Category — Le Tour

Bastia to Ajaccio

Distance: 156 kilometers.

This is not going to be nice. The first half of the stage is a gentle uphill run that includes a sprint, but then it is mountain time with two category 3 climbs and then a category two climb to the top of Col de Vizzovona. After the top it gets dangerous as it is downhill until about 10 km from the end where there is another category 3 climb before the coast into Ajaccio. The top ten should look very different today.

The BBC has a video look at the history of the Tour, if you have the time and resources.

Marcel Kittel got to keep the Green, but the other two Jerseys are gone after today.

Jan Bakelants took the stage and the Yellow today, and there are now deficit times to be made up, 17 minutes and 35 seconds for Marcel Kittel, and those, like
Geraint Thomas, who were injured yesterday. It was a stage for all-arounders.

Jan Bakelants ( Bel – RLT – 042 ) [Yellow] 08h 40′ 03″
Marcel Kittel ( Ger – ARG – 197 ) [Green] 47 points
Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 051 ) [Polka Dot] 5 points
Michal Kwiatkowski ( Pol – OPQ – 153 ) 7 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Leopard ( RLT – 041-049 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Jan Bakelants ( Bel – RLT – 042 )
Combative: Blel Kadri ( Fra – ALM – 087 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Jan Bakelants ( Bel – RLT – 042 )
2 David Millar ( GB – GRS – 176 ) + 00′ 01″
3 Julien Simon ( Fra – SOJ – 218 ) + 00′ 01″
4 Daryl Impey ( RSA – OGE – 185 ) + 00′ 01″
5 Edvald Boasson Hagen ( Nor – SKY – 002 ) + 00′ 01″
6 Simon Gerrans ( Aus – OGE – 181 ) + 00′ 01″
7 Michal Kwiatkowski ( Pol – OPQ – 153 ) + 00′ 01″
8 Sergey Lagutin ( Uzb – VCD – 206 ) + 00′ 01″
9 Christophe Riblon ( Fra – ALM – 089 ) + 00′ 01″
10 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 031 ) + 00′ 01″

The Rest of the Top 30:
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Porto-Vecchio to Bastia

Distance: 213 kilometers.

It was Marcel Kittel day at the Tour. He won the Yellow, the Green, and the White Jerseys as well as the stage. The riders listed for the Green and White Jerseys are actually the seconds in those classifications.

Everyone has the same official time, 4 hours, 56 minutes, and 52 seconds, because they were all together at the finish.

The BBC reported that Geraint Thomas expected “carnage” in Corsica, and Geraint was right as today Team Sky wait on Geraint Thomas scan. A monstrous team bus got stuck under an overhead finish-line bar as the riders were approaching, and in the resulting confusion there were pile ups. Geraint is definitely going to be riding in pain tomorrow, if he doesn’t have to withdraw. The BBC Stage 1 report offers more details.

Marcel Kittel ( Ger – ARG – 197 ) [Yellow] 4h 56′ 52″
Alexander Kristoff ( Nor – KAT – 103 ) [Green] 35 points
Juan José Lobato del Valle ( Esp – EUS – 115 ) [Polka Dot] 1 points
Danny Van Poppel ( Ned – VCD – 208 ) 3 [White]

Team: Vacansoleil-DCM ( VCD – 201-209 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Marcel Kittel ( Ger – ARG – 197 )
Combative: Jérome Cousin ( Fra – EUC – 053 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Marcel Kittel ( Ger – ARG – 197 )
2 Alexander Kristoff ( Nor – KAT – 103 )
3 Danny Van Poppel ( Ned – VCD – 208 )
4 David Millar ( GB – GRS – 176 )
5 Matteo Trentin ( Ita – OPQ – 158 )
6 Samuel Dumoulin ( Fra – ALM – 084 )
7 Gregory Henderson ( NZ – LTB – 026 )
8 Jurgen Roelandts ( Bel – LTB – 027 )
9 José Joaquin Rojas ( Esp – MOV – 129 )
10 Kris Boeckmans ( Bel – VCD – 202 )

The Rest of the Field:
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Although the centennial of the first Tour de France was 2003, this will be the 100^th race. During ten years in the 20^th century the race was replaced by two other events – World War I and World War II.

The race starts on 29 June on the island of Corsica and will finish on 21 July in Paris, so I thought I should explain some of what I’ll be ranting about.

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.

[Read more →]

UK cyclist Bradley Wiggins followed up his win on the Tour de France by taking Olympic gold in the men’s times trial cycling event.

After months of intensive training for Le Tour and the Olympics, Wiggins chose to celebrate by getting rip-roaring drunk with a group of friends and tweeted his pub crawl. Given his commitments to Team Sky, he won’t be able to do that again any time soon.

