Tour de France: Stage 10 Preview & Favorites

The Tour continues in Bretagne with a stage tailor-made for the sprinters. The riders start out in Saint-Gildas-Des-Bois and finish in Saint-Malo 197 km later. It’s the flat stage but the terrain is still up and down all day long. In the end, anything but a bunch sprint will be a huge surprise.

The Route

There is not much to say about the route. This is a typical transition stage made for the sprinters and with just one small category 4 climb, nobody should get dropped today. The only interesting factor is the wind. The last 25 km take place alongside the coast and we could see a strong crosswind splitting the peloton near the end. None of the GC rider want to lose any more time before Wednesday’s time trial and everybody wants to stay in front. This should make for another nervous finish and luckily the route isn’t very technical.

The Finish

Without a single corner the last 5 km, this is a perfect stage for the big power sprinters like Marcel Kittel and Andre Greipel. Most likely, the final kilometers will be with a strong tail wind to keep the speed high and that means the leadout trains will decide the winner. The road bend slightly to the left with about 100 meters to go and naturally, you need to take the inner lane in order to win.

The Favorites

The final 5 km of Stage 10. Click for larger view.

Argos-Shimano and Lotto-Belisol have the two best leadout trains in the race and in a high-speed sprint, it’s very important to take the final lead. Both Andre Greipel and Marcel Kittel are close to impossible to pass when they get to launch their sprint in high speed behind their leadout. Therefore, if Lotto-Belisol get the front; Greipel will most likely win and if Argos-Shimano get the front; Kittel should take the stage.

Lotto-Belisol timed it perfectly the last time and nobody could get even close to Andre Greipel. Greg Henderson is one of the best, if not the best, leadout rider in the world right now and if he gets to deliver Andre Greipel with 250 meters to go, I doubt anybody will be able to pass him.

A tail wind sprint does however favor the riders willing to take a chance. Few - if any - can match Mark Cavendish’ kick in the final and if Cavendish ends up without a leadout, he needs to open the sprint early. Mark Cavendish is so strong on the first meters that he can jump clear of another team’s leadout train and with a tail wind finish, he will be very difficult to catch, even for Greipel and Kittel.

It’s maybe too easy just to say that either Cavendish, Greipel or Kittel will win. Still, it all comes down to the final leadout. I think Argos-Shimano are eager to show the world the real strength of their leadout train and therefore I’ll pick Marcel Kittel to win Stage 10.

The Joker

This stage is going to end with a bunch sprint but at this point, we already know all the candidates. Picking a joker is therefore not very easy. The only rider I can think of fitting this category is Julien Simon. The French semi-sprinter (sorry Julien) did very well on Corsica but hasn’t been feeling great lately. Still, this stage takes place on his training routes and on home soil - in front of his family - Simon will be extra motivated to perform. Also, Julien Simon’s team, Sojasun, has its roots in Bretagne. A morning breakaway without a rider from the local French team will be just as surprisingly as this stage not ending in bunch sprint.

Favorite: Marcel Kittel

Joker: Julien Simon (or any Sojasun rider…)

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 10:

Giro Rosa: Stage 8 (ITT) Results & Comments

The final podium of Giro Rosa. 1. Mara Abbott 2. Tatiana Guderzo 3. Claudis Hausler. Photo: Giro Rosa Press Office

Eleonora Van Dijk won the last stage of this year’s Giro Rosa, a 16.7 km long time trial. Evelyn Stevens took second place after her teammate from Specialized Lululemon while Shara Gillow finished third.

As expected, the 16.7 km didn’t change much in the overall classification. Mara Abbott kept her Pink Jersey and was celebrated as the final winner after two great performances in the mountains. Especially her first stage win was spectacular when she distanced Marianne Vos with more than five minutes.

Next year’s Giro Rosa will be the 25^th edition and Patron Rivolta promise it will be a wonderful race. We hope for a great year for women’s cycling and are already looking forward to next year’s Giro.

Stage 8 results

1. Van Dijk Eleonora (Specialized Lululemon) 

2. Stevens Evelyn (Specialized Lululemon) a 35"

3. Gillow Shara (Orica Ais) a 52"

4. Ferrand Prevot Pauline (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) a 57"

5. Villumsen Linda Melanie (Wiggle Honda) a 1'02"

6. Wiles Tayler (Specialized Lululemon) a 1'10"

7. Gunnewijk Loes (Orica Ais) a 1'11"

8. Van den Breggen Anna (Nazionale Olanda) a 1'13"

9. Burchenkova Alexandra (Rusvelo) a 1'15"

10. Small Carmen (Specialized Lululemon) a 1'17"

Final GC

1. Abbott Mara (Nazionale Usa) in 20h30'15"

2. Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) a 1'33"

3. Hausler Claudia (Tibco To The Top) a 2'18"

4. Gillow Shara (Orica Ais) a 3'29"

5. Stevens Evelyn (Specialized Lululemon) a 3'39"

The 5 Jerseys:

Leader: Abbott Mara (USA)

Points: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)

KOM: Abbott Mara (Usa)

Youth: Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa 

Best Italian: Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia)

By Alberto Celani

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: