Mulhouse – La Planche des Belles Filles

Distance: 161.5 kilometers.

Riders are going to need tomorrow’s Rest Day after this stage. There are seven Categorized climbs – 2,1,1,2,3,1, and 1 with the last climb to the finish. As it takes place on Bastille Day, every French rider wants to excel on the stage.

Nibali ground it out to regain the Yellow and take the stage. The young French rider, Romain Bardet, and French team AG2R La Mondiale boosted local spirits by winning the White Jersey and team competition respectively.

Alberto Contador ended his Tour with a crash today that caused some serious knee damage. Update: The knee damage was not the real problem – he fractured his tibia and will require surgery to set it. He will need months to heal.

That guarantees a new Tour winner as all three of the former winners [Chris Froome, Andy Schleck, and Contador] have had to withdraw.

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 42h 33′ 38″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 287 points
Joaquim Rodriguez ( Esp – KAT – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 51 points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) 4 [White]

Team: AG2R La Mondiale ( ALM – 081-089 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
Combative: Tony Martin ( Ger – OPQ – 075 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
2 Richie Porte ( Aus – SKY – 007 ) + 02′ 23″
3 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 02′ 47″
4 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 03′ 01″
5 Tony Gallopin ( Fra – LTB – 134 ) + 03′ 12″
6 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 03′ 47″
7 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 03′ 56″
8 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 03′ 57″
9 Alberto Costa Rui ( Por – LAM – 111 ) + 03′ 58″
10 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 04′ 08″

The Rest of the Top 30:
[Read more →]

La Fête Nationale
Bastille Day

Thank you for the help with the Revolution.

Some background.