Category — Le Tour

Modane – Alpe d’Huez

Distance: 109.5 kilometers.

This is the last real stage and it is relatively short, so it should be intense. Tomorrow will be the individual time trials followed by the ride into Paris.

It starts with a Category 1 climb up the Col du Telegraphe followed by the steep side of the Hors Catégorie Col du Galibier. They fly down the other side and have a sprint before finishing with the Hors Catégorie climb to Alpe d’Huez.

Because it is relatively short there is no meal break. It will be a test of recuperation, after all of the climbs in Stage 18.

Andy takes the Yellow, and Mark takes another 20 point hit, but holds the Green. Alberto gave it his best shot, but it wasn’t good enough. Samuel Sanchez gets the Polka Dot, while Pierre Rolland takes the stage and the White.

Individual time trials tomorrow, and Paris on Sunday.

Andy Schleck ( Lux – LEO – 011 ) [Yellow] 82h 48′ 43″
Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 280 points
Samuel Sanchez ( Esp – EUS – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 108 points
Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 188 ) 10 [White]

Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 188 )
Combative: Alberto Contador ( Esp – SBS – 001 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 3,292.5 kilometers [2,045.9 miles] at an average speed of 39.8 kph [24.7 mph] ↓.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Pinerolo – Galibier Serre-Chavalier

Distance: 200.5 kilometers.

This stage should be left for the Sherpas and yaks, not guys on bikes. It starts in Italy and they throw in a sprint early on to warm people up for what is to come; The first climb is Col Agnel, the highest point they will reach on the Tour, and then descend for lunch. Then they climb the Col d’Izoard, make the descent to begin climbing the to the finish at the top of the Galibier.

That’s three Hors Catégorie climbs in a single stage. This is the Haute Alpes, the High Alps, and most of the work is being done over a mile above sea level.

It was the Andy Schleck show today. He has been patiently waiting and made his move today. He is now 15 seconds from the Yellow Jersey.

Alberto Contador lost ground and is now 4 minutes and 44 seconds off the front.

Update: You may notice that Mark Cavendish has only 300 points today, rather than the 320 he had yesterday. The Tour docked him 20 points for being “outside the time” for the stage. Normally riders who are “outside the time” [take too long to finish a stage] are eliminated from the Tour, but as he was in a group of 88 riders, that would have gotten a bit messy. They actually only missed the time by two minutes, but whoever specified the cut off needs a new position, when more than half the field can’t make it.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 79h 34′ 06″
Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 300 points
Jelle Vanendert ( Bel – OLO – 038 ) [Polka Dot] 74 points
Rein Taaramae ( Est – COF – 151 ) 11 [White]

Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Andy Schleck ( Lux – LEO – 011 )
Combative: Andy Schleck ( Lux – LEO – 011 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 3,183.0 kilometers [1,977.8 miles] at an average speed of 40.0 kph [24.9 mph] ↓.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Gap – Pinerolo

Distance: 179.0 kilometers.

A quick trip to Italy in the only riding outside of France this year. The morning is a couple of Category 3s with a sprint between them, and then a Category 1 sandwiched between two Category 2s in afternoon.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 73h 23′ 49″
Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 320 points
Jelle Vanendert ( Bel – OLO – 038 ) [Polka Dot] 74 points
Rigoberto Uran ( Col – SKY – 118 ) 10 [White]

Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Edvald Boasson Hagen ( Nor – SKY – 114 )
Combative: Ruben Perez Moreno ( Esp – EUS – 025 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 2,982.5 kilometers [1,853.2 miles] at an average speed of 40.6 kph [25.2 mph] →.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Saint Paul Troix Chateaux – Gap

Distance: 162.5 kilometers.

This stage is a 159 kilometer uphill grind to reach the top of the Category 2 Col de Manse, and then a downhill suicide run into Gap.

Thor swooped off the mountain and took Gap, but the jerseys are unchanged and there are only minor changes at the front.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 69h 00′ 56″
Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 319 points
Jelle Vanendert ( Bel – OLO – 038 ) [Polka Dot] 74 points
Rigoberto Uran ( Col – SKY – 118 ) 10 [White]

Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Thor Hushovd ( Nor – GRM – 051 )
Combative: Mikhail Ignatyev ( Rus – KAT – 195 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 2,803.5 kilometers [1,742.0 miles] at an average speed of 40.6 kph [25.2 mph] ↑.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Limoux – Montpellier

Distance: 192.5 kilometers.

This is the sprinters last chance for glory in the Tour, with only a Category 4 in the morning and a relatively flat race in the afternoon. As Monday is a rest day. expect them to go all out to win the stage and the Green.

Well, it isn’t exactly a surprise that Mark Cavendish of the Isle of Man was first to the line with his fourth stage win this year and 19^th stage overall. He has moved into a tie for seventh place in lifetime stage wins. He has a 37 point lead over Jose Joaquin Rojas for the Green.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 65h 24′ 34″
Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 319 points
Jelle Vanendert ( Bel – OLO – 038 ) [Polka Dot] 74 points
Rigoberto Uran ( Col – SKY – 118 ) 11 [White]

Team: Leopard-Trek ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 )
Combative: Niki Terpstra ( Ned – QST – 129 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 2,641.0 kilometers [1,641.0 miles] at an average speed of 40.4 kph [25.1 mph] ↑.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Saint-Gaudens – Plateau de Beille

Distance: 168.5 kilometers.

