BMC Racing's Cadel Evans, twice a runner up in the world's biggest bike race, will be able to ride into Paris Sunday knowing he will be the first Australian to ever win the Tour de France, causing a national holiday in his honor. Barring some unfortunate mishap, Evans will race into Paris with the yellow jersey he ripped off the back of Luxembourg's Andy Schleck after Saturday's individual time trial. German time trial specialist Tony Martin of the American HTC-Highroad team won the race, blistering all but Evans by more than a minute.
Starting third to last, with brother Frank and Andy Schleck behind him, Evans hammered the 25-mile race against the clock, never seeming to let off the gas pedal over the rolling course through the city of Grenoble in eastern France, not only making up 57 seconds on race leader Andy Schleck but adding another one minute and 34 seconds. The 34-year-old Australian was simply possessed, racing into yellow, finally exorcising past demons that haunted him in two other failed attempts to win the overall Tour. The hard efforts by both Schlecks the past two days in the Alps seemed to take a bit of a spark out of their legs during the time trial. Both still posted better than normal time trials.
Meanwhile three-time champion Alberto Contador raced superbly and moved into fifth place overall. Thomas Voeckler, the 10-day race leader of this year's Tour de France, raced the time trial of his life to stave off Contador and hold onto fourth place. American Tom Danielson rode great again, solidifying his 9th overall position in his first Tour de France. He will end as the top American.
The Schlecks slipped back to second (Andy) and third (Frank), still fulfilling their goal of two podium places for the Luxembourg brothers. The Schlecks are incredibly popular figures in the world of cycling and have endeared themselves to the world in their battles the past three weeks.
Evans, however, showed great tactics, patience and measured efforts throughout the three-week race. The 2010 World Champion showed tremendous form in all disciplines of racing, something needed to win any Tour de France. He rewarded team management, which included part owner Jim Ochowicz, the long-time general manager of American teams Motorola and 7-Eleven, with a Tour de France team. BMC Racing built its team in 2007 as a Continental team with a five-year plan to win the Tour de France and executed its plan to perfection.
In the shadows of Evans' success was George Hincapie, who helped shepherd his record ninth Tour de France winner into Paris, a feat that may not be equalled. The unselfish 38-year-old from Greenville, South Carolina has now won Tours under Lance Armstrong (seven), Alberto Contador (one) and Evans (one).
Stage 21 Prediction: The final stage into Paris is one of the most prestigious stages to win. It will be hard to bet against Mark Cavendish, the 26-year-old Brit who has scored four wins in this year's Tour. Cavendish is racing to win the green sprint points jersey he is currently donning and should prevail. However, in an upset bid, Tyler Farrar, Andre Greipel or Allesandro Pettachi could win on the famed cobbles of the Champs-Elysees.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
St. 19, Andy Schlecks Takes Yellow Jersey; France Gains New Hero
The Alpe d'Huez has made many a hero over the course of the 101 years of the Tour de France. The road up to the summit finish elevates from 1,500 feet to more than 6,100 feet. To win up the 15-kilometer serpentine climb not only places an athlete in cycling laurels, but presents him into French lore. For young Frenchman Pierre Rolland of Team Europcar, he launched himself into French folklore winning the stage while also capturing the Best Young Rider's jersey during Friday decisive stage for the overall contenders.
While the French public celebrated the first French victory up L'Alpe d-Huez since Richard Virenque more than a decade ago, they were mourning the loss of the yellow leader's jersey, which slipped from Thomas Voeckler to Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, the mighty climber from team Leopard-Trek. The battle behind Rolland up the steep grades of the L'Alpe d'Huez included all the top contenders and showed that three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador indeed is not dead. The Spaniard broke away from other main contenders that contained Cadel Evans, Frank and Andy Schleck, Damiano Cunego, and Ivan Basso while trying to bridge a gap up to breakaway companions Rolland and Sammy Sanchez. As Contador tried to loose Rolland and Sanchez, he lost his strength and it was Rolland not the every-attacking Sanchez, the 2008 Olympic champion, who ditched the Spanish duo.
