TDF13 - Stage 11

[TrevS 349]

Stage 11 : Avranches > Mont-Saint-Michel (ITT) 33km
Today's TT is very important for the GC race giving a good opportunity to gain or regain any lost time.
Chris Froome holds the current advantage of 1:25 over his nearest rival.
Of the top 10 riders Froome would be the strongest TT rider over a course such as this one.
This could be a difficult day for a few of the guys as they are more noted for climbed than they are for their TT strength, riders like Rodriguez, Valverde & Quintana.

It's only a short TT at 33km so the time losses by these guys may only be around 1 minute, but then they can't really afford any loss.



Riders View :
Nicolas Portal: "It starts off rolling gently up and down, there are some quite fast descents and a few tight corners.
"In our recon the wind was strong and mostly a headwind on the flat section towards the end. This will suit the TT specialists as it'll be quite tough. I think it could be good for Froome."


Along the way :
Mont Saint-Michel, France's third most popular tourist attraction and located on the border between Normandy and Brittan.



Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island. It is located approximately one kilometre off the northwestern coast at the mouth of the Couesnon River.
Early construction was back in the 10th century and progressed further with fortification, chappel and other constructions taking 5 centuries to complete.

During the 100yrs war English forces under the command of Thomas Scalles beseiged the Mont. Two wrought-iron bombards that Scalles abandoned when he gave up his siege are still on site (pictured below).

The surrounding bay is in effect the largest tidal theatre in Continental Europe, with up to 15 metres difference between low and high tide.


Cannons abandoned by Thomas Scalles at Mont Saint-Michel on 17 June 1434.


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Team Websites
Rider list


Current Jersey Leaders

   Christopher Froome (Sky)
    Peter Sagan (Cannondale) 
   Pierre Rolland (Europcar)
    Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Movistar)
     Movistar
     Jerome Cousin (Europcar)    [Most combatative rider]

Map


Profile


Final km's



Climbs
nil





Intermediate Sprints
nil



General Classification:-

1    Christopher Froome (Sky)	41:52:43
2    Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Movistar)	0:01:25
3    Bauke Mollema (Belkin)	0:01:44
4    Laurens Ten Dam (Belkin)	0:01:50
5    Roman Kreuziger (Saxo-Tinkoff)	0:01:51
6    Alberto Contador Velasco (Saxo-Tinkoff)	0:01:51
7    Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Movistar)	0:02:02
8    Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp)	0:02:28
9    Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Katusha)	0:02:31
10   Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Movistar)	0:02:45

Points Classification:-

1 Peter Sagan (Cannondale)	269pnts
2 Andr Greipel (Lotto Belisol)	186
3 Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)	166
4 Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano)	132
5 Alexander Kristoff (Katusha)	131

Mountains Classification:-

1 Pierre Rolland (Europcar)	49pnts
2 Christopher Froome (Sky)	33
3 Richie Porte (Sky)	28
4 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Movistar)	26
5 Mikel Nieve Ituralde (Euskaltel-Euskadi)	21

Young Rider Classification:-

1 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Movistar)	41:54:45
2 Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)	0:01:23
3 Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale)	0:05:07

Synopsis :-
Froome is a very strong TT rider (Bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics) all things being equal he should put further time into his rivals.
Valverde has never been renowned for a strong TT but has noted he has been working on it, he'll need to ride a good one to minimise his losses to what would be expected from Froome.
Contador can ride a good TT so he could well leap frog up into the top 3 and for an over Tour win I think he will need to beat Froome and make at least some seconds.

Between 2nd to 7th is pretty tight still so there could easily be an order reshuffle.

Evans will be aiming for a strong TT in effort to get himself into the top 10 or at least closer to it.

Riders to watch :-
Mainly all those in the Top 10 on the GC as this is an important stage for them.
Tony Martin, although his crash injuries may have slowed him a little but he is still riding fairly strong.
Evans, Meyer, Porte, Chavanel, Velits, Millar, Kloden, De Gendt, Tuft, Stanard, Van Garderen, Rogers might all be do well.


.
Viewer Rating = 7 of 10
There's no head to head racing, it's all solo against the clock so not really exciting in that regards but there it still has a good attraction as time gains/losses are very important to those chasing results.

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Race starts = 6:28pm (AEST)
Approx finish time = 1:30am (AEST)
SBS coverage starts at 10pm (AEST)
GUW Time = 12:00am (AES Time) (Get Up to Watch)).


