Category — Le Tour

As always, here are the Tour basics if you want to follow along. The Tour started on July 4th, but I’ve been tied up with other things and it will be a bit before I can handle the daily updates.

The cartoon characters from my header are wearing the various colored jerseys that indicate the leader in the different classifications in the race.

The Maillot Jaune, Yellow Jersey is worn by the rider with the lowest time overall in the race. The eventual winner of the race may never have come in first in any stage, but was near the lead throughout the race and achieved the lowest time over the entire course of the event. The winner is normally an “all-arounder”, someone who is very good at the sprints and the hill climbing, even if they aren’t the best. Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, and Fabian Cancellara are “all-arounders”, showing up on the lists of the sprinters and the climbers, while staying in the top ten for overall time.

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Évry – Paris Champs-Élysées

Distance: 137.5 kilometers.

The final stage, which, by gentlemen’s agreement features no attacks, but a group sprint on the nineth and final circuit on the Champs Élysées. It becomes a parade of the survivors of the race that preceded it.

Giant Shimano provided the bookends: Marcel Kittel won the final stage and Cheng Ji carried La Lanterne Rouge [Red Lantern] as the last rider to finish.

There were no major surprises at the end of a Tour filled with crashes, injuries, illness, and flat tires. Most of these riders will now prepare for the Vuelta a España that starts on August 23^rd.

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 89h 59′ 06″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 431 points
Rafal Majka ( Pol – TCS – 034 ) [Polka Dot] 181 points
Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) 3 [White]

Team: AG2R La Mondiale ( ALM – 081-089 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Marcel Kittel ( Ger – GIA – 101 )
Super Combative: Alessandro De Marchi ( Ita – CAN – 053 ) [Red numbers]
Φ Cheng Ji ( Chn – GIA – 107 ) + 6h 02′ 24″ [La Lanterne Rouge]

Top Ten:

1 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
2 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 07′ 37″
3 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 08′ 15″
4 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 09′ 40″
5 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 11′ 24″
6 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 11′ 26″
7 Leopold Konig ( Cze – TNE – 201 ) + 14′ 32″
8 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre ( Esp – TFR – 169 ) + 17′ 57″
9 Laurens Ten Dam ( Ned – BEL – 067 ) + 18′ 11″
10 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 21′ 15″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Bergerac – Périgueux

Distance: 54 kilometers.

This is the individual time trial on a hilly 54 kilometer course. It can alter the order in the general classification, especially the second, third, and fourth positions which only have a 15 second differential. This is why Nibali took two mountain stages, to build a lead that couldn’t be wiped out in the time trial.

Tony Martin won the time trial, which is not exactly a surprise and Alessandro De Marchi was selected as the Super Combative rider, the most combative rider on this year’s Tour.

Nibali gained an advantage on his closest rivals, and Pinot dropped to third place. It is considered very bad form to attack on the last day, but Bardet is only 2 seconds behind Van Garderen and a top five finish.

There is always a bunch sprint at the end of tomorrow’s stage for the prestige of winning the last stage on the Tour

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 86h 37′ 52″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 417 points
Rafal Majka ( Pol – TCS – 034 ) [Polka Dot] 181 points
Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) 3 [White]

Team: AG2R La Mondiale ( ALM – 081-089 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Tony Martin ( Ger – OPQ – 075 )
Super Combative: Alessandro De Marchi ( Ita – CAN – 053 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
2 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 07′ 52″
3 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 08′ 24″
4 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 09′ 55″
5 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 11′ 44″
6 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 11′ 46″
7 Leopold Konig ( Cze – TNE – 201 ) + 14′ 41″
8 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre ( Esp – TFR – 169 ) + 18′ 12″
9 Laurens Ten Dam ( Ned – BEL – 067 ) + 18′ 20″
10 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 21′ 24″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Maubourguet Pays du Val d’Adour – Bergerac

Distance: 208.5 kilometers.

A hilly stage with a single Category 4 climb near the end that won’t be much of a challenge after the last few stages. Most riders will want to conserve their legs for the individual time trial tomorrow.

Rain, winds, hail, and flat tires were the main elements of this stage, which ended in a crash that could have cost Peter Sagan his Green Jersey if he had been too injured to continue.

Garmin-Sharp riders took control of the stage with the hard-working Tom Jelte Slagter setting up Ramunas Navardauskas to cross the finish alone.