There are 6 climbs in this stage. It starts with a Category 2 followed by a sprint on the back side. Then there is a Category 1 with the meal break on the back side.

The afternoon starts with a Category 2, then a Category 1, followed by a Category 3. You need all the speed you dare on the back side of the 3, because the end of the stage is the climb up to the Plateau de Beille, a Hors Catégorie.

Again, if you think I’m kidding, go to the official site and look at the “Profile” tab for the stage.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 61h 04′ 10″
Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 264 points
Jelle Vanendert ( Bel – OLO – 038 ) [Polka Dot] 74 points
Rigoberto Uran ( Col – SKY – 118 ) 11 [White]

Team: Leopard-Trek ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Jelle Vanendert ( Bel – OLO – 038 )
Combative: Sandy Casar ( Fra – FDJ – 131 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 2,448.5 kilometers [1,521.4 miles] at an average speed of 40.1 kph [24.9 mph] ↓.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Pau – Lourdes

Distance: 152.5 kilometers.

After a sane start climbing a Category 3 and then a Category 4 before lunch, things become a good deal less than sane.

After lunch there is a sprint followed by the 16.4 kilometer climb to the top of Col d’Aubisque, a Hors Catégorie. At lot of hard work, but not insane, you say? Well consider the 40 kilometer, roller coaster descent to Lourdes. It is hoped that they have some sort of arresting net for those whose brakes burn out.

If you think I’m kidding, go to the official site and look at the “Profile” tab for the stage.

Jérémy Roy, David Moncoutie, and Thor Hushovd came over the top ahead of the peloton, and took the E-Ticket flight to the bottom, with Thor and Jérémy reversing positions. The rest were five minutes behind them, having decided not to die trying to catch up.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 55h 49′ 57″
Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 264 points
Jérémy Roy ( Fra – FDJ – 138 ) [Polka Dot] 45 points
Arnold Jeannesson ( Fra – FDJ – 134 ) 13 [White]

Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Thor Hushovd ( Nor – GRM – 051 )
Combative: Jérémy Roy ( Fra – FDJ – 138 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 2,280.0 kilometers [1,416.7 miles] at an average speed of 40.8 kph [25.4 mph] ↓.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Cugnaux – Luz-Ardiden

Distance: 211.0 kilometers.

From the BBC Day-by-day Guide:

A steady 130km or so of gentle uphill road leads to the first-ever climbing of the category-one La Hourquette d’Ancizan before the 17km ride up the legendary Col du Tourmalet takes the riders over 2,000m for the first time this year. But the day does not finish there. There is still the 13km slog up to the mountain-top finish at Luz-Ardiden.

The last two climbs are Hors Catégorie, explained in a note below the fold. The Tour is in the Pyrenees and the Polka Dot Jersey is ascendant, but it is Bastille Day, so French riders will really want to win this stage.

The French had to settle for holding the Yellow and gaining the White, as Sanchez showed his ability as a climber.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 51h 54′ 44″
Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 260 points
Samuel Sanchez ( Esp – EUS – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 40 points
Arnold Jeannesson ( Fra – FDJ – 134 ) 13 [White]

Team: Leopard-Trek ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Samuel Sanchez ( Esp – EUS – 021 )
Combative: Geraint Thomas ( GBr – SKY – 117 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 2,127.5 kilometers [1,322.0 miles] at an average speed of 41.0 kph [25.5 mph] ↓.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Blaye les Mines – Lavaur

Distance: 167.5 kilometers.

Another rolling hills stage with a Category 3 at the beginning and a Category 4 at the end with a downhill run to the finish.

It’s number 18 for Mark Cavendish who now ranks eighth among all-time stage winners, and he takes Green.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 45h 52′ 39″
Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 251 points
Johnny Hoogerland ( Ned – VCD – 204 ) [Polka Dot] 22 points
Robert Gesink ( Ned – RAB – 041 ) 15 [White]

Team: Eurocar ( 181-189 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 )
Combative: Mickaël Delage ( Fra – FDJ – 133 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 1,916.5 kilometers [1,190.9 miles] at an average speed of 41.8 kph [26.0 mph] ↑.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Aurillac – Carmaux

Distance: 158.0 kilometers.

This is laughingly called a “flat” stage because that is a sprint at the beginning and then it’s a Category 2, Category 4, meal break, Category 3, Category 4, and then somewhat flat at the end.

It is hard to predict speeds after a rest day, because some riders will have recharged while others will really begin to feel their bruises.

