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First up, it would be flippant and naive not to mention the events of last night in Nice at the start of this post. It is sad, tragic and frankly, heart breaking, my thoughts are with all those involved.
Back to less serious stuff, it's TT time, a normally boring stage but, as this tour has been anything but normal, we'll see.
The first time trial of the Tour de France is featured on the thirteenth day of the race, which is quite unusual. Suspense hasn't been killed any such race. The first nine riders on GC are still within two minutes after the battles of the Massif Central, the Pyrenees and the Mont Ventoux. Chris Froome dominates. That puts him in the situation of a hot favourite ahead of the 37.5km long individual time trial from Bourg-Saint-Andéol to Caverne du Pont d'Arc. He has a chance to increase his lead over Adam Yates, Nairo Quintana and all other GC contenders. Two hills are on the course, one at the beginning and one at the end. It won't be a nightmare for the climbers. Most of them fear the time trials but not this one. However, it suits the specialist as well. Tom Dumoulin has full confidence after he won the queen stage of the Pyrenees. Tony Martin and Rohan Dennis are more under pressure to deliver.
Fast.
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As ever, off to [url= http://inrng.com/ ]Inrng[/url] for the contenders:
The Contenders: this is the perfect course for Tom Dumoulin, a mix of climbing and fast roads. The Dutchman opted to ride the Tour de France with this stage in mind and has already won a stage along the way, proof all is well. The only concern is that he was working yesterday after team mate Warren Barguil got caught in the crosswinds. But so was everyone else.Tony Martin got to work for Etixx-Quickstep. Once upon a time he was so dominant in the time trials that he helped keep stage previews short but these days he’s far from the certainty he used to be, his only time trial win this year was in the German championships and his last World Tour TT win was in the 2015 Tour de Romandie. Still here is a course to suit.
Another worker is world champion Vasil Kiryienka but his title says as much about the world’s and it’s slot as a late season event and a win seems improbable.
Can Fabian Cancellara win? He’s had a resurgent season in terms of TT results with Tirreno-Adriatico, the Algarve and the Tour de Suisse but all were shorter tests of brute force compared to this hillier test so his chances are lower.
Next among the TT specialists is Rohan Dennis. A big talent, he took the yellow jersey in last year’s Tour but 2016 has been a quieter season, a win the Tour of California along the way but he didn’t topple any big names.
Now to Chris Froome. What will he do today, skateboard through the tunnel section? Amid yesterday’s shock and confusion he won the Tour de France, dropping Nairo Quintana with his two attacks and the only other competent time triallist in the top-10 is Tejay van Garderen who cannot match the pace in the mountains. The course suits Froome, don’t forget he ran Tony Martin close in 2013.
Among BMC Racing’s two leaders Richie Porte looks the better on the climbs so can Tejay van Garderen redress the balance here? Neither is racing each other but they can climb back up the overall classification at the expense of all the climbers in the top-10 right now. Van Garderen is seventh overall and could, should haul himself much higher up.
A few pics from yesterday, at least one of which will be iconic in years to come.
Carnage
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Once again, there are some stunning pics of the stage at [url= http://cyclingtips.com/2016/07/photo-gallery-2016-tour-de-france-stage-12/ ]Cycling Tips.[/url]
First up, it would be flippant and naive not to mention the events of last night in Nice at the start of this post. It is sad, tragic and frankly, heart breaking, my thoughts are with all those involved.
well put lunge, loving your work with these threads
Be surprised if it went ahead today
Be surprised if it went ahead today
It's going ahead.
The #TDF2016 caravan comes from it will be silent the day's stage is dedicated to victims of #Nice enhanced security
https://twitter.com/Pref_07/status/753849452461424640
better translation - The TDF caravan has just set off. It will travel in silence. Today's stage is dedicated to the victims of #Nice. Enhanced security
Awful awful stuff. Can't bear to think of it.
