TDF 2019: Stage 4, Reims > Nancy 09/07/2019 - 213,5 km *Spoilers*
blazing_saddles
Posts: 22,730
Reims > Nancy 09/07/2019 - Stage 4 - 213,5 km
The 4th stage of the Tour de France is played out in the northern part of France. At 213.5 kilometres, the route leads from Reims to Nancy for a likely sprint finish.
The riders set off in Reims for a race in easterly direction. On predominantly flat roads the course runs to Nancy, where the brilliant Fausto Coppi won stages in the only two editions of the Tour de France he competed in – 1949 and 1952.
The peloton leaves Reims and heads south east to Chalons-en-Champagne. Then, the route continues to Bar-le-Duc, before the first of two Category 4 climbs - the Côte de Rosières (1km at 7%).
The intermediate sprint comes at Lérouville.
The second Category 4 climb, the Côte de Maron (3.2km at 5%) is 15km before the finish. Could it provide the opportunity for a solo or group attack to get away and evade the sprinters' teams? Unlikely.
There's a roundabout and a left hand bend 1.5km before the finish, then a straight-line sprint to the line in Nancy alongside the Meurthe.
Nancy hosted thirteen Tour de France finishes since 1947. The 7th stage of the 2014 Tour de France traveled on a similar route from Épernay to Nancy. The finale was pepped up by two cols before Matteo Trentin outgunned Peter Sagan in a blistering sprint on the line.
The sprint in Nancy is much more straightforward than stage 1, so perfectly suited for the pure sprinters.
Favourites 4th stage 2019 Tour de France
*** Dylan Groenewegen, Elia Viviani
** Peter Sagan, Caleb Ewan, Alexander Kristoff
* Giacomo Nizzolo, André Greipel, Christophe Laporte, Cees Bol, Andrea Pasqualon
Reims
12 previous stages
Population: 187,040 hab. (292,000 in the 143 communes of Grand Reims urban community.
The Tour de France has had the chance to raise its glass of champagne 12 times in the town that made the beverage famous. And almost every time, a sprinter sparkled in Reims. The last time was in 2014, when Andre Greipel raised his arms for his 6th victory on the Tour. Five more were to follow. Four years earlier, in 2010, Alessandro Petacchi earned the last of his six Tour stage wins in Reims. Eight years previously, stage honours when to Robbie McEwen for the second of his 12 stage wins.
Before them, Cyrille Guimard, Francis Castaing or Djamolidin Abdoujaparov were also crowned in the town of coronations. In 1951, Reims was the finish of the first stage in the race. Swiss Giovanni Rossi set the tone by taking the yellow jersey that would finally go to compatriot Hugo Koblet. Reims also held two world championships, won by Theo Middelkamp in 1947 and by Ercole Baldini in 1958.
Reims is also the hometown of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the 2014 road world champion, but also the 2015 mountain bike and cyclo-cross world champion, making her the only simultaneous holder of three world crowns in cycling.
Cathedral
Reims Notre-Dame cathedral was built in the 13th century, after the cathedrals of Paris and Chartres, but earlier than Strasbourg, Amiens or Beauvais. It was completed in the 14th century when it was broadened to allow attendances to coronations inside. It is considered one of the major realisations of gothic art as well for its architecture as for its ornaments which include as many as 2,303 statues. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1991. The most visited monument in Reims, it attracted 1.5 million visitors in 2007. Since the coronation of Louis I in 816, almost every coronation was held in the cathedral in memory of Clovis crowning by St Remi, the first bishop of Reims, in 496.
City Centre
Montange de Reims
The only village rated 100% Grand Cru and a place "we" have shared a long association with.
Nancy
17 previous stages
Population: 108,000. 255,000 in the 20 communes of the Grand Nancy metropolis.
Like every local in a Tour stage, Christophe Mengin had vowed to shine on his native ground in the 2005 edition. Involved in the break of the day, the Francaise des Jeux rider had been cunning enough to part company with his companions right on time to reach the finale in Nancy on his own. The pouring rain broke his dreams as he crashed into the barriers in the last kilometre as he was only a few yards away from a prestigious victory. Italy’s Lorenzo Bernucci could hardly believe his luck, who took the day’s laurels much to the public’s disappointment. Knocked out on the tarmac, the unfortunate Mengin said when he discovered the damage: “I look more like a boxer than a cyclist!”
Nancy was the finish point of four crucial time trials in the history of the Tour. In 1949, Fausto Coppi outclassed everybody including Gino Bartali, whom he left 11 minutes adrift over 137 km, before repeating the feat in 1952. In 1954 and 1978, Louison Bobet and Bernard Hinault also strengthened their yellow jerseys in 72-km timed efforts.
In 2014, Matteto Trentin won the stage that already took the peloton from Epernay to Nancy, ahead of Peter Sagan and Tony Gallopin. The 2018 European champion, twice winner of Pairs-Tours, won a total of seven stages on the three Grand Tours.
