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RACE REPORTS: TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 15: VOECKLER WINS, CONTADOR IN YELLOW
Road Bike Action and AFP
July 19, 2010
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Thomas Voeckler (Bbox-Bouygues Telecom) winning Stage 15 of the 2010 Tour de France in Bagneres-de-Luchon.
(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)
In yet another dramatic stage in the 2010 Tour de France, French National Champion wins after riding away from a break of 10. Stage 15, the second of 4 days in the Pyrenees, started the same as the rest as stage win hopefuls would break away just outside of Pamiers. The 187 kilometer stage finished in Bagnères-de-Luchon after a 21 kilometer descent off summit of the HC climb of Port de Bales- a long enough and technical enough descent to have an effect on the race.
The stage began with a blistering pace. Cervelo TestTeam GC contender Carlos Sastre observed: “It was really hard, really fast. The first 100km was MotoGP." The pace, set not only by the teams of the GC contenders, but the would-be heroes looking for stage wins. The would-be heroes of the day was a breakaway of ten riders.
 The remnants of the breakaway haunted by the Devil of the Tour de France. (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Holding out for a Hero
The break of ten lacked the climbing firepower of previous stages, and the question was whether or not anyone would be able to make the break stick and take the win. At 70 kilometers from the finish, the gap had grown to 10 minutes. On the slopes of the Port de Bales, the question would be answered, in French: Thomas Voeckler. He was able to ride away from the rest of the men in the break. The first 10 km of the climb would average 5-6% in gradient, increasing to 10-11% for the second 10 km. At the top of the climb, Voeckler had 4 minutes 15 seconds advantage, which would be enough for him to comfortably ride in to Bagneres-de-Luchon uncontested to take his first stage of the 2010 Tour de France.
For Voeckler, it was his first win in this year's Tour de France. For France, it was the host country's 5th.
"I worked hard for this stage win," said Voeckler, who admitted he almost abandoned the race last week. "It has been a really difficult race for me and, if there had been crosswinds on (the stage during) July 14 instead of a headwind, I would almost certainly have pulled out." The 31-year-old Bbox-Bouygues Telecom rider is perhaps best known for the 10 days he spent in the yellow jersey in 2004.
Again, as in the preceding days, the drama of the Tour was unfolding behind and unbeknownst to Voeckler.
 The top 5 GC contenders tackle the Port de Bales together. (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Every Man for Himself
Astana and Alberto Contador realized their mistake on Sunday's Stage 14, and sat in behind Saxo Bank for the day. As Saxo Bank's star riders and sprinters Jens Voigt, Nicki Sorenson and the rest pushed an excrutiating pace, Contador and his team would sit behind. When it became the turn of Schleck, he knew he would have to push the pace on his own. Schleck whittled the group down to 4: Contador, Denis Menchov (Rabobank), Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi) and himself- just kilometers from the summit.
 Andy Schleck on the side of the road to fix his own mechanical, left to fend for himself as the GC hopefuls ride by. (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
In the critical three kilometers of the Port de Bales, Andy Schleck dropped his chain. Alberto Contador, Samuel Sanchez and Denis Menchov did not stop to wait for Schleck and the three decided to attack. For Contador, he would gain just enough time to take back the yellow jersey, holding a mere 8 second lead over Schleck. Contador faced a few cheers among the boos during his yellow jersey presentation; however, with Denis Menchov and Sanchez still within reach of the podium and perhaps the yellow jersey in this dramatic race, Contador could not risk losing an more time to the pair. Schleck would finish in 12th on the stage at a 3 minute and 29 second deficit to Voeckler.
"I'm really disappointed. My stomach is full of anger, and I want to take my revenge," said Schleck after the stage. "I will take my revenge in the coming days."
Saxo Bank team manager Bjarne Riis, meanwhile, appeared to side with Contador. I didn't see it but it's all part of racing circumstances," said the Dane. "I think he (Contador) waited at the start, and then he went. That's just part of racing."
Contador, who was at the mercy of not only Schleck, but Menchov and Sanchez as well, said "I set out with the intention to attack on the climb, but when I countered Andy I didn't know he actually had a problem," said the Spaniard. "When I knew he had the problem, it was already too late. We had taken a significant lead on him."
This edition of the Tour has had a handful of moments where the yellow jersey and other champions, including Lance Armstrong, have been left in the dust to deal with their problems- crashed, mechanicals- on their own. Had the boot been on the other foot, the Luxemburger claimed he would have waited on Contador. "In the same situation I would not have taken advantage," said Schleck, who took the yellow jersey from Australia's Cadel Evans on stage nine.
 Alberto Contador (Astana) finally in yellow. (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Stage 15 Results:
1. Thomas Voeckler (FRA) Bbox-Bouygues Telecom in 187.5km in 4h44'51"
2. Alessandro Ballan (ITA) BMC at 1'20"
3. Aitor Perez Arrieta (ESP) Footon-Servetto at same time
4. Lloyd Mondory (FRA) Ag2r-La Mondiale at 2'50"
5. Luke Roberts (AUS) Milram at same time
6. Francisco Reda (ITA) Quick Step at s.t.
7. Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana at s.t.
8. Samuel Sanchez (ESP) Euskatel-Euskadi at s.t.
9. Denis Menchov (RUS) Rabobank at s.t.
10. Brian Vandborg (DEN) Liquigas at s.t.
...12. Andy Schleck (LUX) Saxo Bank ... at 3'29"
General Classification after Stage 15:
1. Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana in 72hr 50' 42"
2. Andy Schleck (LUX) Saxo Bank at 8"
3. Samuel Sanchez (ESP) Euskatel-Euskadi at 2'
4. Denis Menchov (RUS) Rabobank at 2'13"
5. Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL) Omega Pharma-Lotto at 3'39"
6. Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank at 5'1"
7. Levi Leipheimer (USA) RadioShack at 5'25"
8. Joaquin Rodriguez (ESP) Katusha at 5'45"
9. Alexander Vinokourov (KAZ) Astana at 7'12"
10. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Garmin-Transition at 7'51"
Stage 16 Preview
Bagnères-de-Luchon - Pau - 199.5 km
Two hundred kilometers, two Category 1 and two HC climbs will tear the legs off the racers Tuesday as day three in the Pyrenees delivers a near controversial stage. The riders will have to tackle Category 1 Peyresourde from the start with no flat or rolling warm up. Next up, the Category 1 Col d'Aspin, then the famous Col du Tourmalet and finally Col d'Aubisque. After the 4 major climbs, two intermediate sprint points and a 60 kilometer descent take the riders into Pau.
It is anybody's guess how this stage will pan out. With a 60 km downhill ride from the top of the Aubuisque, it is hard to say if the GC climbers will feel comfortable enough to risk an attack. Certainly more heroic efforts by stage-win-seekers will ensue. Will Thor Hushovd attack? Will Contador and Schleck stick together? Whose team will sit at the front? If you are not on the edge of your seat, check your pulse.
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