Stage 8
Aigurande – Super-Besse Sancy
Distance: 189.0 kilometers.
It’s time for the lower gears, and the climbing begins. There are two Category 4 climbs in the middle, and a Category 2 followed by a Category 3 at the end. Focus is changing from the Green to the Polka Dot jersey.
It was cold, wet, and misty on the course. Contador has moved up to 20th by not taking any chances – he is still a minute, 42 seconds behind Thor. Cavendish wins stages and loses ground in the standings.
Thor Hushovd ( Nor – GRM – 051 ) [Yellow] 36h 06′ 28″
Philippe Gilbert ( Bel – OLO – 032 ) [Green] 187 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – THR – 178 ) [Polka Dot] 6 points
Robert Gesink ( Ned – RAB – 041 ) 17 [White]
Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa ( Por – MOV – 083 )
Combative: Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – THR – 178 ) [Red numbers]
They’ve gone 1,383.0 kilometers [859.4 miles] at an average speed of 41.8 kph [26.0 mph] ↓.
OVERALL STANDINGS:
Thor Hushovd ( Nor – GRM – 051 ) [Yellow]
2 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 141 )
3 Frank Schleck ( Lux – LEO – 018 )
4 Andréas Klöden ( Ger – RSH – 074 )
5 Jakob Fuglsang ( Den – LEO – 013 )
6 Andy Schleck ( Lux – LEO – 011 )
7 Tony Martin ( Ger – THR – 175 )
8 Peter Velits ( Svk – THR – 179 )
9 David Millar ( GBr – GRM – 056 )
10 Philippe Gilbert ( Bel – OLO – 032 ) [Green]
11 Alexandre Vinokourov ( Kaz – AST – 061 )
12 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – OLO – 031 )
13 Ivan Basso ( Ita – LIQ – 091 )
14 Nicolas Roche ( Irl – ALM – 101 )
15 Damiano Cunego ( Ita – LAM – 161 )
16 Kevin De Weert ( Bel – QST – 124 )
17 Robert Gesink ( Ned – RAB – 041 ) [White]
18 Jose Joaquin Rojas ( Esp – MOV – 088 )
19 Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 )
20 Alberto Contador ( Esp – SBS – 001 ) +1′ 42″
35 Geraint Thomas ( GBr – SKY – 117 )
37 Edvald Boasson Hagen ( Nor – SKY – 114 )
40 Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa ( Por – MOV – 083 ) [Stage Winner]
57 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – THR — 178 ) [Polka Dot] [Red numbers]
113 Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 )
Out of the race:
Christopher Horner ( USA – RSH – 072 )
Benat Intxausti ( Esp – MOV – 086 )
Go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Le Tour” for all of the posts related to the race on this site.
2 comments
And just out of curiosity, where would I, pathetic biker that I am, be in all this?
The honest answer is that it really would depend on the team you rode for, because it really is a team event, and team managers have no concern for putting people into a ditch, if it would help the team.
You are doing good in the Tour de Rook, and don’t have to worry about someone knocking you off your bike on purpose, although you do have the same concerns with vehicles and pedestrians who ignore your existence.
Before you make your move, ask yourself “How much do I like my collarbones?” They have to average a half-dozen broken collarbones per race, usually by flying over the handlebars and hitting a shoulder on landing.
Horner is out from injuries received yesterday. Bruised flesh doesn’t like the damp and chill. Face it, professional cycling clothing amounts to colorful Ace bandages.