TDF 2020 - Stage 17 Grenoble - Méribel Col de la Loze 170 km *Spoilers*
blazing_saddles
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Stage 17 Grenoble - Méribel, Col de la Loze 170 km
Only a great champion will be able to win at the Col de la Loze! The stage profile invites the favorites of the Tour to be audacious. They don’t yet know the road that will take them on that day to the Col de la Madeleine and have no idea of what to expect once in the resort of Méribel. They’ll still have an extra 7 irregular kilometers to climb with several passages at over 20%. – Christian Prudhomme
The 17th stage of the Tour de France is flat..................If you look past two massive climbs. The riders tackle the Col de la Madeleine and Col de la Loze in the last 65 kilometres. Which is, combined, almost 40 kilometres of uphill torture. The riders set off from Grenoble to pedal through the valley of the Isère en then the Arc River to Notre-Dame-du-Cruet.
This is where the Col de la Madeleine kicks in hard with 4 kilometres at 10%. Thereafter the inclination levels out a bit, but it never becomes easy. Far from it. The Madeleine is 17.1 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 8.4%.
The riders descend back to the valley of the Isère to tackle the Col de la Loze in Brides-les-Bains.
The final haul up begins in ski station Méribel. Until June the pass was not suited to carry the yellow caravan. The road was accessible until the airport at approximately 1,800 metres, but six newly paved kilometres allow the Tour de France to include the Col de la Loze all the way to the top at 2,304 metres.
De Col de la Loze is an ascent of 21.5 kilometres long. The slope mostly hovers around 7%, but kilometre 18 and 19 stand out with 11% gradients, plus this section features sections at over 20%. The last 2.5 kilometres before the finish are equally explosive with an average gradient of almost 10%.
With these giant ascents in the last part of the race a GC battle for the stage win is on the cards. Most breakaway specialists find this kind of terrain simply too hard. Expect Jumbo to control the race until the very select group pass under the Flamme Rouge. The rider with the best kick wins.
Favourites 17th stage 2020 Tour de France
*** Primoz Roglic, Tadej Pogacar,
** Daniel Felipe Martínez, Pierre Rolland, Miguel Ángel López, Mikel Landa
* Adam Yates, Enric Mas, Rigoberto Uran, Lennard Kämna, Richie Porte..........................Tibault Pinot...............................Nairo Quintana.
Grenoble
40 previous stages
Population: 162,800
With more than 40 visits, the Tour de France is familiar with Grenoble, even if is last stop was in 2014 for a stage to Risoul won by Rafal Majka. A Tour de France stage since 1905, Grenoble holds a special place in the history of the race. In 1919, a new ceremony took place by which Eugene Christophe received a yellow jersey to distinguish him as the Tour leader. The event was greeted by a ten lines story in l’Auto. Since then, 286 riders have held the yellow jersey.
Specialties: chestnut, gratin dauphinois, chicken with crawfish, Murson (cumin sausage) , pingouin (pastry), Chartreuse (liquor)
Méribel Col de la Loze
One previous stage.
Population: 1,900
While Méribel already received the Tour de France in 1973 for a victory by Bernard Thévenet, Col de la Loze, above the ski resort, is one of the firsts of this edition. With its 21.5 km at 7.8 pc on average, this climb which Christian Prudhomme describes as the “prototype of the 21st century pass” will be one of the attractions of the 2020 route. The pass, which allows cyclists to reach Courchevel from Méribel, peaks at 2,304 m. Despite its recent tarring, it is not entirely new for the peloton since it constituted the entire route of the 8th stage of the 2019 Tour de l'Avenir over 23.5 km. Australia’s Alexander Evans won that day while Norway’s Tobias Foss grabbed the leader’s jersey and kept it until the end. The race already stopped in Méribel the previous year, allowing Tadej Pogacar to make a name for himself. In 2016, the Critérium du Dauphiné also came to the resort designed by Le Corbusier: Thibaut Pinot outsprinted Romain Bardet after the two staged a two-man breakaway.
Specialties: fondues, raclettes and tartiflettes, crozets (pasta), diots (sausage), pormoniers (pork and vegetable sausage), cheese (Beaufort, Goat’s Tomme of les Allues), bluberry tart
Only a great champion will be able to win at the Col de la Loze! The stage profile invites the favorites of the Tour to be audacious. They don’t yet know the road that will take them on that day to the Col de la Madeleine and have no idea of what to expect once in the resort of Méribel. They’ll still have an extra 7 irregular kilometers to climb with several passages at over 20%. – Christian Prudhomme
The 17th stage of the Tour de France is flat..................If you look past two massive climbs. The riders tackle the Col de la Madeleine and Col de la Loze in the last 65 kilometres. Which is, combined, almost 40 kilometres of uphill torture. The riders set off from Grenoble to pedal through the valley of the Isère en then the Arc River to Notre-Dame-du-Cruet.
This is where the Col de la Madeleine kicks in hard with 4 kilometres at 10%. Thereafter the inclination levels out a bit, but it never becomes easy. Far from it. The Madeleine is 17.1 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 8.4%.