In the end, Andy Schleck put enough time on Voeckler, who valiantly wore the leader's jersey for 10 days while endearing himself to his French public, to take the overall lead. Voeckler has become a national hero as no Frenchman has won Le Tour since 1985. This year, however, the French have created a renaissance with six of the top 25 riders and three in the top 10 in the overall standings going into the final two days.
American Tom Danielson cemented a top 10 finish overall by riding well and sits in ninth place overall. As a good time trialist, he is expected to hold maintain his 9th place if not gain a place Saturday. Danielson, along with Ryder Hesjedal and American Christian Vandevelde have helped secure Garmin's team win come Paris, a big notch on the belt of the American club from Denver.
Stage 20 Predictions: As the only individual time trial of this year's Tour de France, the pure time trialists will be in pursuit of a stage win. But, with several contenders still vying for the overall or podium spots on a hilly course, it may be anyone's game. The overall contenders' legs, however, have taken a hammering over the past two days of difficult racing, leaving the door open for three-time time trial World Champion Fabian Cancellara to capture a stage win. There are riders like American Levi Leipheimer, though hurting from early race crashes, and German Tony Martin that could surprise for a win. Cadel Evans, however, is only 57 seconds away from his first Tour de France overall win. He will no doubt summon the depths of his soul to exorcise past demons to pull out the performance of his life to unseat the brothers Schleck, who hold onto the first two overall places. The Schlecks, not notorious time trialists, will have to see if the off-season wind tunnel testing will help them eek out enough time to stave off Evans. Alberto Contador will have a hard time making up three minutes to gain a podium spot; but may very well gain two minutes on Thomas Voeckler and Italian Damiano Cunego to lift himself into fourth-place overall. Ivan Basso should surpass pure climber Sammy Sanchez and could climb all the way into sixth overall. The top 10 leader board could look like the following Saturday night, which should carry into Paris and be the final standings:
1. Cadel Evans
2. Andy Schleck
3. Frank Schleck
4. Alberto Contador
5. Thomas Voeckler
6. Ivan Basso
7. Damiano Cunego
8. Sammy Sanchez
9. Tom Danielson
10. Rein Taaramae
While the French public celebrated the first French victory up L'Alpe d-Huez since Richard Virenque more than a decade ago, they were mourning the loss of the yellow leader's jersey, which slipped from Thomas Voeckler to Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, the mighty climber from team Leopard-Trek. The battle behind Rolland up the steep grades of the L'Alpe d'Huez included all the top contenders and showed that three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador indeed is not dead. The Spaniard broke away from other main contenders that contained Cadel Evans, Frank and Andy Schleck, Damiano Cunego, and Ivan Basso while trying to bridge a gap up to breakaway companions Rolland and Sammy Sanchez. As Contador tried to loose Rolland and Sanchez, he lost his strength and it was Rolland not the every-attacking Sanchez, the 2008 Olympic champion, who ditched the Spanish duo.
In the end, Andy Schleck put enough time on Voeckler, who valiantly wore the leader's jersey for 10 days while endearing himself to his French public, to take the overall lead. Voeckler has become a national hero as no Frenchman has won Le Tour since 1985. This year, however, the French have created a renaissance with six of the top 25 riders and three in the top 10 in the overall standings going into the final two days.
American Tom Danielson cemented a top 10 finish overall by riding well and sits in ninth place overall. As a good time trialist, he is expected to hold maintain his 9th place if not gain a place Saturday. Danielson, along with Ryder Hesjedal and American Christian Vandevelde have helped secure Garmin's team win come Paris, a big notch on the belt of the American club from Denver.
