Posted on 07/04/2009 8:09:14 AM PDT by Mom MD
Today is day one! Armstrong riding. Astana is back! Predictions? Other comments? Does someone have the ping list from last year?
Kids these days, huh? To think that they would schedule a wedding the same day as Ventoux.
Congrats, luvvy, have a great trip!
We’ll try to keep you up to date.
Seriously! I told my son that I might be a little distracted during the ceremony! haha! He was not amused!
lol wouldn’t surprise me. I saw them for that time period and haven’t since. I didn’t get to know them very well. Maybe they just thought I was gullible. Which is.. maybe true. :-)
STAGE 16 - Martigny > > Bourg-Saint-Maurice - 159 km
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
High Mountains - A sporting perspective
Forty-three years later, the Grand-Saint-Bernard Pass is back on the Tour de France’s route. The more-than 30 km climb rises to 2,469 m above sea level. Then the riders will climb the Petit-Saint-Bernard before plunging down to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. After the rest day, this superb French-Italian-Swiss stage will be pitiless!
The day after the rest day is always a strange one especially when it is in the mountains as is stage 16. The race restarts from Martigny at the foot of the Verbiers ski resort and immediately climbs the Col du Grand St Bernard which peaks out at almost 2500 meters (8200 feet).
Racing through Italy for 80 kms (50miles) there is another tough climb to get back into France over the Col de Petit St Bernard and then a long descent into Bourg St Maurice.
The race route should lend itself to a breakaway to succeed on a profile like this. Especially after the rest day and with a new race leader in Alberto Contador. Team Astana (or previously as US Postal//Discovery) have always used the same tactic to control a race. Allow a breakaway of riders who are not dangerous to get clear and give them their freedom- I can see the same thing happening on Tuesday.
Look out for Franco Pelizotti, David Moncoutie and Sylvain Chavanel to jump into the move.
(Stage Preview - versus.com; All else - letour.com)
STAGE 16 - Martigny > > Bourg-Saint-Maurice - 159 km
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Profile of Last Kilometers
Route
Mountain Passes & Hills
Martigny > > Bourg-Saint-Maurice - 159 km
•Km 40.5 - Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard - 24.4 km climb to 6.2 % - Category H
•Km 128.0 - Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard - 22.6 km climb to 5.1 % - Category 1
Leaders 2’ from 1st sprint. Broken into 3 main groups, 2 leaders, 17 pursuers, peleton, 5’ between the lot.
22km from Petit-St-Bernard
versus: A bit of a different climbing stage compared to the others this week, with a quite difficult descent to the finish line after the final climb. The winner could be the one who takes the most chances — but not too many.
Starting out on the second great climb of today’s stage: Vladimir Karpets and Franco Pellizotti in the lead, 1’10’’ in front of a group of 16 cyclists. The “peleton” is almost 5’ back.
Karpets is in virtual 2d place at the moment 1 minute behind Contador.
100 km: The two man break-away has been caught by the second group. That group is now 4’13” in front of the peleton with Contador, Armstrong, Wiggins etc.
Mikel Astarloza is now on virtual 2nd plance 1’26” behind Contador. Karpets has fallen behind Armstrong and Wiggins on 5th.
One of the leaders is in virtual 2nd, makes for an interesting situation.., Does Contador work w/ LA to defend that 2nd place?
Absolutely. Besides the need to help a teammate, they could still be on track for a 1-2-3 podium
Hi, Mom MD! :)
Schleck brothers fixin’ to make a move!
The main group has picked up the pace. At one point Karpets was only 55 sec behind Contador, but now with Astana doing most of the work but also the Saxo Bank helping out the time to the leading group is shrinking. Down to 3’15” now and Karpets has dropped of the front group.
5?? Astana still at front of peleton. Leader’s heartrate @ 185! Damn. Supposed to be a very tricky descent, too.
Contador / LA cutting down the gap.
Pellezotti making a move at front. Planning on major moutain points, perhaps hoping for a Stage win.
Peleton split! Schleck attacks, Contador & Kloden were ready for it. Peleton in shards.
Attack group staying w/ Schleck, Contador on Schleck’s wheel. LA at front of peleton, 40”?? back.
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