Paris - what if it's really close.

NFMC

Forgive me if this has been askled and answered already...

If Evans and the Schlecks are only a matter of a few seconds apart for the final stage will whoever is trailing attack for a few seconds on the final leg?

I know that it's generally a procession for the yellow jersey to come into Paris but if it's very close does that go out of the window???

Pross

There may be some token attacks but the chance of one of the contenders being allowed any leeway are zero and they would be unpopular if they caused riders to get shelled out on the final day in some forlorn hope effort.

RichN95.

It's allowed, but I can't really see them escaping the combined forces of the Yellow Jersey's team and HTC.

OffTheBackAdam

The only time I can remember an attack by the favourites on the last day, was when Hinault & Zoetemelk rode in together.
The parcourse isn't tough enough for a real break & all the sprinters' teams will ride down any escapees.

shinyhelmut

A few years ago Vino attacked and won the final stage, which gained him enough seconds to move one place up the GC (into the top 5 or thereabouts, however I don't see cadel or one of the schlecks being able to outride the HTC train this year.

RichN95.

ShinyHelmut wrote:

A few years ago Vino attacked and won the final stage, which gained him enough seconds to move one place up the GC (into the top 5 or thereabouts, however I don't see cadel or one of the schlecks being able to outride the HTC train this year.

They had time bonuses for the stage winner then. That's what did it, rather than the gap he got (if I remember, times were neutralised after 3km to go due to heavy rain)

ms_tree

ShinyHelmut wrote:

A few years ago Vino attacked and won the final stage, which gained him enough seconds to move one place up the GC (into the top 5 or thereabouts, however I don't see cadel or one of the schlecks being able to outride the HTC train this year.

Didn't he also take the intermediate sprint to move above Leipheimer in the GC?

stokepa31

if its really close i will be happy cos i will be there to see the fireworks sorry couldnt resist.

doubt anyone will be allowed off the front

donrhummy

It's allowed but no one ever does it. The problem is that the TDF leaders (jerseys) will slow things up, take swigs of champagne, etc. So if you started racing, it would piss a lot of people off.

sing_for_absolution

donrhummy wrote:

It's allowed but no one ever does it. The problem is that the TDF leaders (jerseys) will slow things up, take swigs of champagne, etc. So if you started racing, it would wee-wee a lot of people off.

I'll always remember 2005 when it rained and Gilbert pissed off Lance by attacking early and causing Hincapie to fall at a corner.

rick_chasey

Even if it's a second gap it won't happen on the final day.

Everyone will get all excited and nothing will happen, save for a very untimely puncture.

rick_chasey

sing_for_absolution wrote:

donrhummy wrote:

It's allowed but no one ever does it. The problem is that the TDF leaders (jerseys) will slow things up, take swigs of champagne, etc. So if you started racing, it would wee-wee a lot of people off.

I'll always remember 2005 when it rained and Gilbert pissed off Lance by attacking early and causing Hincapie to fall at a corner.

I believe that was payback for Lance checking an earlier move in the Tour which had Gilbert in it.

mouth

I'm fully expecting HTC to basically perform a team time trial to get Cav over the Intermediate Sprint for the green jersey. I can also see them carrying it on to get the stage win as well. As for a leaders attack, surely if Cadel i s ahead he'll just sit on Schlecks wheel?? Cant' see an attack.

RichN95.

Basically, it would come down to (for example);

This:


versus this:


Which would be the biggest mismatch since this:

OffTheBackAdam

I'd expect a break to form, mop up a lot of/all the intermediate points, then the sprinters' trains will bring everything back together by the time the race hits Paris.
The usual, short-lived, breaks by single or a handful of riders, then a big gallop for the line, headed by Mr Cavendish.