Tour de France: Stage 9 Preview & Favorites

Chris Froome, Richie Porte and the rest of Team Sky destroyed the peloton on the first Pyrenees stage. Many will say that the Tour is already over and if Team Sky keep it up like this, many will be right. Movistar and Team Saxo-Tinkoff need put on pressure early on the next mountains stages if they want to shake Team Sky. Probably already on Stage 9.

The Route

This is short stage of just 168.5 km but with five hard climbs on the menu, it will be anything but easy. The riders targeting the Polka Dot Jersey will have this stage red-circled in their road books and with a downhill finish, it’s tailor-made for a breakaway.

The two first climbs are steep and I think a solid breakaway of 10+ riders will get away already on Col de Portet d'Aspet. The intermediate sprint is located after 73 km and I wouldn’t be surprised if Peter Sagan tries to join the morning breakaway in order to extend his lead in the Green Jersey even more. Sagan took it easy on Stage 8 and in Tour de Suisse he showed to be one of the strongest riders on the steepest climb of the race. Sagan has been training hard in the mountains this year and even though I doubt he will win this stage, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.

The Finish

With 95 km to go the, riders face the longest climb of today’s stage. Col de Peyresourde is 13.2 km and has an average gradient of 7 % with steep parts towards the top. There are still 78.5 km to the finishing line from the top of Peyresourde and even though it would be great to see, I doubt any of the favorites will take a chance. Team Sky will set the pace on the next climb too but on La Hourquette d'Ancizan the fireworks should begin. This is only the second time in the history of the Tour the riders will have to overcome La Hourquette d'Ancizan. In 2011, it was the third last climb on the stage finishing on Luz-Ardiden but this time it will be more crucial for the results.

The 9.9 km towards the top have an average gradient of 7.5 % and it’s very steep in the beginning. It won’t be easy to take Team Sky by surprise but if Quintana, Valverde or Contador attack from the start, it will definitely spice up the race. Reaching the top of La Hourquette d'Ancizan, the first part of the descent is technical. After a few kilometers the road kicks up a little and from here on the descent is very fast towards the line. It won’t be easy to stay away alone and if you arrive in a reduced group, you have to pay close attention to the finish.

There is a 90° left turn with just 150 meters to go after crossing the water and you need to be first man into this corner if you want to win the stage. 

The final three climbs of the stage. Click for larger view.

The Favorites

Looking at the profile for this stage, especially one name comes to mind; Thomas Voeckler. The French animateur tried an early attack on Stage 8 but didn’t have the legs to finish it. Voeckler has been suffering in the heat the last couple of days but if he’s ready, this is a dream stage for him. Few in the peloton are as good as Thomas Voeckler on the downhill sections and few know how to hit the right breakaway like him. Europcar are targeting the Polka Dot Jersey and this if you want to win it, you need to be in front on Stage 9.

I believe a breakaway will make it on this stage but if not, Alejandro Valverde seems to be the favorite. Valverde is in great shape and he has a strong team to protect him. He’s good on the descents and he’s very fast on the line. I think Valverde will have at least two teammates with him arriving at the finish and that should be enough to set him up for the sprint. Dani Moreno is another candidate but it all depends on how Purito is feeling. If he has another bad day on the climbs, Moreno will be locked. If not, we should see a good fight between Valverde and Moreno.

The Jokers

I already mentioned Peter Sagan and as my joker earlier but let’s pick two. Mikel Nieve and Igor Antón both did well on Stage 8 and I will continue picking a Basque rider as my joker. Both Nieve and Antón are just 3 minutes after Chris Froome in the overall classification and I doubt Team Sky will let them get away. The Izagirre brothers, Ion and Gorka, on the other hand are way down in the GC. Both are strong uphill and especially Gorka Izagirre is also very good on the descents. All teams know this is day where a breakaway can make it, and in the Pyrenees, Euskaltel will be extra motivated to show the orange colors. Gorka Izagirre did go down in the big crash on Stage 5 but he still managed to finish 21^st the following day. If he’s ready, this is a very good stage for him.