The riders descend back to the valley of the Isère to tackle the Col de la Loze in Brides-les-Bains.
The final haul up begins in ski station Méribel. Until June the pass was not suited to carry the yellow caravan. The road was accessible until the airport at approximately 1,800 metres, but six newly paved kilometres allow the Tour de France to include the Col de la Loze all the way to the top at 2,304 metres.
De Col de la Loze is an ascent of 21.5 kilometres long. The slope mostly hovers around 7%, but kilometre 18 and 19 stand out with 11% gradients, plus this section features sections at over 20%. The last 2.5 kilometres before the finish are equally explosive with an average gradient of almost 10%.
With these giant ascents in the last part of the race a GC battle for the stage win is on the cards. Most breakaway specialists find this kind of terrain simply too hard. Expect Jumbo to control the race until the very select group pass under the Flamme Rouge. The rider with the best kick wins.
Favourites 17th stage 2020 Tour de France
*** Primoz Roglic, Tadej Pogacar,
** Daniel Felipe Martínez, Pierre Rolland, Miguel Ángel López, Mikel Landa
* Adam Yates, Enric Mas, Rigoberto Uran, Lennard Kämna, Richie Porte..........................Tibault Pinot...............................Nairo Quintana.
Grenoble
40 previous stages
Population: 162,800
With more than 40 visits, the Tour de France is familiar with Grenoble, even if is last stop was in 2014 for a stage to Risoul won by Rafal Majka. A Tour de France stage since 1905, Grenoble holds a special place in the history of the race. In 1919, a new ceremony took place by which Eugene Christophe received a yellow jersey to distinguish him as the Tour leader. The event was greeted by a ten lines story in l’Auto. Since then, 286 riders have held the yellow jersey.
Specialties: chestnut, gratin dauphinois, chicken with crawfish, Murson (cumin sausage) , pingouin (pastry), Chartreuse (liquor)
Méribel Col de la Loze
One previous stage.
Population: 1,900
While Méribel already received the Tour de France in 1973 for a victory by Bernard Thévenet, Col de la Loze, above the ski resort, is one of the firsts of this edition. With its 21.5 km at 7.8 pc on average, this climb which Christian Prudhomme describes as the “prototype of the 21st century pass” will be one of the attractions of the 2020 route. The pass, which allows cyclists to reach Courchevel from Méribel, peaks at 2,304 m. Despite its recent tarring, it is not entirely new for the peloton since it constituted the entire route of the 8th stage of the 2019 Tour de l'Avenir over 23.5 km. Australia’s Alexander Evans won that day while Norway’s Tobias Foss grabbed the leader’s jersey and kept it until the end. The race already stopped in Méribel the previous year, allowing Tadej Pogacar to make a name for himself. In 2016, the Critérium du Dauphiné also came to the resort designed by Le Corbusier: Thibaut Pinot outsprinted Romain Bardet after the two staged a two-man breakaway.
Specialties: fondues, raclettes and tartiflettes, crozets (pasta), diots (sausage), pormoniers (pork and vegetable sausage), cheese (Beaufort, Goat’s Tomme of les Allues), bluberry tart
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Comments
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This is the biggie! No arguments with your top two. I'd give Bernal at least one star though given that he seemed to be comfortable today in the grupetto and this is exactly the kind of stage that should suit him.0
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The highlights had an interview with him and he says he has severe pain in his back (again) and knees. Looked like he won't even be starting to be honest.DeadCalm said:This is the biggie! No arguments with your top two. I'd give Bernal at least one star though given that he seemed to be comfortable today in the grupetto and this is exactly the kind of stage that should suit him.
It's a tasty climb up to Meribel. Used to do that a fair bit with a trailer of MTBs on the back.We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
Nairo Quintana not even half a star?0
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Who?darkhairedlord said:Nairo Quintana not even half a star?
.............................Oh OK then.
The weather at the foot of the Madeleine at La Chambre.
July would struggle to better it. Thursday also showing in that screenshot.
I cannot remember a sunnier Tour. Especially when we remember the weather in the Alps, last year.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
I wonder if JV will use Kuss this stage. I believe he still has fresh legs considering he is a climbing specialist who has been sitting in the JV train so far. So all the efforts JV has been doing in the mountains, must have been easy for him.
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Seems likely doesn’t it.zest28 said:I wonder if JV will use Kuss this stage. I believe he still has fresh legs considering he is a climbing specialist who has been sitting in the JV train so far. So all the efforts JV has been doing in the mountains, must have been easy for him.
I can’t wait for this stage, it’s a ludicrous climb. I might be able to get away with watching it at work as doing “mandatory online” training in the afternoon 👍
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BASI Nordic Ski Instructor
Instagramme2 -
You used to cycle up to Meribel with a trailer of MTBs on your back? You're a beast!ddraver said:
The highlights had an interview with him and he says he has severe pain in his back (again) and knees. Looked like he won't even be starting to be honest.DeadCalm said:This is the biggie! No arguments with your top two. I'd give Bernal at least one star though given that he seemed to be comfortable today in the grupetto and this is exactly the kind of stage that should suit him.
