Giro d'Italia / Tour de France

[Wombat del combate]

Quintana is racing the TdF.

 

[The Bear]

Quintana

:confused-smiley-013

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Colombian rider. Pretty shit hot.

 

[The Bear]

Yeah, that creep can roll.

 

[Knockout Ned]

Had the feeling Nibali wasn't keen on going too far into the red, saving it all for the Tour. Or maybe his training hasn't peaked yet

Happy to see Froome pull it off but felt for TvG, trying to keep the deficit down but gets done at the death and loses the time bonus. Wouldn't have counted for much in the end but it must have been a kick in the bollocks getting caught.

Looking forward to the Tour now and really hope we see the final week we were robbed of last year. I've already booked the week off...

 

[Wombat del combate]

No Marcel Kittel to challenge Cavendish this year.

 

[Knockout Ned]

Disappointed the Telegraphe and Galibier are out, climbed these a couple of years ago and was really looking forward to seeing them race up it.

Structural damage to the Chambron tunnel means there's no direct road from the Lautaret to AdH, they'll return over the Croix de Fer instead.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

That is a shame, but the Croix De Fer is still HC so the stage is still going to be a good tough test.

Looking forward to the following stages:
Anvers - Huy. The mur du huy will make things interesting. Quite a nasty little ramp although not a big climb. Could suit a puncheur trying to sneak away, or maybe be the site of the first bit of action among the favourites.
Rennes - Mur De Bretagne. Again a nasty little ramp finish. Not high but very steep.
Tarbes - La Pierre St Martin - absolute bastard last climb that should sort the men from the boys
Pau - Cauterets - Tourmalet time. Should be fun, although I would prefer the final climb to be more than a Cat 3. Hautacam or something like that would have made it a beast of a stage.
Lannemezan to Plateau De Beille. Now THAT is a proper vicious stage.
Rodez - Mende. The finish at Mende could be very difficult.
Digne Les Bains - Pra Loup. This was an excellent stage in the Dauphine, and the descent of the Col D'Allos is going to be terrifying. Hope there is no rain.
Gap - Saint Jean Du Marienne. Couple of good climbs and I can see a favourite trying to break the others on the Lacettes De Montvernier to try and gain a few seconds.
Modane ValFrejus - Alpe D'Huez. Without the Galibier it isn't quite the Queen stage now, but it has the Alpe to decide the whole shebang. Going to be great stuff.

 

[Knockout Ned]

Digne Les Bains - Pra Loup. This was an excellent stage in the Dauphine, and the descent of the Col D'Allos is going to be terrifying. Hope there is no rain.

Forever known as the Bardet descent!

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I watched that through my fingers. Expected him to crash on just about every corner.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

I'll be on the Tourmalet and La Pierre St Martin! Can't wait.

 

[Knockout Ned]

Enjoy PW, would love to be there!

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Cheers Ned. I've seen the Tour a couple of times before but never on the side of a mountain.

 

[Knockout Ned]

I went in '13, saw it on the Col de Manse and twice up the Alpe.

Both fantastic days and itching to go back!

 

[Pompey Wolf]

If you've got any tips mate then I'd be happy to hear them.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

My tip would be forget the tourmalet as you won't be able to fucking move on there! However, with La Pierre being a pretty new climb you should find yourself a pretty good spot. I would take a look at the profile and pick the absolute steepest spot, and hope you get to see some favourites action right in front of you.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Thing with the Tourmalet is we are staying in Luz Saint Sauveur which is practically at the foot of the Col so it's got to be done, expecting it to be mayhem though! Think we'll cycle up in the morning and make a day of it. Steepest bit is a good shout and hopefully see Contador or Quintana attack right there!

 

[Knockout Ned]

Probably nothing you don't already know, but the road will close very early to cars. First day we got there about 4 hours before the caravan and managed to park up within a 100 metres of the famous hairpin on the Col de Manse descent then walked to the top. Couldn't believe how easy it was!

Different kettle of fish for the Alpe though, road closures were far more widespread but very much doable by bike up to about 30 mins before the caravan is due through. You'll have a small window of opportunity to move around just after but largely depends what mood the Gendarmerie are in. Also easier to get through the queues afterwards when everyone piles off the mountain.

Set out early with the intention of spending a day on a mountain and you'll be fine.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Thanks mate. Yeah we're ready to spend the day up there. Not sure who is going to carry the beers though...

 

[Knockout Ned]

Drive up the day before with a boot full, tent or kip in the car for two nights!