TDF 2020 - Stage 3: Nice - Sisteron 198 km *Spoilers*
blazing_saddles
Posts: 22,730
Stage 3: Nice - Sisteron 198 km
Normally this would be considered a hilly stage, as the route includes 2,550 meters of climbing, but for this mountainous Tour, this stage is considered a flat route for the sprinters.
Expect a bunch kick in the stunning town of Sisteron, long known as the “Gateway to Provence.
Christian Prudhomme's comment
The riders might be inspired by the perfumes of Grasse as they leave the Nice area. They will then ride along the Route Napoléon with far less obstacles than the ones witnessed by the Emperor after returning from exile on the Island of Elba. The flat final part as we get closer to the Sisteron Citadel shouldn’t trouble the plans of the sprinters’ teams.
The caravan sets off from the Allianz Riviera, home stadium of OGC Nice, to travel through the lavender fields and pine forests of the Provence for a finish in the historical town Sisteron. Its Citadelle towers on a cliff above the houses, yet that’s no reason for the punchers to rejoice as the finish is not uphill. On the contrary, Sisteron is renowned for its sprint stages.
The first part of the route is quite lumpy, but it levels out in the second half.
The number of chances for fast finishers is limited this year. So you should seize every opportunity when you are a sprinter.
Caleb Ewan was the most successful sprinter on last year’s Tour de France. Sam Bennett was not allowed to start by his then team Bora-hansgrohe.
Favourites 3rd stage 2020 Tour de France
*** Caleb Ewan, Sam Bennett
** Peter Sagan, Alexander Kristoff, Elia Viviani, Giacomo Nizzolo
* Cees Bol, Niccolò Bonifazio, Bryan Coquard, Mads Pedersen
On the road
Km 13.5: Saint-Jeannet (Pop: 4,200)
Some of the scenes of "To Catch a Thief" were shot on the commune of St Jeannet, especially the police chase at the start (in a legendary Mercedes 190 SL. Grace Kelly bought the same model shortly after the shooting).
Km 44.5: Grasse (Pop: 52,000)
The world capital of perfume.
In the 18th century, Grasse thrived from tannery. To fight the strong smell of the leather, some tanners were using natural essences and became specialised in the trade of perfumed gloves. The slow decline of the tannery trade coincided with the rise of the floral cultures (rose of May, jasmine, violet) and by the industry of perfume.
The perfumery and food aromas sector in Grasse accounts for two thirds of the overall production in France and employs more than 2,700 persons in 25 factories for a revenue of 600 million euros.
Sisteron
One previous stage
Population: 7,700
While the Paris-Nice peloton is familiar with Sisteron, having stopped in town a few times, the Tour de France only visited the citadel once, in 2010, for the start of a stage won in Bourg-les-Valence by Mark Cavendish.
The peloton will rediscover the impressive panorama of the citadel while fans will be tasting the delicious lamb that made the gastronomic reputation of the gate of Provence.
Citadel.
The fortress is a collection of works from very different periods; the keep and the covered way date from the 13th century, the array of bastioned enclosures from the 16th century. The rock on which the Citadel was built has always been fortified.
Sisteron lamb
Distinguished with a Red Label since 1995 and a IGP (protected geographic indication) since 2007, the Sisteron lamb is a meat of great finesse renowned for its smoothness and the sweetness of its taste.
Also known as the Cesar lamb, it comes exclusively from local breeds (merinos of Arles, Mourerous, and Southern Prealps).
Normally this would be considered a hilly stage, as the route includes 2,550 meters of climbing, but for this mountainous Tour, this stage is considered a flat route for the sprinters.
Expect a bunch kick in the stunning town of Sisteron, long known as the “Gateway to Provence.
Christian Prudhomme's comment
The riders might be inspired by the perfumes of Grasse as they leave the Nice area. They will then ride along the Route Napoléon with far less obstacles than the ones witnessed by the Emperor after returning from exile on the Island of Elba. The flat final part as we get closer to the Sisteron Citadel shouldn’t trouble the plans of the sprinters’ teams.
