TDF12 - Stage 9

TrevS · July 9, 2012

<head>

.auto-style1 {

font-weight: bold;

text-decoration: underline;

}

.auto-style2 {

font-size: x-small;

}

</style>

</head>

<big><big>Stage

9 : </big>Arc-et-Senans >

Besancon : 41.5km </big>Todays

Time Trial is one of the crucial stages to this years Tour. 41.5km point to

point Time Trial Starting off in Arc-et-Senans and head north to Besancon. This

is a fast open ground parcours with a couple of little hills with long fast

descents. This will favour the big powerful TT rider.

Stage preview by Daniel Lloyd

Citadelle de Besançon

Besancon lies in the Doubs valley in the Franche-Comté region. The town

is located within a large loop in the Doubs river and backed by Mont

Saint-Etienne.

Besançon from the air The

Romans had built a stone bridge, the Pont Battant across the Doubs river, making

for an important crossing place. From this time onwards, the defence of Besancon

revolved around the two key points, the Pont Battant and the Mont Saint-Etienne.

In medieval times the town was fortified with high stone walls and towers, which

ran along the riverbank, up the hillside and across the Mont Saint-Etienne.

Between 1668 and 1711 the Citadel of Besancon was constructed on top of

Mount Saint-Etienne occupying a commanding and strategic position.

The Citadel sits on a large syncline on a rectangular field crossed by

three successive bastions (enclosures, or fronts) behind which extend three

plazas. The whole complex is surrounded by walls covered by circular paths and

punctuated by watchtowers and sentry posts. The walls are up to 15 to 20 meters

high with a thickness between 5 to 6 meters.

It was designed so that in all positions, the enemy could be monitored

wherever they were. Even if at close quarters to the defensive walls, they could

be seen and defended against from another post. It was still in use

during the First World War although far from the front lines it's use was more

for logistics. During the second World War it was still in use for military

purposes and occupied by the German forces. Later captured by US forces it was

used to house prisoners. Now days the Citedel contains a

number of museums,

<a href="http://www.letour.fr/2012/TDF/COURSE/us/equipes.html" target="_blank">Team Websites</a>

<a href="http://www.letour.fr/2012/TDF/RIDERS/us/engages.html" target="_blank">Rider list</a>

Current Jersey Leaders

Bradley Wiggins (Sky Procycling)

Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale)

Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana)

Rein Taaramae (Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne)

RadioShack-Nissan Trek

</div>

Map

Profile

Time Checks

km 16.5 Abbans-Dessus km 25.5

Montferrand-Le-Chateau

Synopsis :-

An important stage for all the GC guys and the way the GC stands at the

moment, most of the GC riders with the stronger TT are already

well placed on the GC so they will only improve their position on the GC. Then

there are the couple of strong TT''ers like Kloden and Leipheimer who have lost time

over the last two stages, it gives them the chance to regain some time and GC position. This

will be a tough day for guys like Scaprponi, Gesink, Schleck, Van den Broeck,

Rolland as they will all lose out and need to keep their loss to a minimum. Wiggins, Evans and Menchov all well placed

on the GC to really put some big time gaps over others. Taaramae, Nibali &

Zubeldia TT

reasonably well so they will be looking for a good ride and not lose to much

time. Zubeldia has been invisible as one of the workers for Radioshack but he

is now in the picture and a good TT should see him as Radioshack best chance in

the Tour. Even though there is still a long way to go in the Tour and a lot

of mountains still to climb, this TT will really shape this years race. More so

now given the state of the race and the time losses that have already taken

place. There will still be a few riders targeting the stage for a good

result. Cancellara will be keen to take the stage, likewise Tony Martin.

The question would be, how well will Martin go given his injured wrist. He's had

a pretty easy tour (so to speak) happily riding at the back and out of

everybody's way. I suspect he'll be able to have a good solid go. Grabsch

is another very strong TT'er and will want to do well. Then there is Wiggins,

Evans & Menchov who should all figure high in the stage results if not be

competitve for a podium. This will be a close faught TT between those

Riders to watch :- Cancellara, Martin, Wiggins, Evans,

Menchov, Kloden, Grabsch, Leipheimer, Larsson.

