TDF 2017: Stage 5-Vittel - La planche des belles filles 160.5kms *Spoilers*

blazing_saddles

A slow, slow day today, so I thought: why not?

Start time 13-20cet.

Christian Prudhomme's comment

It only took two stage finishes there for La Planche des Belles Filles to add its name to the history of the Tour. The climb is rather short however it's extremely demanding, especially on the final part. The gradients indeed reach 20%. It'll be a first explanation between the favourites.

Map:-


Profile:-


Kom:-

Km 107.5 - Côte d'Esmoulières2.3 kilometre-long climb at 8% - category 3

Km 160.5 - LA PLANCHE DES BELLES FILLES (1035 m)5.9 kilometre-long climb at 8.5% - category 1

Final kms:-

La planche des belles filles

The two experiences witnessed by the Tour peloton in the only ski resort of the Haute-Saône area left only great sporting memories. Only future winners have indeed triumphed there. In 2012, the final climb put Christopher Froome under the spotlights and gave Bradley Wiggins the Yellow Jersey. Two years later, Vincenzo Nibali continued the fantastic run he had started in Sheffield to conquer a second stage win and take command of the general classification.

Some local grub:-



All washed down with this:-


And finally, the local, Beautiful Girls rocket fuel:-


Some gratuitous scenery shots:-

The_Boy

Yellow jersey to swap hands for tho last time in the race...

Actually, I'm not even sure it will. The way Thomas looks, he could probably do a number on the rest and ride in with Fenton.

Pross

I reckon Geraint will have a chance to hang on unless Froome has decided to lay down a marker with a stage win and time gaps on his rivals as he often does on the first big stage. I reckon the climb is short enough that G won't be required for full domestique duties. Seems very early in the race for a MTF.

RichN95.

Pross wrote:

I reckon Geraint will have a chance to hang on unless Froome has decided to lay down a marker with a stage win and time gaps on his rivals as he often does on the first big stage. I reckon the climb is short enough that G won't be required for full domestique duties. Seems very early in the race for a MTF.

I think Sky will go for it - they did in 2012 on the same climb on stage 7. Only Evans and Nibali stayed with Froome & Wiggins, with only one more rider within 40 seconds. And Froome has won the first mountain stage on four of the last five Tours. It's his style.
It's easier for a team to defend when there fewer riders to defend against - an early sorting out is required. And sprinters' teams, of which there are many, do most of the riding on the flats these days.

Pross

It'll be interesting to see if Geraint can stick with him, shame I'll be stuck in meetings!

hypster

I can't see Froome holding back for any other reason than he doesn't have it on the day. He will be looking to put as much time as possible into GC rivals and would be stupid to miss an oportunity just to keep GT in yellow.

It will be interesting to see how Richie Porte, Quintana, Dan Martin and maybe Fuglsang go and if GT can finish within 12 seconds of Froome, bonus seconds notwithstanding.

gsk82

I can see Thomas winning the stage with Froome losing a little time to porte.

above_the_cows

Well this stage better be good tomorrow. I need cheering up.

Lanterne_Rogue

I'm not sure I can face another stage just yet. Can we not have an emergency rest day?

Edited to add - Also, no way will Thomas win tomorrow. Would be lovely, but no.

specialgueststar

Pinot

Silly Old Hector

SpecialGuestStar wrote:

Pinot

Prefer Gewurtztraminer....

rick_chasey

gsk82 wrote:

I can see Thomas winning the stage with Froome losing a little time to porte.

Really?

What form does Thomas have on steep cat ones?

milton50

SpecialGuestStar wrote:

Pinot

He'll save himself for the high Alps surely?

FocusZing

I would like to see Contador dance the double figures.

lettingthedaysgoby

Can't see anyone other than Froome winning today, but it would be nice to see if Bertie still has it in him.

above_the_cows

Cows:



Horses:



Munster Cheese:

blazing_saddles

Well stinky that mature Munster.

The great one speaks:-

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racin ... our-339648

above_the_cows

It looks smelly just from the photo.

dish_dash

Do we have an estimated finish time? I'm a bloody committee meeting from 4-4.30...

Richmond Racer 2

I bloody well adore Munster. The only cheese I know that can push open the fridge door.

In other news, Sean Yates is reminiscing on the Twatterz about this stage in 2012. He's also making the call for Geraint to make the podium in Paris

No_Ta_Doctor

It's going to be interesting. Looking forward to see who has a bit of climbing form. I bloody hope Thomas does.

kingstongraham

In 2012, they just rode the legs off everyone over the earlier climb and into the final climb didn't they? That was about a 200km stage though.

dinyull

Are we still thinking Froome will have a go as per, even though he came in a bit undercooked?

Richmond Racer 2

gonna see LRP trying to lay it down, no question

kingstongraham

If the Dauphine is any guide, there's a few will be looking to drop Froome.

The_Boy

Richmond Racer 2 wrote:

gonna see LRP trying to lay it down, no question

More likely to see him taking it* lying down, tbf.

* the 'it' in question bring Chris froome's tin of whoop ass sent special delivery via UK postal service.

Richmond Racer 2

The_Boy wrote:

Richmond Racer 2 wrote:

gonna see LRP trying to lay it down, no question

More likely to see him taking it* lying down, tbf.

* the 'it' in question bring Chris froome's tin of whoop ass sent special delivery via UK postal service.

*plays Benny Hill theme on a kazoo*

Richmond Racer 2

Attacks from the gun inc De Gendt, Pip Gilbert and TV Tommy

No_Ta_Doctor

I have a sneaking suspicion Froome is bar better prepared for this tour than his form in the Dolphin made it look like. I know the TT was only 14km, but it was a far better performance than the Dolphin TT. Sky as a whole look in good shape as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Froome of old today.

I'm really hoping Thomas has something to show as well.

Richmond Racer 2

quality break: Jan Bakelants (AG2R-La Mondiale), Mickaël Delage (FDJ), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal), Thomas Voeckler (Direct Energie), Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale-Drapac) and Pierre-Luc Périchon (Fortuneo-Oscaro)

blazing_saddles

Lovely weather, just the large cloud hanging over the peloton.
Not at all fussed on the parcour leading to Beautiful girls.
Totally meh in fact.