Other strong riders like Thomas De Gendt, Sylvain Chavanel, Damiano Cunego and Michael Albasini all know how to hit the right breakaway but I can’t pick all of them so I’ll stick to the riders already mentioned.

Favorites: Thomas Voeckler & Alejandro Valverde

Jokers: Peter Sagan & Gorka Izagirre

For live race coverage go to Steephill.tv.

Just like during the Giro d’Italia this year, I once again have the chance to bring you daily “Fly Through” previews from Global Cycling Network. Here is Stage 9:

Giro Rosa: Stage 7 Results & Comments

We expected a bunch sprint and we got a bunch sprint. Marianne Vos easily took her third stage win of Giro Rosa when she outsprinted the former double World Champion Giorgia Bronzini and Shelley Olds. Mara Abbotts stays in the Pink Jersey with a solid lead to Italian Tatiana Guderzo.

Bronzini said: “I really tried today but Vos today gave us no chance. No excuse though, she was simply the fastest. I think having lost the chance to win the Giro made her even more hungry for this stage win”.

Shelly Olds were happy taking third place in a difficult sprint: “I was alone so I had to use Vos’ Bronzini’s trains. I’m really happy to share the podium with them. My team was focused on protecting Hausler so she can keep her second place overall”.

Tomorrow is the final stage of Giro Rosa. It’s a time trial of 16 km in Cremona and we can expect high temperatures.

Stage 7 results

1. Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)

2. Bronzini Giorgia (Wiggle Honda) s.t.

3. Olds Shelley (Team Tibco To The Top) s.t.

4. Wild Kirsten (Nazionale Olanda) s.t.

5. Guarischi Barbara (Vaiano Fondriest) s.t.

6. Tagliaferro Marta (MCipollini Ale Galassia) s.t.

7. Kozonchuk Oxana (Rusvelo) s.t.

8. Amialiusik Alena (BePink) s.t.

9. Borgato Giada (Pasta zara Cogeas) s.t.

10. Hoskins Melissa (Orica Ais) s.t.

GC:

1. Abbott Mara (Nazionale Usa) in 20h06’50”

2. Guderzo Tatiana (Mcipollini Ale Galassia) a 2’28”

3. Hausler Claudia (Tibco To The Top) a 2’52”

4. Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) a 3’01”

5. Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) a 4’50”

The 5 Jerseys:

Leader: Abbott Mara (Nazionale Usa)

Points: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)

KOM: Abbott Mara (Nazionale Usa)

Youth: Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo)

Best Italian: Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia)

By: Alberto Celani 

Tour de France: Stage 8 Preview & Favorites

After one week of intense riding, it’s now time for the big mountains as the peloton enters the Pyrenees. The general classification will be changed significantly and we will see which riders have the legs to win this Tour de France and who don’t.

The Route

Starting in Castres the riders head south towards the Pyrenees. The first 140 km are more or less flat and a morning breakaway will have plenty of time to get a big gap. This is the first big mountain stage of the Tour and there are a lot more KOM points up for grabs than we’ve seen in the past week. It’s a good opportunity for riders targeting the Polka Dot Jersey but it won’t be easy to make it all the way. I think Biel Kadri will attack in order to gain more points but I doubt he will repeat teammate Christophe Riblon's win from 2010.

After a 155.5 km the ascent of the first HC climb of this year’s Tour de France, Col de Pailhères begins. The 15.3 km towards the top have an average gradient of 8 % and steep parts of over 10 % near the top. There are still 30 km to the finishing line from the top of Col de Pailhères but if you get dropped here, your stage is pretty much over already.

The GC riders will have to be ready right from the beginning of Col de Pailhères and I would expect Team Sky to try setting their usually high pace up the climb.

