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RACE REPORTS: TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 17: SCHLECK TAKES TOURMALET
Road Bike Action and AFP
July 22, 2010
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Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) wins the sprint on top of the Col du Tourmalet in front of Alberto Contador (Astana) in Stage 17 of the 2010 tour de France.
(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)
Rain, heavy mist and fog did not hamper the action from the town of Pau to the summit of Col du Toumalet on Thursday's 174 kilometer Stage 17. On this the final day in the Pyrenees of the 2010 Tour de France, Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) led Alberto Contador (Astana) to the top of the Tourmalet as promised. Schleck took his second stage win of the Tour, Contador retained his yellow jersey.
Typical day in the mountains
A break of 7 had hopes of stealing a stage win on top of the Tourmalet. The teams of the yellow jersey and podium contenders initially allowed the break form. Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky), Kristjan Koren (Liquigas), Aleksandre Kolobnev (Katusha), Marcus Burghardt (BMC), Remi Pauriol (Cofidis) and Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskatel-Euskadi) made up the break.
It was 2008 Tour de France winnrer Carlos Sastre (Cervelo TestTeam) who made a brave move to reach the breakaway on the penultimate climb of the day. Sastre was looking for a stage win, to do something special in this year's Tour.
Meanwhile, in the back of the peloton at the 24 kilometer mark Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi) hit the deck chest first. Medical staff treated and cleared Sanchez, who sat 3rd in the overall, to remount his bike. In spite of the crash, Sastre carried on in spite of being scolded by Contador. As the peloton waited for Shanchez, Sastre and the breakaway gained precious minutes. Sanchez and his team eventually rejoined the peloton.
After the return of Sanchez to the peloton, Astana and Saxo Bank took control of the race and began to whittle down the gap. Even though there were no podium contenders in the break, Astana and Saxo Bank were looking for the stage win for their riders. On the early slopes of the Tourmalet, all of the breaks were caught including Sastre and the 7.
Two Man Show
Saxo Bank took early control on the Tourmalet. The blistering pace set by Fabian Cancellara and Team Saxo Bank dropped even Contador's best man, Alexandre Vinokourov. One by one riders popped off the yellow jersey group and it was time to see who was the best climber. Schleck made his first attack, which Contador- and no one else- answered. Schleck and Contador were left to battle one on one- to see who would be the best climber on the Tourmalet.
Schleck attacked and pushed the pace. Contador attacked however Schleck answered with little effort. "I gave it everything today, I tried to attack, I changed rhythm several times to try and drop him and I just couldn't," Schleck said. Contador sat on Schleck's wheel answering each and every surge and attack in step. "The whole time I was really concentrated, and felt pretty confident. Today I had great legs, " said Contador.
Just under the 5 kilometer to go mark, Caontador made his move. "I tried to attack him but Andy's reaction showed me he was strong," said Contador. Andy caught Alberto and gave him an icy stare, as if to warn him. Schleck resumed control and Contador followed his wheel all the way to the line. The two crossed the line together, and Schleck took the sprint.
Schleck applauded Contador's gentlemanly conduct at the end. "In the end I have to say respect to Alberto because he didn't sprint (for the finish) at the end."
Contador played down the fact he has not won any stages in this year's Tour. "There's still some stages left but let's say today it was an important stepping stone (towards the yellow jersey)," said Contador. "I haven't won any stages but my objective was to win the Tour. Some years you win stages, others you don't."
Other Notable Finishes
In an amazing show for the former mountain bike champion, Canadian Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) crossed the line in 4th at 1'7" behind the power couple. Ryder moves into 8th place, 9'18" behind Contador. American Chris Horner (RadioShack) had an amazing performance finishing the stage in 8th, moving himself into 10th place in the overall general classification.
No Costume Changes
Andy Schleck remains the best young rider and will continue to wear the white jersey, as Contador retains yellow, Anthony Charteau (Quick Step) keeps the polka dots for the best climber. With today's performance, Charteau has sealed the jersey for the Tour as there are no more classified mountains in the Tour.
Thor Hushovd (Cervelo TestTeam) wears yellow into Bordeaux tomorrow maintaining his 4 point lead over Alessandro Pettachi (Lampre-Farnese-Vini). Two sprint stages remain: Friday's stage into Bordeaux and the final stage into Paris on Sunday.
Stage Results:
1. Andy Schleck (LUX) Saxo Bank in 174km in 5h03'29"
2. Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana at same time
3. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) Katusha at 1'18"
4. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Garmin-Tranistions at 1'27"
5. Samuel Sanchez (ESP) Euskatel-Euskadi at 1'32"
6. Denis Menchov (RUS) Rabobank at 1'40"
7. Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank at 1'40"
8. Chris Horner (USA) RadioShack at 1'45"
9. Jurgen van den Broeck (BEL) Omrga Pharma-Lotto 1'48"
10. Roman Krueziger (CZE) Liquigas 2'14"
Overall after Stage 18:
1. Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana in 83h32min 39sec
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 18 Preview
Salies-de-Bearn - Bordeaux, 198km
Another day for the sprinters and another day for Alessandro Petacchi and Mark Cavendish to try to grab the green from Thor Hushovd.Cavendish has proved he is the fastest man on a bicycle, but he has yet to earn enough points to take the green. And 3 opportunities exist for the sprinters to gain precious points. A breakaway will likely take on the intermediate sprints, but the final sprint at the end will without a doubt include all of the top sprinters.
The climbers will be tired today, but riders and teams who have not won a stage in this year's Tour are likely going to try to take the final prize.
Bordeaux, the city of wine, will hosts the finish of this brutally flat, hot and windy stage.
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