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Stage 20 » Modane › l'Alpe d'Huez (110.5k)
Fun and games on l'Alpe d'Huez
The last of 4 Alpine stages, and although this probably isn't quite as hard as yesterday, it is the stage most have been waiting for, finishing as it does with the legendary l'Alpe d'Huez summit finish. This is a reworked route after roadslides on the Galibier meant that climb had to be ruled out. Off the bench comes the HC Col de la Croix de Fer again after yesterday, although today they climb it from the other side.
The stage starts at Modane and heads West past St-Jean-de-Maurienne which has already been a stage start and finish in the last few days. The route takes the riders downhill for the first 25km or so until the start of the Croix de Fer. This is an HC, 29km climb @ 5.2%. This is a quite uneven climb, the first 4km or so vary between 7-8% and 4-6% before a short descent. The next 6km after this is the hardest section. Again their is a short descent and then a flat section before the climb starts again. The next 5-6km are fairly easy, just going up at a rate between 2.5% and 5%. The final 5-6km are pretty hard again, with gradients upto 8%. The descent from the Croix de Fer is varied, with some very technical sections and some setions that are almost flat and even a couple of small climbs. It is likely that the race all comes back together in the valley.
The famous climb of alpe d'Huez with its 21 hairpins starts at Bourg-D'Oisans. The intermediate sprint is there too, it is not often you get an intermediate sprint after an HC climb. This is obviously a very difficult climb, at 13.8km @ 8.1%. The first 11km or so are all between 7.5-11%. The steepest section is about 4km from the top where it gets up to 13%. The last 2.5km are around 5%.
This is the 8th time a stage has finished on top of l'Alpe d'Huez. In 2011, Pierre Rolland won but even more recently Christophe Riblon won in 2013.
Fun and games on l'Alpe d'Huez
The last of 4 Alpine stages, and although this probably isn't quite as hard as yesterday, it is the stage most have been waiting for, finishing as it does with the legendary l'Alpe d'Huez summit finish. This is a reworked route after roadslides on the Galibier meant that climb had to be ruled out. Off the bench comes the HC Col de la Croix de Fer again after yesterday, although today they climb it from the other side.
The stage starts at Modane and heads West past St-Jean-de-Maurienne which has already been a stage start and finish in the last few days. The route takes the riders downhill for the first 25km or so until the start of the Croix de Fer. This is an HC, 29km climb @ 5.2%. This is a quite uneven climb, the first 4km or so vary between 7-8% and 4-6% before a short descent. The next 6km after this is the hardest section. Again their is a short descent and then a flat section before the climb starts again. The next 5-6km are fairly easy, just going up at a rate between 2.5% and 5%. The final 5-6km are pretty hard again, with gradients upto 8%. The descent from the Croix de Fer is varied, with some very technical sections and some setions that are almost flat and even a couple of small climbs. It is likely that the race all comes back together in the valley.
The famous climb of alpe d'Huez with its 21 hairpins starts at Bourg-D'Oisans. The intermediate sprint is there too, it is not often you get an intermediate sprint after an HC climb. This is obviously a very difficult climb, at 13.8km @ 8.1%. The first 11km or so are all between 7.5-11%. The steepest section is about 4km from the top where it gets up to 13%. The last 2.5km are around 5%.
This is the 8th time a stage has finished on top of l'Alpe d'Huez. In 2011, Pierre Rolland won but even more recently Christophe Riblon won in 2013.
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unless a random breaks away would expect Quintana to win here - he seems to improve as the race goes on - Froome strikes early in the Tour to build up a lead but his form plateaus.
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Quintana in play might be the way forward here
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A visual treat today as they go up Alpe D'Huez , but i don't expect much change , Movistar know they cannot handle Froome and let's be honest 2nd and 3rd is a great result.
I never watch the last day , sad the event is over and get no enjoyment from a parade up and down the Champs Eleysses. |
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I'm not sure there is any rider in the peloton, other than the GC riders and perhaps Majka, who has the strength to go long on the Alpe and hang on to win the stage. At this relatively short distance, and taking into account everything this stage stands for as being the queen stage of this year's edition, I expect a hard ride in the select peloton, keeping the breakaway in its sights and pressing for stage honours by keeping an honest pace.