Who's your tip?
I think it could be a close one between Martin and Froome, normally I would pick Tony Martin but his early injury has probably slowed him down a bit so I think that might favour Froome, he has shown to be a top notch TT rider and I'd say is in the best condition to give the best result.




Start Order

GC Position	Time of Day : France	Time of Day : Sydney	TT Start Order
182	10:28:00 AM	6:28:00 PM	Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz) Astana
181	10:30:00 AM	6:30:00 PM	Svein Tuft (Can) Orica-GreenEdge
180	10:32:00 AM	6:32:00 PM	Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM
179	10:34:00 AM	6:34:00 PM	Tom Veelers (Ned)  Argos-Shimano
178	10:36:00 AM	6:36:00 PM	Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM
177	10:38:00 AM	6:38:00 PM	Jerome Cousin (Fra)  Europcar
176	10:40:00 AM	6:40:00 PM	Assan Bazayev (Kaz) Astana
175	10:42:00 AM	6:42:00 PM	Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky
174	10:44:00 AM	6:44:00 PM	Koen De Kort (Ned)  Argos-Shimano
173	10:46:00 AM	6:46:00 PM	Frederik Willems (Bel) Lotto Belisol
172	10:48:00 AM	6:48:00 PM	Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
171	10:50:00 AM	6:50:00 PM	Yohann Gene (Fra)  Europcar
170	10:52:00 AM	6:52:00 PM	Albert Timmer (Ned)  Argos-Shimano
169	10:54:00 AM	6:54:00 PM	Marcel Kittel (Ger)  Argos-Shimano
168	10:56:00 AM	6:56:00 PM	Cameron Meyer (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
167	10:58:00 AM	6:58:00 PM	William Bonnet (Fra) FDJ.fr
166	11:00:00 AM	7:00:00 PM	Jack Bauer (NZl) Garmin-Sharp
165	11:02:00 AM	7:02:00 PM	Ian Stannard (GBr) Sky
164	11:04:00 AM	7:04:00 PM	Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
163	11:06:00 AM	7:06:00 PM	Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Lotto Belisol
162	11:08:00 AM	7:08:00 PM	Sep Vanmarcke (Bel) Belkin
161	11:10:00 AM	7:10:00 PM	Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
160	11:12:00 AM	7:12:00 PM	Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
159	11:14:00 AM	7:14:00 PM	Thomas Leezer (Ned) Belkin
158	11:16:00 AM	7:16:00 PM	Sébastien Minard (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
157	11:18:00 AM	7:18:00 PM	Niki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
156	11:20:00 AM	7:20:00 PM	Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Blr) Katusha
155	11:22:00 AM	7:22:00 PM	Brian Vandborg (Den) Cannondale
154	11:24:00 AM	7:24:00 PM	Marcel Sieberg (Ger) Lotto Belisol
153	11:26:00 AM	7:26:00 PM	Juan Jose Lobato Del Valle (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
152	11:28:00 AM	7:28:00 PM	Danny van Poppel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM
151	11:30:00 AM	7:30:00 PM	Roberto Ferrari (Ita) Lampre-Merida
150	11:32:00 AM	7:32:00 PM	Greg Henderson (NZl) Lotto Belisol
149	11:34:00 AM	7:34:00 PM	Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
148	11:36:00 AM	7:36:00 PM	Mark Cavendish (GBr) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
147	11:38:00 AM	7:38:00 PM	Boy van Poppel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM
146	11:40:00 AM	7:40:00 PM	Egoitz Garcia Echeguibel (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
145	11:42:00 AM	7:42:00 PM	Roy Curvers (Ned)  Argos-Shimano
144	11:44:00 AM	7:44:00 PM	Matteo Trentin (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
143	11:46:00 AM	7:46:00 PM	Kévin Reza (Fra)  Europcar
142	11:48:00 AM	7:48:00 PM	Gert Steegmans (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
141	11:50:00 AM	7:50:00 PM	Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha
140	11:52:00 AM	7:52:00 PM	Murilo Antonio Fischer (Bra) FDJ.fr
139	11:54:00 AM	7:54:00 PM	Romain Sicard (Fra) Euskaltel-Euskadi
138	11:56:00 AM	7:56:00 PM	André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol
137	11:58:00 AM	7:58:00 PM	David Lopez Garcia (Spa) Sky
136	12:00:00 PM	8:00:00 PM	Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
135	12:02:00 PM	8:02:00 PM	Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Sojasun
134	12:04:00 PM	8:04:00 PM	Imanol Erviti Ollo (Spa) Movistar
133	12:06:00 PM	8:06:00 PM	Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM
132	12:08:00 PM	8:08:00 PM	Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger)  Argos-Shimano
131	12:10:00 PM	8:10:00 PM	David Veilleux (Can)  Europcar
130	12:12:00 PM	8:12:00 PM	Lars Boom (Ned) Belkin
129	12:14:00 PM	8:14:00 PM	Blel Kadri (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
128	12:16:00 PM	8:16:00 PM	Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana
127	12:18:00 PM	8:18:00 PM	Maarten Wynants (Bel) Belkin
126	12:20:00 PM	8:20:00 PM	Anthony Delaplace (Fra) Sojasun
125	12:22:00 PM	8:22:00 PM	Davide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre-Merida