He created a another bit of controversy in cycling when he was asked about cyclist helmets following the death of cyclist in a traffic accident near the Olympics venue. Wiggins thinks that people should wear helmets, have lights, and concentrate on traffic without iPods when riding around London. If you had been in as many accidents as Wiggins, with the scars and broken bones to prove it, you would favor helmets too. There are a lot of riders who hate helmets, so the matter isn’t easily resolved.

While cyclists occasionally do stupid things, most accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles [with and without engines] are primarily caused by car and truck drivers not seeing the cycles.

On a lighter note, Boris Johnson, the mayor of London has has once again shown the form that makes him the favorite politician among Britain’s comedy writers. To see what I mean, type ‘boris johnson falls’ into a search engine.

Rambouillet to Paris Champs-Élysées

Distance: 120 kilometers.

The parade into Paris. The only real questions left are will Mark Cavendish take his fourth Paris stage win in a row, and who will win La Lanterne Rouge.

Britian has a lot to cheer today – Bradley Wiggins and Christopher Froome have finished in first and second place in the Tour, and SuperManx, Mark Cavendish won his 23^rd Tour stage. Cavendish moves into sole possession of fourth place in total tour stage wins, and achieved his fourth consecutive win in Paris.

Wiggins took 87 hours, 34 minutes, and 47 seconds to finish the 3488 kilometer [2167.34 mile] race. He has been close before only to be sidelined by injuries in accidents, so this isn’t a fluke. anymore than Cadel Evans’s win last year. There is minimal crowd control, and they race on public roads in various states of repair. Being lucky is almost as important as riding fast.

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow] 87h 34′ 47″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – LIQ – 057 ) [Green] 421 points
Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 135 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 5 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Mark Cavendish ( GB – SKY – 103 )
Super Combative: Chris Anker Sorensen ( Den – STB – 178 ) [Red numbers]
Φ Jimmy Engoulvent ( Fra – SAU – 093 ) + 3h 57′ 36″ [La Lanterne Rouge]

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( G B – SKY – 105 ) + 03′ 21”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 06′ 19”
4 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 10′ 15”
5 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 11′ 04”
6 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 15′ 41”
7 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 15′ 49”
8 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 16′ 26”
9 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 16′ 33”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 17′ 17”

The Rest of the Riders:
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Bonneval to Chartres

Distance: 53.5 kilometers.

The final individual time trial of the Tour, and not much of an opportunity to catch Bradley Wiggins, as he is very good at these and will probably increase his lead as a result.

Bradley Wiggins won the stage in convincing fashion, and Christopher Froome proved that he could have taken over if Wiggins had faltered. A very good Tour for Sky as it looks as if there will be a Briton atop the podium in Paris for the first time.

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan ( Svk – LIQ – 057 ) [Green] 386 points
Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 134 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 5 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 )
Combative: No award for time trials

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( GB – SKY – 105 ) + 03′ 21”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 06′ 19”
4 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 10′ 15”
5 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 11′ 04”
6 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 15′ 43”
7 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 15′ 51”
8 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 16′ 31”
9 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 16′ 38”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 17′ 17”

The Rest of the Top 50:
[Read more →]

Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde

Distance: 222.5 kilometers.

This is a stage with some hills, but no mountains. There is a Category 3 [Côte de Saint-Georges] and three Category 4s [Côte de Cahors, Côte de Souillac, and Côte de Lissac-sur-Couze] but no major climbs.

Supermanx, Mark Cavendish, took his 22^nd Tour de France stage win which moves him into a tie with Lance Armstrong and André Darrigade for fourth place in career wins. Mark has been supporting the teams goal of the Yellow jersey, which has hurt his personal chances for the Green.

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan ( Svk – LIQ – 057 ) [Green] 386 points
Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 134 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 5 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Mark Cavendish ( G B – SKY – 103 )
Combative: Alexandre Vinokourov ( Kaz – AST – 189 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( G B – SKY – 105 ) + 02′ 05”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 02′ 41”
4 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 05′ 53”
5 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 08′ 30”
6 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 09′ 57”
7 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 10′ 11”
8 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 10′ 17”
9 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 11′ 00”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 11′ 46”

The Rest of the Top 50:
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Bagnères-de-Luchon to Peyragudes

Distance: 143.5 kilometers.

This is a short and nasty end to the mountain stages: Category 1 – Col de Menté (1349m), Category 2 – Col des Ares (797 m), Category 3 – Côte de Burs, intermediate sprint, HC – Port de Bales (1755 m), and the Category 1 climb to the finish in Peyragudes. The stage is a series of hairpin turns and switchbacks. This was a route designed for pitons, not pelotons.

