TOMORROW'S STAGE PREVIEW: STAGE 16: BAGNÈRES-DE-LUCHON - PAU

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TOMORROW'S STAGE PREVIEW: STAGE 16: BAGNÈRES-DE-LUCHON - PAU - 199.5 KM
Road Bike Action
July 19, 2010

©ASO

Two hundred kilometers, two Category 1 and two HC climbs will tear the legs off the racers Tuesday as day three in the Pyrenees delivers a near controversial stage. The riders will have to tackle Category 1 Peyresourde from the start with no flat or rolling warm up. Next up, the Category 1 Col d'Aspin, then the famous Col du Tourmalet and finally Col d'Aubisque. After the 4 major climbs, two intermediate sprint points and a 60 kilometer descent take the riders into Pau.

©ASO

It is anybody's guess how this stage will pan out. With a 60 km downhill ride from the top of the Aubuisque, it is hard to say if the GC climbers will feel comfortable enough to risk an attack. Certainly more heroic efforts by stage-win-seekers will ensue. Will Thor Hushovd attack? Will Contador and Schleck stick together? Whose team will sit at the front? If you are not on the edge of your seat, check your pulse.

Riders and fans may complain about the 60km descent of the Aubisque, however it should be noted that "it is the same route (except that the stage finish was in Mourenx) as in 1969 when Eddy Merckx was victorious after a 180-kilometer breakaway," say Tour de France organizers on letourdefrance.com. "We wanted to make this stage a little tribute to him."

©ASO

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