General Classification :-

1 Bradley Wiggins (Sky Procycling) 38:17:56 2 Cadel Evans (BMC Racing )

0:00:10 3 Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) 0:00:16 4 Denis Menchov

(Katusha) 0:00:54 5 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (RadioShack-Nissan) 0:00:59 6

Christopher Froome (Sky Procycling) 0:01:32 7 Maxime Monfort

(RadioShack-Nissan) 0:02:08 8 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto Belisol) 0:02:11

9 Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) 0:02:21 10 Rein Taaramae (Cofidis, Le

Credit En Ligne) 0:02:27

Viewer Rating = 7 of 10

The first of the two main TT's and whilst not necessarily and exciting head

to head type ride it still rates high for it's overall Tour importance. There

will be time gaps and big ones between the GC riders with a strong TT and those

that don't.

First Rider starts = 7:45pm (AEST)

Last Rider starts = 12:30am (AEST) Approx finish time = 1:30am (AEST)

GUW Time = 12:00am (AES time) (Get Up to Watch)

(SBS coverage starts at 10pm AEST).

Who's your tip?

Cancellara will probably be top favorite. I don't think he'll have it all his own way though as Martin is pretty fresh so it will just depend how much his wrist

affects him. I think Martin could win this. Top 4 is Martin, Cancellara, Wiggins & Evans

(it wouldn't surprise me though if Evans beats Wiggins)

edit:

Start Times for the Top 22 (Aest)

23:36 Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD)

23:39 Levi Leipheimer (Omega)

23:42 Pierre Rolland (Europcar)

23:45 Andreas Kloden (RadioShack-Nissan)

23:48 Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale)

23:51 Tejay Van Garderen (BMC)

23:54 Janez Brajkovic (Astana)

23:57 Frank Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan)

0:00 Chris Horner (RadioShack-Nissan)

0:03 Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-BigMat)

0:06 Rui Costa (Movistar)

0:09 Tony Gallopin (RadioShack-Nissan)

0:12 Rein Taaramae (Cofidis)

0:15 Nicolas Roche (Ag2r)

0:18 Jurgen Van den Broeck(Lotto)

0:21 Maxime Monfort (RadioShack-Nissan)

0:24 Chris Froome (Sky)

0:27 Haimar Zubeldia (RadioShack-Nissan)

0:30 Denis Menchov (Katusha)

0:33 Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale)

0:36 Cadel Evans (BMC)

0:39 Bradley Wiggins (Sky)

tritragic · July 9, 2012

Ta trev but I reckon it will be

Cancellara, Wiggins,Martin, & Evan

either way it will be an interesting stage, would have thought a 9/10 stage given the potential to have an overall impact on the tour

Will · July 9, 2012

Real question is how much time can Evans afford to lose here, considering he will have to make it all up in the mountains and then face another long time trial against Wiggins at the end of the Tour.

Every second counts.

Riddos · July 9, 2012

Nice work again Trev.

Has Gustav Larsson avoided crashes so far? If fit I'll throw his name in as a smokie.

TrevS · July 9, 2012

oops forgot to add Larsson, have done now.

Andrew #1 · July 9, 2012

Reckon Wiggo will put a minute into Cadel tonight. Wiggo to pip Cancerella for the win. Martin to struggle manfully, Cadel to step up a gear since Doulphine to edge everybody else that matters on GC and probably finish in the top three (I think he'd love to limit his losses to nder 30 seconds tonight but I have my doubts)...

miners · July 9, 2012

10 out of 10 for bling-watch alone

Will be interesting to see if some of the young guys like Van Garderan and Taarame get a rush of blood and push a little harder than they normally would (or should, according to team orders), because they're battling each other for white, and aren't far away from the overall GC either. With the number of crashes happening to big names already (Samy, Gesink, Schleck et al), and the fact that Cadel and Wiggins aren't exactly the "luckiest" riders at Tour time, then perhaps they're thinking of their chances ala Steve Bradbury ...

TrevS · July 9, 2012

Come the end of the Tour the TT can be vastly different and it's who comes out of the mountains the best that can prevail.

Last year is an excellent example.