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 85h 29′ 33″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 417 points
Rafal Majka ( Pol – TCS – 034 ) [Polka Dot] 181 points
Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) 2 [White]

Team: AG2R La Mondiale ( ALM – 081-089 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Ramunas Navardauskas ( Ltu – GRS – 097 )
Combative: Tom Jelte Slagter ( Ned – GRS – 098 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
2 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 07′ 10″
3 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 07′ 23″
4 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 07′ 25″
5 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 09′ 27″
6 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 11′ 34″
7 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 13′ 56″
8 Laurens Ten Dam ( Ned – BEL – 067 ) + 14′ 15″
9 Leopold Konig ( Cze – TNE – 201 ) + 14′ 37″
10 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre ( Esp – TFR – 169 ) + 16′ 25″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Pau – Hautacam

Distance: 145.5 kilometers.

This is a real bear of a stage that has a couple of Category 3’s in the first half and a pair of Hors Catégorie climbs. The first HC is the Col du Tourmalet which has the 5,000 Euro Souvenir Jacques Goddet waiting for the first rider to reach 2,115 meter summit. Another summit finish at the end of the Hautacam climb. Lots of points for the Polka Dots available.

Blel Kadri took home the €5K but Vincenzo Nibali reminded the field why he was in the Yellow Jersey and won the stage giving him a 7 minute lead over his nearest competitor.

Rafal Majka had to catch up to be the third rider over the top which gives him the Polka Dot Jersey as King of the Mountains. Thibaut Pinot took over second place and increased his hold on the White Jersey.

Heinrich Haussler had to withdraw because of stomach flu, and José Joaquin Rojas was disqualified for drafting a car [riding in the vehicle’s slipstream].

The mountains are over.

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 80h 45′ 45″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 408 points
Rafal Majka ( Pol – TCS – 034 ) [Polka Dot] 181 points
Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) 2 [White]

Team: AG2R La Mondiale ( ALM – 081-089 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
Combative: Mikel Nieve Iturralde ( Esp – SKY – 005 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
2 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 07′ 10″
3 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 07′ 23″
4 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 07′ 25″
5 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 09′ 27″
6 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 11′ 34″
7 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 13′ 56″
8 Laurens Ten Dam ( Ned – BEL – 067 ) + 14′ 15″
9 Leopold Konig ( Cze – TNE – 201 ) + 14′ 37″
10 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre ( Esp – TFR – 169 ) + 16′ 25″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Saint-Gaudens – Saint-Lary Pla d’Adet

Distance: 124.5 kilometers.

This is the shortest stage on the Tour and a definite mountain stage with three Category 1’s followed by a summit finish after a Hors Catégorie climb.

The Col du Portillon, the first climb, is actually in Spain, the fourth country visited on this Tour.

The Tour went down three more riders today. Reto Hollenstein crashed after a kilometer yesterday and went on to finish the stage. Medical examination showed one of his lungs collapsed as a result of his injuries. Simon Gerrans was injured on the first stage in the crash that wiped out Cavendish, and has just not been able to return to form. Simon Spilak dropped out during the stage as the result of a stomach virus that made continuing impossible.

Today was another good day for Tinkoff-Saxo as Rafal Majka won his second stage on this Tour and secured a decent lead over Nibali for the Polka Dots.

The White and Polka Dots are not done deals yet, and the White may not be decided until Paris.

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 76h 41′ 22″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 408 points
Rafal Majka ( Pol – TCS – 034 ) [Polka Dot] 149 points
Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) 3 [White]

Team: AG2R La Mondiale ( ALM – 081-089 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Rafal Majka ( Pol – TCS – 034 )
Combative: Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 05′ 26″
3 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 06′ 00″
4 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 06′ 08″
5 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 07′ 34″
6 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 10′ 19″
7 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 11′ 59″
8 Laurens Ten Dam ( Ned – BEL – 067 ) + 12′ 16″
9 Leopold Konig ( Cze – TNE – 201 ) + 12′ 40″
10 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 151 ) + 13′ 15″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Carcassonne – Bagnères-de-Luchon

Distance: 237.5 kilometers.

This is a very long stage that starts hilly with a pair of Category 4’s in the first half, and then gets serious with Categories 2 and 3 climbs leading to the HC Port de Balès. The finish is a 20-kilometer downhill run.

Alberto Costa Rui and Simon Yates withdrew before the start. Alberto was diagnosed with pneumonia and is going for medical treatment, while Simon was pulled by the team because of his age and inexperience. Simon was never intended to ride to the entire race, as it is considered too stressful for beginning riders.

A good day for Tinkoff-Saxo as Michael Rogers won the stage, while Rafal Majka managed to take the point for the first Category 4 and put on the Polka Dots.