The Finish

The final climb of the day, Ax 3 Domaines, starts immediately after the 20 km long descent from Col de Pailhères. There are 9.3 km to go from the bottom of Ax 3 Domaines but it climb itself is only 7.8 km long. It has an average gradient of 8.2 % and the first 5 km are very steep. It evens out a bit with 2 km to the top and then it kicks up again with 8 % the last km.

In 2010, when Stage 14 of the Tour de France finished on Ax 3 Domaines, Chrisophe Riblon make it all way after a long breakaway. Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck were practicing their stop-n-go tactic and the peloton didn’t seem interested in fighting for the stage win. I think that will change this time.

The Favorites

This being the first uphill finish, there is a big psychological value of getting an advantage over your opponents, no matter how small it is. Froome has six seconds on Contador in the general classification but even though the climb is steep, I don’t think the gap between the two will change much. The way I see it, Froome and Contador are more or less on the same level and I doubt one will be able to drop the other. Both know it’s vital not to lose anything time, not even a second, and they will probably be more focused on each other than on their rivals. Still, it’s not going to be like Contador and Schleck the last time on Ax 3 Domaines, that’s for sure.

I think the fight for the stage win will be between Froome and Contador. That being said, don’t rule out Purito and Valverde just yet. Both are very fast and with 1.5 km of flat towards the finishing line, it’s not unlikely this could end in a sprint.

I’m pretty sure Froome will put in a couple of strong attacks to drop his rivals and I wouldn’t be surprised if Contador is the only rider able to follow him. Valverde, Purito, Evans etc. won’t be far off but I doubt they will be able to respond to Froome’s or Contador’s strong accelerations. Should it end like that, with Froome and Contador arriving together, I think Froome will take the win. He outsprinted Contador - and Purito - in a flat finish in Tour of Oman earlier this year and he shouldn’t have problems beating Contador in a sprint this time either.

The Jokers

I think Team Sky, Saxo-Tinkoff and probably Movistar too will set such a high pace on Col de Pailhères that it kills a breakaway’s chances of succeeding. Therefore, I rather focus on strong climbers, already behind in the GC, for the joker spot. I have two strong outsiders for this stage and they both ride for Euskaltel. The Tour enters Basque territory in the Pyrenees and the roads will be colored orange. Mikel Nieve and Igor Antón are both 1:29 minutes down in the GC and they are only here for stage wins. On paper, this Tour de France is great for climbers like Nieve and Antón but for Euskaltel a stage win is much more important than finishing 10^th overall. Both riders have won stages in Giro d’Italia and Vuelta España in the past and they are now aiming to enter the club of stage winners in all three Grand Tours. Samuel Sanchez took third place on Ax 3 Domaines in 2010 and with a little luck; Euskaltel can improve that result Saturday afternoon.

Favorite: Chris Froome

Jokers: Mikel Nieve & Igor Antón

For live race coverage go to Steephill.tv.

Just like during the Giro d’Italia this year, I once again have the chance to bring you daily “Fly Through” previews from Global Cycling Network. Here is Stage 8:

Giro Rosa: Stage 6 Results & Comments

Mara Abbott on her way to take her second stage win in a row. This time in the Pink Jersey. Photo: Giro Rosa Press Office

Mara Abbott took her second stage win in a row and she’s now leading the overall classification with 2:40 min to Tatiana Guderzo. Giro Rosa entered the hometown of Elisa Longo Borghini and the injured Italian star rider was cheering for her colleagues from a wheelchair in front of her home in Ornavasso.

Italian youngster Francesca Cauz finished third on the stage and keeps her White Jersey as she is now fourth overall. Winner of the Giro in 2009, Claduia Hausler is third overall after she finished second on the stage. “It’s very hard to beat Abbott on a finish like today so I’m happy with my second place”, she tells.

Saturday’s stage is one for the sprinters. Still, after two difficult days in the mountains many riders will be tired and with a little luck, a break could make it.