124	12:24:00 PM	8:24:00 PM	Lars Ytting Bak (Den) Lotto Belisol
123	12:26:00 PM	8:26:00 PM	Jérémy Roy (Fra) FDJ.fr
122	12:28:00 PM	8:28:00 PM	Luis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
121	12:30:00 PM	8:30:00 PM	Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por)  Saxo-Tinkoff
120	12:32:00 PM	8:32:00 PM	Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin-Sharp
119	12:34:00 PM	8:34:00 PM	Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM
118	12:36:00 PM	8:36:00 PM	Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
117	12:38:00 PM	8:38:00 PM	John Degenkolb (Ger)  Argos-Shimano
116	12:40:00 PM	8:40:00 PM	Maciej Bodnar (Pol) Cannondale
115	12:42:00 PM	8:42:00 PM	Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Cannondale
114	12:44:00 PM	8:44:00 PM	Markel Irizar Aranburu (Spa) RadioShack Leopard
113	12:46:00 PM	8:46:00 PM	Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Sojasun
112	12:48:00 PM	8:48:00 PM	Jean-Marc Marino (Fra) Sojasun
111	12:50:00 PM	8:50:00 PM	Brice Feillu (Fra) Sojasun
110	12:52:00 PM	8:52:00 PM	Alan Marangoni (Ita) Cannondale
109	12:54:00 PM	8:54:00 PM	Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Sky
108	12:56:00 PM	8:56:00 PM	Gatis Smukulis (Lat) Katusha
107	12:58:00 PM	8:58:00 PM	Jerome Coppel (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
106	1:00:00 PM	9:00:00 PM	Pavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha
105	1:02:00 PM	9:02:00 PM	Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar
104	1:04:00 PM	9:04:00 PM	Gorka Izaguirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
103	1:06:00 PM	9:06:00 PM	Julien Simon (Fra) Sojasun
102	1:08:00 PM	9:08:00 PM	Moreno Moser (Ita) Cannondale
101	1:10:00 PM	9:10:00 PM	Elia Favilli (Ita) Lampre-Merida
100	1:12:00 PM	9:12:00 PM	Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC
99	1:14:00 PM	9:14:00 PM	David Millar (GBr) Garmin-Sharp
98	1:16:00 PM	9:16:00 PM	Guillaume Levarlet (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
97	1:18:00 PM	9:18:00 PM	Adam Hansen (Aus) Lotto Belisol
96	1:20:00 PM	9:20:00 PM	Rudy Molard (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
95	1:22:00 PM	9:22:00 PM	Thomas Voeckler (Fra)  Europcar
94	1:24:00 PM	9:24:00 PM	Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC
93	1:26:00 PM	9:26:00 PM	Daniele Bennati (Ita)  Saxo-Tinkoff
92	1:28:00 PM	9:28:00 PM	Juan Jose Oroz Ugalde (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
91	1:30:00 PM	9:30:00 PM	Simon Geschke (Ger)  Argos-Shimano
90	1:32:00 PM	9:32:00 PM	Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil-DCM
89	1:34:00 PM	9:34:00 PM	Jonathan Castroviejo Nicolas (Spa) Movistar
88	1:36:00 PM	9:36:00 PM	Alessandro De Marchi (Ita) Cannondale
87	1:38:00 PM	9:38:00 PM	Matteo Tosatto (Ita)  Saxo-Tinkoff
86	1:40:00 PM	9:40:00 PM	Kristijan Koren (Slo) Cannondale
85	1:42:00 PM	9:42:00 PM	Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Belisol
84	1:44:00 PM	9:44:00 PM	Alberto Losada Alguacil (Spa) Katusha
83	1:46:00 PM	9:46:00 PM	Peter Kennaugh (GBr) Sky
82	1:48:00 PM	9:48:00 PM	Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) FDJ.fr
81	1:50:00 PM	9:50:00 PM	Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC
80	1:52:00 PM	9:52:00 PM	Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn)  Europcar
79	1:54:00 PM	9:54:00 PM	Simon Clarke (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
78	1:56:00 PM	9:56:00 PM	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky
77	1:58:00 PM	9:58:00 PM	Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
76	2:00:00 PM	10:00:00 PM	Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Astana
75	2:02:00 PM	10:02:00 PM	Jesus Hernandez Blazquez (Spa)  Saxo-Tinkoff
74	2:04:00 PM	10:04:00 PM	Peter Sagan (Svk) Cannondale
73	2:06:00 PM	10:06:00 PM	Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Vacansoleil-DCM
72	2:08:00 PM	10:08:00 PM	Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC
71	2:10:00 PM	10:10:00 PM	Michael Albasini (Swi) Orica-GreenEdge
70	2:12:00 PM	10:12:00 PM	Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
69	2:14:00 PM	10:14:00 PM	Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Astana
68	2:16:00 PM	10:16:00 PM	Alexandre Geniez (Fra) FDJ.fr
67	2:18:00 PM	10:18:00 PM	Julien El Fares (Fra) Sojasun
66	2:20:00 PM	10:20:00 PM	Simon Gerrans (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
65	2:22:00 PM	10:22:00 PM	Yury Trofimov (Rus) Katusha
64	2:24:00 PM	10:24:00 PM	Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
63	2:26:00 PM	10:26:00 PM	Manuele Mori (Ita) Lampre-Merida
62	2:28:00 PM	10:28:00 PM	Jens Voigt (Ger) RadioShack Leopard
