Stage 17 It's over folks! Or is it.....? Bagnéres-de-Luchon to Peyragudes

Stage 16 & the haul up Col du Tourmalet was always going to produce a result one way or another.

Like many of our readers we were firmly clutching onto that last sliver of hope that somehow, and by some mysterious turn of fortune, Cadel Evans would be able to claw his way back as a real GC contender. Even if he managed to get all the Gods on his side, he would have needed more to evade the formidable SKY Train. What a team!

Lets hope Cadel can keep his chin up & not slide any further down the classifications. With the pressure off, hopefully we'll see some less conservative riding from him. Was very touching watching Cadel & big George ride across the line together at the end.

What a ride from Voeckler to steal the polka-dot jeursey. He is a machine. What about those facial expressions?

Tonight it's Stage 17, Bagnéres-de-Luchon to Peyragudes, the last in the Pyrenees. So what can we expect? It's short yet sharp with a couple of Cat 1's, a Cat 2, a Cat 3, a sprint and yeah there is the HC, a nasty 7.7% ave 11km climb to bust up the Peleton towards the end of the stage.

Will any one challenge the Sky boys? Nibali showed a bit of spirit last night & will be keen to challenge again to trim the 18 sec between himself & Froome in 2nd. Expect some action from the Liquigas lads.

Sagan has got the green in the bag, so all eyes will be on the breakaway for the KOM polka-dot jeursey. Rolland who earlier in the race had a crack at the jeursey himself will now help Voeckler (107pts) defend his slender lead over Kessiakoff (103 pts). Or will he?

OUR PICK: Voeckler for back to back wins & and another dozen or so new facial contortions...

DRINK MATCH: Given the chilly viewing conditions from the couch & our proximity to Spain lets leap over the Pyrenees into Tempranillo country & sip on any of the fantastic Thelmo Rodriguez reds from the north. His M2 de Matallana never fails.

AUSSIE MATCH: The Mayford Tempranillo out of NE Vic at Porepunkah is superb so to are some local versions in our own Pyrenees. Dog Rock the best of them.

MH Tour Blog Stage 16: The Epic Stage

OK Tourists, we're seriously into the Haute Pyrenees tonight with a couple of massive Hors Categorie climbs, including the infamous Col du Tourmalet at over 2km high! So unlike Schleckie, we recommend you stay off the diuretics and nestle in for a long one tonight with a glass of good red instead...

Profile c/o letour.fr

It could well be said that it's now or never for the GC competitors. With Wiggins well out ahead, this, and tomorrow night's stage will almost certainly see changes: either an extended margin on Froome, Nibali and Evans, or perhaps a comeback from the Italian and/or Aussie mountain-men.

We'll most likely see a few would-be climbers break out from the pack early, and within the Peloton the SKY riders will be working flat-out once again to protect Wiggo's lead from the likely assailants: Evans and Nibali. Both will fancy themselves on that massive descent into the finish, and we'll look forward to watching them with balls to the wall to close the Wiggins gap...

OUR PICK: Nibali to bring it in, hotly pursued by Evans, making up a minute or so on Wiggins....

DRINK MATCH:  Here in the French Pyrénées, it's time to get into Madiran: Usually mainly the Tannat grape (as its name suggests, plenty of tannin around a dark-berry fruit flavour), along with parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Try: Domaine du Crampilh Madiran 


AUSSIE MATCH: If we're talking dark berry fruit and fine tannins in the heart of the Pyrenees... (the ones closer to home) ...then it might be time for a bit of our Mitchell Harris Pyrenees Cabernet Sauvignon 2009...perfect for a cold winter night watching little blokes go up big mountains....


And don't forget, for a little look at our Winter Reds, including the Cab, our new Mataro / Grenache / Shiraz, and the Pyrenees Sangiovese, get into our Winter Warmer Six-Pack - $120 for this month!

Our Pyrenees Cabernet...before it met the bottle.

When in Rhone...Tour Blog Stage 13

We're back on the flat tonight, for a 215km burn down from the Rhone valley, scooting around Montpellier and onto the Mediterranean coast road down to Le Cap-D'Agde.