Stage 6 results:

1. Abbott Mara (Nazionale Usa)

2. Hausler Claudia (Tibco To The Top) a 24"

3. Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) a 34"

4. Luperini Fabiana (Faren Kuota) a 41"

5. Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) a 1'03"

6. Stevens Evelyn (Specialized Lululemon) a 1'32"

7. Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) a 1'39"

8. Gillow Shara (Orica Ais) a 1'46"

9. Moolman Ashleigh (Lotto Belisol Ladies) a 1'52"

10. Vysotska Yegvenia (Sc Michela Fanini Rox) a 1'53"

Overall Classification:

1. Abbott Mara (Nazionale Usa) in 17h14'34"

2. Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) a 2'40"

3. Hausler Claudia (Tibco To The Top) a 2'55"

4. Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) a 3'10"

5. Gillow Shara (Orica Ais) a 4'50"

The 5 Jerseys:

Leader: Abbott Mara (Nazionale Usa)

Points: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)

KOM: Abbott Mara (Nazionale Usa)

Youth: Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo)

Best Italian: Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia)

By: Alberto Celani 

Tour de France: Stage 7 Preview & Favorites

The peloton continues heading west and this stage should end up with another bunch sprint. Still, the 205.5 km includes four categorized climbs and if Cannondale and others set a high pace, some of pure sprinters may have troubles keeping up.

The Route

With the Pyrenees waiting in the weekend, the GC riders would welcome a quiet day in the saddle. The sprinters hope the same but a couple of hard climbs will make their day difficult. The first 50 km are flat but from here on the road starts to kick up. Col des 13 Vents is only a category 3 climb but its 6.9 km have an average gradient of 5.6 % and there is hard part of 8 % near the top.

After the descent, the peloton immediately starts on the next climb; Col de la Croix de Mounis. It’s the hardest climb of the day and the 6.7 km towards the top have an average gradient of 6.5 %. The climb is very steep the first two kilometers and after a flat part near the top, it kicks up with over 10 %.

There are still 110 km from the top of Col de la Croix de Mounis to the finishing line in Albi. Many sprinters will be chasing the peloton at this point and most of them should be able to rejoin in time for the intermediate sprint in Viane. The next climb, Côte de la Quintaine, won’t bring the sprinters any problems and the final one, Côte de Teillet, isn’t steep either. The final 55 km are downhill and sets for a face finish. However, it doesn’t favor a breakaway much with headwind the final 35 km towards Albi.

The Finish

The final 6 km of Stage 7.

Thanks to the headwind, the peloton shouldn’t have problems bringing back a breakaway. There are three roundabouts to overcome just before entering Albi and from here on it’s pretty much straight out towards the line. Still, there is a tricky roundabout passing with 2.5 km to go and this will stretch out the peloton as the road gets smaller. That means it’s important to be well placed as the final part towards the line is very fast. You won’t win the sprint at this point but being in a poor position can very well end your chances of success.

The Favorites

Mark Cavendish missed out on Stage 6 after he crashed and had to waste a lot of energy getting back. Cavendish was furious after the stage and he’s usually good at using his rage to motivate him even more. On Stage 5 Cavendish showed that he has no problems coping with small hills and those in the final of Stage 6 shouldn’t trouble him. The category 2 climb is nasty but with over 100 km to go from the top, Omega Pharma Quickstep will have plenty of time to bring back Cavendish. This is not like on Corsica where the riders had to overcome tough climbs near the finishing line.

I’ve been talking about the importance of a good lead out train the last couple of days and there is no need to repeat all of it again. Lotto-Belisol showed how it’s done on Stage 6 and they will be eager to do it again on this stage. I still think Argos-Shimano have best train but I’m not sure how Marcel Kittel will get over the climbs. Instead I expect the Dutch team to change focus to John Degenkolb and that’s not improving their chances of a stage win. Peter Sagan will be there in the final, so will Edvald Boasson Hagen and if Cavendish and Greipel are there to, Degenkolb will simply be overmatched. The three top sprinters, Kittel, Cavendish and Greipel have now all won a stage and it’s only Peter Sagan of the big guns who’s still winless. Sagan won’t have problems on the climbs today and if the other sprinters don’t get back in time, he’s the man to beat.

