Tour de France: Stage 16 Live Thread (Wed, July 19, 2006) Galibier, Croix de Fer, La Toussuire

VeloNews.com ^ | July 19, 2006 | VeloNews.com

[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

[leilani]

1'34" back of leaders Valjavec,Rasmussen and Casar.

[leilani]

Scuse me. That's wrong. 'Bout 4'5" back? Gee, I wish Ready4Freddy & Baba would get outta bed. I stink at this multitasking stuff (7X Champion of the Tour de Klutz here.)

[Vision]

Wow, are you sure. That's not good news for Landis(who I believe is with the peleton)

I think they just showed Landis and Periero together.

[Vision]

Don't slight yourself, it's hard keeping track of all this.

[leilani]

Boy, is it. I have newfound respect for all the guys posting updates here every day. (No wonder they decided to sleep in this am.)

[Ready4Freddy]

Good morning! ;>)

[Ready4Freddy]

Yea, my mouse hand bonked! LOL

[leilani]

from letour.fr:The peloton (Landis & Periero) is at the 65km mark and is 5’50" behind Rasmussen, Casar and Valjavec

[leilani]

Thank goodness you're here. Have you had your coffee yet? Can you take over the wheel now?

[bwteim]

Bump to that;)

[Ready4Freddy]

I can just imagine what the guys in the excape are /were saying to Popovych - like Sclenk yesteday, they're probably none too pleased that he's up there.

[Vision]

This going to be the day of crashes.

[leilani]

Chavenel crash, but back in.

[Ready4Freddy]

Crash at the back of the peloton just now, Lampre rider, I think

[leilani]

day of crashes - boy you ain't kidding. These descents are wreaking havoc.

[Vision]

Three crashes so far I believe

[July 4th]

The riders are just so happy to see the other side of all of these hills, they can't control themselves.

[Eurotwit]

Grrr. Just got in.

Hope I haven't missed too much action.

[leilani]

Even tho Chavanel got back on, he might not be good enough to ride (slammed hard into concrete wall, got med treatment & new bike,but doesn't look so hot, taking it easy.)

The peloton is 6’35" behind Rasmussen, Casar and Valjavec at the 80km mark. Sebastian Lang (GST) has attacked the peloton and is 6’10" behind the leading trio.

[Ready4Freddy]

This is a 'highly technical' descent. As in 'technically, i should ride my brakes all the way down this beyotch....' ;>)