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Published on Tuesday, 22 July 2014 22:58

Jack's Stage 17 Preview

Jack's Preview!

Wednesday July 23rd, 124.5kms 

I was out on Tuesday night at a work event and my 10 year old called me on the phone. I jokingly asked him to do my preview for me as I was going to be home late. When I got home around 10.30pm, there was a word doc open on my laptop. Here is what he wrote... Enjoy!

Tomorrow is a monster stage as we see some absolutely horrible climbs being introduced by another deadly stage the day after. First of all they have to tackle the category 1 Col du Portillon after 57KM into the stage. Next, only 22KM later they have the, once again category 1 Col De Peyresoudre. After that they have a 10KM descent before they go back up the 3rd 1st category climb of the stage which is the Col De Val Louron Azet at 1580M above sea level. Now… to the highest point in the day it is the cruel HC Saint-Lary Pal d’Adet climb at 125KM

The pick for the win is a real gamble as anyone in the top 10 could win. First of all Nibali as he is proving to us that he is the strongest of the tour so far. Tibaut Pinot could also be a good idea as he showed some amazing strength yesterday to take the white jersey away from Bardet. Talking about Bardet he could also be a possible pick for the win although he didn’t really manage to hang in with the bad boys as they kicked off on the penultimate climb of the day. I personally think Valverde could be up with Nibali and co at the finish amazingly getting back up to Perauds group on stage 16. Jean-Cristophe Peraud hung in amazingly with Nibali and Pinot yesterday and I think he will be right up with the big contenders and possibly having a go on the Col De Val Louron Azet as we know he wants to get that podium place.

Pierre Rolland could try today after losing a small amount today and we all know he can climb because he showed form in the Giro this year. I am not sure if Tejay Van Garderen will win the stage tomorrow as was easily the biggest loser yesterday losing a fair amount of time. Laurens Ten Dam has been a very big surprise as it looks like he has taken the team leader role of Bauke Mollema and I think he is going to do something today. Leopold Konig could also have a go after somehow managing to get back to Nibalis group yesterday. Also another contender for the stage could be Frank Schleck however he has not been able to stay when the big stars decide to make a move. My last pick would possibly be Bauke Mollema