Evans was second to Martin only 7secs down and he was told to slow down in the final km or so to ensure he got through safety.

FatPom · July 9, 2012

Not sure who will win, but considering Wiggo is going off last, wouldn't the smart thing to do be a controlled 'loss' of the yellow jersey to Evans and put the responsibility on BMC for a few days? Hard to see how Sky will be able to control the race for 2 wks otherwise. The TT strikes as the perfect stage to do this?

catvet · July 9, 2012

Not sure who will win, but considering Wiggo is going off last, wouldn't the smart thing to do be a controlled 'loss' of the yellow jersey to Evans and put the responsibility on BMC for a few days? Hard to see how Sky will be able to control the race for 2 wks otherwise. The TT strikes as the perfect stage to do this?

Tough call to give up time in the ITT - he would want o be very sure of his climbing

TrevorMullins · July 9, 2012

wouldn't the smart thing to do be a controlled 'loss' of the yellow jersey to Evans and put the responsibility on BMC for a few days?

I remember Wiggo saying they weren't going to muck around playing games and was going to try and put as much of a gap into Cadel as he can.

The perfect position for Cadel to be in after tonight will be a second or so behind Wiggo so Sky have to do all the work chasing down breaks.

TrevS · July 9, 2012

I think for either Wiggins (or Evans if in the same position) to do a controlled loss of time would be quite dangerous.

They might never be able to regain the time they voluntarily lost.

For Wiggins and Sky they will have to ride smart up front and if they were to give the Jersey away it would be to a non GC threat rider in a breakaway this coming week.

FatPom · July 9, 2012

Tough call to give up time in the ITT - he would want o be very sure of his climbing

Yeah I know, but he's going to have to be very sure of his climbing anyway with Evans and Nibali covering everything. Not much of an attack required either way, but with only 10 secs and another TT to come, I was just wondering that in the long run whether taking pressure off of his team wouldn't be the better move? Especially considering that BMC look less cohesive than last year.

oops, I posted this whilst the last two posts were being made. hmm, that makes sense. It's just that ITV yesterday kept saying how Sky would not be able to defend for 2 wks. I'm more than a little worried LOL

Edited July 9, 2012 by FatPom

Alex Simmons · July 9, 2012

Not sure who will win, but considering Wiggo is going off last, wouldn't the smart thing to do be a controlled 'loss' of the yellow jersey to Evans and put the responsibility on BMC for a few days? Hard to see how Sky will be able to control the race for 2 wks otherwise. The TT strikes as the perfect stage to do this?

No. Froome is a bigger threat than Evans.

Kloden and Leipheimer won't be close, neither have form. Top 10 for Levi would be a good ride. I think Martin is too injured to win. Top 5 for him.

Zabriske isn't riding that great either but who knows, he may have been keeping himself on ice.

Hard to say if Rogers will go au bloc.

Menchov needs a good day to get a top 8.

Same with VDB.

Another to watch is Montfort.

Larssen, Grabsh, maybe even Millar poking into top 10. Quite a few handy TT riders. Chavanel isn't too bad against clock but I think he's saving his juice for another raid.

Alex Simmons · July 9, 2012

Yeah I know, but he's going to have to be very sure of his climbing anyway with Evans and Nibali covering everything. Not much of an attack required either way, but with only 10 secs and another TT to come, I was just wondering that in the long run whether taking pressure off of his team wouldn't be the better move? Especially considering that BMC look less cohesive than last year.

oops, I posted this whilst the last two posts were being made. hmm, that makes sense. It's just that ITV yesterday kept saying how Sky would not be able to defend for 2 wks. I'm more than a little worried LOL

Sky won't need to do all the work. Eventually the other GC rider's teams will have to do their share to protect their place on GC. Evans will have to decide to put 2nd place at risk by collaborating with others in order to attack Sky.

It's Wiggins tour to lose. Froome is to Wiggins as Ulltich was to Riis.

July 9, 2012

Fabs, Wiggo, Froome, Martin then Cadel.

Everyone will live happily ever after....

That better FP?............

FatPom · July 9, 2012

Fabs, Wiggo, Froome, Martin then Cadel.

Everyone will live happily ever after....

That better FP?............

