TDF 2018, Stage 14: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Mende 21/07/2018 - 188 km *Spoilers*
blazing_saddles
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Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Mende 21/07/2018 - Stage 14 - 188 km
tage 14 of the Tour de France 2018 is 188km from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Mende. This hilly stage takes the peloton up the Gorges de l'Ardèche, and into the Cévennes. There are some testing climbs in the Cévennes, including the Category 2 Col de la Croix de Berthel. The race skirts Mende, before tackling the steep climb of the Côte de la Croix Neuve, up to Mende Aerodrome. There's 1.5km of flat between the top of the climb and the finish line.
The route and the moment seem to be perfect for a successful breakaway. At 188 kilometres, the riders cross the hilly Drôme department to conclude with a 3 kilometres climb at 10.2% with its crest 1.5 kilometres before the line.
Departure place Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux hosted the Tour de France in 2012 for a stage to Cap d’Agde, where André Greipel outsprinted Peter Sagan and Thor Hushovd. A bunch sprint seems highly unlikely at the end of today’s route to Mende. There is not much to gain for the GC guys, while the punchy finale is way too tough for fast finishers.
Stage 14 starts at Saint-Paul-Trois Châteaux, in the Drôme département.
According to the town's website, the Village du Tour will be set up on parking Chausy (by the Tourist Office and Town Hall), and at place du Marché a big screen will show the race live. There'll be a stage with music and entertainment at place de la Libération. The riders set off from place de Libération (départ fictif).
They leave town on the D59. The neutralised section is quite short, and the départ réel comes on the D59 before it crosses the Rhône canal. On the other side of the canal, the peloton will pass la Ferme aux Crocodiles (crocodile farm) at Pierrelatte, then continue over the river Rhône into the Ardèche département and to Bourg-Saint-Andéol.
The first uphill stretches appear at kilometre 10, but it’s basically a warm-up to the second half of the race. The Côte du Grand Châtaignier is a 1 kilometre hill with an average gradient of 7.4%, with its peak at kilometre 81. We are still in the build-up of the race.
The Ardèche is one of the less developed, more remote and beautiful départements of France. From Bidon, the race heads a short distance south to what is probably the département's top attraction, the Gorges de l'Ardèche. The riders travel up-river.
Following the drop the route rises gradually to the foot of the Col de la Croix de Berthel, which is reached at kilometre 120. The 9.1 kilometres climb is averaging at 5.3% before a 13 kilometres descent flies down to the Col du Pont Sans Eau, a 3.3 kilometres KOM climb at 6.3% with in its trail an non-categorised 5.8 kilometres slope at 4%. The summit is crested with 34 kilometres to go.
Firstly, a 20 kilometres drop before 10 kilometres on the flat usher in the finale. The Col de la Croix Neuve is a 3 kilometres climb at 10.2% with steepest ramps of up to 18%. After the top a descent of 1 kilometre leads to an even run-in to the line of 500 metres. The arrival is at the landing strip of Mende Airport.
Video of the final 5kms.
https://youtu.be/vic2epxYkAU
The French call the punchy last ascent Montée Laurent Jalabert, since their hero claimed the stage on Bastille Day 1995. The last winner in Mende is Stephen Cummings, who outsmarted Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet in 2015.
The departure times from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux are 1105 (publicity caravan) and 1305 (peloton). The racing starts 5 minutes later. The three estimated speeds are 40, 42, and 44kmh. Depending on which is most accurate, the riders are expected at the finish line in Mende between 1728 and 1754cet.
Favourites 14th stage 2018 Tour de France
*** Alejandro Valverde, Julian Alaphilippe, Primoz Roglic, Daniel Martin
** Adam Yates, Thomas De Gendt, Geraint Thomas, Tom Dumoulin
* Romain Bardet, Greg Van Avermaet, Michal Kwiatkowski
The team hotels for this stage.
Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux
Two previous stages
Chef-lieu de canton of Drôme (26)
8,950 inhabitants (Tricastins)
Lovers of old towers, dungeons and keeps will be disappointed but there is not a single castle in St Paul Trois Châteaux! The name is still of historical interest because it refers to a Gaul tribe who lived in the area, the Tricastini, who also gave their name to the region of Tricastin. The town was founded in the 1st century as the capital of these people who had recently been Romanised. It was then called Augusta Tricastinorum, was comparable to the most prestigious Roman cities in the South of France and left remarkable archaeological collections on display in the Museum of Tricastin archaeology.
A few centuries later, when the name was translated into French,the local scholars believed wrongly that the Latin name referred to three castles which never actually existed. For lack of a chateau, its beautiful medieval vestiges give the town a picturesque aspect. The rampart and the Romanesque cathedral (12th century), often cited as one of he best examples of Provencal Romanesque art, are exceptional. Superb townhouses and mansions and their interior gardens also give a special charm to its narrow Provencal streets and lanes. A charm reinforced by the wonderful countryside surrounding the city, with their vineyards, truffles, lavender and pine trees.
SAINT-PAUL-TROIS-CHATEAUX AND CYCLING
Starts from St Paul-Trois-Chateaux often result in intense and decisive battles. It was the case in 2009 when the Paris-Nice peloton headed for Montagne de Lure for a commanding stage win by Alberto Contador. On the 2011 Tour de France, a stage taking off from St Paul inspired Norwegians as Thor Hushovd beat Edvald Boasson Hagen on the line for a then unprecedented one-two.
Specialities: black truffle of Tricastin. Grignan-les-Adhémar wine, olive oil, lavender.
Mende
4 previous stages
Prefecture of Lozère (48)
12,600 inhabitants (Mendois)
15,920 inhabitants for the 7 communes of the Heart of Lozere community of communes.
In the early 16th century, Francois de la Rovere, bishop of Mende, wished to equip the cathedral with a bell worthy of its dimensions. In October 1516, 180 mules brought from Lyon 300 tons of metal destined to be turned into three bells, including the famous “Non pareille” (Like no other). In 1517, the big bell was lifted to the top of the main tower by a powerful crane and named Francois after the bishop. But for the population it was the “Non pareille” because of its exceptional size. The bell could have been entered in the Guinness Book, it was the largest, the heaviest and the noisiest of its time – 3.25 metres in diameter, 2.75 metres in height, 33 cm thick. The bell fascinated and scared. The legend said that the weak of heart were forced to hide in basement when it rang while mothers protected their children’s ears. The clapper, now on display in the cathedral, weighs 470 kilos and is 2.20 metres high. It is believed to help fertility. Destroyed during the wars of religion, the belle rang for the last time on New Year’s Eve of 1579. It was destroyed by Huguenot captain Mathieu Merle a few months later.
MENDE AND CYCLING
Laurent Jalaebrt was the first to conquer the Cote de la Croix Neuve in 1995. Ten years later, the peloton was back in Gevaudan and was led up the climb by escapee Marcos Serrano. In 2010, it was Joaquim Rodriguez’s turn to break free as the airfield at the top was nearing. That day he beat compatriot Alberto Contador, who had won at the top twice on Paris-Nice (2007 and 2010). In 2015, the French pair of Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet spent so much time watching each other in the last kilometre that they were finally outwitted and beaten on the line by Briton Stephen Cummings. Christophe Laurent, who took part in the Tour de France in 2004 and 2006 was born and lives in Mende. The town also hosts the Tour du Gevaudan in September.
Specialities: herbs sausage, Aligot (mashed potatoes with cheese), charcuterie, cheese: pelardon (goat) and feta (sheep). Croquants de Mende (dry biscuits), honey.
tage 14 of the Tour de France 2018 is 188km from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Mende. This hilly stage takes the peloton up the Gorges de l'Ardèche, and into the Cévennes. There are some testing climbs in the Cévennes, including the Category 2 Col de la Croix de Berthel. The race skirts Mende, before tackling the steep climb of the Côte de la Croix Neuve, up to Mende Aerodrome. There's 1.5km of flat between the top of the climb and the finish line.
