Tour de France 2009 - Stage 6

stage 6 - Gérone - Barcelone 181.5 km

Le Tour de France becomes Vuelta a'Espana?

Many of the non European pros are based in Girona, i think the whole Garmin team lives there, Lance used to live there, so you get my drift. They are pretty used to this terrain and these roads.
This all Spanish stage might just see a bit of action as everyone jockeys for position - or at least a stage win - before the big hills hit. It is undulating terrain that will make a few of the sprinters uncomfortable and should see some competitive racing



There are 5 categorised climbs.

Km 32.0 - Côte de Sant Feliu de Guixols - 2.0 km climb to 5.4 % - Category 4
Km 55.0 - Côte de Tossa de Mar - 3.8 km climb to 4.2 % - Category 4
Km 98.0 - Côte de Sant Vicenc de Montalt - 3.3 km climb to 5.2 % - Category 3
Km 110.0 - Collsacreu - 4.1 km climb to 5.2 % - Category 3
Km 159.0 - Côte de la Conreria - 4.7 km climb to 4.5 % - Category 4

The finish is also a climb - although only 1.7km at an average of 3%, it does have a 500m section that is at 6%. It is going to mean many of the sprinters will struggle and the strong punchy riders, the classics riders and the GC contenders might just be the ones to try and win this stage.



No doubt there will be breakaways and on a stage like this they may succeed. The interesting thing Will be what happens in the peleton. Remember there is only 5 minutes separating the first 104 riders. they are not going to let a breakaway get to far. A few of the teams may have targeted this stage for a breakaway (especially the spanish ones) and we could see a host of really good riders that are not aiming at the General classification chasing the win here. Names like Heinrich Hausler, Stuart O'Grady, Alessandro Ballan, Kim Kirchen, Filippo Pozzato, Sandy Cassar, Luis Leon Sanchez and Oscar Freire spring into my mind. Guys like Hushovd and Cavendish are strong enough but i dont see this as a bunch sprint scenario at all.

Betting.
Going with 2 bets here.
Win - Oscar Friere - $7.20 Betfair.
Top 3 - Henrich Haussler $10.00 on Betfair

was tempted to go with Haussler e.w at $40/$10 but i think i will stick with top 3.