Try real hard not to be quite the idiot, yeah?

July 9, 2012

Can't ya take a f-king joke ?

Learn to laugh at yourself.

FatPom · July 9, 2012

No. Froome is a bigger threat than Evans.

Kloden and Leipheimer won't be close, neither have form. Top 10 for Levi would be a good ride. I think Martin is too injured to win. Top 5 for him.

Zabriske isn't riding that great either but who knows, he may have been keeping himself on ice.

Hard to say if Rogers will go au bloc.

Menchov needs a good day to get a top 8.

Same with VDB.

Another to watch is Montfort.

Larssen, Grabsh, maybe even Millar poking into top 10. Quite a few handy TT riders. Chavanel isn't too bad against clock but I think he's saving his juice for another raid.

hehe a win from Froome would be great, I can claim him as a Brit and then stand back and watch the fallout, KABOOM :lol:

FatPom · July 9, 2012

Can't ya take a f-king joke ?

Learn to laugh at yourself.

In all serious, you could be right, I don't have much to laugh about at the moment :crybaby: (in my defence, I've just spent a weekend with my parents, so the forum is getting the vent clause LOL).

I shall move on

Stikman · July 9, 2012

I feel your pain FP. My MIL has just left after a week with us (taking the wife with her so that's good!) Another day and I may have needed the services of some of our more inscrutable lawyer friends on here. I thought I had a good case for justifiable homicide but would happily plead insanity.

FatPom · July 9, 2012

I feel your pain FP. My MIL has just left after a week with us (taking the wife with her so that's good!) Another day and I may have needed the services of some of our more inscrutable lawyer friends on here. I thought I had a good case for justifiable homicide but would happily plead insanity.

No judge would convict you

Back to the TdF, and in the shower I pondered it more (there's an image you don't need at dinner time!). If I was confident i could put a minute into Evans on the TT, then I'd absolutely go for it, but I think it will be closer than that. I think that was the point I was trying to make (not very well). Alex makes some good points though.

July 9, 2012

I agree with FP, Wiggo will let it all hang out in an effort to gap Evans.

Whilst this may seem good in theory, that extra effort MAY...just take a bit of sting out of his legs. But, he's a professional for a reason and wouldn't ride outside himself.....would he?

miners · July 9, 2012

also wonder what Porte will do tonight. But suspect that both he and Rogers will save themselves according to team orders?

Little Bear · July 9, 2012

10 sec is less than a bike change for a flat or mechanical... Like has been said no mucking about, there is far too much respect for that between BW and CE. Lets hope its an awesome and clean TT with less than a second between them both!...

johnnyboy212 · July 9, 2012

Cadel to bring the mongrel out, will put 6 secs on Wiggo!

FatPom · July 9, 2012

I agree with FP, Wiggo will let it all hang out in an effort to gap Evans.

Whilst this may seem good in theory, that extra effort MAY...just take a bit of sting out of his legs. But, he's a professional for a reason and wouldn't ride outside himself.....would he?

I don't think Wiggo will ride outside of himself, and if he did he'd probably recover. Here's what I'd be worried about, unless Wiggo gaps Evans big time today, Sky will be defending a slim lead. The onus will be on Sky to keep it all together in the mountains, and to be perfectly honest and objective, Wiggo does not strike me as the type of rider that can alter his pace dramatically on a climb, he seems to diesel up the mountains. Also he seems to do it best with team mates around him. Evans has proved he can hang (just about) on his own, and he's had more practice at it at this level.

If Sky get shelled defending and it came down to Evans vs Wiggo, head to head with no support, my money would be on Evans. IMO it will come down to aggression, as both riders will expend the same amount of energy in the TTs. Evans has learnt to be aggressive because he's had to be. I haven't seen, or don't recall when Wiggo has had to attack on a long climb lately (I didn't watch the Dauphine).

Edited July 9, 2012 by FatPom

Little Bear · July 9, 2012

So you don't think or can"t see Wiggins doing a Col du Tourmalet style ride like Cadel last year? FP??