The route and the moment seem to be perfect for a successful breakaway. At 188 kilometres, the riders cross the hilly Drôme department to conclude with a 3 kilometres climb at 10.2% with its crest 1.5 kilometres before the line.
Departure place Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux hosted the Tour de France in 2012 for a stage to Cap d’Agde, where André Greipel outsprinted Peter Sagan and Thor Hushovd. A bunch sprint seems highly unlikely at the end of today’s route to Mende. There is not much to gain for the GC guys, while the punchy finale is way too tough for fast finishers.
Stage 14 starts at Saint-Paul-Trois Châteaux, in the Drôme département.
According to the town's website, the Village du Tour will be set up on parking Chausy (by the Tourist Office and Town Hall), and at place du Marché a big screen will show the race live. There'll be a stage with music and entertainment at place de la Libération. The riders set off from place de Libération (départ fictif).
They leave town on the D59. The neutralised section is quite short, and the départ réel comes on the D59 before it crosses the Rhône canal. On the other side of the canal, the peloton will pass la Ferme aux Crocodiles (crocodile farm) at Pierrelatte, then continue over the river Rhône into the Ardèche département and to Bourg-Saint-Andéol.
The first uphill stretches appear at kilometre 10, but it’s basically a warm-up to the second half of the race. The Côte du Grand Châtaignier is a 1 kilometre hill with an average gradient of 7.4%, with its peak at kilometre 81. We are still in the build-up of the race.
The Ardèche is one of the less developed, more remote and beautiful départements of France. From Bidon, the race heads a short distance south to what is probably the département's top attraction, the Gorges de l'Ardèche. The riders travel up-river.
Following the drop the route rises gradually to the foot of the Col de la Croix de Berthel, which is reached at kilometre 120. The 9.1 kilometres climb is averaging at 5.3% before a 13 kilometres descent flies down to the Col du Pont Sans Eau, a 3.3 kilometres KOM climb at 6.3% with in its trail an non-categorised 5.8 kilometres slope at 4%. The summit is crested with 34 kilometres to go.
Firstly, a 20 kilometres drop before 10 kilometres on the flat usher in the finale. The Col de la Croix Neuve is a 3 kilometres climb at 10.2% with steepest ramps of up to 18%. After the top a descent of 1 kilometre leads to an even run-in to the line of 500 metres. The arrival is at the landing strip of Mende Airport.
Video of the final 5kms.
https://youtu.be/vic2epxYkAU
The French call the punchy last ascent Montée Laurent Jalabert, since their hero claimed the stage on Bastille Day 1995. The last winner in Mende is Stephen Cummings, who outsmarted Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet in 2015.
The departure times from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux are 1105 (publicity caravan) and 1305 (peloton). The racing starts 5 minutes later. The three estimated speeds are 40, 42, and 44kmh. Depending on which is most accurate, the riders are expected at the finish line in Mende between 1728 and 1754cet.
Favourites 14th stage 2018 Tour de France
*** Alejandro Valverde, Julian Alaphilippe, Primoz Roglic, Daniel Martin
** Adam Yates, Thomas De Gendt, Geraint Thomas, Tom Dumoulin
* Romain Bardet, Greg Van Avermaet, Michal Kwiatkowski
The team hotels for this stage.
Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux
Two previous stages
Chef-lieu de canton of Drôme (26)
8,950 inhabitants (Tricastins)
Lovers of old towers, dungeons and keeps will be disappointed but there is not a single castle in St Paul Trois Châteaux! The name is still of historical interest because it refers to a Gaul tribe who lived in the area, the Tricastini, who also gave their name to the region of Tricastin. The town was founded in the 1st century as the capital of these people who had recently been Romanised. It was then called Augusta Tricastinorum, was comparable to the most prestigious Roman cities in the South of France and left remarkable archaeological collections on display in the Museum of Tricastin archaeology.
