Posted on 07/18/2006 10:11:39 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 16: Bourg d'Oisans to La Toussuire -182km
Course: If L'Alpe d'Huez does not decide the Tour's likely outcome, then this even tougher day in the Alps should do the job. The survivors first ride the 34km back to the top of the Lautaret, where a left turn takes them another 8.6km at 6.7 percent to the top of the Galibier - the Tour's highest point at 8681 feet above sea level.
After the 35km descent of the Galibier and intermediate Col du Télégraphe, the next 23km is down the Maurienne Valley. Of the remaining 79km, some 47km are uphill, in three separate climbs: the 23km Col de la Croix de Fer, the 6km Col du Mollard and the 18km grind to the finish at La Toussuire. ...) At 4km longer than L'Alpe d'Huez, and at the end of a grueling menu of 17,000 feet of climbing, La Toussuire could well be the "new" Alpe.
History: A stage has never finished at La Toussuire.
Favorites: Given its length, intensity and critical positioning, this stage is almost certain to designate the final podium, so Landis, Evans and Leipheimer will again be vying for ascendancy with Menchov, Sastre, Andreas Klöden and Michael Rogers. It should be spectacular!
Graphics by CyclingNews.com
Levi's lead down under 2 minutes now. Bet he gets caught on La Toussuire.
One can look at what is happening today two ways.
1. Everyone is attacking today, trying to wear down Landis.
2. Landis team is "Showing" weakness, thereby getting the others to attack and expend themselves before the final climb today, and more importantly before Saturday's Time Trial.
Who is on Le Poulet watch?
Looks like he is just about to polish off the Mountain Pass of the Flying French Loogie and scoop up another dix points!
NOw we find out the answer to the big question. Is Rass out for himself today, or now that he has his points, does he back off and help Menchov on the final climb
Updated standings for the maillot à pois rouge:
Pos. N° Name Surname Team Nat. Points
1 058 RASMUSSEN Mickael RAB DEN 123
2 143 DE LA FUENTE David SDV ESP 108
3 015 SCHLECK Frank CSC LUX 74
4 071 LANDIS Floyd PHO USA 63
Le Poulet can take the rest of the day off and still wear pois rouge when the day is done. However, with a 7 minute lead, he just might be thinking victoire d'étape at this point.
True, but Landis himself basically said that they did that in the Pyrenees. He felt he was ok by himself and basically gave the team the day off on that first mountain stage.
w/ a 5 minute lead I'm betting he's going for the win.
Levi crests at 4:43. And LE Poulet almost WIPES OUT in the descent. HOw do you almost crash out when riding solo?????
No attacks out of the Peleton this climb, and more importantly Merckx has been able to stay with Floyd.
This descent looks scary.
Peleton crests at 7:20 behind Rassmussen, 2:40 behind Levi.
Yep.Results Of The Col du Mollard…
Yep. The points at the top of the third climb of the 16th stage were won by:
1. Rasmussen (RAB) 10pts
2. Leipheimer (GST) 9pts – 4’45“
3. Valjavec (LAM) 8pts – 4’45“
4. Casar (FDJ) 7pts – at 7’00“
5. Zandio (CEI) 6pts – at 7’25”
6. Pereiro (CEI) 5pts – at 7’25”
It sounds like leipheimer has put some more time on the peloton - he was ahead by about 2:40 at the crest.
oops. i've always get the hiccups when I get nervous. sorry
Chickens can't fly.
Levi is definately riding hard today, I think we are going to see a balls to the wall go for broke climb from him. He has decided that today was the day he had to make his move.
Merci !
Enthousiastic about the Tour de France ?
This descent is horrible. I know it (by car), and it's very difficult
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