Stage 18 Overview, Picks and Comment

July 23, 2008



Stage 18 runs back out of Alpe d’Huez country and across a handful of mountains. The stage is a hilly 197KM jaunt and will prove difficult for some who had trouble in the previous mountain stages.

Carlos Sastre has to hang on and ride at the front with such a small lead. He might even entertain thoughts of attacking and putting more time into Schleck and Evans.

George Hincapie is done for the 2008 race – he’s still in it but won’t win. Bummer.

My thoughts for today’s stage are that it’s anyone’s game. This and stage 19 are the riders’ last chances to win a stage and maybe even take home the overall victory.

You won’t see Cadel far from the front. You MIGHT see riders like Denis Menchov and Christian Vandevelde team up to blast away from the front.

Like I said, anyone’s game.