It's been a super few days up in the Alps, but tonight will be either one for the sprinters, or we think, ripe for a breakaway pack. It's Bastille Day, so it's not too much of a stretch to imagine one or two of the Frenchies wanting to get themselves (and their sponsors' logos) out in front for much of the race. A stiff sea breeze for the last 50km will still keep the pressure on the GC contenders, but they'll probably stick together again.

OUR PICK: After getting stung 30 points for getting a little wobbly in front of Sagan, we'll go for Gossy to want to regain some pride with a sprint finish.

DRINKING MATCH: Find yourself a Chateauneuf du Pape to drink on this wintry Bastille Night down under.

AUSSIE MATCH: Time to try our little Rhoney-style number: The Mitchell Harris 2011 Mataro Grenache Shiraz fits the bill with spicy, fresh, lively Pyrenees fruit to watch Le tour by...

Go West! Stage 12 Tour Blog

Absolute cracker of a stage last night as the peloton pounded their way over some massive climbs in the Alps. Cadel had to make a move, and so he did, but didn't quite have the legs to carry it off last night. Fellow Aussies Richie Porte and Michael Rogers did a brilliant job of leading the SKY team out, and Froome pulled Wiggins up the hill (with a big nod to looking out for himself in the years to come!) As for Cadel, it starting to look like it won't be his year. But you can count nothing out with a big heart like his!

So, onto tonight...

A couple of big Category 1 climbs as the peloton leaves the Alps, then a gentle descent toward Annonay, where they'll then climb up to the arrivée.

Profile c/o letour.fr

Certainly the GC contenders will take it easy and spin a bit of the lactic acid out of the legs, but how will the rest of the race pan out? We're thinking if the sprinters can remain with the peloton through til the end they'll have crack up to the finish, it which case Gossy could be in with a chance, but it's likely, with nothing to lose, we'll see one of the others have a crack. You could pick pretty much anyone tonight, so.... for:

OUR PICK: Ummm..... Luis Leon Sanchez

DRINK MATCH: We're into the Cotes du Vivarais North of the Rhone here, territory of the light, spicy Rhone red blends. The Gallety ‘Recolte’ Cotes du Vivarais is a spicy, peppery Syrah from just south of the arrivée at Annonay.


AUSSIE MATCH: How about one from just up the road. Our mates at Dog Rock make the delicious Degraves Road Pyrenees Shiraz Grenache Tempranillo. We know, we know, the tempranillo doesn't strictly fit the Rhone blend, but seriously folks, this is one delicious, spicy red. Get on it!


 

Now or never Cadel??? - Tour Blog Stage 11

OK MH Tourists... Things are getting really serious now. As expected, there was no time gained or lost among the main contenders in the GC. A burst from Nibali on the final climb was quickly swallowed up by those seemingly unstoppable SKY riders. A stinking ride from Voeckler gave him yet another stage win for the 2012 tour.

Profile c/o letour.fr

So, two massive Hors Categorie climbs ahead of the peloton as they pour out of 1992 Olympic town Albertville tonight, and a 1100m climb to finish. The other teams will be pulling all the tricks out of their bags in order to isolate Wiggins and give one of the other GC contenders a chance at the maillot jaune. Have no doubt, this massive stage is very likely the turning point in the tour. By the end of the race tonight, we'll have a good idea who will be on the podium in Paris, and, if Wiggins has yet another great ride, we'll probably have our tour winner looking pretty certain.

OUR PICK: It's really now or never for Cadel, so we're tipping him for an heroic summit finish.

DRINK MATCH: One of the interesting grapes of the Haute Savoie is Gringet, which is made into a minerally, zingy bubbles. The big boy in the region is Domaine Belluard, and should be available at least in the big cities here in Oz.

AUSSIE MATCH: Try a Chandon ZD Blanc de Blancs. Zero dosage, for a bone-dry minerally zing....

Bring on the Alps! Tour Blog Stage 10

Serious, serious mountains for the first time tonight .

Three biggies for the tour to get across, including the massive Col du Grand Colombier, a 1250m climb with gradients reaching 18% at times!!