61	2:30:00 PM	10:30:00 PM	Jon Izaguirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
60	2:32:00 PM	10:32:00 PM	Tom Dumoulin (Ned)  Argos-Shimano
59	2:34:00 PM	10:34:00 PM	Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack Leopard
58	2:36:00 PM	10:36:00 PM	Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Sharp
57	2:38:00 PM	10:38:00 PM	Laurent Didier (Lux) RadioShack Leopard
56	2:40:00 PM	10:40:00 PM	Amaël Moinard (Fra) BMC
55	2:42:00 PM	10:42:00 PM	Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ.fr
54	2:44:00 PM	10:44:00 PM	Lars Petter Nordhaug (Nor) Belkin
53	2:46:00 PM	10:46:00 PM	Bram Tankink (Ned) Belkin
52	2:48:00 PM	10:48:00 PM	Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra) Sojasun
51	2:50:00 PM	10:50:00 PM	Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
50	2:52:00 PM	10:52:00 PM	Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC
49	2:54:00 PM	10:54:00 PM	Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ.fr
48	2:56:00 PM	10:56:00 PM	Hubert Dupont (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
47	2:58:00 PM	10:58:00 PM	Nicolas Roche (Irl)  Saxo-Tinkoff
46	3:00:00 PM	11:00:00 PM	Cyril Gautier (Fra)  Europcar
45	3:02:00 PM	11:02:00 PM	Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica-GreenEdge
44	3:04:00 PM	11:04:00 PM	Arnold Jeannesson (Fra) FDJ.fr
43	3:06:00 PM	11:06:00 PM	Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack Leopard
42	3:08:00 PM	11:08:00 PM	Andrey Amador Bakkazakova (CRc) Movistar
41	3:10:00 PM	11:10:00 PM	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Sharp
40	3:12:00 PM	11:12:00 PM	Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Movistar
39	3:14:00 PM	11:14:00 PM	Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack Leopard
38	3:16:00 PM	11:16:00 PM	Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Merida
37	3:18:00 PM	11:18:00 PM	Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
36	3:20:00 PM	11:20:00 PM	Maxime Mederel (Fra) Sojasun
35	3:22:00 PM	11:22:00 PM	Przemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Lampre-Merida
34	3:24:00 PM	11:24:00 PM	Richie Porte (Aus) Sky
33	3:26:00 PM	11:26:00 PM	Eduard Vorganov (Rus) Katusha
32	3:28:00 PM	11:28:00 PM	Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin
31	3:30:00 PM	11:30:00 PM	John Gadret (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
30	3:32:00 PM	11:32:00 PM	Steve Morabito (Swi) BMC
29	3:34:00 PM	11:34:00 PM	Jan Bakelants (Bel) RadioShack Leopard
28	3:36:00 PM	11:36:00 PM	Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
27	3:38:00 PM	11:38:00 PM	Davide Malacarne (Ita)  Europcar
26	3:40:00 PM	11:40:00 PM	Pierre Rolland (Fra)  Europcar
25	3:42:00 PM	11:42:00 PM	Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp
24	3:45:00 PM	11:45:00 PM	Daniel Navarro Garcia (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
23	3:48:00 PM	11:48:00 PM	Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez (Col) Lampre-Merida
22	3:51:00 PM	11:51:00 PM	Wouter Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM
21	3:54:00 PM	11:54:00 PM	Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack Leopard
20	3:57:00 PM	11:57:00 PM	Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
19	4:00:00 PM	12:00:00 AM	Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
18	4:03:00 PM	12:03:00 AM	Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha
17	4:06:00 PM	12:06:00 AM	Michael Rogers (Aus)  Saxo-Tinkoff
16	4:09:00 PM	12:09:00 AM	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC
15	4:12:00 PM	12:12:00 AM	Andy Schleck (Lux) RadioShack Leopard
14	4:15:00 PM	12:15:00 AM	Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
13	4:18:00 PM	12:18:00 AM	Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
12	4:21:00 PM	12:21:00 AM	Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana
11	4:24:00 PM	12:24:00 AM	Mikel Nieve Ituralde (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
10	4:27:00 PM	12:27:00 AM	Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar
9	4:30:00 PM	12:30:00 AM	Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha
8	4:33:00 PM	12:33:00 AM	Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin-Sharp
7	4:36:00 PM	12:36:00 AM	Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar
6	4:39:00 PM	12:39:00 AM	Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa)  Saxo-Tinkoff
5	4:42:00 PM	12:42:00 AM	Roman Kreuziger (Cze)  Saxo-Tinkoff
4	4:45:00 PM	12:45:00 AM	Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Belkin
3	4:48:00 PM	12:48:00 AM	Bauke Mollema (Ned) Belkin
2	4:51:00 PM	12:51:00 AM	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar
1	4:54:00 PM	12:54:00 AM	Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky

[Will 142]

Just put $50 on Froome at $5 to win the stage. Pretty good odds I thought.

[Andrew #1 1,262]

Just put $50 on Froome at $5 to win the stage. Pretty good odds I thought.

Wow, unbelievably good odds for the punter there!

[PeePee 133]

Would be surprised if he wins the stage, but he'll be up there for sure.

 

I reckon Sven Tuft will have a long wait in the hot seat...

 

The top 5 in no order should be T Martin, Castroviejo, Froome, Kwiatkowski & Tuft. Keuziger, TJ and Porte could be darkies.

 

The big chance with Tuft is if the weather deteriorates for the late starters - Meyer won at the Tour de Suiss exactly like this a few weeks back.

 

I love a good TT.

[PeePee 133]

.....and after 30 finishers, Mr Tuft sits in the hot seat.

 

I hope for his sake it is actually hot otherwise he may get a chill, he is over a minute faster than the next best rider and there is over 6 hours between first and last riders!!!.

[PeePee 133]

Good link if you want updates:

 

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/cycling/livematch/570465.html

 

50 riders started so far

 

1.TUFT S.OGEin 38' 04''

2.WESTRA L.VCDin 39' 06'' at 1' 02''

3.BAUER J.GRSin 39' 46'' at 1' 42''

[-H- 1,239]

Tony Martin next to start

[Niseko 779]

Tony Martin to win. Is he still on clinchers?

[-H- 1,239]

Martin through 9.5km fastest so far (22 sec faster than Tuft)

[Ex-Hasbeen 8,122]

Tuft will be giving up the hot seat any second now. Good ride though.

[-H- 1,239]

Yep, Martin fastest finisher (for now) in 36.29, Tuft down to 3rd.

[Niseko 779]

Tom says Big Money has come in for Martin, Froome out to 10s.

[Donncha 370]

A spectator has thrown urine at Cavemdish during his TT. Classy.

[Clydesdale 66]

A spectator has thrown urine at Cavemdish during his TT. Classy.

 

 

Thats farken terrible I hope the Gendarmes get a hold of the douchebag!!!!

[Niseko 779]

Why the hell would you do that to Cav? I've always warmed to him a bit.

[fishboy 39]

Ding dong. Hey guys.

