days (they count the rest day :), then it's adios to Oscar!
LOL!! And the poor guy ain't even here to defend himself (which makes it all the more fun! :).
So... he gets to wear the maillot jaune for 3 days (they count the rest day :), then it's adios to Oscar!
re Phil L: It takes me a few weeks every year after the Tour is over to stop talking like him.(Both Phil & Paul, really). It seems every July, I always seem to be in a "spot of a bother" because, "my goodness me", of some "completely, utterly remarkable turn of events" having to do with "a cheeky beast of a man" or somesuch.I absolutely adore the very sound of Phil Liggitt's voice and I go through "a very bumpy bit of riding" withdrawing from it after podium day every year. Honestly, the sound of Phil & Paul, along with the glorious scenery, is a huge part of my enjoyment of this tour. Who cares who wins the darn thing?
LOL! I threw out some Geitost last week. Seriously! We went to the Olympics in Lillehammer in '94 and I like the stuff. That's actually where I met Eurotwit. We were standing near each other in the security line for a hockey game and the chemistry was undeniable.
Meanwhile, from the reminisce of the breakaway of six, Verbrugghe and Canada, who are out of the Tour, Salvatore Commesso and Pierrick Fedrigo emerging and holding of the field, they had 30 seconds with 10K to go, long sweeping descent, very dangerous, sleek conditions. The peleton presumably, able to go much more quickly, if the roads have been much more safe, but they werent. Thats like saying if my aunt had wheels, she would be a car.
Can't say that I've ever heard that version...
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