Alejandro Valverde won the stage with a charge worthy of the Red numbers, but the larger story was that Wiggins and Froome made it clear that they won’t give up anything to the competition and actually increased their leads over Nibali et al. Barring accidents, the podium in Paris appears to be settled, but no one should celebrate until it is official.

In a bit of oddness, Jan Ghyselinck ( Bel – COF – 086 ) was listed as a non-finisher yesterday, but today he is back on the road and is the current Lanterne Rouge. It may have been an ‘outside of time’ case that was protested.

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan ( Svk – LIQ – 057 ) [Green] 356 points
Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 134 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 5 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Alejandro Valverde ( Esp – MOV – 161 )
Combative: Alejandro Valverde ( Esp – MOV – 161 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( G B – SKY – 105 ) + 02′ 05”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 02′ 41”
4 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 05′ 53”
5 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 08′ 30”
6 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 09′ 57”
7 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 10′ 11”
8 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 10′ 17”
9 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 11′ 00”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 11′ 46”

The Rest of the Top 50:
[Read more →]

Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon

Distance: 197 kilometers.

This is definitely a mountain stage following an intermediate sprint the riders face: HC – Col d’Aubisque (1709 m), HC – Col du Tourmalet (2115 m), Category 1 – Col d’Aspin (1489 m), and Category 1 – Col de Peyresourde (1569 m). The Tour is truly climbing the Pyrenees. This is no place for sprinters.

Thomas Voeckler has repeated his Stage 10 feat by taking the stage, the red numbers, and the Polka Dot jersey [by 2 points]. Cadel Evans has lost 5 minutes on Bradley Wiggins, leaving Vincenzo Nibali as his main competitor for the Yellow.

The BBC reports that Frank Schleck fails drugs test at Tour de France: “The 32-year-old, who finished third in last year’s race, tested positive for the diuretic Xipamide on 14 July.”

Xipamide is not a performance enhancer. It is a powerful diuretic used primarily to treat hypertension. It would dehydrate anyone taking it while exercising vigorously, leading to all kinds of medical problems. This sounds like a different form of “tacks in the road”.

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan ( Svk – LIQ – 057 ) [Green] 356 points
Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 107 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 6 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 021 )
Combative: Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 021 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( G B – SKY – 105 ) + 02′ 05”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 02′ 23”
4 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 05′ 46”
5 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 07′ 13”
6 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 07′ 55”
7 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 08′ 06”
8 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 09′ 09”
9 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 10′ 10”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 11′ 43”

The Rest of the Top 50:
[Read more →]

Samatan to Pau

Distance: 158.5 kilometers.

This is a short and fast stage that is followed by a rest day. The main action will be after lunch with an intermediate sprint, Category 4 – Côte de Lahitte-Toupière, Category 3 – Côte de Simacourbe, and Category 4 – Côte de Monassut-Audiracq. Contenders can be expected to attack during the entire stage.

Pierrick Fedrigo won the sprint into Pau for the second time in three years. He may be going for a trademark, like Mark Cavendish and Paris.

The leaders only responded when real contenders looked like they were going to do something. Most of the stage was a leisurely ride for the peloton.

A half dozen riders dropped out during the stage, but most will be appearing in the London Olympics and wanted time to get ready.

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan ( Svk – LIQ – 057 ) [Green] 356 points
Fredrik Kessiakoff ( Swe – AST – 187 ) [Polka Dot] 69 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 7 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Pierrick Fedrigo ( Fra – FDJ – 142 )
Combative: Nicki Sorensen ( Den – STB – 179 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( G B – SKY – 105 ) + 02′ 05”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 02′ 23”
4 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 03′ 19”
5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 04′ 48”
6 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 06′ 15”
7 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 06′ 57”
8 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 07′ 30”
9 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 08′ 31”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 08′ 51”

The Rest of the Top 50:
[Read more →]

Limoux to Foix

Distance: 191 kilometers.

This is the entry to the Pyrenees and it isn’t very kind: Category 2 – Col du Portel (601 m), intermediate sprint, Category 1 – Port de Lers (1517 m), and Category 1 – Mur de Péguère (1375 m).

The Mur is a bear. Parts of it are an 18% grade [18 feet up for 100 feet traveled] and the finish is 10.8%. If your bike isn’t in great shape, something will break, and you will need great brakes to go down the other side.

Luis-Leon Sanchez won the stage and was all alone when he did it, having broken away from the break-away group coming down the Mur. The peloton was tied up changing tires as some clown had apparently spread tacks on the roadway over the Mur.

