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Stage 17 » Digne-Les-Bains › Pra-Loup (161k)
A repeat of Stage 6 of the Daphine, won by Romain Bardet after a daring attack on the descent of the Col d'Allos
Following yesterday's rest day we have the first and probably the least intimidating of four stages of Alpine climbing. This stage has 5 categorised climbs, but the first two of them are only Cat 3, with a Cat 1 and two Cat 2s, which are the third climb and the final climb at Pra-Loup. There is every likelihood that this stage will be again decided by the descent of the Col d'Allos, as there is every chance of building up a significant gap on the descent and maintaining it on the shortish final climb of Pra Loup, especially if the forecast rain materialises. The stage starts in Digne-les-Bains and heads South East towards the Med in the Nice/Antibes area. The start of the first climb comes after roughly 34km, the Cat 3 Col des Lèques (6km @5.3%). After this climb the riders reach the town of Castellane and head North. Here the riders skirt the outstandingly beautiful Verdon Gorge, where the turqoise-green Verdon forms a river valley through 700m high Limestone cliffs. At St Julien the route turns away from the gorge and towards Vergons. Here the riders reach the second climb, the Cat 3 Col des Toutes Aures (6.1km @ 3.1%). There is a long descent of the Toutes Aures at the bottom of which the riders will turn once again Northwards and head immediately upwards towards the Cat 2 Col de la Colle-Saint-Michel. At 11km @ 5.2% this is a long climb and by the time they have got onto the climb proper they will already have taken on several km of false flat. Following a short descent the riders again find a section of false flat where the intermediate sprint is located. Following the sprint the road goes uphill again, with about another 12km of false flat before the road cranks up further at Allos.
The Cat 1 Col d'Allos is 14km @ 5.5%, but they will have gained over 1100m from the valley floor and the Col d'Allos reaches 2250m. This is not a hard or steep climb, but it is very long. The GC teams should be working hard on this climb, and even if Sky do not ride hard, I would expect Astana, Movistar and Tinkoff to be driving a fast pace to test their rivals after the rest day. The descent from Col d'Allos could be more significant than the climb. Rain looks a distinct possiblity, and this is a long, fast and technical descent with uneven portions of road, and places with adverse camber.
The final climb is Pra Loup, a Cat 2 climb that is 6.2km @ 6.5%. This is the climb that broke Eddy Merckx in 1975 when he was caught and passed by Bernard Thévenet. It starts off fairly easily, with gradients of around 5.5% before getting steeper in the second kilometre. After this the gradient eases, with a few km at or around 6%. The final 1250m or so get steeper with gradients above 8%. This is the second time Pra Loup has been an arrival destination on the Tour. Thévenet won in 1975, and then when the Tour came back in 1980, Jos De Schoenmaecker took the honours. Personally I don't see this as a stage the break wins. It could go right out to 10-15 minutes again, but I think the amount of long climbs on this stage will mean the break getting caught. The GC teams will want to test each other following the rest day and the huge number of long, shallow climbing miles are perfect for the GC teams to drive a fast pace. Descending skills are absolutely paramount, especially if the rains come, and I see Vincenzo Nibali continuing his improving form and taking the stage.
A repeat of Stage 6 of the Daphine, won by Romain Bardet after a daring attack on the descent of the Col d'Allos
Following yesterday's rest day we have the first and probably the least intimidating of four stages of Alpine climbing. This stage has 5 categorised climbs, but the first two of them are only Cat 3, with a Cat 1 and two Cat 2s, which are the third climb and the final climb at Pra-Loup. There is every likelihood that this stage will be again decided by the descent of the Col d'Allos, as there is every chance of building up a significant gap on the descent and maintaining it on the shortish final climb of Pra Loup, especially if the forecast rain materialises. The stage starts in Digne-les-Bains and heads South East towards the Med in the Nice/Antibes area. The start of the first climb comes after roughly 34km, the Cat 3 Col des Lèques (6km @5.3%). After this climb the riders reach the town of Castellane and head North. Here the riders skirt the outstandingly beautiful Verdon Gorge, where the turqoise-green Verdon forms a river valley through 700m high Limestone cliffs. At St Julien the route turns away from the gorge and towards Vergons. Here the riders reach the second climb, the Cat 3 Col des Toutes Aures (6.1km @ 3.1%). There is a long descent of the Toutes Aures at the bottom of which the riders will turn once again Northwards and head immediately upwards towards the Cat 2 Col de la Colle-Saint-Michel. At 11km @ 5.2% this is a long climb and by the time they have got onto the climb proper they will already have taken on several km of false flat. Following a short descent the riders again find a section of false flat where the intermediate sprint is located. Following the sprint the road goes uphill again, with about another 12km of false flat before the road cranks up further at Allos.