*Vincenzo Nibali If yesterday's superb Shark-mode Nibali ride was finally a sign of his improving condition, and taking into account the obvious understanding of him wanting Valverde's podium spot in Paris by gaining some 80 secs today on the Spanish Champion, Nibali must be considered a dangerous proposition for this stage, especially as the long descent off the Croix de Fer plays into his hands, albeit less than the descents on offer yesterday. It appears that the team gave him a form of freedom for this season on the understanding that he would make a strong defence of his Tour GC win last year, and has been put under pressure to deliver some results after contract discussions became an issue earlier. He opened at 18/1 and has shortened right across the boards, with the best available price now being 16/1, and he has gone single figures at Cor@l. He is better on here after hitting 20s earlier, and may be the best value of the top three. Looks to be coming into this at the right time. Worthy of close consideration. Good luck to all, SP |
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How can you not like the last stage sixtwosix? The last stage is great, been very profitable- 09' Cavendish, 10' Cavendish, 11' Cavendish, 12' Cavendish, 13' Kittel, 14' Kittel
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No idea who to play here. Quintana looks an obvious fav. Have been having a quick look at which climbers eased off yesterday and came in with the straglers
Anacona, Riblon, Serpa, Kelderman, Arredondo, S Yates, Navvaro, Fuglsang all came in with the last group. |
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I am expecting a big showdown between Froome and Quintana today think they will leave the rest well behind on the final climb, and i think we will see Froome win again. After the Dauphine he talked about winning up Alpe D'huez, this has been a big target of his all along, and though there are some worries about the health and fitness of his strongest support from earlier in the race Thomas and Porte, the stage is that short that i'm sure he will have enough team mates to execute his plan here and put the seal on a great 3 week performance.
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Movistar and Astana to team up and push the pace to derail the skytrain ?
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Doubt Movistar will risk killing Valverde.
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Surly they should sacrafice Valverde in favour if a potential win for Quintana
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Should being the operative word. If they were going to do they surely would have done it earlier.
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Yeah thats a good point.
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AG2R setting the pace for the polka dots. SKY will be pleased.
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The new Site is Just attrocious
 Still able to use old site at the Moment really do not like the new site  |
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Yeah i have no idea what to do when the new site is the only option. Might have to get a api program and use that instead
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API isn't great for mass events like cycling. I use Geeks Toy but the website is far easier. It's a shame the new site doesn't work and seems to have been designed by a student with vision problems, it just gives me eye strain.
http://gyazo.com/a2372716175481c3c8214a3364ead177 Screeny. |
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G'day gents,
If it wasn't for JC Peraud busting his gut on the front of the peloton, this break might be out by 10 mins by now, with a 2nd chasing group of Majka, Plaza and Anacona firmly established. No complaints as it looks like we might get the proper shoot-out we all want to see on the Alpe, amongst the principals. Cheers, SP |
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2.1/2,2 ish seems a bit short on nairo atm?
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don't know what ALM was working for, ,Bardet won't catch the break before the summit, so polka dot probably goes to Froome
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Movistar drilling the peloton. Carnage again.
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Valverde goes.
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No answer from Nibali?
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Waiting for a mechanical ;)
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Every time Valverde has done this previously, he has managed a few metres and faded back into the fold of the peloton.
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 He got the expected criticism post stage, didn't he. |
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He shot himself in the foot by lying about it when there's video evidence of him seeing it. If he'd just said I saw it but I wasn't fighting for GC then he'd probably have got a better reception.
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i think nibali did the right thing. dont feel sorry for froome about that
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Valverde attacks:
1.) Stage victory. 2.) Defending his podium from Nibali. 3.) Forward marker for Quintana. |
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3.)
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Should leave them go they will fry in the valley unless they get up to the break.
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Yep, no reason to panic here.
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Valverde doesn't have it, imo -- looks old and tired here.
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glad we are gettting some excitment and racing
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Valverde needed to really bury-mode for Quintana, however Quintana has already gone past his teammate. Not really an authoritative move -- this is an odds-on lay for mine.
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Quintana inviting the select to get back on...
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Richie Porte!
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Quintana working for Valverde! Couldn't make it up!
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Great response by Chris
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