Stage 20 Predictions: As the only individual time trial of this year's Tour de France, the pure time trialists will be in pursuit of a stage win. But, with several contenders still vying for the overall or podium spots on a hilly course, it may be anyone's game. The overall contenders' legs, however, have taken a hammering over the past two days of difficult racing, leaving the door open for three-time time trial World Champion Fabian Cancellara to capture a stage win. There are riders like American Levi Leipheimer, though hurting from early race crashes, and German Tony Martin that could surprise for a win. Cadel Evans, however, is only 57 seconds away from his first Tour de France overall win. He will no doubt summon the depths of his soul to exorcise past demons to pull out the performance of his life to unseat the brothers Schleck, who hold onto the first two overall places. The Schlecks, not notorious time trialists, will have to see if the off-season wind tunnel testing will help them eek out enough time to stave off Evans. Alberto Contador will have a hard time making up three minutes to gain a podium spot; but may very well gain two minutes on Thomas Voeckler and Italian Damiano Cunego to lift himself into fourth-place overall. Ivan Basso should surpass pure climber Sammy Sanchez and could climb all the way into sixth overall. The top 10 leader board could look like the following Saturday night, which should carry into Paris and be the final standings:
1. Cadel Evans
2. Andy Schleck
3. Frank Schleck
4. Alberto Contador
5. Thomas Voeckler
6. Ivan Basso
7. Damiano Cunego
8. Sammy Sanchez
9. Tom Danielson
10. Rein Taaramae
Thursday, July 21, 2011
St. 18, Andy Schleck's Epic Ride While Voeckler Guts It Out to Stay in Yellow
Thursday's monster stage from Pinerolo, Italy to the top of the Col du Galibier, provided two epic moments. Luxembourg's Andy Schleck attacked on the slopes of the Col d'Izourd, more than 80 kilometers to the finish, bridged the gap to a breakaway group and then ascended up the Galibier to win this classic stage. The finish was the highest in the 101-year history of the event.
Schleck's solo win was as impressive as any in the modern era of the Tour de France yet it wasn't enough to rip the yellow leader's jersey off Frenchman Thomas Voeckler, who remained in the lead by a scant 15-second lead over Schleck. A visibly exhausted Voeckler hung with other overall contenders Cadel Evans, Ivan Basso Damiano Cunego, and Frank Schleck until the final 100 meters before slowing up the brutally steep finish. Voeckler has no doubt created a renaissance in France for cycling, and with his guts has created glory for himself and his country in the world's biggest bike race.
Thursday's stage created even more surprises as three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador seemed to crack mid-way up the Galibier giving pause to Evans who looked around after the diminutive Spaniard dropped back in the group that was attempting to chase down Andy Schleck.
Also, American team Garmin-Cervelo flexed its muscle with three top finishers: Tom Danielson, Christian Vandevelde and Ryder Hesjedal to maintain first place in the prestigious team competition. (Ask any rider what the second most prestigious competition is in a major Tour and they'll answer the sometimes under-publicized team championship.) Garmin holds a more than 10 minute advantage over AG2R in the team competition and appears to be tracking toward its first team title.
Stage 19 Predictions: Andy Schleck made a strong bid for the yellow leader's jersey and still didn't take it from Voeckler. Meanwhile, his brother Frank looked comfortable (as comfortable as a man can get while grimacing through 38 miles of climbing). The brothers Schleck and team Leopard Trek came in with a well-documented goal of placing both of themselves on the final podium. That goal is very real after today as Frank took over third place overall. It makes Friday's stage that much more epic and forces one-time yellow jersey hopeful Cadel Evans on the attack to gain some time back on Andy going into Saturday's time trial. At minimum he needs to stay even with Andy and Frank and use his big engine to put a chunk of time into them in the time trial. Both Schlecks are historically poor time trialist and lean on being mountain goats. Still out to redeem himself after a sub-par day, Contador will no doubt try to attack. Whether he can shake either of the Schlecks is debatable. Then, you have Voeckler, the indefatigable Europcar rider, who simply refuses to give up the jersey but most likely find himself out of the jersey after Friday finally. Prediction is to let Frank Schleck fly up Alpe d'Huez and regain the glory he had from winning up the famous climb in 2006. The perfect plan is for Frank Schleck to launch an attack to win the stage while Andy waits and eventually breaks Voeckler in the final five kilometers to put 30 seconds to more than a minute on the tiny Frenchman. Evans will have to follow either one of the Schlecks if he wants to win the overall race. All others, including Basso, Cunego, Contador will have to make a push on Alpe d'Huez to gain back time and any hope of a podium finish. If no G.C. contender wins, Sammy Sanchez seems a likely candidate to throw caution at the final climb, roll the dice, and win.