Obviously Cadel, with the work to do, will be keen to peg back some of that 1'53" deficit to Wiggo, but we fear tonight will not be the stage it happens, with the final climb (Col du Richemond) still 40-odd clicks from the finish line, more than enough distance for Team Sky to swallow up any getaway manoeuvre he might attempt.

Profile c/o letour.fr

OUR PICK: Expect to see the GC competitors play it safe and stick together tonight, leaving the stage win open for a breakaway. Could be almost anyone, but perhaps Chris Anker Sørenson, from the heady altitudes of Denmark, could take tonight to stamp a claim on the King of the Mountains Polka-Dot Jersey.

DRINK: A lighter red. Wines of the Haute-Savoie are hard to find here in Australia, but how about an

AUSSIE MATCH: A Bullers or Brown Brothers Mondeuse from Rutherglen.

You're on your own... Tour Blog Stage 9 Preview

A flying finish to last night's medium mountain stage into Porrentruy, with a Pinot just ahead of the pack (a bit of Pinot out in front whilst I pen this too!.)

Evans showed some pure grit, but failed to make up any time on the yellow mutton-chop wearer, Wiggins. This will be where the action is tonight, too. After an outburst last night against twitter critics insinuating dopage, he'll be hoping for a clear head tonight to take a firm grip on the yellow jersey into the final two weeks. It's the 40km time-trial into Besançon tonight, so expect a rocking 50 minutes or so of solo energy.

OUR PICK: Wiggins will be looking to extend his lead, but expect Evans to peg back few seconds and perhaps even just snatch the maillot jaune tonight with a flying stage. For the stage win though, it'll be (once again) Fabian Cancellara with his Spartacus act over Tony Martin.

WHAT TO DRINK: Once again in the heart of natural wine country, the Jura, tonight it's time for a funky Jura red: the light and slightly 'meaty' Domaine Rolet Arbois Poulsard.

AUSSIE MATCH: A funky, natural red? Try our Mitchell Harris 2011 Sauvage Shiraz as your light and spicy little drop for the night. Cool-vintage grapes, tossed into the fermenter, and left largely to nature's whims. Unfined and unfiltered, it's a zingy, peppery Pyrenees Shiraz as nature intended.

(Email and soon-to-be-urban-cellar-door only folks!)

Sauvage: wild, untamed.

Ups and Downs...Tour Blog Stage 8

With Wiggins rocking the mutton-chops as well as the yellow jersey now, the boys invade Switzerland tonight as we enter the Jura mountains on the loopy stage from Belfort to Porrentruy. 5 climbs whilst still in France, and another 3 climbs in Switzerland. Of these, it's perhaps the last climb, the wicked Col de la Croix that might sort a few out tonight. After 141 km, it's a Category One climb and then a flying 16 km downhill to the arrivée. 

Image via SBS Skoda Tour Tracker App

Picking a winner is going to be super-tough tonight. Evans and Nibali will probably aim to use their downhill skills to try to peg back a few seconds on Wiggins, but overall Wiggins and a few others might have more to lose than gain tonight.

OUR PICK: Hmmm...we're tipping a breakaway to head off the swift Evans/Nibbly descent. Swiss Albasini will want a go in front of the home crowd, Sanchez will want to pick up a stage, but for our measly money... Voeckler

WHAT TO DRINK: Into the Jura mountains we're in serious, chunky, funky, cloudy orange wine or vin jaune country. Try a Chateau Chalon Vin Jaune with a hunk of Jura Comté cheese.

AUSSIE MATCH: Try the T'Gallant Claudius cloudy white if you dare, and if you can find it from the cellar door, or the more approachable, delicious, but definitely funky Flamsteed/Mackintosh chardonnay, Salo.

Carnage and Cider: Tour Blog Stage 4

Carnage! Carnage! Carnage! What a night last night!
How exciting for us and treacherous for the combatants. Glad to hear that there weren't too many serious injuries but many scrapes and bruises on the roller-coaster ride over the Boulonnais Hills. Unfortunately though 2 riders didn't make it across the line. Team Sky lost Sivtsov who was one of Wiggos supports via a fractured tibia and Jose Rojas from team Movistar was the other casualty.
Tema MH was a bit off with their predictions last night but enjoyed every minute of it.

