TdF Day 15 – Stage 13 – Pau to Lourdes
Are you freaking kidding me?
What can you say about a ride like today’s? Not only did Thor SMASH his breakaway companions – he proved AGAIN he is THE rider of this Tour. Whatever BMC was offering him – I’m sure it just went up another 20% after today. Nice to see Saxo-Bank finally mentioned with Thor in mind - I figured that's what Saxo Bank meant when they said to Bjarne Riss "extra money can be found for the right rider"... It’s going to be a tough call if Garmin decides to let him go can't sign him – compare his presence in the past 13 to Tyler Farrar and it’s a tough decision that Jonathan Vaughters needs to make. This has been a tremendous Tour for Garmin-Cervelo and he’s going to have to make some hard off-season decisions.
It’ll be a shame if the rumors of all former Cervelo Test Team riders leaving the team at the end of this year are true.
Aside from the presence of Thor and Petacchi in the break today – the stage unfolded pretty much as expected. A bunch of French opportunists got in the break – a “climber” like David Moncoutie tried to attack and in the end a 2 vs 1 French vs. someone else ended up with the French on the losing end. Good luck for the French that Voeckler is in yellow because there are not very many stages left that have an opportunity for a French victory. This was a stage tailor made for a French breakaway and still they couldn’t win it… Christian Prudhomme might as well have called David Moncoutie or Jeremey Roy in October and told them… this one’s for you boys. Even Laurant Jalabert said about Moncoutie “David Moncoutié rode very badly. You don't do a turn on the front if you're with Hushovd. He seemed to ride for 2nd place". It’s like a national pastime for the French former pros to bag on the French current pros.
MORE THOR!!!
Notes:
- Another terrible day for Team Radio Shack – Klodi had to abandon today early in the stage after losing 8’26” yesterday. His crash on the top of the Hourquette d’Ancizan really put him into difficulty and was again terrible luck.
- Sad to see Lars Boom drop out as well. Seems like Rabobank has a history of taking young riders and pushing them beyond their limits too early. Hopefully Lars can figure out where he fits in the Rabobank structure. Who says top classic riders need to ride the tour to be “complete riders”. Lars would be better served tackling the races that suit him vs. big stage races at this point in his career.
- The first 60km were SO FAST today – every team wanted to get into a break and Europcar did a great job pulling big breaks back. Finally Thor , Petacchi et.al. did a great job to get away.
- Tommy V looked good today – it is just me or does he seem to get more yellow stuff everyday. Today he had yellow helmet, glasses, shorts, jersey, bike, socks and shoes. The only thing that was missing was yellow gloves… COME ON EUROPCAR get with it.
- Nice attack by Philippe Gilbert to move up to 9th place. Drop Voeckler out of there and he’s only 1’13” out of 5th place… not that he’s targeting top 10 – but he could clearly do it. Watch this guy 2 years from now at the Tour. Podium potential for sure.
- I think Gilbert thought the 1k to go banner was the PMU sprint line – he launched a HUGE attack 1500m to go – ooops. I think he thought he was 500m from the line.
- For the rest of the peloton it was a pretty easy day – as they expected. Nice to get a bit of rest before tomorrows Pyraneeian traverse.
Tomorrow – Saint-Gaudens to Plateau de Beille – 168.5km
Tomorrow stage looks like a saw blade heading through the Pyrenees. It’s going to be a complete crusher and the peloton is going to be glad they got a rest today. Every time the Tour has climbed Plateau de Beille the winner at the top has won the Tour. Tomorrow might turn the tables on that – but for sure the eventual winner of the Tour will need to be in the front group.
Based on what we all saw yesterday after the Tourmalet – we have to expect a very small group to get to the base of the final ascent together. Whether it’s from Leopard-Trek forcing the pace or from attrition – any team that has designs on winning the stage will want to push the pace over Col d’Agnes to clear off the lower teammate of their competitors.
Look at this final ascent - I wonder how much slower the ride tomorrow will be vs. the Armstrong v. Basso race of 2004. To see some interesting numbers look at this analysis of Thursday.
http://cyclocosm.com/2011/07/a-tale-of-two-luz-ardidens-2003-and-2011/
I don’t think Saxo has the bodies to do that – but if Contador harbors any hope of winning the Tour tomorrow he HAS to take time back. There are only really two opportunities for him in the Alps and Frank Schleck has made it clear that the double-Schleck is finally a real threat. Alberto WILL attack – but will it stick? He looked very tired on Thursday and did not have any of the acceleration he is famous for. He’s a champion – 6 time Grand Tour Champion – but watch this stage finish from the last time on Plateau de Bielle and tell me if he looks ANYTHING like that this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOaekFxl4Z8&feature=related
He has to have to attack – and I’m not ready to totally write him off – he looked really relaxed today and he’s going to have to turn himself inside out to drop the Schlecks. I think Andy was lucky on Thursday but Frank has the form to win the Tour. If Frank can go with Contador when he attacks he can put time on everyone. It’s a big risk tomorrow. I think Basso is holding back a bit - his smile on Thursday made it clear he had more to go... he looks good and he's been here before. I think it'll be Basso then Contador with F.Schleck on his wheel. Cadel within 20sec and licking his lips to win the Tour. F.Schleck in yellow again… I wonder how Andy will feel when Frank tells him to take a pull.
Stage Winner: Ivan Basso
Yellow Jersey: Frank Schleck
Polka Dots: Sammy Sanchez
Green: Mark Cavendish
MORE THOR - here he says "this is the best moment of my career"
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