[fishboy 39]

Was supposed to be a replacement urine sample for Cav, spectator misunderstood where it was supposed to be delivered...

[Niseko 779]

Sandpaper on the front of the saddle to stop you sliding and taping over holes on the stem, some pretty cool efforts made on Tony Martins Shiv.

 

And he is back on tubulars =(.

 

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/tour-de-france/539347/tour-de-france-bike-tony-martin-s-specialized-shiv.html

 

Froome out to 15-1.

Edited July 10, 2013 by niseko

[Clydesdale 66]

Shaun Kelly predicting Froome to put 30sec into contador and Valverde to lose at least 90 sec!!!!

[Niseko 779]

Was supposed to be a replacement urine sample for Cav, spectator misunderstood where it was supposed to be delivered...

Motoman got his addresses mixed up eh?

[Ayto 656]

Sandpaper on the front of the saddle to stop you sliding and taping over holes on the stem, some pretty cool efforts made on Tony Martins Shiv.

 

And he is back on tubulars =(.

 

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/tour-de-france/539347/tour-de-france-bike-tony-martin-s-specialized-shiv.html

 

Froome out to 15-1.

And he has the chafe on the inside of the thigh to prove it!!

[Clydesdale 66]

Im wathching the French coverage and they are playing the OGE ACDC video as Gerro takes off!

[Niseko 779]

Have been hearing about the starting point of this stage for years. I'm not surprised there was some trouble and would not be surprised if there was some major dangers or catastrophes there.

 

Every time I head put the gates into the back country in Hokkaido the ski patrol guys say "Please be aware of Avranches, bery bery danger".

[fishboy 39]

Man OGE ACDC vid too funny!!!

[Ayto 656]

What an awesome view looking back across the finish line and seeing the Abbey in the background.

[FatPom 5,413]

Eurosport had Alex Dowsett in the studio, they were asking how much Chris Froome's bike would be worth and he replied that if SKY are using the bars as last year, the bars alone are £12k

[Niseko 779]

I think they were referring to the 'Power Bars' they take the night before.

[TrevS 349]

I like the early portion of the course through the laneways within the town, Would be great to race through there with crowds lining the narrow streets.

[MackaEvo2 109]

Has anyone else noticed the changes to the plasma?

All cables now internal except front brake calliper

Will buyers of the 2014 frame later this year get this update?

[TrevS 349]

5,4,3,2,1 go mr Musicman

[Niseko 779]

except front brake calliper

 

External front brake cable = lame!

 

Love the Scott helmets though.

[TrevS 349]

Tejay flying, 2nd fastest through time check

[TrevS 349]

Contador has conceded that he will lose up to 90secs on Froome in the TT according to Paul Sherwin.

[MackaEvo2 109]

External front brake cable = lame!

 

Love the Scott helmets though.

 

Not great for Triathlon though... no vents

I know Luke wears it (although sponsored) really must get hot

[MackaEvo2 109]

Just noticed Merida bikes are in the tour...

Never seen that TT bike before

they don't sell those

[FatPom 5,413]

Teejay fading

[Niseko 779]

Tom says unless Froome can get the the finish line in less time than Martin did he won't win the stage. Insight.

[TrevS 349]

Tejay faded alot back to 28th so far.

[FatPom 5,413]

Tom says unless Froome can get the the finish line in less time than Martin did he won't win the stage. Insight.

 

 

who is Tom?

[Niseko 779]

Tom Waterhouse, omnipresent bookmaker in Aus with annoying shit eating grin. On Tv more than a newsreader.

[TrevS 349]

Porte looks to be riding well.

Chavanel away

[Niseko 779]

Polka dot skin suit? Contradiction in terms.

[TrevS 349]

Porte at second time check in 4th 53secs off Martins time

[Niseko 779]

Tom says Froome out to 50-1.

[FatPom 5,413]

Rolland over a minute down at 1st split.

[Niseko 779]

Damn that Specilized Mclaren helmet looks sexy/fast too.

Edited July 10, 2013 by niseko

[Niseko 779]

Tom offering odds on Cadel's elbow angle too. Less than 90 degrees at 50-1.

 

>140 degrees and >100cm between chin and hands is favourite at even money.

[TrevS 349]

Porte home in 37:49 and currently 3rd place

[Ayto 656]

Cake - going the distance

 

Nice!!

[Parkside 1,203]

Sbs website reporting Cavendish had urine thrown at him during his TT. Said no to be upset, but disappointed. Poor form