Tour de France 2014 Favourites stage 16: The Amazing Nibali Downhill Show?
A long, tough 237.5 kilometres carries the riders over five cols, the last an hors catégorie. From the top a 20 kilometre descent could see an opportunity for the downhill master Vincenzo Nibali. Other notable on this terrain is World Champion Rui Costa. (Slideshow route/profile)
Arrival town Bagnères-de-Luchon saw Thomas Voeckler taek stage wins in 2010 and 2012. The years are taking their toll – after all, Le Chouchou is 35 years by now -, but he will surely take his chances today…
Favourites
Vincenzo Nibali
Only one goal for Nibali in 2014: win the Tour de France. An improved Dauphine performance after a tough season suggested he’ll be in the mix, but he was some way behind Contador on the climbs. He’s now the Italian champion and he may choose to show off his tricolour on the final descent today. We’ve seen him pull out minutes almost easily on terrain like this. Can he put on a show today and take some time? His form is up after his disappointing pre-season, not only shown with the Italian championship but also with his victory in stage 2. Or should we say: his disappointing pre-season was in fact a brilliant build-up, since his performance in stage 5 was nothing short of spectacular, just like his performaces in the Alps.
Michal Kwiatkowski
Another great descender. If he and Nibali can go down into the depths together upon cresting Port de Balès, it’s possible they could take minutes and battle for day victory.
Another scenario could see the escapees cresting the Port de Balès earlier than the GC men. Potential candidates to shine in such a break are Simon Spilak (strong with wins in the Tour de Romandie and the Dauphiné) and Tony Martin, who brilliantly outpowered each and everyone in stage 9.
Alexandre Geniez has fond memories of the region. Last year, a stage in the Vuelta finished on French soil and the 25-year old FDJ-rider soloed to victory after attacking the break on the descent.
Favourites:
Vincenzo Nibali
Michal Kwiatkowski
Outsiders:
Simon Spilak
Tony Martin
Alexandre Geniez
Tour de France 2014 stage 16: Images and more
Click on the images to zoom
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Riders and teams - Tour de France 2014 Favourites - Tour de France 2014 Withdrawals - Tour de France 2014 Favourites - Tour de France 2014 Route - Tour de France 2014 More articles Vuelta Femenina 2024: Live report stage 5
Vuelta Femenina 2024 Route stage 5: Huesca - Jaca
Vuelta Femenina 2024 Route stage 5: Tarazona - La Laguna Negra
Vuelta Femenina 2024: The Route
Vuelta Femenina 2024: Riders
Giro 2024: The Route
Giro 2024: Riders
Giro 2024: GC Favourites
Giro 2024 Route stage 1: Turin - Turin
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 1: Hilly race for pink
Giro 2024 Route stage 2: San Fransesco al Campo - Oropa
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 2: The King of Oropa
Giro 2024 Route stage 3: Novara - Fossano
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 3: For fast finishers #1
Giro 2024 Route stage 4: Acqui Terme - Andora
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 4: Mini Milan-San Remo
Giro 2024 Route stage 5: Genoa - Lucca
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 5: For fast finishers #2
Giro 2024 Route stage 6: Viareggio - Rapolano Terme
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 6: Mini Strade Bianche
Giro 2024 Route stage 7: Foligno - Perugia
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 7: For punchy ITT specialists
Giro 2024 Route stage 8: Spoleto - Prati di Tivo
Cycling Calendar 2024
Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes 2024: Brown wins six-up sprint
Tour de France 2024: The Route
Tour de France 2024: Riders
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 1: Florence - Rimini
Vuelta 2024: The Route
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!