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Stage 15: Pontarlier to Verbier (207.5km)
Jul. 19th, 2009 03:56 pmYeah, it's only eight miles. But it's eight miles straight up.
Today is a Cat One finish in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier. We're halfway up the mountain now, and we've got one rider-- Simon Spilak of Lampré-- up ahead, four men chasing, then the main field. Garmin and Saxo bank are pushing the pace-- they want to be in the front to get their men up in positions to attack. The front of the peloton is looking good-- all the teams in a line, looking smooth. The back of the peloton? Oh, dear, no. These are the guys who are in worlds of pain. They just want to live to fight another day.
Soon enough, the good climbers begin their attack. Fabian Cancellara is fighting to stay in the front to help teammates Andy and Frank Schleck. Astana is pushing, as well. But it's Frank who's going off the front now, with Armstrong and Contador behind him. And apparently, it's time for the bog move of the day! It's Contador off the front! Just like last week, he's off and away, leaving Armstrong with the Saxo Bank brothers. I could be wrong, but this doesn't feel like something unplanned this time.
Andy Schleck is now fighting to get up the road to him, but it's not working. We have several groups all over, and it's hard to see who's where. What IS sure, however, is that Rinaldo Nocentini is somewhere in one of the back groups-- he knew he'd lose the Maillot Jaune in the mountains, and it looks like it's this mountain, today. But he's had an excellent run, and taken good care of the coveted jersey. Another man who'll never pay for another drink in France. Carlos Sastre is showing the benefits of experience. Dropped by the pack, he didn't flip out or try anything desperate, and now he's working his way back up.
2km to go, and Contador is still accelerating. Armstrong is setting the pace of one group behind, but bridging up with the help of teammate Andreas Kloden. Behind him, Bradley Wiggins of Garmin is working hard, showing why he's still considered a contender. Carlos Sastre is chasing hard, too. Under the red kite, and Contador is still going. I have to admit, it's pretty amazing to see. Andy Schleck is seconds behind him and not gaining.
We come to the front-end cameras, the surest sign of an approaching finish line, and Contador is up out of the saddle, still climbing, still making it look like an afternoon out-- and he sits up, making the gesture of firing a pistol with his hand as he crosses the line with a huge grin, taking not only the stage, but the Maillot Jaune.
Andy Schleck next, about 40 seconds back. The next group, with Sastre, crosses. Cadel Evans. Andreas Kloden-- and then Armstrong, who has now ridden himself into second place, 1'37" back. But this, folks, is probably the race right here. If nothing catastrophic happens, we most likely know now who'll take yellow to Paris.
And it's a classic mountain stage finish-- the riders come in now, exhausted, in ones and twos and clumps, up one final vicious upturn and corner, then down a few yards to the line. The crowd is going nuts behind the brightly-coloured barriers, as well they should. They've seen a hell of a race today.
Well, tomorrow is a rest day. Hopefully, it'll be a day for George Hincapie to have a talk with his old friend Lance, as it seemed this morning he was still holding a grudge. And it's certain the rest of the peloton could use the rest. Attrition's got us down to 162 riders. Today's biggest loss was probably Tom Boonen, struck down by a fever and stomach virus. This was very much not the year for the Belgian National Champion, but hopefully, we'll see him back next year. If he doesn't do anything stupid again.
Also hopefully,tomorrow will at least in part be a day for the guys to enjoy some of this insanely, gloriously beautiful landscape. Then Tuesday, it's back to work.
Today is a Cat One finish in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier. We're halfway up the mountain now, and we've got one rider-- Simon Spilak of Lampré-- up ahead, four men chasing, then the main field. Garmin and Saxo bank are pushing the pace-- they want to be in the front to get their men up in positions to attack. The front of the peloton is looking good-- all the teams in a line, looking smooth. The back of the peloton? Oh, dear, no. These are the guys who are in worlds of pain. They just want to live to fight another day.
Soon enough, the good climbers begin their attack. Fabian Cancellara is fighting to stay in the front to help teammates Andy and Frank Schleck. Astana is pushing, as well. But it's Frank who's going off the front now, with Armstrong and Contador behind him. And apparently, it's time for the bog move of the day! It's Contador off the front! Just like last week, he's off and away, leaving Armstrong with the Saxo Bank brothers. I could be wrong, but this doesn't feel like something unplanned this time.
Andy Schleck is now fighting to get up the road to him, but it's not working. We have several groups all over, and it's hard to see who's where. What IS sure, however, is that Rinaldo Nocentini is somewhere in one of the back groups-- he knew he'd lose the Maillot Jaune in the mountains, and it looks like it's this mountain, today. But he's had an excellent run, and taken good care of the coveted jersey. Another man who'll never pay for another drink in France. Carlos Sastre is showing the benefits of experience. Dropped by the pack, he didn't flip out or try anything desperate, and now he's working his way back up.
2km to go, and Contador is still accelerating. Armstrong is setting the pace of one group behind, but bridging up with the help of teammate Andreas Kloden. Behind him, Bradley Wiggins of Garmin is working hard, showing why he's still considered a contender. Carlos Sastre is chasing hard, too. Under the red kite, and Contador is still going. I have to admit, it's pretty amazing to see. Andy Schleck is seconds behind him and not gaining.
We come to the front-end cameras, the surest sign of an approaching finish line, and Contador is up out of the saddle, still climbing, still making it look like an afternoon out-- and he sits up, making the gesture of firing a pistol with his hand as he crosses the line with a huge grin, taking not only the stage, but the Maillot Jaune.
Andy Schleck next, about 40 seconds back. The next group, with Sastre, crosses. Cadel Evans. Andreas Kloden-- and then Armstrong, who has now ridden himself into second place, 1'37" back. But this, folks, is probably the race right here. If nothing catastrophic happens, we most likely know now who'll take yellow to Paris.
And it's a classic mountain stage finish-- the riders come in now, exhausted, in ones and twos and clumps, up one final vicious upturn and corner, then down a few yards to the line. The crowd is going nuts behind the brightly-coloured barriers, as well they should. They've seen a hell of a race today.
Well, tomorrow is a rest day. Hopefully, it'll be a day for George Hincapie to have a talk with his old friend Lance, as it seemed this morning he was still holding a grudge. And it's certain the rest of the peloton could use the rest. Attrition's got us down to 162 riders. Today's biggest loss was probably Tom Boonen, struck down by a fever and stomach virus. This was very much not the year for the Belgian National Champion, but hopefully, we'll see him back next year. If he doesn't do anything stupid again.
Also hopefully,tomorrow will at least in part be a day for the guys to enjoy some of this insanely, gloriously beautiful landscape. Then Tuesday, it's back to work.