Schleck's solo win was as impressive as any in the modern era of the Tour de France yet it wasn't enough to rip the yellow leader's jersey off Frenchman Thomas Voeckler, who remained in the lead by a scant 15-second lead over Schleck. A visibly exhausted Voeckler hung with other overall contenders Cadel Evans, Ivan Basso Damiano Cunego, and Frank Schleck until the final 100 meters before slowing up the brutally steep finish. Voeckler has no doubt created a renaissance in France for cycling, and with his guts has created glory for himself and his country in the world's biggest bike race.
Thursday's stage created even more surprises as three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador seemed to crack mid-way up the Galibier giving pause to Evans who looked around after the diminutive Spaniard dropped back in the group that was attempting to chase down Andy Schleck.
Also, American team Garmin-Cervelo flexed its muscle with three top finishers: Tom Danielson, Christian Vandevelde and Ryder Hesjedal to maintain first place in the prestigious team competition. (Ask any rider what the second most prestigious competition is in a major Tour and they'll answer the sometimes under-publicized team championship.) Garmin holds a more than 10 minute advantage over AG2R in the team competition and appears to be tracking toward its first team title.
Stage 19 Predictions: Andy Schleck made a strong bid for the yellow leader's jersey and still didn't take it from Voeckler. Meanwhile, his brother Frank looked comfortable (as comfortable as a man can get while grimacing through 38 miles of climbing). The brothers Schleck and team Leopard Trek came in with a well-documented goal of placing both of themselves on the final podium. That goal is very real after today as Frank took over third place overall. It makes Friday's stage that much more epic and forces one-time yellow jersey hopeful Cadel Evans on the attack to gain some time back on Andy going into Saturday's time trial. At minimum he needs to stay even with Andy and Frank and use his big engine to put a chunk of time into them in the time trial. Both Schlecks are historically poor time trialist and lean on being mountain goats. Still out to redeem himself after a sub-par day, Contador will no doubt try to attack. Whether he can shake either of the Schlecks is debatable. Then, you have Voeckler, the indefatigable Europcar rider, who simply refuses to give up the jersey but most likely find himself out of the jersey after Friday finally. Prediction is to let Frank Schleck fly up Alpe d'Huez and regain the glory he had from winning up the famous climb in 2006. The perfect plan is for Frank Schleck to launch an attack to win the stage while Andy waits and eventually breaks Voeckler in the final five kilometers to put 30 seconds to more than a minute on the tiny Frenchman. Evans will have to follow either one of the Schlecks if he wants to win the overall race. All others, including Basso, Cunego, Contador will have to make a push on Alpe d'Huez to gain back time and any hope of a podium finish. If no G.C. contender wins, Sammy Sanchez seems a likely candidate to throw caution at the final climb, roll the dice, and win.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
St. 17, Viking Power! Boasson Hagen Wins; Contador, Sanchez Gain Time
In yet another spectacular day of racing in the Tour de France, Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen captured the second consecutive stage and fourth overall stage win for a country more noted for Nordic Skiing than cycling.
Following country man Thor Hushovd's spectacular win Tuesday, in which he barely lost, Boasson Hagen redeemed himself breaking away on the final climb and bombing down a twisty, treacherous descent, to win. Boasson Hagen had actually scouted the descent outside the Italian town of Pinerolo in training, no doubt giving him an advantageous.
That same final descent played a big role in the general classification as race leader Thomas Voeckler almost crashed twice. It provided an unique opportunity for contenders Alberto Contador and Sammy Sanchez. Contador had attempted and failed on several attacks on the final climb but got away with Sanchez on the descent. It took until the final 500 meters for contenders Andy and Frank Schleck, Cadel Evans to catch the Spanish duo. Voeckler finished 27 seconds behind along with American Tom Danielson, but made it home in one piece. The standings remained mostly intact with slight gains by Contador, Evans, Sanchez, Damiano Cunego and the Schlecks. Evans crept within 1 minute and 18 seconds of the lead, making him the apparent heir to the yellow jersey come Thursday night after the monster stage to the summit of the Col de Galibier, a mammoth climb, which serves the highest point of this year's Tour.
Stage 18 predictions: With three above category climbs, all rising above 8,000 feet, Thursday's stage will no doubt shake out the final contenders for the podium in Paris. The expectation is that Voeckler will loose the leader's jersey and Contador and perhaps Sanchez will be on the attack to peck away at their contenders. Voeckler has presented such good form, that he cannot be ruled out and will be hard to shake. The Schlecks continue to provide a one-two punch that could shoot any individual contender off kilter. With Frank Schleck more than a minute ahead of Andy Schleck, who is thought to be the better of the two as a climber, expect Andy to counter any big moves and wait for the final five kilometers to the finish to attack. If the opportunity presents itself, Frank may push the pace to test the response of other contenders on the Col d'Izoard, the second to final climb. Evans and Basso have showed they are content to follow wheels. And, with his current position, Evans should be following not leading. Waiting in the wing is climbing specialist Jelle Vanendert of Belgium, who is proving he can climb with anyone and may see if a second stage win is possible. Because he remains more than 11 minutes down in the standings, he is a very likely candidate to drift off the front of a suspected small final group on the final climb. His extra incentive is more points toward the KOM leader's jersey. It's Sammy Sanchez, only a few points down in that competition, who may want to go with him, which would suck along all the other contenders, making the push into the high altitude an epic battle. If that happens, Contador will push hard for not only time but stage victory. A wild card in the mix may be American Tom Danielson, who is far enough down in the overall classification to make a push with a rider like Vanendert. Danielson's strength is long climbs and at high altitude. And, racing at altitude can often times shoot off even the best physiological human machines.
Stage
Following country man Thor Hushovd's spectacular win Tuesday, in which he barely lost, Boasson Hagen redeemed himself breaking away on the final climb and bombing down a twisty, treacherous descent, to win. Boasson Hagen had actually scouted the descent outside the Italian town of Pinerolo in training, no doubt giving him an advantageous.
That same final descent played a big role in the general classification as race leader Thomas Voeckler almost crashed twice. It provided an unique opportunity for contenders Alberto Contador and Sammy Sanchez. Contador had attempted and failed on several attacks on the final climb but got away with Sanchez on the descent. It took until the final 500 meters for contenders Andy and Frank Schleck, Cadel Evans to catch the Spanish duo. Voeckler finished 27 seconds behind along with American Tom Danielson, but made it home in one piece. The standings remained mostly intact with slight gains by Contador, Evans, Sanchez, Damiano Cunego and the Schlecks. Evans crept within 1 minute and 18 seconds of the lead, making him the apparent heir to the yellow jersey come Thursday night after the monster stage to the summit of the Col de Galibier, a mammoth climb, which serves the highest point of this year's Tour.
Stage 18 predictions: With three above category climbs, all rising above 8,000 feet, Thursday's stage will no doubt shake out the final contenders for the podium in Paris. The expectation is that Voeckler will loose the leader's jersey and Contador and perhaps Sanchez will be on the attack to peck away at their contenders. Voeckler has presented such good form, that he cannot be ruled out and will be hard to shake. The Schlecks continue to provide a one-two punch that could shoot any individual contender off kilter. With Frank Schleck more than a minute ahead of Andy Schleck, who is thought to be the better of the two as a climber, expect Andy to counter any big moves and wait for the final five kilometers to the finish to attack. If the opportunity presents itself, Frank may push the pace to test the response of other contenders on the Col d'Izoard, the second to final climb. Evans and Basso have showed they are content to follow wheels. And, with his current position, Evans should be following not leading. Waiting in the wing is climbing specialist Jelle Vanendert of Belgium, who is proving he can climb with anyone and may see if a second stage win is possible. Because he remains more than 11 minutes down in the standings, he is a very likely candidate to drift off the front of a suspected small final group on the final climb. His extra incentive is more points toward the KOM leader's jersey. It's Sammy Sanchez, only a few points down in that competition, who may want to go with him, which would suck along all the other contenders, making the push into the high altitude an epic battle. If that happens, Contador will push hard for not only time but stage victory. A wild card in the mix may be American Tom Danielson, who is far enough down in the overall classification to make a push with a rider like Vanendert. Danielson's strength is long climbs and at high altitude. And, racing at altitude can often times shoot off even the best physiological human machines.
Stage
St. 16, Norwegian Storm: Hushovd Outsprints Countryman Hagen; Contador and Evans Gain Time
If there is a God, his name is Thor Hushovd. At least in the minds of the Norwegian sporting public. The 33-year-old Hushovd of team Garmin-Cervelo outs-printed countryman Edvaldo Boasson Hagen of Sky Pro Cycling team, to win his second stage of this year's Tour de France. It was another indomitable performance for Hushovd, who, along with Frenchman and current leader Thomas Voeckler, are the revelations of this year's race.
Hushovd escaped with six other riders and on a stormy, rainy day, catapulted from his breakaway companion in the final kilometers to beat Hagen. His descent off the final climb of the day on the rain-slicked roads was impressive as he put time on half of his chasers.
Meanwhile, the race for the general classification began to heat up in earnest as three-time defending champion Alberto Contador attacked on the relatively tame Col de Magne and descended equally impressively as Hushovd to the finish. Only Australian rival Cadel Evans of BMC Racing kept pace and actually put a few seconds into the tiny Spaniard in the run-up to the finish. Contador trimmed 18 seconds from leader Voeckler and more importantly more than a minute on Andy and Frank Schleck, setting up a dramatic five-day conclusion of the world's biggest bike race through the Alps.
The leader board was shook up as Cadel Evans moved into second place ahead of Frank Schleck and Sammy Sanchez moved into fifth place overall. American Tom Danielson continues to impress, hanging on to 9th place overall only 6:04 behind leader Voeckler. And, his best days may be ahead of him on the long climbs through the Alps. Teammate and strongman Christian Vandevelde is set to support Danielson the next couple days to hopefully set him up to jump up a final place or two before Saturday's time trial. Of the top 10 contenders, Danielson is arguably among the top four time trialists with Evans, Contador and Basso.
Stage 17 predictions: Everyone, including Voeckler, is wondering when he will crack. With monster mountain stages Thursday and Friday, and a stage similar course profile to Tuesday's stage on Wednesday, expect more curve balls to be shot into the overall race. Voeckler should keep his jersey at least one more day before seceding to Evans on Thursday. Expect more from Rueben Perez and Sammy Sanchez and the climbing specialist at the Euskatel-Euskadi team. The more Perez can set up Sanchez, still a sleeper for the podium, the better for the 2008 Olympic champion. Will Evans and Contador will remain opportunistic or merely monitor the Schlecks, who no doubt are bidding time for Thursday and Friday. It gives ample opportunity for another breakaway of strongmen down in the general classification to make a bid for a stage win with a solo rider (like Hushovd on Tuesday) make a valiant attempt to take chances on the final descent to win.
Hushovd escaped with six other riders and on a stormy, rainy day, catapulted from his breakaway companion in the final kilometers to beat Hagen. His descent off the final climb of the day on the rain-slicked roads was impressive as he put time on half of his chasers.
Meanwhile, the race for the general classification began to heat up in earnest as three-time defending champion Alberto Contador attacked on the relatively tame Col de Magne and descended equally impressively as Hushovd to the finish. Only Australian rival Cadel Evans of BMC Racing kept pace and actually put a few seconds into the tiny Spaniard in the run-up to the finish. Contador trimmed 18 seconds from leader Voeckler and more importantly more than a minute on Andy and Frank Schleck, setting up a dramatic five-day conclusion of the world's biggest bike race through the Alps.
The leader board was shook up as Cadel Evans moved into second place ahead of Frank Schleck and Sammy Sanchez moved into fifth place overall. American Tom Danielson continues to impress, hanging on to 9th place overall only 6:04 behind leader Voeckler. And, his best days may be ahead of him on the long climbs through the Alps. Teammate and strongman Christian Vandevelde is set to support Danielson the next couple days to hopefully set him up to jump up a final place or two before Saturday's time trial. Of the top 10 contenders, Danielson is arguably among the top four time trialists with Evans, Contador and Basso.