The caravan sets off from the Allianz Riviera, home stadium of OGC Nice, to travel through the lavender fields and pine forests of the Provence for a finish in the historical town Sisteron. Its Citadelle towers on a cliff above the houses, yet that’s no reason for the punchers to rejoice as the finish is not uphill. On the contrary, Sisteron is renowned for its sprint stages.
The first part of the route is quite lumpy, but it levels out in the second half.
The number of chances for fast finishers is limited this year. So you should seize every opportunity when you are a sprinter.
Caleb Ewan was the most successful sprinter on last year’s Tour de France. Sam Bennett was not allowed to start by his then team Bora-hansgrohe.
Favourites 3rd stage 2020 Tour de France
*** Caleb Ewan, Sam Bennett
** Peter Sagan, Alexander Kristoff, Elia Viviani, Giacomo Nizzolo
* Cees Bol, Niccolò Bonifazio, Bryan Coquard, Mads Pedersen
On the road
Km 13.5: Saint-Jeannet (Pop: 4,200)
Some of the scenes of "To Catch a Thief" were shot on the commune of St Jeannet, especially the police chase at the start (in a legendary Mercedes 190 SL. Grace Kelly bought the same model shortly after the shooting).
Km 44.5: Grasse (Pop: 52,000)
The world capital of perfume.
In the 18th century, Grasse thrived from tannery. To fight the strong smell of the leather, some tanners were using natural essences and became specialised in the trade of perfumed gloves. The slow decline of the tannery trade coincided with the rise of the floral cultures (rose of May, jasmine, violet) and by the industry of perfume.
The perfumery and food aromas sector in Grasse accounts for two thirds of the overall production in France and employs more than 2,700 persons in 25 factories for a revenue of 600 million euros.
Sisteron
One previous stage
Population: 7,700
While the Paris-Nice peloton is familiar with Sisteron, having stopped in town a few times, the Tour de France only visited the citadel once, in 2010, for the start of a stage won in Bourg-les-Valence by Mark Cavendish.
The peloton will rediscover the impressive panorama of the citadel while fans will be tasting the delicious lamb that made the gastronomic reputation of the gate of Provence.
Citadel.
The fortress is a collection of works from very different periods; the keep and the covered way date from the 13th century, the array of bastioned enclosures from the 16th century. The rock on which the Citadel was built has always been fortified.
Sisteron lamb
Distinguished with a Red Label since 1995 and a IGP (protected geographic indication) since 2007, the Sisteron lamb is a meat of great finesse renowned for its smoothness and the sweetness of its taste.
Also known as the Cesar lamb, it comes exclusively from local breeds (merinos of Arles, Mourerous, and Southern Prealps).
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Comments
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Nice route, all the climbing done early and a fast 70mile down hill to the end. I predict a Bunch sprint.0
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blazing_saddles said:
Stage 3: Nice - Sisteron 198 km
Km 13.5: Saint-Jeannet (Pop: 4,200)
Some of the scenes of "To Catch a Thief" were shot on the commune of St Jeannet, especially the police chase at the start (in a legendary Mercedes 190 SL. Grace Kelly bought the same model shortly after the shooting).
If this is on Netflix or similar I might watch this instead of the middle 100kmTwitter: @RichN950 -
Grace looks wonderful but they didn't let her drive the Mercedes (she was not known as the safest of drivers in the Monaco back country :-( ), it was all back projection.RichN95. said:blazing_saddles said:Stage 3: Nice - Sisteron 198 km
Km 13.5: Saint-Jeannet (Pop: 4,200)
Some of the scenes of "To Catch a Thief" were shot on the commune of St Jeannet, especially the police chase at the start (in a legendary Mercedes 190 SL. Grace Kelly bought the same model shortly after the shooting).
