All the stage information you need, including why it matters, which riders to watch, and who to root for.
STAGE PREVIEW
Stage 14: Rodez to Mende, 178.5km; Saturday, July 18
If the end of Stage 13 got your adrenaline pumping, just wait for Stage 14. It’ll be contested on small, winding roads, and the profile defies easy tactical planning: lumpy to start, then an almost-perfect false flat for close to 70km and then three climbs in the final 40km, including the steep Côte de la Croix Neuve summit finish—which makes up in nastiness what it lacks in length. Only the strong will survive to contest the finale, and we could once again see the GC contenders battling to score a few precious seconds before the Alps next week.
Why It Matters
The Croix Neuve is not a traditional Tour summit finish, and it’s rarely used. The Tour last visited in 2010, when Joaquim Rodriguez, who already has two stage wins this year, beat Alberto Contador to take his first career stage victory in the race. Look for riders like Contador to use their familiarity with the steep early portions of the climb to launch attacks, while other riders who haven’t seen it—like Tejay van Garderen—may be forced to be more cautious and follow wheels.
Who to Watch
The Croix Neuve climb favours powerful, punchy climbers who can do lots of damage in a short length of road—think Contador and Nairo Quintana. Contador’s only one second behind Geraint Thomas for fifth overall and Quintana’s only 17 seconds behind van Garderen for second. Look for both riders to try and move up the GC in Mende. And of course, don’t forget Rodriguez. The Spaniard dropped off the back at the end of Stage 13, perhaps setting himself up for another win on the Croix Neuve.
Click on the map to enlarge.
via Bicycling » Tour de France http://ift.tt/1Gr5JQS
No comments:
Post a Comment