It's a tasty climb up to Meribel. Used to do that a fair bit with a trailer of MTBs on the back.
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Home from home - 5 winters in Meribel! Special place.
The climb to the top of the resort is pleasant, but the new road is utterly brutal, especially given the altitude. I think there's every chance the Maillot Jaune will be decided tomorrow.
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We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
Thunder and lightning on the mountain top should add drama to the event.ddraver said:0 -
Riders will either have to descend down to Courchevel, down to Meribel or down the chairlift to Meribel Altiport - can't see any busses getting to the top!0
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View down the Meribel valley from Mottaret. Col de la Loze would be off to the top right.
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Pah, the risk is no more than a mere bagatelle.ddraver said:
10-20%
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Today's the day that Roglic puts some effort in and rides away from everyone. He'll win by a minute plus."Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago0
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Wishful thinking?gsk82 said:Today's the day that Roglic puts some effort in and rides away from everyone. He'll win by a minute plus.
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It won't happen, but I'd love Porte to suddenly go bonkers and put a minute or more into everyone else. Would really shake everyone up and introduce a question that nobody was asking.0
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No, I'd rather he blew up and lost we 25 minutes.bobmcstuff said:
Wishful thinking?gsk82 said:Today's the day that Roglic puts some effort in and rides away from everyone. He'll win by a minute plus.
"Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago0 -
Bernal out0
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No surprise after yesterday's comments.r0bh said:Bernal out
Sounds as if DB backed the wrong horse as his back problems were known.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
I just hope someone rides away and wins solo. Don't really care who.0
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Doubt it.gsk82 said:Today's the day that Roglic puts some effort in and rides away from everyone. He'll win by a minute plus.
I think he is still experiencing flashbacks to going all in on the final mountain stage in 2018 and what happened the next day.
The yellow train will depart from La Chambre, for the Col de la Loze around 2pm, making regular drop offs along the way."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Yates is probably most likely to try and do something. He put in a little dig yesterday and says he is feeling better and better. And doesn't seem particularly bothered about coming 5th in the Tour. Can't see it working though.0
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Maybe Landa has been eyeing this day up for a dig?0
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They're taking the 'other' road up the Madeleine - a bit more irregular than the main road, so might be a bit harder to control for JV if someone gets feisty (this is wishful thinking)0
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Well, the bookies have Pogacar as favourite followed by Roglic. This is in pretty sharp contrast to INRNG and most of the commentary here where we think JV will be happy to let a big break go to take all the time bonuses because Pogacar seems very capable of outsprinting Roglic to the line.
INRNG:
*** Dani Martinez, Marc Soler
** Tadej Pogačar, Primož Roglič, Marc Hirschi, Esteban Chaves
* Carthy, Nieve, D Martin, Sivakov, Bilbao, Lutsenko
I would love for Martinez to win...
Bookies (based on Oddschecker aggregate rankings)
*** Pogacar, Roglic (shorter than 10/1)
** Lopez, Hirschi, Martinez, Landa, Porte (10-20/1)
* Carapaz, Soler (20-30/1)
Pogacar has odds as short as 5/2 in a few places (11/4 at Sky Bet which is the shortest) and Roglic as short as 3/1, which is relatively short in cycling terms.0 -
Apparently they are going up the Madelaine the same way as I went up with Marmot Tours last year. From memory there are some steep parts, mostly at the beginning and end. The enduring memory is that it is lllooonnnggg.poweredbyidris said:They're taking the 'other' road up the Madeleine - a bit more irregular than the main road, so might be a bit harder to control for JV if someone gets feisty (this is wishful thinking)
I just did a flyby on my Strava ride and it backs that up. Hits 15.6% (allegedly) at around the 1st km mark but is indeed varied.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
It's up to UAE to keep the break in check as I doubt JV will try to. UAE have to do this but will they?bobmcstuff said:Well, the bookies have Pogacar as favourite followed by Roglic. This is in pretty sharp contrast to INRNG and most of the commentary here where we think JV will be happy to let a big break go to take all the time bonuses because Pogacar seems very capable of outsprinting Roglic to the line.
INRNG:
*** Dani Martinez, Marc Soler
** Tadej Pogačar, Primož Roglič, Marc Hirschi, Esteban Chaves
* Carthy, Nieve, D Martin, Sivakov, Bilbao, Lutsenko
I would love for Martinez to win...
Bookies (based on Oddschecker aggregate rankings)
*** Pogacar, Roglic (shorter than 10/1)
** Lopez, Hirschi, Martinez, Landa, Porte (10-20/1)
* Carapaz, Soler (20-30/1)
Pogacar has odds as short as 5/2 in a few places (11/4 at Sky Bet which is the shortest) and Roglic as short as 3/1, which is relatively short in cycling terms.0 -
https://youtu.be/Zg0bGb9LEWc