the race yesterday wasn't much better. I've not followed road riding for a very long time but ever since I have I've had a growing unease about the sheer numbers of spectators on the climbs, epecially since given a fairly static percentage of idiots in any crowd, more people = more idiots. We need the crowds to generate the sheer atmosphere - it's electrifying even just watching on TV so it must be awesome in the midst of it - but the riders need more protection
I think Quintana's done. He didn;t seem to have anything yesterday. From the highlights I saw, he made a couple of fairly ineffective breaks and then had nothing when Froome went. Porte impressed, he covered everything like lighting, and Bauke Mollema gets a big old *chapeau* for joining Froome and Porte after they went
In terms of today, Froome for the win over Tejay. Richie to be top 6
My 13 yr old son and I are heading flying to Paris next Sunday as we won grandstand tickets for the finish on Champs Elysee - he asked me this morning if it would be safe for us to go or should we stay at home.. 🙁
Good work yet again lunge. After yesterday's stage craziness i think it will be a run of the mill TTing session, which I hope Froome gains more time on. Following yesterday's other - horrific - craziness, this will rightly be a muted race day.
EDIT - iainc: that's very sad 🙁
Thoughts with Nice. Well put by all above.
What are the start times for each individual rider today?
EDIT - iainc: that's very sad 🙁
yes, he is bike daft and has been so excited, he watches the highlights every evening with me and knows the stats inside out. Has certainly taken the shine off it and I guess it will be very tight security.
Thoughts with all those who have suffered 🙁
As this is the second most boring stage in this years race I'll go for Mr Fabulous.
Glad to hear it's still being run, that the Tour respect both the situation and humanity.
@iainc it is sad to think he is scared, but if it was my daughter asking at that age i'd be explaining to her that whilst the pair of you will need to be aware of the risk it is important to not let these people affect your way of life and the decisions you make as if you do they win. The final stage of the tour will be a fantastic spectacle and something you will remember for ever.
^^^^^ rusty - great minds think alike - that is almost verbatim what I said over the breakfast table earlier !
don’t forget he ran Tony Martin close in 2013
I think he might do that again this year
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Tragic situation.
gwaelod - MemberBe surprised if it went ahead today
Don't want to seem argumentative given the events, but don't experts in that sort of thing say that altering things in the light of an attack only makes more attacks likely. therefore I think having the stage go ahead is absolutely the right thing to do.
However, I can't imagine what it must be like having to get into a race frame of mind after hearing about Nice, especailly if you are French.
I'm pleased the tour seem to be handling the situation with dignity. From a competition point of view, its probably 'good' timing its a time trial today.
@iainc, real shame that your son's excitemtn is dampened, however I'm sure it will build again and i'm certain security will be very tight to ensure Paris is safe.
Right then, time for my ever inaccurate predictions.
I actually think the Inrng have this nailed today, it's a Dumoulin stage, a few hills, a good length of TT and he wasn't involved in the fun and games yesterday. I also think Froome will be angry as I suspect he will feel he could have put even more time into Quintana yesterday so he too will go well.
Quintana, gone.
Shocking and tragic news from Nice.
Froome to finish in the top 3, Nairo to lose less time than people expect. Dumoulin or Dennis for the win.
Van Garderen to do less well than people expect. He's a decent TT'er but always seems to disappoint when it's part of a grand tour. Porte will finish ahead of him today.
and he wasn't involved in the fun and games yesterday
Dumoulin did a lot of work dragging Barguil back yesterday.
Quintana, gone.
I'd definitely not write him off yet! He got lucky yesterday though, would have been a minute on the line if it wasn't for the incident. Still the biggest threat to Froome in the 3rd week (aside from the motor!) Froome should have the mental edge on Quintana after yesterday though.
I'm cheering for spartacus, he'll be nowhere near but it's a habit, Dumoulin ftw.
I'd definitely not write him off yet!
Not wriiten of fbut he knows two things
1.Froome is stronger than him - he keeps dropping him so psychologically he is damaged
2. Froome is better on the time trials
IMHO there is nothing he can do to alter this so without an accident or loss of form or bad day he cannot win it
It wont be a procession to the line but no one can be in any doubt that Froome is stronger than his main challenger
Terrible events in Nice. Family and friends are ok. My BIL (who lives in San Francisco) was in Nice with his parents but they decided fo go to the Cannes fireworks last night. Ian its the right question your son and you are asking, will drop you an email.
Yesterdays events at the TdF sent a warning signal to the event organisers, it could so easily have been much worse with Froome and other riders injured. They need to look very closely at the rules too, yesterday they had a bail out by taking Mollema's time but what if he'd not ridden to the finish ? The solution was a compromise and I think Quintana would have been even further back in a clean finish, effectively the TdF would have been over.
A strange day today, riders alone rather than together in the peleton. I hope mentally they can focus on the racing, at least its a short stage.
It wont be a procession to the line but no one can be in any doubt that Froome is stronger than his main challenger
And Froome and Quintana both know this now. I'd still expect Quintana to have a go at Froome in the 3rd week, probably the only one who will. Chance of success is looking increasingly slim though.
See Pinot has abandoned this morning. Been out of sorts all tour. Sickness maybe?
Quote from Dumoulin...
“Normally it would but so hilly that guys like Tony Martin, Rohan Dennis and Cancellara are out of contention. It can be good also for them but the hillier the better for me definitely,” Dumoulin told Cyclingnews. “I have only seen [the course] on a video but it looks hard, and it looks promising for me.”
Really quite surprised he's not checked out the course first hand given this is a really good chance of a stage win for him!
True enough
Sometimes I wonder if he is just a bot conservative or if he knows he is the , slightly lesser, man
perhaps his plan is to use stamina to explode in week three and it will all be fireworks
Froome does look peerless though ans its good to see a GC rider doing varied tactics from flat stages breakaways and solo over the top breakaways...oh and jogging 😉
oh and jogging
Amused at the people claiming he should be penalised for that. Rules only state you need a bike with you when you cross the finish line and need to complete the stage under your own power... which is more than [url= https://twitter.com/assekevin/status/753720450551836673 ]Quintana appears to have done[/url] 😉
Rohan Dennis going very quickly out there. Could it be that the stage is won long before the coverage actually starts 🙄
the cheeky beggar!
Interesting footage of Quintana! Definitely profiting from the crash and commisairre's looking elsewhere
I think Porte is going to put in a good showing today, he looked strong yesterday and is a good time trialist.
Think Quintana will go better than expected - he's done well in a couple of minor TT's this year - will still lose at least a minute to Froome though
Dennis now in the hot seat with 51.56. Average of 43.32kph. Not that quick for a TT so course must be pretty hilly and windy.
@iainc, that's sad but understandable from your son. It sounds as though you've said all the right things to him though and hopefully you'll both still have a great time.
Of course the MO of these nutters is to attack soft (i.e. unguarded) "targets". So, the sad fact is that you are probably safer on the Champs Elysee, with all the security than you would be at your local village fete.
Note: no actual statistics were used in making this spurious claim, but hopefully you see what I mean.
I shall apply my anti-Midas Touch to Cancellara. 😉
thansks roverpig - aye, hopefully a few evenings of watching the highlights and he's back in the zone. Think I'll go out for a road ride with him tomorrow morning and we can do a time trial ! ....he may even beat me 🙂
I've got a mental picture of you two in one of those Skoda adverts now 🙂
🙂 I shall be sure to post up some pics 🙂
New Rapha Skinsuit for Sky
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http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz211/dansipods/0E542F27-9CF4-41E7-8A44-80D770770531_zpsndfou2e6.pn g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Oooh Dennis beaten by Nelson Oliveira. Be interesting to see the splits, I think Dennis faded a bit in the second half of the course.
Be interesting to see what Kiri ^^^ up there does in the rainbow stripes. He's there do to a job for Froome so I wonder if he'll take it easy today.
I shall apply my anti-Midas Touch to Cancellara.
Oh and Cancellara home, 1'50" down on Oliveira.
Be nice if this was on telly but Eurosport are showing the Ventoux stage for about the hundredth time!
Interesting commentary by Dennis...
Provisional stage leader Rohan Dennis spoke to letour.com: "Overall I'm happy with the ride, it's been a tough Tour so far. Considering it's stage 13, it's a different feeling time trialing with super fatigue, especially when the course is so hard, not just the climbing in general but the wind as well played a huge part. I think one major factor for anyone who's gonna be going for today's stage is what wheels they pick. Look, some of the smaller guys might not be picking a faster wheel and just because of their weight and not being able to hold the bike. You've got those crosswinds so maybe it might help us. As bigger guys, you could say… I'm hoping for my own sake that that's the case but it's definitely not an easy course today. It's quite challenging."