The Cat 1 Col d'Allos is 14km @ 5.5%, but they will have gained over 1100m from the valley floor and the Col d'Allos reaches 2250m. This is not a hard or steep climb, but it is very long. The GC teams should be working hard on this climb, and even if Sky do not ride hard, I would expect Astana, Movistar and Tinkoff to be driving a fast pace to test their rivals after the rest day. The descent from Col d'Allos could be more significant than the climb. Rain looks a distinct possiblity, and this is a long, fast and technical descent with uneven portions of road, and places with adverse camber.
The final climb is Pra Loup, a Cat 2 climb that is 6.2km @ 6.5%. This is the climb that broke Eddy Merckx in 1975 when he was caught and passed by Bernard Thévenet. It starts off fairly easily, with gradients of around 5.5% before getting steeper in the second kilometre. After this the gradient eases, with a few km at or around 6%. The final 1250m or so get steeper with gradients above 8%. This is the second time Pra Loup has been an arrival destination on the Tour. Thévenet won in 1975, and then when the Tour came back in 1980, Jos De Schoenmaecker took the honours. Personally I don't see this as a stage the break wins. It could go right out to 10-15 minutes again, but I think the amount of long climbs on this stage will mean the break getting caught. The GC teams will want to test each other following the rest day and the huge number of long, shallow climbing miles are perfect for the GC teams to drive a fast pace. Descending skills are absolutely paramount, especially if the rains come, and I see Vincenzo Nibali continuing his improving form and taking the stage.
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They got rid of the Green Jersey on the time gap graphic. 
To think that Valverde was an 7/1 favourite at the start of this! 
MC -- Bardet -- in the Crit Dauphine -- attacked just prior to the descent, didn't he?
If I remember rightly he attacked on the peak and only had a second or so on the bunch.
Looks like Pauwels + Durasek + Herrada out in front with that big group behind, numbering 24, and then the Rogers + 4 riders behind.
Looks like both MOV and TCS want to give SKY a hard ride, hence SKY foreseeing this and having Porte and Roche in the break. Might all come together if Quintana and Contador try something again, but at this stage it looks like a guessing game.
Looks like both MOV and TCS want to give SKY a hard ride, hence SKY foreseeing this and having Porte and Roche in the break. Might all come together if Quintana and Contador try something again, but at this stage it looks like a guessing game.
Cheers CJ, was just researching it, he made all of his gap on the descent, certainly so the descent will advantage the daredevil out in the break, especially since as MC states that SKY won't go hard there -- but perhaps am looking too far ahead at this point.
When is Geschke going to take his breakthrough win? Looks like the Ardennes is where he is suited best, but just never seems to have that critical instincts in those hilly races.
Four groups on the road:
Geschke: Stage Leader
Sagan Group +1:06
Rogers Group + 2:30
Peloton +7:15
Geschke: Stage Leader
Sagan Group +1:06
Rogers Group + 2:30
Peloton +7:15
Channel 4 appear to Think Porte is still looking after chris
Will Majka get the order to wait back and help Contador out later in the stage? He could be useful in helping Contador take some time and get onto the podium. Contador has already attacked once and looks lively today.
Bardet opened a gap of over a minute in the 16 km descent, btw.
Geschke just starting the lower slopes. Tekman with Durasek, some +36 secs behind.
Looking breakaway I think, with everything we know about the SKY interview MC provided for the forum.
Geschke just starting the lower slopes. Tekman with Durasek, some +36 secs behind.
Looking breakaway I think, with everything we know about the SKY interview MC provided for the forum.
What a Great 1st tour the Man from Eritrea Dan Tek is having 
Yep, the winner is coming from the breakaway.
Thunderstorms coming!!
Thunderstorms coming!!
Jul 22, 2015 -- 9:02AM, casemoney wrote:
What a Great 1st tour the Man from Eritrea Dan Tek is having
Good rider. Liked him since his days at OGE.
Think how much more efficient Geschke would be without that beard. Always remember the stage from Tirreno? last year that he should have won when we saw a proper Dirty Bertie performance. Something like 16% walls and he was the last one there with Contador.
On best form he can, yes. The gap can only be halved by the bottom of the final climb, but I think if a climber like Porte is a minute back he can get him as Gesh blows up.
He's not a 5/1 pop, that's for sure, but he might get the weather advantage on the descent -- it'll be close.
These beards always bring back visions of that awful film American Flyers
I'd be laying the Gesh, but after my loss on Plaza on the previous stage I've lost my confidence a little.
Kangert can go downhill ok. He did some good descending in the giro.
Majka and Pinto shouldn't be underestimated here.
Anyone seen a recent time gap of how far the Eritrean genius is behind? He can probably climb and descend better than Geschke.
You on too nugget? Good luck. Majka can't be underestimated here.
Definitely, Pinot and Majka are good chances and Majka -- short enough already, though!
Majka isn't underestimated here, he is the current favourite. I dont think he's a very good descender though but I might be wrong.