Place Stanislas (Stanislaw Square)
Nancy is famous the world over for the architecture of its town centre and three squares listed since 1983 by UNESCO as a World Heritage site: place Stanislas, place de la Carriere and place d’Alliance.
Specialties: bergamots, macaroons, plums, rum baba, saint Epvre (cake),
pâté lorrain, quiche lorraine,
steak and kidney pie. Daum crystal factory.
The 4th stage of the Tour de France is played out in the northern part of France. At 213.5 kilometres, the route leads from Reims to Nancy for a likely sprint finish.
The riders set off in Reims for a race in easterly direction. On predominantly flat roads the course runs to Nancy, where the brilliant Fausto Coppi won stages in the only two editions of the Tour de France he competed in – 1949 and 1952.
The peloton leaves Reims and heads south east to Chalons-en-Champagne. Then, the route continues to Bar-le-Duc, before the first of two Category 4 climbs - the Côte de Rosières (1km at 7%).
The intermediate sprint comes at Lérouville.
The second Category 4 climb, the Côte de Maron (3.2km at 5%) is 15km before the finish. Could it provide the opportunity for a solo or group attack to get away and evade the sprinters' teams? Unlikely.
There's a roundabout and a left hand bend 1.5km before the finish, then a straight-line sprint to the line in Nancy alongside the Meurthe.
Nancy hosted thirteen Tour de France finishes since 1947. The 7th stage of the 2014 Tour de France traveled on a similar route from Épernay to Nancy. The finale was pepped up by two cols before Matteo Trentin outgunned Peter Sagan in a blistering sprint on the line.
The sprint in Nancy is much more straightforward than stage 1, so perfectly suited for the pure sprinters.
Favourites 4th stage 2019 Tour de France
*** Dylan Groenewegen, Elia Viviani
** Peter Sagan, Caleb Ewan, Alexander Kristoff
* Giacomo Nizzolo, André Greipel, Christophe Laporte, Cees Bol, Andrea Pasqualon
Reims
12 previous stages
Population: 187,040 hab. (292,000 in the 143 communes of Grand Reims urban community.
The Tour de France has had the chance to raise its glass of champagne 12 times in the town that made the beverage famous. And almost every time, a sprinter sparkled in Reims. The last time was in 2014, when Andre Greipel raised his arms for his 6th victory on the Tour. Five more were to follow. Four years earlier, in 2010, Alessandro Petacchi earned the last of his six Tour stage wins in Reims. Eight years previously, stage honours when to Robbie McEwen for the second of his 12 stage wins.
Before them, Cyrille Guimard, Francis Castaing or Djamolidin Abdoujaparov were also crowned in the town of coronations. In 1951, Reims was the finish of the first stage in the race. Swiss Giovanni Rossi set the tone by taking the yellow jersey that would finally go to compatriot Hugo Koblet. Reims also held two world championships, won by Theo Middelkamp in 1947 and by Ercole Baldini in 1958.
Reims is also the hometown of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the 2014 road world champion, but also the 2015 mountain bike and cyclo-cross world champion, making her the only simultaneous holder of three world crowns in cycling.
Cathedral
Reims Notre-Dame cathedral was built in the 13th century, after the cathedrals of Paris and Chartres, but earlier than Strasbourg, Amiens or Beauvais. It was completed in the 14th century when it was broadened to allow attendances to coronations inside. It is considered one of the major realisations of gothic art as well for its architecture as for its ornaments which include as many as 2,303 statues. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1991. The most visited monument in Reims, it attracted 1.5 million visitors in 2007. Since the coronation of Louis I in 816, almost every coronation was held in the cathedral in memory of Clovis crowning by St Remi, the first bishop of Reims, in 496.
City Centre
Montange de Reims
The only village rated 100% Grand Cru and a place "we" have shared a long association with.
Nancy
17 previous stages
Population: 108,000. 255,000 in the 20 communes of the Grand Nancy metropolis.
Like every local in a Tour stage, Christophe Mengin had vowed to shine on his native ground in the 2005 edition. Involved in the break of the day, the Francaise des Jeux rider had been cunning enough to part company with his companions right on time to reach the finale in Nancy on his own. The pouring rain broke his dreams as he crashed into the barriers in the last kilometre as he was only a few yards away from a prestigious victory. Italy’s Lorenzo Bernucci could hardly believe his luck, who took the day’s laurels much to the public’s disappointment. Knocked out on the tarmac, the unfortunate Mengin said when he discovered the damage: “I look more like a boxer than a cyclist!”
Nancy was the finish point of four crucial time trials in the history of the Tour. In 1949, Fausto Coppi outclassed everybody including Gino Bartali, whom he left 11 minutes adrift over 137 km, before repeating the feat in 1952. In 1954 and 1978, Louison Bobet and Bernard Hinault also strengthened their yellow jerseys in 72-km timed efforts.
In 2014, Matteto Trentin won the stage that already took the peloton from Epernay to Nancy, ahead of Peter Sagan and Tony Gallopin. The 2018 European champion, twice winner of Pairs-Tours, won a total of seven stages on the three Grand Tours.