Only two riders failed to make the start today, but Johnny Hoogerland has the ‘cross-stitching’ from three deep wounds received from the barbed wire fence he went through.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 42h 06′ 32″
Philippe Gilbert ( Bel – OLO – 032 ) [Green] 226 points
Johnny Hoogerland ( Ned – VCD – 204 ) [Polka Dot] 22 points
Robert Gesink ( Ned – RAB – 041 ) 15 [White]

Team: Eurocar ( 181-189 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: André Greipel ( Ger – OLO – 033 )
Combative: Marco Marcato ( Ita – VCD – 206 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 1,749.0 kilometers [1,086.8 miles] at an average speed of 41.5 kph [25.8 mph] ↑.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Issoire – Saint-Flour

Distance: 208.0 kilometers.

An E-Ticket roller coaster for those in pursuit of the Polka Dots. In the first half there are rolling hills then a Category 3, more rolling hills and then the meal break. After lunch it gets vertical – two Catergory 2s, then two Category 3s, another Category 2, a sprint, and finishes with two Catagory 4s. Tomorrow is a rest day, so there should be a lot of attacks.

One of the attacks was car, according to Cycling News:

A race that has been packed with drama so far continued in the same vein. An early crash that resulted in Euskaltel-Euskadi’s Amets Txurruka and Vacansoleil-DCM’s Wout Poels quitting the race was merely the prelude. As the bunch descended the second climb of the day, the Pas de Peyrol, a number of riders went down, both on the road and into the ditch and woods on the right-hand side of it.

The most seriously affected were Omega Pharma-Lotto GC leader Jurgen Van den Broeck and teammate Fredrik Willems, Astana leader Alexandre Vinokourov, and Garmin-Cervelo’s Dave Zabriskie. All were forced to abandon with broken bones.

With 36km to the finish, the lead break was reduced from five riders to three when a French TV car that was overtaking on the grass swerved to avoid a tree and side-swiped Juan Antonio Flecha, sending the Sky rider somersaulting into Johnny Hoogerland, who flew off the road to the right and into a wire fence. Fortunately, both riders were able to continue, Hoogerland receiving some compensation at the finish in the shape of the King of the Mountains jersey.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 38h 35′ 11″
Philippe Gilbert ( Bel – OLO – 032 ) [Green] 217 points
Johnny Hoogerland ( Ned – VCD – 204 ) [Polka Dot] 22 points
Robert Gesink ( Ned – RAB – 041 ) 15 [White]

Team: Eurocar ( 181-189 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Luis-Leon Sanchez ( Esp – RAB – 047 )
Combative: Johnny Hoogerland ( Ned – VCD – 204 ) [Red numbers] [Extra credit for car assault]

They’ve gone 1,591.0 kilometers [988.6 miles] at an average speed of 41.3 kph [25.6 mph] ↓.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

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 20^th 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:
[Read more →]

Le Mans – Chateauroux

Distance: 218.0 kilometers.

The last of the sprinter stages for a while and the climbers start to dominate. This a pure road race with no climbs worth a gear shift.

The good news is that Mark Cavendish is now tied for ninth overall with this, his 17^th stage win.

OTOH:

At the 180km mark, just as the pace had increased to around 60km/h thanks to a tailwind, there was a crash near the middle of the peloton. Involved were a range of riders including the rider in sixth overall Bradley Wiggins (SKY). He was forced to abandon because of injuries sustained. Others caught in the crash were Horner (RSH), Pauriol (FDJ) who also had to abandon because of his injuries, Boasson Hagen (SKY), Farrar (GRM)… only about 60 men made the front group. With 20km to go, the escapees were 30” ahead of the yellow jersey’s peloton that was led by Leopard-Trek and BMC. There was 1’33” between the front peloton and the second one. The escape was over with 12km to go. Liquigas, HTC and Leopard-Trek led the peloton at that point.

Both Wiggins and Pauriol have broken collarbones. at a minimum.

Thor Hushovd ( Nor – GRM – 051 ) [Yellow] 28h 29′ 27″
Jose Joaquin Rojas ( Esp – MOV – 088 ) [Green] 167 points
Johnny Hoogerland ( Ned – VCD – 204 ) [Polka Dot] 4 points
Robert Gesink ( Ned – RAB – 041 ) 10 [White]

Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 )
Combative: Yannick Talabardon ( Fra – SAU – 219 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 1,194.0 kilometers [741.9 miles] at an average speed of 41.9 kph [26.0 mph] ↓.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

Dinan – Lisieux

Distance: 226.5 kilometers.

The longest stage on Le Tour is a country ride through Normandy featuring two Category 3 climbs, a Category 4, and an incline at the finish.

Update: I forgot to mention the torrential rains on the stage. At least there is no worry about dehydration or sunstroke.

Thor Hushovd ( Nor – GRM – 051 ) [Yellow] 17h 36′ 57″
Philippe Gilbert ( Bel – OLO – 032 ) [Green] 144 points
Johnny Hoogerland ( Ned – VCD – 204 ) [Polka Dot] 4 points
Geraint Thomas ( GBr – SKY – 117 ) 7 [White]

Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Edvald Boasson Hagen ( Nor – SKY – 114 )
Combative: Adriano Malori ( Ita – LAM – 168 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 976.0 kilometers [606.5 miles] at an average speed of 42.7 kph [26.5 mph] ↑.

OVERALL STANDINGS:

[Read more →]