If this is on Netflix or similar I might watch this instead of the middle 100kmBASI Nordic Ski Instructor
Instagramme0 -
No, you've ruined it for me now.davidof said:
Grace looks wonderful but they didn't let her drive the Mercedes (she was not known as the safest of drivers in the Monaco back country :-( ), it was all back projection.RichN95. said:blazing_saddles said:Stage 3: Nice - Sisteron 198 km
Km 13.5: Saint-Jeannet (Pop: 4,200)
Some of the scenes of "To Catch a Thief" were shot on the commune of St Jeannet, especially the police chase at the start (in a legendary Mercedes 190 SL. Grace Kelly bought the same model shortly after the shooting).
If this is on Netflix or similar I might watch this instead of the middle 100km0 -
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Break is a race for KOM points. Perfect for DQS.0
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Cosnefroy and Perez, both at 18 minutes and Cousin who is over 40 minutes down.0
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Sisteron is a classic stage on Rallye Monte-Carlo....and has often decided the whole event.All Road/ Gravel: tbcWinter: tbcMTB: tbcRoad: tbc"Look at the time...." "he's fallen like an old lady on a cruise ship..."0
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This is just close enough to the Gorges de Verdon to recount my tale of hiring a canoe to paddle serenely along the river and jump off some cliffs only for an early teenage ddraver to be surrounded by bronzed beauties also canoeing topless down the same river.
My god...
We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
Alaphillipe doing it right with the yellow jersey/shorts combo after yesterday's nonsense.It's only a bit of sport, Mun. Relax and enjoy the racing.1
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Had one of the nicest steak dinners I've eaten in Grasse, also remembered for a mate asking for his to be well done and the waiter in his best English saying 'You won't be getting that here.'2
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I would imaging that quite a few of us have trodden this well worn path.
I certainly have too on many an occasion. Used to be an annual trip down the Route Napoleon, to a little down nestling in the Massif des Maures, a few kms inland from the chic beaches.
Can't recall having experienced the weather that the peloton are currently not enjoying."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
It's always a bad day to go full polka dot.PTP Champion 2019, 2022 & 20232
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Cousin shafted by his breakaway companions.
I hope they finish today's stage in time to start tomorrow's."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
On behalf of Mads P: more rain please. Heavier, colder, wetter, longer lasting.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0
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No_Ta_Doctor said:
On behalf of Mads P: more rain please. Heavier, colder, wetter, longer lasting.
Kirby is currently busy making rain out to be some sort of chemical weapon....."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Well tbh it probably is haha... dilute version.0
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History shows that was a wise decision.davidof said:
Grace looks wonderful but they didn't let her drive the Mercedes (she was not known as the safest of drivers in the Monaco back country :-( ), it was all back projection.RichN95. said:blazing_saddles said:Stage 3: Nice - Sisteron 198 km
Km 13.5: Saint-Jeannet (Pop: 4,200)
Some of the scenes of "To Catch a Thief" were shot on the commune of St Jeannet, especially the police chase at the start (in a legendary Mercedes 190 SL. Grace Kelly bought the same model shortly after the shooting).
If this is on Netflix or similar I might watch this instead of the middle 100km1 -
I thought the ‘theory’ was her daughter was diving Or have i missed the point?0
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I know a lot of people here don't like CK, but he does make me laugh.
"some people on twitter are telling me to just talk about the racing... well, right now there isn't any"0 -
That willer bike isn't very aero . Big cassette"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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Im on itv , for a change I like David Millar and the team , but Hatch / kelly / smith are good enough for me. And Kirbys fine too on days like this too. Obv when its on or tactical then no .0
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Jesus, Rendell, lil' Pete and Alaphilippe need to get a room...
"The peloton lovea it when he dominates them." Funny, cos I remember him being spanked twice by a certain Belgian a few weeks ago.We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
Cosnefroy appears to have decided to try and rejoin Jerome. I'm sure the latter will be absolutely thrilled by the prospect.0
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(I'm not on first name terms with the poor sod - I've just spent so many years deliberately writing them the wrong way around for the LR thread that I now can't actually process it normally. Ho hum.)0
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What did Roglic do to his arm in the Dauphine that still requires such a significant dressing.0
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Perez has abandoned the race.
He must have crashed chasing Cosnefroy."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