Romain Bardet had a terrible day and lost the White to Thibaut Pinot.

More of the Pyrenees tomorrow.

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 73h 05′ 19″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 402 points
Rafal Majka ( Pol – TCS – 034 ) [Polka Dot] 89 points
Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) 3 [White]

Team: AG2R La Mondiale ( ALM – 081-089 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Michael Rogers ( Aus – TCS – 038 )
Combative: Cyril Gautier ( Fra – EUC – 154 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 04′ 37″
3 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 05′ 06″
4 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 06′ 08″
5 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 06′ 40″
6 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 09′ 25″
7 Leopold Konig ( Cze – TNE – 201 ) + 09′ 32″
8 Laurens Ten Dam ( Ned – BEL – 067 ) + 11′ 12″
9 Michal Kwiatkowski ( Pol – OPQ – 074 ) + 11′ 28″
10 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 11′ 33″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Tallard – Nîmes

Distance: 222 kilometers.

The relatively flat descent to sea level out of the Alps before the final Rest Day which is followed by the Pyrennes.

Martin Elmiger and Jack Bauer broke away at the start and led for all but the last 50 meters. The chase was led by the sprinters and after it began raining the major Yellow Jersey contenders were more concerned with not crashing than winning.

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 66h 49′ 37″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 402 points
Joaquim Rodriguez ( Esp – KAT – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 88 points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) 3 [White]

Team: AG2R La Mondiale ( ALM – 081-089 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Alexander Kristoff ( Nor – KAT – 023 )
Combative: Martin Elmiger ( Sui – IAM – 193 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 04′ 37″
3 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 04′ 50″
4 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 05′ 06″
5 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 05′ 49″
6 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 06′ 08″
7 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 08′ 33″
8 Leopold Konig ( Cze – TNE – 201 ) + 09′ 32″
9 Laurens Ten Dam ( Ned – BEL – 067 ) + 10′ 01″
10 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 151 ) + 10′ 48″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Grenoble – Risoul

Distance: 177 kilometers.

Another mountain stage and even more brutal than yesterday. This a 1-HC-1 group with a summit finish again. The first 1, Col du Lautaret, is 2,058 meters, followed by the HC, Col d’Izoard, at 2,380, with the finish at Risoul only 1,855 meters. The Col d’Izoard is this year’s Souvenir Henri Desgrange climb, and the first rider to the top gets € 5,000 for reaching the highest point in the Tour.

Nibali managed to again increase his hold on the Yellow Jersey, but the Polka Dots and White are very much in contention.

Bardet only has a 16 second lead over Pinot in the battle for the White, and that can disappear on any stage.

Rodriguez managed to move 2 points ahead of Nibali, but he is tied at 88 with today’s stage winner Rafal Majka, so it is far from certain.

If Contador hadn’t dropped out, Majka would have been helping him on these climbs, not racing for himself and the team. As a young rider on his first Tour he has really improved his future in the sport with this win.

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 61h 52′ 54″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 361 points
Joaquim Rodriguez ( Esp – KAT – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 88 points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) 3 [White]

Team: AG2R La Mondiale ( ALM – 081-089 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Rafal Majka ( Pol – TCS – 034 )
Combative: Alessandro De Marchi ( Ita – CAN – 053 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 04′ 37″
3 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 04′ 50″
4 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 05′ 06″
5 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 05′ 49″
6 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 06′ 08″
7 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 08′ 33″
8 Leopold Konig ( Cze – TNE – 201 ) + 09′ 32″
9 Laurens Ten Dam ( Ned – BEL – 067 ) + 10′ 01″
10 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 151 ) + 10′ 48″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Saint-Étienne – Chamrousse

Distance: 197.5 kilometers.

A definite mountain stage, it starts with a Category 3 and hills for 134 km followed by a Category 1 up and over Palaquit and the finish is a Hors Catégorie climb to Chamrousse. We find out who in the top ten can climb, and who is ready for the Polka Dots.

The answer to those questions is Vincenzo Nibali, who won the stage, the Polka Dots, and increased his overall lead.

This stage was obviously designed by a fan of the Marqis de Sade, the race began at noon with the air temperature at 37°C/98.6°F [normal body temperature] and continued through the hottest part of the day. Three riders [Arthur Vichot, Daniel Navarro Garcia & Janier Alexis Acevedo] dropped out, and Alexander Porsev was unable to finish within the time limit.