I think the ITT should be changed to a 9 :-)

Edited July 9, 2012 by Little Bear

July 9, 2012

I don't think Wiggo will ride outside of himself, and if he did he'd probably recover. Here's what I'd be worried about, unless Wiggo gaps Evans big time today, Sky will be defending a slim lead. The onus will be on Sky to keep it all together in the mountains, and to be perfectly honest and objective, Wiggo does not strike me as the type of rider that can alter his pace dramatically on a climb, he seems to diesel up the mountains. Also he seems to do it best with team mates around him. Evans has proved he can hang (just about) on his own, and he's had more practice at it at this level.

If Sky get shelled defending and it came down to Evans vs Wiggo, head to head with no support, my money would be on Evans. IMO it will come down to aggression, as both riders will expend the same amount of energy in the TTs. Evans has learnt to be aggressive because he's had to be. I haven't seen, or don't recall when Wiggo has had to attack on a long climb lately (I didn't watch the Dauphine).

Interesting. I can't tell ya what Wiggo is capable of....but.....I can tell ya I am going to be a zombie at work tomorrow from sleeping/watching it unfold.

FatPom · July 9, 2012

So you don't think or can"t see Wiggins doing a Col du Tourmalet style ride like Cadel last year? FP?? I think the ITT should be changed to a 9 :-)

It's hard to say, he's not really had to show that he has that lately. I think the experience Evans has gained in the last year with hanging everything out there will serve him well. It's hard for me to write this stuff because I really want Wiggo to win, but unless he's the master of control (and he could be) I'd be worried if needed to attack hard, head to head.

Edited July 9, 2012 by FatPom

downesy68 · July 9, 2012

Froome beat Wiggins by nearly 30 secs at the Vuelta ITT last year. That was the decisive point of that race, Froome should have won it from there. It will be interesting to see whether Chris is given free rein tonight, or if team orders dictate that he doesn't put any pressure on Wiggo from within.

This race just keeps getting better and better.

FatPom · July 9, 2012

Froome beat Wiggins by nearly 30 secs at the Vuelta ITT last year. That was the decisive point of that race, Froome should have won it from there. It will be interesting to see whether Chris is given free rein tonight, or if team orders dictate that he doesn't put any pressure on Wiggo from within.

This race just keeps getting better and better.

Can't see him being given free rein, the whole team is built around Wiggo. Froome was told he was not allowed to defend his KOM jersey yesterday, so I can't imagine that mandate will change today. However, if in a week's time there is a significant gap between Wiggo and the other GC contenders then I could see them letting Froome off of the leash.

Edited July 9, 2012 by FatPom

IronJimbo · July 9, 2012

Martin will go flat-knackers tonight, and then pull out to rest up for the Olympics

Toss-up between him and Fabs FTW

Wiggins to retain the yellow

vo2max · July 9, 2012

Love all the speculation. I think given the closeness in the hills to date both Cadel and Wiggins will see this time trial as a chance to make some time. I reckon they will both be putting in a gut busting effort. It will also be interesting to see who else shines against the clock. Shame i start work at 6am or I'd be watching.

catvet · July 9, 2012

Can't see him being given free rein, the whole team is built around Wiggo. Froome was told he was not allowed to defend his KOM jersey yesterday, so I can't imagine that mandate will change today. However, if in a week's time there is a significant gap between Wiggo and the other GC contenders then I could see them letting Froome off of the leash.

A hypothetical - Wiggens is dropped on one of the big climbs by the other GC contenders (read: Cadel). It is clearly better for Wiggins is Froome stays to pace him, at what point do Sky change to plan Froome?

MountainMan · July 9, 2012

A hypothetical - Wiggens is dropped on one of the big climbs by the other GC contenders (read: Cadel). It is clearly better for Wiggins is Froome stays to pace him, at what point do Sky change to plan Froome?

At the end of said stage after the time gaps are finalised and a pow wow was convened. I doubt the team would change leaders in the middle of a stage...

Really have little to no Idea how a Cycling team is run... But I like to shoot the sh*t as much as the next Cycling expert. :smartarse:

IronJimbo · July 9, 2012

Martin sets the benchmark at 53:40...

FatPom · July 9, 2012

Martin sets the benchmark at 53:40...

