TdF Stage 19: Bourg-d'Oisans --> Le Grand-Bornand.

Whilst the Tour rode into Le Grand Bornard in the 17th stage of 2009 after covering 170kms, and whilst it also covered an equal number of five cat climbs in
total, as it will this year, the stage profile actually bears a closer resemblance to last year's stage 11 (Albertville La Toussuire --> Les Sybelles over a 148 kms), in so far as it goes over the 2000m Col de la Madeleine, albeit from a different direction, and thus about 6kms shorter, yet significantly steeper, but nonetheless still holding the same H cat rating. So, therefore, this year, the stage essentially has the addition of a 1 cat climb at the end, and about 55kms additional riding to last year's stage, where it was Pierre Rolland whom won from a 28-man breakaway group, after fellow team-mate Kern set a strong pace, and which served to eliminate all but six other riders with them. Rolland's fellow countryman Thibaut Pinot came 2nd from the Yellow jersey group, but
it was Froome who really impressed by setting a furious pace for Wiggins, and finishing 3rd, 2secs ahead of his team leader. But really the 2009 stage into
Le Grand Bornard is not worth remembering, for a variety of factors.

In relation to yesterday, since it serves as such a good foundation for forming an opinion of this stage, I think that perhaps Sky did put the peloton into a slumber yesterday, and since it was working -- at least up to the point before Movistar came to the front and began picking up the pace -- they were happy
to dictate terms and keep the status quo. This would also suggest that Froome wasn't as hungry for stage glory as I had initially thought, and as Dope had
actually intimated with his blog link on Froome on the stage thread -- since it appeared that without Movistar's move, Sky would have continued to keep the
peloton in check with its languid pace, and the breakaway gap would have continued to -- in the least -- remain steady.

Now, Purito opened-up as a 6/1 favourite with the books on account of his excellent ride to Alpe d'Huez, and it's clear to some of us that he is improving and therfore deserving of close scrutiny. However, Quintana showed that he too is improving and gaining experience, and indeed showing that he doesn't need to rely on his team in the mountains as heavily as perhaps Froome does. Although, Movistar on the flats and Valverde on the climb was of some help to him. However, whilst I'm still not confident with Movistar tactics to deliver him into good tactical positions, I am more optimistic about him riding isolated
from them, and indeed am emboldened by his language in summarizing the stage.

It would appear to be the case that Froome has taken a keen liking to Quintana, and it wouldn't be a surprise if the Yellow jersey were, to hand the young
Colombian rider the stage win under the right circumstances. But this is an aside, since Quintana is riding well enough in his own right, to challenge Frrome
for stage honours should the two be left to fight it out. In fact, Quintana finished ahead of Purito in yesterday's stage, found 2secs on the line to him, and did most of the heavy lifting to make the selection in the first place. So, for Quintana to be equal fifth favourite with Schleck with some early books, is absolute nonsense in that it bears no resemblance to what occurred in the stage, and being at over 13/1 on here, I have judged the price to be good value.

In France, with the heavy press of French stage glory in the 100th Tour, and at such an epic stage, any half-decent French climber with legs tomorrow will
be looking to get into a stage-winning breakaway, and a few names are worth making the short list. In the stage prior to Rolland's stage 11 victory last year, it was Voeckler who won, so perhaps there is a case for two French wins in a row this year. However, Sky showed that inaction and/or inattention can quickly cause potential problems for them, and I would expect stronger riding from them for this, and therefore less chance of a breakaway succeeding. Although, should a breakaway form than I have built a position with Talansky, and will be looking to add Rolland after more scrutiny.

For now though, I like Quintana as he begins to shorten.

Good luck to all,
SP