Frank is a danger
Frank is a danger
Frank is fighting for the podium surely? He's on the same time as Valverde atm with no reaction in the peloton.
Frank is a good descender I believe, anyone confirm?
fkn Richie, had him at 360-1 e/w
He'll be a good domestique (plan-b) for TJ next year.
He'll be a good domestique (plan-b) for TJ next year.
Yes, Frank is a great descender. Some great hurtling downhill in the Tour de Suisse a couple of years ago I remember.
I think it's TFR that up to something, but it's a bit of a laugh, isn't it?
I mean Trek, yes, sorry -- used to using the acronym. 
...Testing Mollema's contract is what Trek are doing.
Trek protecting Mollema's GC against Frank? Maybe Gesink or Nibali struggling?
Don't fancy Pinot on the descent. Could lose a couple of minutes if he has the 2013 yips
Don't fancy Pinot on the descent. Could lose a couple of minutes if he has the 2013 yips
Pinot is a bum on the descent.
Not concentrating on minor GC placings at the moment CJ, sorry for being lighthearted. Stage betting my main play here.
Not concentrating on minor GC placings at the moment CJ, sorry for being lighthearted. Stage betting my main play here.
looks Like the call Porte will look after Froome was right 
Jul 22, 2015 -- 9:27AM, casemoney wrote:
Also had porte at Big odds Nugget Very Disapointing
Apparently he was sick and got punched and spat on
but it couldn't of been that bad for him to be in the breakaway.
with the way he was going earlier in the year and his 2nd place on stage 10 I was actually quitely confident he could do something here
Kruiswijk, Frank, Uran are all decent descenders. Should all catch/pass Pinot on the descent?
Carlton mentioned Uran is bridging to that Frank group. Apologies if wrong.
Novice error trying to put power down before out of corner
Getting out of that odds-on lay on Pinot -- think he might still win this, since he can close 60+ secs on Geschke.
Porte back for Froome. Valverde doesn't look good to me.
Talansky shooting past Pinot
Talansky shooting past Pinot
Uran now on Porte. Uran could be the play here if he's recovered.
Talansky has to be covered here, can climb with the best of them on his day, and will have a gap on Pinot.
Think Geschke will blow up on the final climb -- has 1.44 secs lead. Needs all of it for Talansky.
evens on pinot was just crazy. even if he hasnt crashed. but 34 now is almost to much
not watched it all but who was the rider who went over the barriers just in front of contadors stop/bike change??
Laying Geschke here now -- blows up as he gets steeps near the top, imo.
Uran in there somewhere also, laying Geschke might be the best bet?
400metres down with 2.5 to go. Can't see anything but Geschke if that is right.
400metres down with 2.5 to go. Can't see anything but Geschke if that is right.
Come on Talansky, lift! Geschke looks solid, the bastard!
Class from the German. Pinot went odds on, some people haven't seen him descend before!
Hard to believe that Froome and Contador are the same riders we saw less than 12 months ago at the vuelta
Nairo nicks a second back? if he contiues like this he could catch Froome by Xmas
You know it's been any easy route when Valverde is in 3rd on the GC
What are Movistar doing? Just as well they had 4 riders up the road in the break. Surely they would of been better served back in the peleton pushing the pace on the col d'Allos.
My apologies for describing Geschke as 'the bastard' back there -- in play desperation -- riders deserve our respect that's for sure, and a good win by him, best climbing display of his career, no doubt. I thought he looked bad just on attacking and trying to build his lead, and was thinking even back then he might be paying for it on the final climb, but he had the good sensations and hung tough -- the Pinot lay at odds-on was as a fair IR play, in any case.
missed the lay of pinot by microseconds when he was 1.7 : / got a bit on geschke at the end at least. what's looking the most likely stage for froome and sky to attack now and wrap the tour up?
Well done Pinot backers and layers. Thought 20's was good value and as mc pointed out his descending skills are lacklustre so a good trading opportunity was to be had when he got into odds-on. Good win by Geschke he needed that win to save a rather disappointing tour for Giant.
Nice response by the Geschke in the post-race interview -- might give him the belief to win more often!
The Germans coming good again after a strong start to the Tour with the Panzerwagon and the Gorilla -- now they have five wins. The GBR and ESP with three wins apiece.
The Germans coming good again after a strong start to the Tour with the Panzerwagon and the Gorilla -- now they have five wins. The GBR and ESP with three wins apiece.
Little more than bluster from Quintna and Valverde .....again.
Valverde is now on the podium , can't see him wanting to risk losing that in order to help Quintana trying to weaken Froome.
Especially as Quintana looks to have nothing in his locker for Froome to be scared of.
Valverde is now on the podium , can't see him wanting to risk losing that in order to help Quintana trying to weaken Froome.
Especially as Quintana looks to have nothing in his locker for Froome to be scared of.
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