This could
very well be the Queen Stage of this year’s Tour de France. It’s only 148 km
but with no less than four nasty climbs on the menu. Col de la Madeleine (Cat
HC), Col de la Croix de Fer (Cat HC), Col du Mollard (Cat 2) and finally the
last category 1 climb up to La Toussuire. If you aim for the polka dot jersey,
this is the stage you need to be in the break. Still I have a feeling it will
be one of the GC contenders who ends up winning this prestigious stage.
Favorites:
I know for
a fact that especially Chris Anker Sørensen is very eager to get in the right
break tomorrow. The Danish climber knows this is the day to be in front if his
dream of the polka dot jersey should come true. Sørensen tried to save as much
energy as possible on Stage 10 and we can expect him to attack right from the
very bottom of Madeleine. Chris Anker Sørensen also knows what it takes to win
in La Toussuire. Back in 2008 he finished an incredible solo ride in front all
day by winning the stage in front of Pierrick Fedrigo and Levi Leipheimer - two
riders I don’t expect much of on Stage 11 though. Also Johnny Hoogerland will most likely try to
get in the early break but I doubt the Dutchman will be flying since he still
seems to be struggling to overcome his knee injury.
La Toussuire. 18 km - 6,1% average. Click for larger image! |
I think a
group of 10-15 of the GC riders will arrive more or less together at the bottom
of La Toussuire and then we will see who have something left in the tank. I’m
convinced Lotto-Belisol will try again with Jelle Vanendert and Jurgen Van den
Broeck and this time it might work out much better than on Stage 10. I also
expect Pierre Rolland to keep on attacking and with the big morale boost due to
Voeckler’s (predicted) stage win, Rolland could make it two in a row for Team
Europcar.
Yesterday I
wrote about Alejandro Valverde and today he showed that his legs are really
good. As expected he managed to stay with the favorites at all time and being
over 10 minutes after Wiggins in the GC, I think Alejandro Valverde will give a
real try on Stage 11.
Winner
pick: Pierre Rolland or Jurgen Van den Broeck
Joker:
Alejandro Valverde
what about jelle vanendert, his the man
ReplyDeletemollema and schleck? thoughts?
ReplyDelete@1 - I think Lotto is all for Van den Broeck trying to get back on the podium, so Vanendert will only be there to help him.
ReplyDelete@2 - Schleck is an option. He could do some damage if ready. Mollema not so much, he's still suffering from his crashes. Still doubt if he will finish this Tour..