The Jokers

I personally doubt a breakaway will make all the way but should it happen, look out for Juan-Antonio Flecha. The Spaniard was very active the first days on Corsica and after a few quiet days, his batteries are now re-charged. Flecha is not afraid of attacking - quite the opposite - and he’s fast on the line too. The headwind will make it difficult to keep the peloton at bay but should they miss-time it, Flecha seems like a good pick. Jens Voigt is another rider for these kind of stages. Radioshack have been unlucky the last couple of days with both Andreas Klöden and Haimar Zubeldia crashing and they could need a success story. Voigt has friends from Berlin visiting him on Stage 7 and why not show them the real Jens Voigt trademark with a strong attack?

Favorites: Mark Cavendish / Peter Sagan

Jokers: Juan-Antonio Flecha / Jens Voigt

For live race coverage go to Steephill.tv.

Just like during the Giro d’Italia this year, I once again have the chance to bring you daily “Fly Through” previews from Global Cycling Network. Here is Stage 7:

Giro Rosa: Stage 5 Results & Comments

Mara Abbott won the Queen Stage of Giro Rosa after a strong solo attack. Race leader Vos lost more than 5 minutes.
Photo: Giro Rosa Press Office

Stage 5 was the Queen Stage of this year's Giro Rosa and made a huge upset in general classification as Marianne Vos lost more than five minutes. Vos had been dominating the race until in the first four stages but now she only 7^th overall, 3:15 min after the new leader Mara Abbott.

Abbot from Boulder, Colorado won the race in 2010 and today she took an amazing stage win on the American Independence Day. “I am more than happy. I didn’t have any tactics, I just attacked when the road started to get steeper”, Abbott said after the stage.  

Marianne Vos knew it wouldn’t be easy for her today but she didn’t expect to lose the jersey. “I wanted to keep the jersey but the race is not over yet”, she explains.

New rider in the White Jersey is Francesca Cauz. The young Italian finished second on stage and now hopes to keep the jersey all the way. “I knew I was feeling good today and I have to thank my team, my sport directors and the sponsors”.

Second in the overall classification is Tatiana Guderzo who finished fourth on the stage. She’s now aiming at the time trial on the final day: “Today I wasted too much energy but I know the time trial suits me. I will take it day by day and tomorrow is already another hard day”.

Tomorrow Giro Rosa take place in the Verbano Cusio Ossola area, Elisa Longo Borghini's homeland. The Italian rider crashed at the national championship and had to forfeit for the Giro.We think her friends and teammates will prepare something special for her, like the Americans did today.

Stage 5 results:

1. Abbott Mara (Nazionale Usa)

2. Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) a 1'44"

3. Luperini Fabiana (Faren Kuota) a 1'49"

4. Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) a 1'51"

5. Gillow Shara (Orica Ais) a 2'38"

6. Hausler Claudia (Tibco To The Top) 2'49"

7. Vysotska Yevgenia (Michela Fanini Rox) a 3'02"

8. Alena Amialiusik (BePink) a 3'45"

9. Moolman Ashleigh (Lotto Belisol Ladies) 3'51"

10. Stevens Evelyn (Specialized Lululemon) a 3'51"

Overall Classification:

1. Abbott Mara (Usa)

2. Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) a 1'27"

3. Luperini Fabiana (Faren Kuota) a 1'34"

4. Hausler Claudia (Tibco To The Top) a 2'27"

5. Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) a 2'30"

The 5 Jerseys:

Leader: Abbott Mara (Usa)

Points: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)

KOM: Cromwell Tiffany (Orica Ais)

Youth: Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo)

Best Italian: Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia)

By Alberto Celani & Mikkel Condé

Tour de France: Stage 6 Preview & Favorites

This is a stage for the pure sprinters and the peloton shouldn’t have any problems bringing back a morning breakaway. We are in for another fight between the best sprinters in the world and hopefully we won’t see any crashes.