Stage 17 predictions: Everyone, including Voeckler, is wondering when he will crack. With monster mountain stages Thursday and Friday, and a stage similar course profile to Tuesday's stage on Wednesday, expect more curve balls to be shot into the overall race. Voeckler should keep his jersey at least one more day before seceding to Evans on Thursday. Expect more from Rueben Perez and Sammy Sanchez and the climbing specialist at the Euskatel-Euskadi team. The more Perez can set up Sanchez, still a sleeper for the podium, the better for the 2008 Olympic champion. Will Evans and Contador will remain opportunistic or merely monitor the Schlecks, who no doubt are bidding time for Thursday and Friday. It gives ample opportunity for another breakaway of strongmen down in the general classification to make a bid for a stage win with a solo rider (like Hushovd on Tuesday) make a valiant attempt to take chances on the final descent to win.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
St 15, HTC-Highroad Pave Road to Cavendish's Fourth Tour Win
Mark Cavendish almost got eliminated on Saturday's incredibly mountainous stage of the Tour de France. Featuring a brutal mountain top finish up Plateau de Beille, his team ushered him back from elimination of a time cut. He repaid the favor by winning his fourth stage of this year's Tour de France while retaining and increasing his lead in the sprint points jersey competition.
While Europcar's Thomas Voeckler retained the yellow leader's jersey for a seventh consecutive day, his team took the day off. At the mid-way point of the race, after his team had been setting the pace to limit a five-man break away, he went to the front and called them off, letting the sprinter's team take up the charge if they wished. Only HTC-Highroad was up for the task. Led by American Danny Pate of Colorado Springs, all HTC teammates cued up and hunted down the break. In a finish later defined as dangerous by the likes of Cavendish and American Tyler Farrar, the final run up was fast and furious.
At the finish line, Cavendish came around teammate Mark Renshaw with J.J. Rojas of Movistar, Farrar, and Lampre's Allesandro Petacchi chasing. Now one could match the acceleration as the green jersey clad Cavendish flung his hands in the air for his 19th career win at the Tour de France.
The peloton takes a much needed day off Monday as the race resumes Tuesday in what should be a tightly contested run through the Alps and the finish in Paris next Sunday.
While Europcar's Thomas Voeckler retained the yellow leader's jersey for a seventh consecutive day, his team took the day off. At the mid-way point of the race, after his team had been setting the pace to limit a five-man break away, he went to the front and called them off, letting the sprinter's team take up the charge if they wished. Only HTC-Highroad was up for the task. Led by American Danny Pate of Colorado Springs, all HTC teammates cued up and hunted down the break. In a finish later defined as dangerous by the likes of Cavendish and American Tyler Farrar, the final run up was fast and furious.
At the finish line, Cavendish came around teammate Mark Renshaw with J.J. Rojas of Movistar, Farrar, and Lampre's Allesandro Petacchi chasing. Now one could match the acceleration as the green jersey clad Cavendish flung his hands in the air for his 19th career win at the Tour de France.
The peloton takes a much needed day off Monday as the race resumes Tuesday in what should be a tightly contested run through the Alps and the finish in Paris next Sunday.
St 14, Voeckler Continues to Surprise; Upstart Vanendert Wins Brutal Stage
If Frenchman Thomas Voeckler of team Europcar wins the Tour de France, or even finishes on the podium, we may all look back at his efforts on Stage 14, as the reason why. Showing surprising heart as well as form, including some late stage attacks, Voeckler has positioned himself as an overall contender to win the 101st edition of the Tour de France.
In another surprise, 26-year-old Belgium Jelle Vanendert of team Omega Pharma-Lotto, who was deprived of a stage win two days ago, accelerated from the group with under 5 kilometers to the finish and only Spaniard Sammy Sanchez followed. Ironically, it was Sanchez who pulled away from Vanendert on Stage 12. Surely, it provided extra motivation for the Belgian.
The chase group up the slopes of the steep Plateau de Beille all the general classification contenders. That group of more than 10 lost a couple riders in the closing kilometers, including American Tom Danielson of team Garmin, but only Andy Schleck made a real push, albeit in the final 400 meters.
It is evident both Andy and Frank Schelck continue to monitor three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and team BMC Racing's Cadel Evans, never losing site of them on each climb. This is proving to be aide Voeckler, who is now the man to mark and put time on. The tiny Frenchman has a one minute and 49 second advantage on the group Frank Schleck and 2:06 and 2:15, respectively on Evans and Andy Schleck. Outside the Schlecks, all other contenders, including Italian duo Ivan Basso and Damiano Cunego seem to follow and perhaps bide time until the two mountain stages and individual time trial next week in the Alps.