Stage 4 and we wind down the east coast from Abbeville and swing in-land to beautiful historic Rouen. A relatively flat stage with a few Cat 4 climbs and an intermediate sprint in Fécamp as the riders make their way inland. It may not be the battle of the Somme, however it won't be a ride for the faint hearted. Look out for the wind boys! The Teams that know how to ride in the wind will be favoured here and if it's really blowy, who knows who'll get spat out the back of the peloton. There might be a few tired and sore riders who'll find it a battle.

American Tyler Farrar will be after a big win for the 4th of July, but....

OUR PICK:  Go Gossy!- to pick up his first stage win of Le Tour



WHAT TO DRINK: The heart of Normandy-a Cider! 
Try : Le Pere Jules 'Cidre Bouche' Brut


AUSSIE MATCH: A Napoleone & Co Methode Traditionelle Pear Cider


PS... We like this shot of Scotty Sunderland as posted on Twitter last night: Nice Blouse!!

Tour Blog: Stage 3

Whoa!! What a night for the sprint lovers last night & the expert (ahem!) MH TdF commentary panel were pretty much on the money with their Big Cav prediction & Gossy was oh so close but left his charge a little late - he wasn't happy either. He's looking for respect!

Greipel too was visibly disappointed at not being able to take the points after a near perfect lead train by the Lotto boys and was over heard to be loudly ordering a serve of frites & mayo as he crossed the line on the Manx Missile's shoulder.

Stage 3 & we are back in France. Orchies to Boulongne-Sur-Mer is an uphill battle to the finish. There are 6 big hills in the last 65 km with 4  in the final 16km. The sprinters might find the going a little tougher tonight and there could be plenty of splits in the peloton which could really blow the bunch to pieces.

This is definitely one worth staying up for folks. Gilbo & Cadel have previous form early in the hills & Fabu in the maillot jaune will be as fast as lightening on the descent. One for the all-rounders, so look out for Wiggo to make his presence felt.

OUR PICK: Fabian Cancellara


AUSSIE ROUGHIE: Will Cadel try for this or will Sky help Rogers to the line? 

WHAT TO DRINK:  2 Caps Noire de Slack



AUSSIE MATCH: White Rabbit Dark Ale

Tour Blog: Stage 2

One for the sprinters tonight. No major hurdles for the quicks tonight as the tour bangs along from Visé to Tournai. Look for a race of tactics, with enough time after the sprint section for the sprinters to recover prior to the finish.

Sky, with the powerhouse Cavendish alongside Wiggins, Hagen and Michael Rogers will send out the boys right and the end, and it looks likely that this setting could be ideal for Cav to pick up his first win. Orica-GreenEDGE will have Matt Goss as their big dangerman. And look for Sagan to aim for a back-to-back stage victory.

OUR PICK: Cavendish (massive team back-up helping him to pounce for the first time!)
AUSSIE ROUGHIE: Goss

WHAT TO DRINK: Tournay Blonde
AUSSIE MATCH: Red Hill Belgian Blonde

Tour Blog: Stage 1

Fabian Cancellara (as tipped by us yesterday!) gets the Yellow Jersey on tonight for the 198km run from Liege to Seraing. He's a master of the time trial, but tonight's leg is 198km of rolling up and down through Belgium, and should open the race up to a number of the other big names. Weather should be pretty mild and cloudy, top of 19ºC. Don't write Cancellara off for this one though, he'll still be a fairly good chance.

We reckon Wiggins and Evans will play it safe and stick pretty close to each other.

The last few k's should be a great watch, with a fairly steep 5% climb to the finish to sort out the sprinters and climbers...

Local boy Phillippe Gilbert would be an obvious favourite, and we Aussies should look out for a potential win for the Orica-GreenEDGE team with Mansfield lad Simon Gerrans.

So our tip: Gerrans.

And for a drink: Something dark: A Leffe Brune.
Or a closer-to-home: A White Rabbit Dark Ale from Healesville

Enjoy the ride!