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
Axel Merckx is my hero. All that work yesterday and he's busting chops again today.
I want to see some action in the peloton...
Levi drops Valjavec...
OMG! That might be too scary for Halloween. I'd scare "le mollard" out of the trick-or-treaters.
WOW, Merckx has suddenly appeared at the front of the Peleton. Is Landis using him up early, or does Axel have something left in the tank that he hasn't shown on any of the other climbs today?
16:46 - Bike Inspection After Stage...
The race jury has asked for the top three in the stage to present their bikes for inspection at the end of the stage.
Looks like something is starting to happen now.
If we see guys drop back today.....
16:47 CEST
Schleck, yesterday's stage winner, is now working as domestique for Sastre.
Iker Camano goes out the back, and Merckx and Fothen are also in trouble. Evans is sitting next to Kloden, Landis and Caucchioli.
Meanwhile Levi is cutting into LePoulet's lead. Inside 4:00 now.
I was wondering about Rasmussen upfront :-)
Oops. Green Iguana you are too fast for me!
Menchov attacking.
Was it Kloden following?
BYe Bye Axel. He did his part at the front and is now gone off the back. Landis is alone for the final 15KM. The only good news is it looks like some of the others may have shelled themselves attacking so hard on Croix de Fer.
Landis nowhere to be seen.
And Sastre loses Schleck. T-mobile loses 2 more riders --- they are down to Kloden and Rogers. Landis is looking a little better, but not out of the woods yet.
Kessler is amazing. Just a few days ago the guy could have been dead on the road into Gap. I'm still amazed at those camera shots of Kessler, back on the bike, with rocks stuck in his helmet.
If I were him I would have saved those rocks. A truly horrifying crash. Imagine no helmet. Those rocks would have been stuck in his melon.
Just one rest day, and Kessler was pacing Kloden up some of the craziest mountain climbs in the world for two straight days. Wow. One of the reasons why I love to watch this race.
Too early. Pereiro really wants those 10 seconds back tho'...
OH OH ... Menchov attacks, Rogers, Evans and Perriero chase him. Landis has not made a move. Maybe he thinks they will fade? Or it may be that he is not worried about them. He will shred Perreiro in the time trail, and his biggest TT threat Kloden is still with him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.