It's well noted in Tour de France chronicles that some riders react differently in the Pyrennes than the Alps. The Pyrennes are general shorter but steeper climbs. The Alps contain some behemoth climbs that are sometime between 30 and 40 kilometers long. And, in the third week of a Grand Tour, some legs react differently. Some dead, some rejuvenated. The Alps would tend to favor the likes Andy and Frank Schleck, Voeckler, and even Danielson and Basso of the top nine riders. Of course, Contador, Evans and Cunego are all great climbers.
Stage 15 Predictions: Cavendish almost got dropped and lost via time cut on Saturday. Many of his teammates provided a huge effort to steward him back. With the flat stage into Montpellier, it will be interesting to monitor how HTC-Highroad will fair. How much work will Europcar do to defend the leader's jersey while the suspected breakaway goes up the road. The likely scenario is HTC shouldering the majority of the work in the second half of the race, reeling in a break while setting up Mark Cavendish. The extra pressure is not only a stage win, but a big addition for points toward in the green jersey competition. Waiting in the wings will be Garmin-Cervelo for American Tyler Farrar, Omega Pharma-Lotto and Andre Greipel, Movistar and J.J. Rojas and Lampre and Allesandro Pettachi, who is desperately seeking a stage win but who pop doesn't seem to match the aforementioned.
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Today, in a special event at Red Rocks in Colorado, the new official Pearl Izumi leader's jerseys for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge were unveiled. Check them out now at usaprocyclingchallenge.com
In another surprise, 26-year-old Belgium Jelle Vanendert of team Omega Pharma-Lotto, who was deprived of a stage win two days ago, accelerated from the group with under 5 kilometers to the finish and only Spaniard Sammy Sanchez followed. Ironically, it was Sanchez who pulled away from Vanendert on Stage 12. Surely, it provided extra motivation for the Belgian.
The chase group up the slopes of the steep Plateau de Beille all the general classification contenders. That group of more than 10 lost a couple riders in the closing kilometers, including American Tom Danielson of team Garmin, but only Andy Schleck made a real push, albeit in the final 400 meters.
It is evident both Andy and Frank Schelck continue to monitor three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and team BMC Racing's Cadel Evans, never losing site of them on each climb. This is proving to be aide Voeckler, who is now the man to mark and put time on. The tiny Frenchman has a one minute and 49 second advantage on the group Frank Schleck and 2:06 and 2:15, respectively on Evans and Andy Schleck. Outside the Schlecks, all other contenders, including Italian duo Ivan Basso and Damiano Cunego seem to follow and perhaps bide time until the two mountain stages and individual time trial next week in the Alps.
It's well noted in Tour de France chronicles that some riders react differently in the Pyrennes than the Alps. The Pyrennes are general shorter but steeper climbs. The Alps contain some behemoth climbs that are sometime between 30 and 40 kilometers long. And, in the third week of a Grand Tour, some legs react differently. Some dead, some rejuvenated. The Alps would tend to favor the likes Andy and Frank Schleck, Voeckler, and even Danielson and Basso of the top nine riders. Of course, Contador, Evans and Cunego are all great climbers.
Stage 15 Predictions: Cavendish almost got dropped and lost via time cut on Saturday. Many of his teammates provided a huge effort to steward him back. With the flat stage into Montpellier, it will be interesting to monitor how HTC-Highroad will fair. How much work will Europcar do to defend the leader's jersey while the suspected breakaway goes up the road. The likely scenario is HTC shouldering the majority of the work in the second half of the race, reeling in a break while setting up Mark Cavendish. The extra pressure is not only a stage win, but a big addition for points toward in the green jersey competition. Waiting in the wings will be Garmin-Cervelo for American Tyler Farrar, Omega Pharma-Lotto and Andre Greipel, Movistar and J.J. Rojas and Lampre and Allesandro Pettachi, who is desperately seeking a stage win but who pop doesn't seem to match the aforementioned.
**********************************************************************************
Today, in a special event at Red Rocks in Colorado, the new official Pearl Izumi leader's jerseys for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge were unveiled. Check them out now at usaprocyclingchallenge.com
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