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RACE REPORTS: TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 18: CAVENDISH BOTTLES FIELD IN BORDEAUX
Road Bike Action and AFP
July 23, 2010
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Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) bottles the field in Bordeaux with his 4th win of this Tour and his 14th win over four Tours de France in Stage 18 of the 2010 Tour de France.
(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)
With the "Sprinters' Capital" as the second to last opportunity for the sprinters to show they power, It was once again Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) showing the world he doesn't even need a lead out man. France's wine capital, Bordeaux, doubles as the sprinters' capital in the Tour de France, and provided a spectacular show for the thousands of spectators.
 Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo) on his solo run on Stage 18 of the 2010 Tour de France. (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
A typical breakaway took off early on the stage from Salies-de-Béarn to Bordeaux. The 4 strong group rode most of the 198 kilometer stage in perfect unison until just outside of 10 kilometers to go. Three of the four, including Jerome Pineau (Quick Step) fell back into the peloton, but Daniel Oss (Liquigas) had ideas of grandeur. He was able to stave off the peloton for the next 6 kilometers, averaging a gap of 20 seconds. He was finally caught on a day that was promised for the sprinters.
As the sprinters entered the town of Bordeaux, it appeared Team Sky were fully prepared to launch their fast man Edvald Boassen Hagen to the line for a much needed stage win. But it would be Cervelo TestTeam making the pace in the final kilometer for Norwegian Thor Hushovd. Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) looked to be in the mix as well in the hunt for the green jersey. Petacchi moved to the left to create a second echelon, giving an added advantage to Cavendish who would jump from behind Thor's wheel onto Petacchi's. Cavendish simply out powered every other man in the field with an effortless acceleration. He gapped the rest of the bunch by a few meters, and even had time to look back to check the location of his competitors before crossing the line in victory.
Cavendish won his 4th stage in this year's Tour, and his 14th Tour stage win. "When Alessandro went with 275 (metres) to go I thought he had the jump on me, so I was pretty happy that I was able to get the jump on him," said Cavendish. "He went on the left and I came around him on the right," added the Isle of Man rider, who played down the ease with which he won the stage. "It doesn't matter whether you win by a lot or five bike lengths. A win's a win." As for the green jersey for the best sprinter, "I've got to try and win on the Champs Elysees, whatever the situation," added Cavendish. Cavendish is currently in third, 6 points behind Hushovd and 16 behind the new leader Petacchi.
Petacchi ripped the green jersey from Hushovd, however the Italian recognizes there is no rest until the Champs Elysees: "I still have to pick up points in the final sprint." .
For Thor, who feels his sprint has been compromised by an injury earlier this year, the optimism is gone after his 14th on today's stage. "That's it, the green jersey is over for me," said Hushovd. "I just haven't been good enough in the sprints." Hushovd went as far as to ride himself into 10th in Stage 16 in Pau.
 Cameron Diaz (l), ALberto Contador (Astana) and Tom Cruise (r) on the yellow jersey podium after Stage 18 of the 2010 Tour de France.
There was no change in the General Classification, and Alberto Contador (Astana) retained the yellow jersey and his 8 second lead over Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)another day. Contador was joined on stage with Tom Cruise and Camern Diaz, to whom he presented signed yellow jerseys, "Here is a yellow jersey, which I hope to win on Sunday."
Stage Results:
1. Mark Cavendish (GBR) HTC-Columbia
2. Julian Dean (NZL) Garmin-Transitions
3. Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) Lampre-Farnese Vini
4. Robbie McEwen (AUS) Katusha
5. Oscar Freire (ESP) Rabobank
6. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR) Team Sky
7. Jurgen Roelandts (BEL) Omega Pharma-Lotto
8. Jose Joaquin Rojas (ESP) Caiise d'Epargne
9. Grega Bole (SLO) Lampre-Farnese Vini
10. Ruben Perez (ESP) Euskatel-Euskadi
General Classification after Stage 18:
1. Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana in 88h 09min 48sec
2. Andy Schleck (LUX) Saxo Bank at 8"
3. Samuel Sanchez (ESP) Euskatel-Euskadi at 3'32"
4. Denis Menchov (RUS) Rabobank at 3'53"
5. Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL) Omega Pharma-Lotto at 5'27"
6. Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank at 6'41"
7. Joaquin Rodriguez (ESP) Katusha at 7'03"
8. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Garmin-Transitions at 9'18"
9. Roman Kreuziger (CZE) Liquigas at 10'12"
10. Chris Horner (USA) RadioShack at 10'37"
Stage 19 Preview
Bordeaux - Pauillac 52 km Time Trial
The time trial will be the ultimate test for the riders and the determinant in the race for the yellow jersey. Starting in the famous wine capital Bordeaux, the riders will test their endurance and speed against the clock. The first 15 kilometers will take the riders on a scenic route through Bordeaux, although they will be going far too fast and far too deep in concentration to notice anything but their burning legs and lungs.
As they leave Bordeaux the riders will pedal their way across wine country and the famous Chateaus of the region. But no time for tastings as they battle for precious seconds in the general classification as they give their final punch into the town of Pauillac.
This will be the final test between Alberto Contador (Astana) and Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank). Is Alberto still the superior time trialist? Or does Schleck have a little something up his sleeve he hasn't told anyone about? Aside from the race for first, Denis Menchov (Rabobank) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi) will be battling for the 3rd place position on the podium. Menchov set his sights on second. Is it possible for him to best Schleck? Perhaps not, but as he sits just behind Sanchez, he has a good chance to take that third position in Paris.
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