Tour de France: Stage 17 Live Thread (Thursday, July 20, 2006) Col de Joux-Plane

VeloNews.com ^ | July 20, 2006 | VeloNews.com

[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

[gopwinsin04]

I guess he really didn't bonk yesterday after all, lol.

[af_vet_rr]

lol, I wasn't ready to give up on the man.

No matter what comes out of this, he has nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing at all. With his bum hip and broken team, a lot of riders would have dropped out or would not still competitive at this point. The guy has guts.

[kevkrom]

Landis over the Cat 3 climb... lead down to 8'22"

[gopwinsin04]

16:02 CEST 163km/37.5km to go Landis takes the points at the summit. but he won't threaten Rasmussen's lead in that polkadot competition.

Halgand is at 4'08, while the Gonchar driven bunch is at 8'25. They look desperate now...

[commish]

Floyd approaching Crest of Cote de Chatillon. Le tour has gap at around 8:20. We will get a good check as the peleton crests.

[Vision]

This last climb will be killer. It will be the defining moment of Landis's last tour.

[Ready4Freddy]

That's actually the Scout sign for 'Boy Scout needs to go pee-pee'. ;>)

[gopwinsin04]

16:03 CEST 164km/36.5km to go
Gonchar buries himself with Vandevelde and Voigt hanging on. Garzelli is dropped.

Landis is now on the descent, perfectly positioned. He's using a hands on the tops position, very low.

8'19 is the gap.

[gopwinsin04]

This is going to be absolutely epic.

[luv2ski]

You know, he descends like a madman so maybe after he crests the last hill he can fly like the wind to the finish. Go Floyd Go!!!

[commish]

Floyd is determined he will not have a food crater today on the final climb. He is eating again on the descent.

[af_vet_rr]

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.

He gave some fan an incredible memory.

[Republicain]

Landis is quiet impressive today. Will it last until the "ligne d'arrivée" ?

[leilani]

"The guy has guts." and HEART! Even if he (God, forbid) doesn't wear yellow in Paris, he has given us one hell of a show today! NOBODY can ever say that he didn't give it his all, and win or lose, that's what it's all about, baby!

[Vision]

Floyd has been using a lot of water over his head to keep himself cool. He just threw his bottle away. I'm kind of surprised his car is not right with him.

[BaBaStooey]

They are roughly 5.5 km from the sprint point.

I will do another virtual GC once he's picked up those bonus seconds.

[gopwinsin04]

I'll say it right now, if Floyd holds this will be one of the greatest stories in sports history.

[luv2ski]

Man, Morzine looks brutal! I keep willing that line over the top on letour.fr! The peloton will have to ride up it, too and they may be (hopefully!) tired from pushing the pace. Come on! Floyd! You can do it!

[commish]

LeTour has gap down to 8 Minutes. Peleton is driving hard. We will get an accurate time when they crest.

[commish]

LeTour has gap down to 8 Minutes. Peleton is driving hard. We will get an accurate time when they crest.