The Route

The 176.5 km from Aix-En-Provence to Montpellier only include a tiny climb and from its top, there are still over 100 km to go. The biggest threat today is therefore the crosswind which they riders will be battling the whole stage.

If the wind is as strong as expected, a couple of teams could really blow the race a part and the all the GC riders will have to stay in front. That means it will be a fast stage and together with high temperatures it won’t an easy day in the saddle. Not at all!

The final 9 km of the stage. 

The Finish

The finish is very easy and there is not much so say about it. Entering Montpellier the peloton only has to tackle one difficult corner the last 8 km. With 2.5 km to go the riders turn left into the tail wind and from here on it’s more or less straight out the way towards the line.

The Favorites

This is a surely a finish for big sprinters like Greipel and Kittel. Lotto-Belisol and Argos-Shimano have the two best lead out trains in the world and it will be a furious fight to take the lead on the final kilometers. Argos timed it perfectly on Stage 1 - not knowing about the bus-situation, just focusing on their plan - and I think they will end up in front on the final two kilometers. In Koen De Kort, John Degenkolb and Tom Veelers, Marcel Kittel has an extraordinary lead out and he will be eager for revenge after his crash on Stage 5.

With riders like Kittel and Greipel it’s all about who’s team ends up in front when it counts. Kittel has a strong lead out train but Andre Greipel does too. The German Champion can count on support from Marcel Sieberg, Jurgen Roelandts and Greg Henderson and if Lotto-Belisol gets the lead, it will be Greipel who will be difficult to pass.

Mark Cavendish doesn’t have a lead out train as strong as he used to. Still with Tony Martin to set the pace and Matteo Trentin and Gert Steegmans to lead him out, he showed on Stage 5 that it’s all he needs. Omega Pharma Quickstep were outstanding in the final and no one came close to beating Cavendish on the line. From the helicopter view it seemed like Peter Sagan was able to match Cavendish’ speed but once again Sagan didn’t position himself well. It would have been a close call had Sagan been on Cavendish’ wheel and hopefully we will see them go head to head soon again.

The Jokers

I’ve named Alexander Kristoff as a joker the last couple of years but I doubt he fits that category anymore. The big Norwegian has been on fire this season and don’t be surprised to see him make Top3 again on this stage. Another joker I’ve used before is Danny Van Poppel. The Vacansoleil-DCM sprinter is the youngster rider to take part in the Tour since WWII. Many doubted if Van Poppel was strong enough to be in the mix but he showed on Stage 1 that he is. He took third place in the sprint and I think he will be up there again this time. It’s true many of the top sprinters didn’t contest in that sprint but even with a full peloton I think Danny Van Poppel has what it takes to make another great result. It won’t be easy to beat the big sprinters but I wouldn’t rule out Top5 on a good day.

It’s hard to not pick Mark Cavendish as the big favorite after his - and his team’s - performance on Stage 5. Also, if the race gets blown a part, Omega Pharma Quickstep shouldn’t be one of the teams left behind. They have a big part of their Classic team here and they will be able to take advantage of it. However, the way I see, Argos-Shimano have the best lead out train in the race. If they can take the front - and keep it - with 3 km to go, Marcel Kittel will extremely difficult to pass with Tom Veelers leading him out. If anyone can do it though, it’s Mark Cavendish.

Another joker for the stage is Ramunas Navardauskas. If we end up with echelons, I would imagine Navardauskas to be in the front group. He’s not going to outsprint Mark Cavendish but if some of the big favorites are caught behind, he might be able to do top3.

Favorite: Mark Cavendish

Top3: Marcel Kittel

Jokers: Danny Van Poppel / Ramunas Navardauskas

For live race coverage go to Steephill.tv.

Just like during the Giro d’Italia this year, I once again have the chance to bring you daily “Fly Through” previews from Global Cycling Network. Here is Stage 6: