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.
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