Posted on 07/19/2006 9:15:41 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 17: St. Jean de Maurienne to Morzine-Avoriaz -200.5km
Course: This is almost identical to the stage in 2000 when Marco Pantani attacked on the first climb (the 15km, 6.4-percent Saisies) and forced Armstrong's U.S. Postal squad to chase for 100km over the Aravis, Colombière and Châtillon climbs to the foot of the day's main obstacle: the mighty Col de Joux-Plane (11.7km at 8.7 percent). It was partway up the Joux-Plane that Armstrong bonked and could only watch as Ullrich and others rode away from him, and he conceded almost two minutes by the finish in Morzine.
History: Morzine has seen 13 finishes of the Tour, including that one six years ago, which was the last time the ultra-steep Joux-Plane was climbed in the Tour. The only Tour winner to win a stage into Morzine was Pantani, who scored a solo victory here in 1997, the year before he won the Tour. Morzine's mountaintop neighbor, Avoriaz, has seen stage wins by two other Tour champions, Lucien Van Impe and Bernard Hinault.
Favorites: If riders are still battling for podium spots, then the Joux-Plane climb and descent suits Leipheimer and Landis. But it's more likely that a long-distance break will succeed, giving a rider like Michael Rasmussen a chance to win the stage and the King of the Mountains competition.
Graphics by CyclingNews.com
Not that it matters, but Landis has also picked up enough climbing points to be 3rd overall in that category -- if he wins the stage, he could actually be 2nd to Rasmussen. :)
Vogt and Schleck doing a lot of work.
15:44 - CSC Take Charge Of Peloton
With the peloton nine minutes behind Landis and Sinkewitz, the CSC team has decided to start chasing. Voigt is now at the head of the yellow jersey’s group.
Gap has started to decrease.
I think we are entering a critical point.
3:44 PM The gap
is now more than 9:00. Wowie Zowie
Sprint wil be interesting, I don't see Sink pulling around Landis for some points, Floyd will get the 6
He fell on Luz-Ardiden in the Pyrenees.
If they're going to start the chase on this downhill, things could get real ugly in a hurry...
3:47 PM Now it's up to CSC
Caisse d'Epargne has pulled off the front once the gap crested at 9:10 and it's Jens Voigt now driving at the front for CSC.
Looks like Sastre made a calculated gamble to let Perreiro burn himself up on Col de Columbeire. Now Sastre smells Yellow and has told his team to start chasing Floyd.
Looks like the gap is still holding despite CSC's effort.
I'm going to wait for the results of the sprint before I post another Virtual GC.
The old "hood in the mussette" trick!
3:49 PM CSC
is finally making headway on the chase. The gap is at 8:57... as Landis and Sinkewitz head on to the Cote de Chatillon sur Cluses
The peloton can't seem to get off of that 9' number...
Landis and Sinkewitz are onto the next climb. The Cote de Chatillon is only a Cat 3. But a CAT 3 this far into a stage is still a tough climb.
Looks like Landis is fighting back though, because the gap is back over 9 minutes :-)
back up to 9:06
Hel, the way they're going they'll catch some air over that Cat 3 bump! LOL
The chasers are going to need to get back 4-5 minutes minimum or Landis will still take the Yellow Jersey on the ITT.
That will remind Bob Roll of his mountain biking days.
Vive le Green Machine!
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