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
One eye on Floyd, One eye on the clock, and one eye looking to see who POPS in the leaders group.
I think Perreiro is done, the others let him use his legs up on Col du Columbiere.
Will be interesting to see what Sastre, Kloden, and even good ole Dessel have left at that point.
8'43"
Will he have to revise that statement today?
I cannot believe that the chase is not working.
They are going hard now. Just reporting that gap is below 9 minutes now.
Letour now shows the gap at 8:43, but the chasers are on a downhill and Floyd is starting the climb. Gap change could be because of that. Or maybe they are finally chasing in ernest.
15:53 CEST 158km/42.5km to go
Landis sits on the point of the saddle, keeping the CSC chase at 8'43. He still has sweat pouring off, and he still looks very determined as he tackles this climb in the big ring, arms over the tops of the bars. He keeps pouring water on his head too.
Heheheh, we know him well, don't we? Bob's funny, but kinda predictable at times.
Probably the ring to be on when you're not trying to get the lead - remember, there's no way that Sink will get out front. I don't even think he'll try to make a major break from Landis
3:55 PM The peloton
is still 9:05 back... and just coming up to the Cote de Chatillon sur Cluses.
I never gave up on him either!
3:57 PM
The peloton is now 8:50 behind Landis. CSC is doing most of the work.
8'38"
Good page, vet, thanks! But the gap has then riding in the wrong direction!! LOL, just used to rt--->left, I guess
15:59 CEST 161km/39.5km to go
Landis opts for a lower gear as he pedals towards the summit of the Châtillon-sur-Cluses, bidon in hand, keeping his cool. Sinkewitz hasn't been drinking as uch as Landis.
Vandevelde leads the bunch to the foot of the climb, 4 km behind Landis.
15:58 - Yellow Jersey For A Six-Pack Of Beer...
After Floyd Landis regained the lead of the Tour de France at the top of L’Alpe d’Huez he decided that he wanted a beer to celebrate the moment. On the road down to his hotel, his team car pulled over and the American traded a yellow jersey for a six-pack of beer with a spectator.
15:58 - Yellow Jersey For A Six-Pack Of Beer...
After Floyd Landis regained the lead of the Tour de France at the top of L’Alpe d’Huez he decided that he wanted a beer to celebrate the moment. On the road down to his hotel, his team car pulled over and the American traded a yellow jersey for a six-pack of beer with a spectator.
If he drank them all, then we now know why he had such a bad next day!
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