I don't get coverage for another 1hr40

Number20 · July 9, 2012

If I was running Sky I'd have Froome going all out tonight to stay well up in GC contention - there's no certainties in this race - just ask Sammy Sanchez / Marcel Kittel etc etc etc

TrevS · July 9, 2012

I don't think Martins time will be fast enough.

FatPom · July 9, 2012

I'll go out on a limb and say Wiggo and Evans will put some time into Schleck today :smartarse:

TrevS · July 9, 2012

I don't get coverage for another 1hr40

Try one of the online feeds.

http://sports-livez....hannel/ch-9.php

or French feed

http://sports-livez....annel/ch-13.php

Live timing

http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2012/us/live/aso/

FatPom · July 9, 2012

Try one of the online feeds.

http://sports-livez....hannel/ch-9.php

or French feed

http://sports-livez....annel/ch-13.php

Thanks Trev, just remembered my online Eurosport subscription so I'll tune into that in 10 mins I do prefer to watch on tv though as I get headaches a lot lately and watching extended stuff online don't help

sme1414 · July 9, 2012

I'll go out on a limb and say Wiggo and Evans will put some time into Schleck today

I bow to your all knowing wisdom.

TrevS · July 9, 2012

Jens into current 2nd place with a 54:08

nealo · July 9, 2012

How good is Jens?! Go old timer!

Wedged · July 9, 2012

Go the old fella. Rough start times for Wiggins and Evans (AUS time)?

FatPom · July 9, 2012

How good is Jens?! Go old timer!

That's amazing, as he worked like a dog in that first 90mins to try and break yesterday

BattleOn · July 9, 2012

Wiggins will be to the TdF what Andy Murray was to Wimbeldon this year..oh so close but not good enough. Only difference will be that it won't be a Swiss beating Wiggins for 1st place but an Aussie!!! Go Cadel :-)

TrevS · July 9, 2012

Start Times for the Top 22 (Aest)

23:36 Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD)

23:39 Levi Leipheimer (Omega

23:42 Pierre Rolland (Europcar)

23:45 Andreas Kloden (RadioShack-Nissan)

23:48 Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale)

23:51 Tejay Van Garderen

23:54 Janez Brajkovic (Astana)

23:57 Frank Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan)

0:00 Chris Horner (RadioShack-Nissan)

0:03 Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-BigMat)

0:06 Rui Costa (Movistar

0:09 Tony Gallopin (RadioShack-Nissan)

0:12 Rein Taaramae (Cofidis)

0:15 Nicolas Roche (Ag2r-La

0:18 Jurgen Van den

0:21 Maxime Monfort (RadioShack-Nissan)

0:24 Chris Froome (Sky)

0:27 Haimar Zubeldia (RadioShack-Nissan)

0:30 Denis Menchov (Katusha)

0:33 Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale)

0:36 Cadel Evans (BMC)

0:39 Bradley Wiggins (Sky)

TDF12 - Stage 9

Recommended Posts

TrevS 349

Link to post

Share on other sites

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

tritragic 34

Link to post

Share on other sites

Will 142

Link to post

Share on other sites

Riddos 119

Link to post

Share on other sites

TrevS 349

Link to post

Share on other sites

Andrew #1 1,260

Link to post

Share on other sites

miners 71

Link to post

Share on other sites

TrevS 349

Link to post

Share on other sites

FatPom 5,412

Link to post

Share on other sites

catvet 14

Link to post

Share on other sites

TrevorMullins 27

Link to post

Share on other sites

TrevS 349

Link to post

Share on other sites

FatPom 5,412

Link to post

Share on other sites

Alex Simmons 857

Link to post

Share on other sites

Alex Simmons 857

Link to post

Share on other sites

Guest samuelEBrown

Link to post

Share on other sites

FatPom 5,412

Link to post

Share on other sites

Guest samuelEBrown

Link to post

Share on other sites

FatPom 5,412

Link to post

Share on other sites

FatPom 5,412

Link to post

Share on other sites

Stikman 1,796

Link to post

Share on other sites

FatPom 5,412

Link to post

Share on other sites

Guest samuelEBrown

Link to post

Share on other sites

miners 71

Link to post

Share on other sites

Little Bear 10