Could be a tough day for Nairo.
Cancellara out of the top 5 already!
More from Dennis...
Rohan Dennis also gave his comments with regards to the favourites to letour.com: “I can't disregard Froome, that would be stupid. He's a great time trialer and climber. As you've seen he's got power in the flat and the hills at the moment. He's probably one of the big favourites. For us in general, with BMC, Tejay and Richie are in great positions. The factor of the wind is going to be the biggest factor for guys like Richie, and what wheels he picks are obviously gonna be pretty decisive. Hopefully for his sake and our GC the hope is the wind does drop and he can really use his strength on the climbing to take time out and then he won't lose the time so much in the wind along the ridge of the first climb. Tejay is pretty strong all round as well. Mollema I'm not 100% sure how he time trials, I've never seen him at the top of TT ranking. Quintana I think is in the same boat as Richie. I don't know how he's gonna handle the wind.”
Having said all along that I don't think Quintana will lose much time today, I'm beginning to think he just might.
The Panzerwagen out on the course.
First up, it would be flippant and naive not to mention the events of last night in Nice at the start of this post. It is sad, tragic and frankly, heart breaking, my thoughts are with all those involved.
Personally, I think they should have cancelled the day as a mark of respect and mourning. Exceptional circumstances. I can't motivate interest in the stage.
And my team was built for this stage. Dennis and the Panzerwagen for 1-2.
Personally, I think they should have cancelled the day as a mark of respect and mourning. Exceptional circumstances. I can't motivate interest in the stage.
Am inclined to agree.
And my team was built for this stage. Dennis and the Panzerwagen for 1-2.
Dennis already down in 3rd.
Pinot's out as well 🙁 .
The wheel has fallen off the Panzerwagen
Losing time all at every check
Personally, I think they should have cancelled the day as a mark of respect and mourning
Terrorism works by making pope change the way they live and being scared
To defeat it you first need to carry on unaffected by them, however hard that must be
ooh - just as I say that he's pulled it back to 27secs at the last intermediate time checkAlexSimon - MemberThe wheel has fallen off the Panzerwagen
Losing time all at every check
Terrorism works by making pope change the way they live and being scared
Of course, but I was referring to a country's sadness not fear. A minute just doesn't seem enough for over 80 lives lost.
I believe the TdF are handling the situation well given Nice. Prudhommes statement was very good, respectful and recognizes that the event is of no real importance at this time. However he seems to have been in contact with his government and officials all the way to the local police, if they all agree to get on with it then it they should get on with it. Show respect yes, as much as possible but do not allow yourself to submit to terror (I know its a tough call).
Agree that a minute will never be enough, standing to up acts of this nature may eventually be, hopefully.
Also Lunge thanks for posting each day.
Wow DUMOULIN 54secs ahead at 3rd time check
I tell you what, they are decsending seriously fast. Majka 6 mins down, Nibali 2 1/2.
Yep Dumoulin looked great a pity there was adverts as he made the final climb
Come on Gee!
From the Guardian:Tom Dumoulin is asked how he feels after leading the way in the time trial: “Happy and sad. This morning I woke with terrible news from Nice. It was a big question if it would continue today or not. I think it is good we ask ourselves the question, and I think the decision is good. These terrorists cannot decide our lives. It’s good that we showed that we don’t to say yes to these attacks. ”
I agree with Junkyard and mt
A minute just doesn't seem enough for over 80 lives lost.
whatever the TdF does it wont be enough though.
Life has to go on
Dont let hate win out
Enjoying the wobbling in the wind with the disc wheel, perhaps not as much as miller is 😆
Easy for me to say,but in my opinion the organisers did the right thing.We can't stop doing what defines us,that means we're giving in to terror..
Back to the race. I've got to say those cross winds would heighten my state of alertness!! 😯
Richie's starting now,here's hoping he has a less dramatic day than yesterday..
Ritchie is riding hard, hope he can keep his pace.
Yep - he's going well.
I can't decide whether I like him because I like him or because I got so used to supporting his efforts on behalf of Sky/Wiggo/Froome. I've never warmed to BMC either.
Can anyone see the 2nd time check? I can see the others, but that one seems to be missing
Porte seems a good guy to me, its a real pity he lost time on the 2nd day.
