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
6'53"
Landis starts the defining climb of his career. 16:20 CEST
Landis and Sinkewitz start the Joux-Plane, and it's steep straight away.
The lead is now 6:53? That changed pretty fast.
Virtual GC update (including Floyd's 10 bonus seconds):
Pos. N° Name Surname Team Nat. Gaps
1 097 PEREIRO SIO Oscar CEI ESP
2 071 LANDIS Floyd PHO USA 01' 01"
3 014 SASTRE Carlos CSC ESP 01' 50"
4 021 KLÖDEN Andréas TMO GER 02' 29"
5 035 DESSEL Cyril A2R FRA 02' 43"
6 061 EVANS Cadel DVL AUS 02' 56"
Finally, Landis leaving Sinkewitz.
GO FLOYD GO!
HEre we go. Floyd Landis has about 20KM to Legend status. Does he have anything left in the tank????
16:21 CEST 178km/22.5km to go Landis gets out of the saddle, keeping the cadence up as Sinkewitz stays seated. The gap is 6'53 to the bunch, which is going to blow to bits on this climb.
16:22 CEST 178.5km/22km to go Sinkewitz is dropped! Landis doesn't care. That's amazing riding.
Letour shows gap at 6:33, velonews says it is back up to 6:52.
16:24 - Peloton 25km From Finish...
The peloton is 25km from the finish with a deficit of 6’35" to Landis.
16:23 - Sinkewitz Dropped...!
Landis is racing ahead of Sinkewitz and on his way to a historic stage victory. The American is determined to regain the time he lost on the road to La Toussuire...
16:24 CEST 179.5km/21km to go Landis signals again for his car, which can feed him until 20 km to go.
Remember, even a 6' win for Landis could still net him the Yellow jersey if Pereiro Sio cracks.
The "moment of truth" is right now... Le moment de vérité !
Here you go:
6:24 CEST 179.5km/21km to go
Landis signals again for his car, which can feed him until 20 km to go.
Could, depending on what the others in the GC Top 10 do...
MY stomach is in Knots. LOL. Gap holding at around 6:30 for the moment. What an amazing ride so far. Does he have enough left in the tank. He looks like a totally different rider today. Yesterday you could see the pain and suffering in his face. Today he looks absolutely possessed.
Sinkewitz falling like a rock. Landis still holds 6'11" over the chase group.
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