2009 Tour de France - Stage 13

stage 13 - Vittel to Colmar 200 km



An interesting stage here, medium mountains but 5 climbs with 3 three small but difficult climbs to master: the Col de la Schlucht (8.9 km at 4.1 percent), the Col du Platzerwasel (8.7 km at 7.6 percent) and the Col du Firstplan (8.4 km at 5.4 percent). Decent testing types including the firstplan that summits just 20km from the finish.

These look harmless on paper, but could reveal themselves as treacherous for the general classification contenders - if a GC contgender gets isolated it will be on for young and old. Lance Armstrong got isolated from his teammates in the 2005 tour the last time he visited the Col de la Schlucht. Im sure it wont happen again! If Astana try to ramp it up things could happen, but i expect them to sit tight, Saxo Bank on the other hand might be ready to spring an ambush, there are minutes to be gained on the final climb here. Its the kind of mountain that Cadel Evans should have waited for.

So the road between Vittel and Colmar has all the makings of a tricky stage, and will most likely see a medium-mountain specialist take the honours, but the GC contenders will not be far away. A decent climber who descends well could take this one, just 20km to the finish from that final climb and most of it down hill.

Wel could well see a new man in Yellow and Polka Dots after this stage.

Climbs

• Km 46.0 - Côte de Xertigny - 2.0 km climb to 5.3 % - Category 3
• Km 105.0 - Col de la Schlucht - 8.9 km climb to 4.2 % - Category 2
• Km 138.5 - Col du Platzerwasel - 8.7 km climb to 7.6 % - Category 1
• Km 165.5 - Col du Bannstein - 2.1 km climb to 5.1 % - Category 3
• Km 179.5 - Col du Firstplan - 8.4 km climb to 5.4 % - Category 2

Betting
I have taken Franco Pelizotti e.w - $30 win /$8 to place
He climbed like a machine yesterday, has finished 2nd and 3rd on mountain stages so far this year and think today he can see a lot of KOM points for himself.

If Luis Leon Sanchez is in a breakaway after they crest the Col du Platzerwasel, i will be backing him in play - he descends like a man possessed!