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan ( Svk – LIQ – 057 ) [Green] 333 points
Fredrik Kessiakoff ( Swe – AST – 187 ) [Polka Dot] 69 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 7 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Luis-Leon Sanchez ( Esp – RAB – 155 )
Combative: Peter Sagan ( Svk – LIQ – 057 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( G B – SKY – 105 ) + 02′ 05”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 02′ 23”
4 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 03′ 19”
5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 04′ 48”
6 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 06′ 15”
7 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 06′ 57”
8 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 07′ 30”
9 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 08′ 31”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 08′ 51”

The Rest of the Top 50:
[Read more →]

Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Le Cap d’Agde

Distance: 217 kilometers.

Another long stage but there is only an intermediate sprint with a Category 3 [Mont Saint-Clair] climb near the end. There are hills, but nothing to compare to the last two days.

André Greipel managed to get half a wheel in front of Peter Sagan at the finish to win the stage. It has been a frustrating few days for Sagan filled with ‘almosts’ for finishes in stages and sprints. He is still looking good for wearing Green in Paris as he has a 64 point lead. Sebastien Hinault gave it his best, but he couldn’t manage more than fourth as the first French rider over the finish on Bastille Day.

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan (Svk-LIQ-057) [Green] 296 points
Fredrik Kessiakoff ( Swe – AST – 187 ) [Polka Dot] 66 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 7 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: André Greipel ( Ger – LTB – 114 )
Combative: Michael Morkov ( Den – STB – 175 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( G B – SKY – 105 ) + 02′ 05”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 02′ 23”
4 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 03′ 19”
5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 04′ 48”
6 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 06′ 15”
7 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 06′ 57”
8 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 07′ 30”
9 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 08′ 31”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 08′ 51”

The Rest of the Top 50:
[Read more →]

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Annonay Davézieux

Distance: 226 kilometers.

This is the longest stage on Le Tour this year and it features two Category 1 climbs in the first half and a Category 3 at the end. Menu: Category 1 – Col du Grand Cucheron (1188 m), Category 1 – Col du Granier (1134 m), intermediate sprint, Category 3 – Côte d’Ardoix.

David Millar took the stage which was marked by almost nothing of interest being done by the leaders after yesterday’s grueling run. People and teams weren’t interested in taking chances with tired muscles.

There are 164 riders left, but that number may dip as riders leave Le Tour to participate in the London Olympics. I would also note that I am using the official site for the General Classification standings, but Cycling News for other things because the official site is so late and haphazard about updating.

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan (Svk-LIQ-057) [Green] 254 points
Fredrik Kessiakoff ( Swe – AST – 187 ) [Polka Dot] 66 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 7 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: David Millar ( GB – GRS – 066 )
Combative: Robert Kiserlovski ( Cro – AST – 188 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( G B – SKY – 105 ) + 02′ 05”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 02′ 23”
4 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 03′ 19”
5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 04′ 48”
6 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 06′ 15”
7 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 06′ 57”
8 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 07′ 30”
9 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 08′ 31”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 08′ 51”

The Rest of the Top 50:
[Read more →]

Albertville to La Toussuire – Les Sybelles

Distance: 148 kilometers.

This is a brutal mountain stage with two Hors Catégorie [HC] climbs, a Cat 2, and then a Cat 1 crawl to the finish. This stage will probably break chains and sprockets, as well as people.

The menu: HC – Col de la Madeleine (2000 m), intermediate sprint, HC – Col de la Croix de Fer (2067 m), Category 2 – Col du Mollard (1638 m), Category 1 – La Toussuire (1705 m).

While Fabian Cancellara withdrew before the start to be with his wife who is having their second child, 5 riders had to withdraw during the race, and two more were outside the time limit.

It was a good stage for Pierre Rolland who was the first into La Toussuire and picked up the Red Numbers for being the most combative, and for Fredrik Kessiakoff who won back the Polka Dot jersey.

Cadel Evans attempted a breakaway, and ended up in trouble, falling to fourth place, 3 minutes and 19 seconds behind Bradley Wiggins.

[Note: the official site hasn’t updated everything for some reason, so the results are from Cycling News.]

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan (Svk-LIQ-057) [Green] 232 points
Fredrik Kessiakoff ( Swe – AST – 187 ) [Polka Dot] 66 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 7 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 )
Combative: Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( G B – SKY – 105 ) + 02′ 05”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 02′ 23”
4 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 03′ 19”
5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 04′ 48”
6 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 06′ 15”
7 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 06′ 57”
8 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 07′ 30”
9 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 08′ 31”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 08′ 51”

The Rest of the Top 50:
[Read more →]