Monday’s rest day was much deserved for the riders of 2013 Tour de France, after a gruelling day up Mont Ventoux that saw leader Chris Froome of Sky dominate and take firm control of the maillot jaune. Join me from 10.00pm AEST as Stage 16 continues in the Alps.
The Briton is unlikely to lose the Tour, especially with another Individual Time Trial tomorrow but the race for a spot on the podium is far from over.
I tweeted on the weekend that there are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Alberto Contador attacking and never underestimate the determination of the wily Spaniard.
But enough talk of the past and musing on the future. Let’s focus on the present, Stage 16 from Vaison-la-Romaine to Gap.
Today’s stage is not an easy return to the race with riders embarking on a 168-kilometre ride that includes three category two climbs.
The first of these climbs, the Cote de la Montagne coming just 11 kilometres in, is a 5.7km climb with a gradient of 5.6 percent.
From the summit, the riders will have a short descent before heading straight into the next climb of the day, the category two Col de Macuegne.
This is a slightly longer climb at 7.6 kilometres with a gradient of 5.2 percent.
Once past these first two climbs, riders will continue on an undulating course for another hundred or so kilometres, until they reach the base of the last categorised climb, the Col de Manse at the 145-kilometre mark.
This final climb for the day runs for 9.5 kilometres with a gradient of 5.2 percent.
Riders will summit the climb at the 156-kilometre point and the stage will finish with a 12-kilometre descent into Gap.
The day’s stage may be a good one for a breakaway to succeed, perhaps Europcar or another French rider will chase France’s first stage victory in this year’s Tour.
It certainly would be a shame if the 100th edition of the Tour de France passed by without victory for the French.
The sprinters would have welcomed yesterday’s rest day and they surely will be looking forward to tomorrow’s time trial, which many will treat as a quasi rest day too. Today’s stage, however, will need to be endured first.
Today’s stage may prove to be more interesting than what it appears on paper, especially with Contador running out of chances to challenge Froome and Bauke Mollema fighting to stay on the podium.
Friday’s stage from Tours to Saint-Amand-Montrond certainly surprised many and whilst this year’s Tour seems all sewn up, thankfully, it hasn’t been the boring procession of last year’s.
Today’s stage could end being equally surprising. Here’s hoping for another lively affair.
I’m looking forward to bringing you all of the action from 10.00pm AEST.
Matt Pk
Guest
Hey guys. You may have seen that artist Bruce Doscher has created a series of posters celebrating ten of the greatest moments in the history of the Tour de France. The posters will be auctioned on eBay with all proceeds going to the Amy Gillett Foundation. Check out the auction on eBay (stores.ebay.com.au/sbs-tenxten) for details on the initiative and to find out how else you can bid on the posters. Thanks.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Froome not looking so comfortable without Porte by his side. Could be interesting in the Alps if Team Sky go missing and it is Froome left to deal with the one-two, maybe more if people co-operate, punch.
Kate Smart
Expert
Well, that's me done for tonight. It's been a fabulous stage to blog for you. Thanks for joining me and don't forget to join us tomorrow night for the individual time trial.
Kate Smart
Expert
I'm sure he'll get a little bonus, indeed!
Kate Smart
Expert
The new top 5 1. Froome SKY 2. Mollema BEL +4'14" 3. Contador TST +4'25" 4. Kreuziger TST +4'28" 5. Quintana MOV +5'47" Ten Dam is out of the top five. Navarro should also now see himself closer to the top 10.
Ricardo
Guest
Richie Porte What a sidekick ! Does he get an extra big performance pay cheque if Froome wins the GC ?
Kate Smart
Expert
fangin' it. He was off the bike but not on the ground. Froome almost lost it too.
Kate Smart
Expert
The first ten to finish stage 16: 1. Costa MOV 2. Riblon AG2R 3. Jeanessen FDJ 4 Coppel COF 5. Kloden RLT 6. Dumoulin ARG 7. Astroloza EUS 8. Gilbert BMC 9. Meyer OGE 10. Navardaskus GRS
Ricardo
Guest
I was about to say For the MJ group, does it come down to who will do the most fangin' crazy descent ? Then Contador Crash Was he fangin' it to breakaway or Just lost it
Kate Smart
Expert
Froome, Porte, Contador, Mollema, Quintana, Rodriguez, Kreuziger will all finish on the same time. Ten Dam has lost out.
Kate Smart
Expert
This is such an exciting race. the maillot jaune group has 1km to go.
Kate Smart
Expert
Valverde attacks and Mollema goes with him. Froome chases them back
Kate Smart
Expert
quintana will move into 5th place ahead of Ten Dam
Kate Smart
Expert
Froome kindly drags Contador back to Rodriquez, Kreuziger, Mollema, Quintana, Valverde
Kate Smart
Expert
Mollema and Kreuziger ahead of Porte, Froome and Contador.
Kate Smart
Expert
Porte pacing froome back in and Contador is the 3rd wheel of this group.
Kate Smart
Expert
Contador is ok, ended up off the bike and Froome almost lost it. All back up and racing down the mountain.
Kate Smart
Expert
Contador has crashed
Kate Smart
Expert
Contador makes a move on the descent.
Kate Smart
Expert
Jeannesson 3rd, Kloden 4th