Welcome to the Alps…

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 56h 44′ 03″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 341 points
Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Polka Dot] 70 points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) 3 [White]

Team: AG2R La Mondiale ( ALM – 081-089 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
Combative: Alessandro De Marchi ( Ita – CAN – 053 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 )
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 03′ 37″
3 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 04′ 24″
4 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 04′ 40″
5 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 05′ 19″
6 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 06′ 06″
7 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 06′ 17″
8 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 131 ) + 06′ 27″
9 Alberto Costa Rui ( Por – LAM – 111 ) + 08′ 35″
10 Leopold Konig ( Cze – TNE – 201 ) + 08′ 36″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Bourg-en-Bresse – Saint-Étienne

Distance: 185.5 kilometers.

Another hill section with the categorized climbs [4-3-3-4] spread out along the route and a flat run to the finish.

For the fourth time Peter Sagan comes up in second place at the end of a stage, as Kristoff takes it at the end. Simon Clarke won the Red Numbers for his breakaway efforts but was gathered in at the end.

As expected Andrew Talansky didn’t start the stage. De La Cruz’s Tour ended with a broken collarbone as the result of a crash.

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 51h 31′ 34″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 341 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: Alexander Kristoff ( Nor – KAT – 023 )
Combative: Simon Clarke ( Aus – OGE – 183 ) [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 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 127 ) + 03′ 47″
6 Tejay Van Garderen ( US – BMC – 141 ) + 03′ 56″
7 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 03′ 57″
8 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 04′ 08″
9 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 131 ) + 04′ 18″
10 Jakob Fuglsang ( Den – AST – 042 ) + 04′ 31″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Besançon – Oyonnax

Distance: 187.5 kilometers.

Not too bad today as the categorized climbs don’t start until the last 50 kilometers, and feature a 3-3-4-3 group with a downhill run to the finish.

As often happens on the Tour, the day after a rest day features people realizing how sore they really are. Fabian Cancellara, another big name, withdrew before the start in hopes of getting well for another race later in the season, and Andrew Talansky struggled with a back injury all day. Talansky finished alone, a half hour after the stage winner and may withdraw tomorrow if he can’t get some relief.

Nicholas Roche won the Red Numbers in his attempt for a stage win, but ran out of energy at the end, being overtaken by Tony Gallopin who took the stage

Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) [Yellow] 46h 59′ 23″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 301 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: Tony Gallopin ( Fra – LTB – 134 )
Combative: Nicolas Roche ( Irl – TCS – 037 ) [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 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 061 ) + 04′ 08″
10 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 131 ) + 04′ 18″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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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:
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Gérardmer – Mulhouse

Distance: 170 kilometers.

This stage begins with a Category 2 climb, then two Category 3s, followed by another Category 2. Then there is 20 km of hills before the first Category 1 on this year’s Tour which has a Category 3 climb and then about 40 km of downhill to the finish. The sprinters will be pushed even further back in the General Classification.

A Frenchman, Tony Gallopin, will be wearing the Yellow Jersey on Bastille Day. Nibali’s team needed to save their energy for tomorrow’s stage where they think that Contador will make his move in the General Classification. By protecting Nibali so long the Astana team has been stretched fairly thin chasing down escape groups.

The other big winner was Tony Martin who repeated Blel Kadri’s win of yesterday – taking the stage, the Polka Dots, and the Red Numbers.

Tony Gallopin ( Fra – LTB – 134 ) [Yellow] 38h 04′ 38″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 051 ) [Green] 267 points
Tony Martin ( Ger – OPQ – 075 ) [Polka Dot] 18 points
Michal Kwiatkowski ( Pol – OPQ – 074 ) 6 [White]

Team: Astana Pro ( AST – 041-049 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Tony Martin ( Ger – OPQ – 075 )
Combative: Tony Martin ( Ger – OPQ – 075 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Tony Gallopin ( Fra – LTB – 134 )
2 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – AST – 041 ) + 01′ 34″
3 Tiago Machado ( Por – TNE – 206 ) + 02′ 40″
4 Jakob Fuglsang ( Den – AST – 042 ) + 03′ 18″
5 Richie Porte ( Aus – SKY – 007 ) + 03′ 32″
6 Michal Kwiatkowski ( Pol – OPQ – 074 ) + 04′ 00″
7 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte ( Esp – MOV – 011 ) + 04′ 01″
8 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 151 ) + 04′ 07″
9 Alberto Contador ( Esp – TCS – 031 ) + 04′ 08″
10 Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 082 ) + 04′ 13″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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