A few centuries later, when the name was translated into French,the local scholars believed wrongly that the Latin name referred to three castles which never actually existed. For lack of a chateau, its beautiful medieval vestiges give the town a picturesque aspect. The rampart and the Romanesque cathedral (12th century), often cited as one of he best examples of Provencal Romanesque art, are exceptional. Superb townhouses and mansions and their interior gardens also give a special charm to its narrow Provencal streets and lanes. A charm reinforced by the wonderful countryside surrounding the city, with their vineyards, truffles, lavender and pine trees.
SAINT-PAUL-TROIS-CHATEAUX AND CYCLING
Starts from St Paul-Trois-Chateaux often result in intense and decisive battles. It was the case in 2009 when the Paris-Nice peloton headed for Montagne de Lure for a commanding stage win by Alberto Contador. On the 2011 Tour de France, a stage taking off from St Paul inspired Norwegians as Thor Hushovd beat Edvald Boasson Hagen on the line for a then unprecedented one-two.
Specialities: black truffle of Tricastin. Grignan-les-Adhémar wine, olive oil, lavender.
Mende
4 previous stages
Prefecture of Lozère (48)
12,600 inhabitants (Mendois)
15,920 inhabitants for the 7 communes of the Heart of Lozere community of communes.
In the early 16th century, Francois de la Rovere, bishop of Mende, wished to equip the cathedral with a bell worthy of its dimensions. In October 1516, 180 mules brought from Lyon 300 tons of metal destined to be turned into three bells, including the famous “Non pareille” (Like no other). In 1517, the big bell was lifted to the top of the main tower by a powerful crane and named Francois after the bishop. But for the population it was the “Non pareille” because of its exceptional size. The bell could have been entered in the Guinness Book, it was the largest, the heaviest and the noisiest of its time – 3.25 metres in diameter, 2.75 metres in height, 33 cm thick. The bell fascinated and scared. The legend said that the weak of heart were forced to hide in basement when it rang while mothers protected their children’s ears. The clapper, now on display in the cathedral, weighs 470 kilos and is 2.20 metres high. It is believed to help fertility. Destroyed during the wars of religion, the belle rang for the last time on New Year’s Eve of 1579. It was destroyed by Huguenot captain Mathieu Merle a few months later.
MENDE AND CYCLING
Laurent Jalaebrt was the first to conquer the Cote de la Croix Neuve in 1995. Ten years later, the peloton was back in Gevaudan and was led up the climb by escapee Marcos Serrano. In 2010, it was Joaquim Rodriguez’s turn to break free as the airfield at the top was nearing. That day he beat compatriot Alberto Contador, who had won at the top twice on Paris-Nice (2007 and 2010). In 2015, the French pair of Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet spent so much time watching each other in the last kilometre that they were finally outwitted and beaten on the line by Briton Stephen Cummings. Christophe Laurent, who took part in the Tour de France in 2004 and 2006 was born and lives in Mende. The town also hosts the Tour du Gevaudan in September.
Specialities: herbs sausage, Aligot (mashed potatoes with cheese), charcuterie, cheese: pelardon (goat) and feta (sheep). Croquants de Mende (dry biscuits), honey.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Comments
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Here's a thought ...
That finish up Montée Stephen Cummings could be quite significant.
BENOIT TESSIER/REUTERS
Best case scenario for Thomas is an attack by someone like Roglic or Bardet, then he gets to mark them (as they aren't that far behind in the GC) while Froome has to stay back and let Dumoulin do the work to close.
Worst case scenario for Thomas is the attack comes from someone like Quintana or Martin, who are much further behind. Then Froome gets to go with them to protect his GC position and Thomas is left to stay with TomD.