Place Stanislas (Stanislaw Square)
Nancy is famous the world over for the architecture of its town centre and three squares listed since 1983 by UNESCO as a World Heritage site: place Stanislas, place de la Carriere and place d’Alliance.
Specialties: bergamots, macaroons, plums, rum baba, saint Epvre (cake),
pâté lorrain, quiche lorraine,
steak and kidney pie. Daum crystal factory.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Comments
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Thanks as ever for these intro threads, much appreciated 8)0
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Rick Chasey wrote:I do like that cheeky 4th cat
Bit far out . Does not look that testy. I believe this is it. Mmmm lotto blocks or Bora drives.
63 D92
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n8kicsxyAANH7RqbA
127 Rue de Nancy
https://www.google.com/maps/@48.639153, ... zrzkxw!2e0"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
so will this turn out to be as good as yesterday? I hope so0
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who can say. I doubt it. That sort of thing is a bit rare.Alejandrosdog wrote:so will this turn out to be as good as yesterday? I hope so"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
mididoctors wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:I do like that cheeky 4th cat
Bit far out . Does not look that testy. I believe this is it. Mmmm lotto blocks or Bora drives.
63 D92
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n8kicsxyAANH7RqbA
127 Rue de Nancy
https://www.google.com/maps/@48.639153, ... zrzkxw!2e0
Yeah but the ramp starts earlier and its after 180 km of racing - that's enough for the puncheurs I reckon and with less sprinters this year there are less teams to pull it back0 -
Kasper Asgreen cleared to start after yesterday's crash.
He had concussion tests yesterday evening and again this morning, compared to a baseline they took in winter training. Glad to see concussion being taken seriously.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Do they introduce a free ride to the finish for riders to discourage them riding on if it isn't clear if they have concussion or not ."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Can't believe the mechanics have go his bike ready again for the stage they must have been up all night
Sagan giving bit salutes to the crowd - he's been such a positive . Could be his day0 -
SpecialGuestStar wrote:Can't believe the mechanics have go his bike ready again for the stage they must have been up all night
Sagan giving bit salutes to the crowd - he's been such a positive . Could be his day
New bike presumably? Assuming you mean Asgreen. didn't the bike get destroyed in the crash?0 -
oFFREDOOOOOOOOOO
actually dont think it is - two Wanty in the break0 -
Break of three gets away straight from the off, peloton says "cheers guys" and spreads across the road.
Yoann Offredo, Frederik Backaert and Michael SchärWarning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Quick nature break to let them get up the road.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0
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Going to be a slower day, given only Wanty +1 could be arsed,"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
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I know this road so well.
Ludes on the peloton left, Mailly on the right.
Champagne producing friends of ours are waiting at the crossroads."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Not been watching closely enough. What are this year's most annoying and over-repeated adverts?
Can anything match the man who takes an elephant to a party and then is upset by someone else's behaviour?0 -
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Blazing Saddles wrote:Going to be a slower day, given only Wanty +1 could be arsed,
4th longest stage of the Tour, coming off the back of a long and brutal stage yesterday, and hitting the Vosges tomorrow.
There are head/cross winds today as well.
It's a proper GC day off (barring proper crosswinds) with little in it for a break (possible chance to attack on the cat4 15km out instead).
Probably some nice chateaux to look at for those that have the TV on.
Viviani the top pick I think, though QS suffer a little from having Asgreen trying to consolidate the lantere.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
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No tA Doctor wrote:
Sweeping left hander slightly downhill through that at top speed.0 -
No tA Doctor wrote:
seen worse . It's a good line and surface just narrows a fair bit . Teams will know about it . It's flagged in the roadbook."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
much as I really like Offredo I would like to see him either
attack later in the race
or
sit on the back and wait for Guilliames day0 -
KingstonGraham wrote:No tA Doctor wrote:
Sweeping left hander slightly downhill through that at top speed.
It's a sweeper alright . If it's lined out going in should be ok up front ...thinking bunching at the back may be a issue"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Clearly didn't want to shut down Aldi by using the big wide road parallel to it. I don't think they chose it for the scenery.0
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SpecialGuestStar wrote:much as I really like Offredo I would like to see him either
attack later in the race
or
sit on the back and wait for Guilliames day
I rider we all know of because he is just there."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
KingstonGraham wrote:Clearly didn't want to shut down Aldi by using the big wide road parallel to it. I don't think they chose it for the scenery.
Parallel road goes over the river. It looks worse than it will be i think/hope ... I tend to Google map all the flagged corners ."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Cofidis involved in a bit of self-chuting. :oops:"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
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Missed that what happened?Blazing Saddles wrote:Cofidis involved in a bit of self-chuting. :oops:"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Fair play to Tony Martin bringing 200 riders along for his training ride.“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!0
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Unfortunate nobody wants to drill it, because that section there looked distinctly echelon-friendly.0