That Bambino of Froome's, quite a long tail on that, definitely not the standard helmet.
Quite a lot of boo'ing of Froome apparently. Curious really to be blaming Froome for the commissaries decision. French "fans" in moronic behaviour shocker!
Did someone throw something at Porte?
Yes being reported someone threw something
Rather amusing quote on the bbc text feed from Greg Henderson:
I was doing 50kph and @RohanDennis came past me and nearly sucked my helmet off. So fast. I have no idea how they do it. #impressed.
Made me chuckle anyway...
Porte 3 mins down...
only 3 mins down on Dumoulin - about a minute down on rivals
Such a windy conditions too, probably not much to be gleaned from comparing the times of the late runners with the early runners.
Porte has said he can't explain why it went wrong - said no falls or anything - just legs.
Froome looks strong, Yates looks like he's fading to me, looks like his labouring on the pedals.
🙂
Dumoulin wins, Froome 2nd. I very rarely get it right so please excuse me whilst I gloat.
lunge - Member
Right then, time for my ever inaccurate predictions.I actually think the Inrng have this nailed today, it's a Dumoulin stage, a few hills, a good length of TT and he wasn't involved in the fun and games yesterday. I also think Froome will be angry as I suspect he will feel he could have put even more time into Quintana yesterday so he too will go well.
Good ride from Yates too, 17th and he looked good for all bar the last 2km or so.
Job done from Froome, another 2 mins. Looks like he can take time where he wants and the team is strong. Great job from Sky so far
New top 5...
1. Chris Froome
2. Bauke Mollema, at 1.47
3. Adam Yates, at 2.45
4. Nairo Quintana, at 2.59
5. Alejandro Valverde, at 3.17
Good ride by Mollema today.
New GC below. Froome will be chuffed by that:
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Depressing from an exciting race point of view, game over pretty much. Froome just needs to stay on his bike now.
Porte has said he can't explain why it went wrong
He's been using that excuse for years now, he just isn't good enough for 3 week races.
Plenty of racing to come. Even if everything goes to plan for Froome, it's fascinating watching the battle for the podium places. Great that we have someone else in 3rd too!Depressing from an exciting race point of view, game over pretty much. Froome just needs to stay on his bike now.
Those time differences are pretty typical for the end of the second week. The last week is usually the yellow jersey doing lots of defending.
so if yesterday's provisional result had stood would froome still be in yellow after today?
so if yesterday's provisional result had stood would froome still be in yellow after today?
Yes, but not by much I don't think.
Yes those time gaps are fair after nearly 2 weeks of racing, but that make it look like a dull 3rd week is clearly Froome and Sky are riding well above anyone else, Quintana is not Contrador, he isn't going to go for a win IMO, he will be happy with a podium and Froome will have the easiest ride to Paris he's had out of his wins.
At this rate Quintana will do well to get on the podium! Shown quite a bit of weakness, reckon a few in the top 10 will fancy their chances against him.
Agreed
mrblobby - MemberAt this rate Quintana will do well to get on the podium! Shown quite a bit of weakness, reckon a few in the top 10 will fancy their chances against him.
Not least Valverde who must fancy himself as top Movistar rider and will do the dirty. Good ride by Yates, he should keep white, three minutes on nearest rival, but not sure if he can hang on to third. Thought Dumoulin was very eloquent in his post race interview
Lots of mountain stages yet, I reckon Quintana might have another go.
ctk - MemberLots of mountain stages yet, I reckon Quintana might have another go.
Quintana's got nothing which he demonstrated yesterday on the Ventoux and actually was lucky to effectively gain time due to the crash. He'll lose a bunch of time to the lower GC contenders all calmmering to get on to the podium.
Quintana's got nothing which he demonstrated yesterday on the Ventoux and actually was lucky to effectively gain time due to the crash. He'll lose a bunch of time to the lower GC contenders all calmmering to get on to the podium.
Hasn't he traditionally always left it til the last week to do much in the way of attacking? Still a bunch of big old Alps to get over and one bad day from any of the top 10 could still lead to a pretty big shake up.
Really hope Yates hangs on to a podium finish in Paris.
Quintana does usually seem to go well in the last week when everybody else is tired...