Situation stands if there is a breakaway finish, but is heightened if bonifications are up for grabs.
Of course non of the above is most likely with the whole of the GC contenders leaving it until they get to the airport to slug it out for scraps.0 -
It's an interesting finish.
Very steep, then a flat top for a km.
For Thomas and Dumoulin, the top offers a possibility of pulling back someone who dropped them on the climb.
If Dan Martin has the legs then it's a good finish for him.
For the GC, I'd assume that Froome is free to mark any attacks, possibly even free to attack for himself, while Thomas sits on Dumoulin's wheel.
Whether they play it offensively or not will be interesting. That may depend on whether there are bonus seconds up for grabs (I don't think there will be). I'm sure Froome would like a few seconds back on Thomas, just to make it clear, but it might be a bit much effort for what's unlikely to be a significant gain. It will also be interesting to see how Thomas goes on the steep section.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Judging by the lack of replies, there's not a lot of expectation that this stage will deliver much. Given the way that the over-hyped stages frequently let us down, maybe this one will kick off.
I'm not expecting it to though!0 -
underlayunderlay wrote:Judging by the lack of replies, there's not a lot of expectation that this stage will deliver much. Given the way that the over-hyped stages frequently let us down, maybe this one will kick off.
I'm not expecting it to though!
I'm expecting a good break, a chance for the puncheurs and some minor GC action - with possible implications for the Froome/Thomas question. I think it'll be a decent stage and could be raced pretty hard.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Right, I have found the Chris Froome interview that I mentioned on the other thread, that was on Vive le Velo, last night.
https://youtu.be/uWWxbtkm_Vs?t=7
Worth a watch."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Ooooh, looks like we might have some crosswinds! QS are right up front - presumably to make sure Alaphilippe gets into te break, they might just force the issue if they can.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0
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Crosswinds0
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We have echelons. We have echelons.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0
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Straight from the gun and we have a whole heap of echelons.
Landa lost."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Race split to pieces.0
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My goodness, those echelons!0
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Landa in group 3."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
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Bardet in group 2.
Fuglsang, Roglic and Jungels in group 3.
Landa in group 4."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Now the breakaway boys are trying to escape."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
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Craddock ends up wrong side of a split and is in the Bardet group, potential for people behind to take time.0
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Sky shutting up shop in a fairly impressive fashion there. Wrecks the fun, of course, but impressive nonetheless.0
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Right, all quietened down now, break of 7 including Alaphilippe has 3 minutes, it's not entirely stable, and there are 25 riders 35" behind them.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0
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Interesting the order the graphics listed the riders in the peloton
It went:
R. Bardet
T. Dumoulin
C. Froome
P. Latour
G. Thomas0 -
underlayunderlay wrote:Sky shutting up shop in a fairly impressive fashion there. Wrecks the fun, of course, but impressive nonetheless.
Note the excellent "I'll just do my top up to make sure the extra elbow room uses up some more road" technique being demonstrated here:
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But why shut that down with Bardet and Landa trapped behind? Those guys will be thanking their lucky stars. Jalabert sounded audibly annoyed at Sky for that and blamed it on “modern cycling”.0
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OnYourRight wrote:But why shut that down with Bardet and Landa trapped behind? Those guys will be thanking their lucky stars. Jalabert sounded audibly annoyed at Sky for that and blamed it on “modern cycling”.
Because they already have three minutes on them with the time trial to come.0 -
For those who missed it:
’Twas a beautiful thing until Sky stopped racing.0 -
Back to the scenery coming out of Mendes.
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Yeah, that’s how the alphabet worksTakeTheHighRoad wrote:Interesting the order the graphics listed the riders in the peloton
It went:
R. Bardet
T. Dumoulin
C. Froome
P. Latour
G. ThomasTwitter: @RichN950 -
OnYourRight wrote:For those who missed it:
’Twas a beautiful thing until Sky stopped racing.
Booger. I missed all the fun.Correlation is not causation.0
