Stage 15

Pamiers – Bagnères de Luchon

Distance: 187.5 kilometers.

This stage starts off reasonably enough with a category 4 climb followed by a sprint. Then there are two category 2 climbs and another sprint. It is the last bit that is frankly insane. Climbing the Hors Catégorie Port de Balès is difficult, of course, but then there is the descent to Bagnères de Luchon and the finish line. As you come over the top you have to ask yourself: Are you feeling lucky?

Thomas Voeckler made his own luck and won the stage, but Andy Schleck’s luck ran out as he approached the top of Port de Balès. Probably during a shift his chain slipped off and jammed his rear wheel. That allowed Alberto Contador to pick up 39 seconds on him to take the Yellow.

Alberto Contador ( Esp – AST – 001 ) [Yellow] 72h 50m 42s
Alessandro Petacchi ( Ita – LAM – 208 ) [Green] 187 points
Anthony Charteau ( Fra – BBO – 153 ) [Polka Dot] 115 points
Andy Schleck ( Lux – SAX – 011 ) 2 [White]
Team: Radio Shack RSH ( 021-029 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – BBO – 151 )
Combative: Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – BBO – 151 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 2,915.9 kilometers [1,811.9 miles] at an average speed of 40.0 kph [24.9 mph].

OVERALL STANDINGS:

Alberto Contador ( Esp – AST – 001 ) [Yellow] 72h 50m 42s
2 Andy Schleck ( Lux – SAX – 011 ) [White]
3 Samuel Sanchez ( Esp – EUS – 181 )
4 Denis Menchov ( Rus – RAB – 191 )
5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – OLO – 101 )
6 Robert Gesink ( Ned – RAB – 195 )
7 Levi Leipheimer ( USA – RSH – 025 )
8 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver ( Esp – KAT – 077 )
9 Alexandre Vinokourov ( Kaz – AST – 009 )
10 Ryder Hesjedal ( Can – GRM – 054 )
11 Roman Kreuziger ( Cze – LIQ – 044 )
12 Luis-Leon Sanchez ( Esp – GCE – 161 )
13 Carlos Sastre ( Esp – CTT – 091 )
14 Ivan Basso ( Ita – LIQ – 041 )
15 Andréas Klöden ( Ger – RSH – 024 )
16 Thomas Lövkvist ( Swe – SKY – 037 )
17 Nicolas Roche ( Irl – ALM – 081 )
18 Kevin De Weert ( Bel – QST – 133 )
19 John Gadret ( Fra – ALM – 085 )
20 Ruben Plaza Molina ( Esp – GCE – 168 )

22 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 121 )
23 Bradley Wiggins ( GBr – SKY – 031 )
31 Lance Armstrong ( USA – RSH – 021 )
48 Anthony Charteau ( Fra – BBO – 153 ) [Polka Dot]
51 Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – BBO – 151 ) [Red numbers] [Stage winner]
63 Jérôme Pineau ( Fra – QST – 135 )
72 Geraint Thomas ( GBr – SKY – 039 )
140 Thor Hushovd ( Nor – CTT – 095 )
143 Alessandro Petacchi ( Ita – LAM – 208 ) [Green]
151 Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 111 )
155 Julian Dean ( NZl – GRM – 052 )
157 David Millar ( GBr – GRM – 057 )
167 Robbie McEwen ( Aus – KAT – 075 )