At 6:18 AM EDT the riders began to roll through the 6.9 km neutral zone. The race began at 12:31 CET | 6:31 AM EDT.
Judging by the name of the mountain at the end of today’s stage, “Col du Tourmalet” – if my french is right, “malet” means mallet, or hammer, so “The Hammer of the Tour” – today’s race might spell, Pretenders Beware!
6:54
7 riders have attempted a breakaway heading up the first climb the little Category 4 hill, Côte de Renoir a surprisingly steep 7.5 average degree, but short 2.2 km climb.
Tour de France Stage 17 Live 6:53 AM EDT
7:03
The Seven breakaway are:
1. Juan Antonio Flecha
2. Edvald Bosson Hagen
3. Kristjan Koren
4. Alexandr Kolobnev
5. Marcus Burghardt
6. Rémi Pauriol
7. Rubin Perez Moreno
7:07
Coming to the first sprint section at the 30 km mark, Ignatas Konovalovas has broken away from the Peloton to give chase on the lead group. He’s 2:50 back, 15 seconds on front of the main group.
7:13
Carlos Sastre has joined Ignatas Konovalovas in the chase to the breakawayers.
7:25
The chase group is still 3:05 back but the Peloton is now nearly 6 minutes out.
Tour de France Stage 17 Live 7:30 AM EDT
7:30
The Peloton now back by 7:51!
7:47
The breakaways are half way up the Category 1, Col de Marie-Blanque, a 9.1 average degree, 9.3 km climb. They lead the Peloton by 8:49 now.
Versus announcer Paul Sherwen tells me the top 3 km of this mountain inclines at 11 degrees! Ouch!
7:57
Carlos Sastre has left Ignatas Konovalovas behind. Sastre has a 3:30 advantage on the other pretender to the breakaway; but Sastre himself isn’t catching them either. He’s now fallen 3:50 behind as the breakaway struggles through that tough top 3 km of the Category 1. The Peloton is 9:30 back.
8:06
The breakaway is over the top…
Tour de France Stage 17 Live 8:06 AM EDT
As the breakaway go down the Col de Marie-Blanque the conditions change completely: temperature in the valleys is 17, 10 near the tops of the climbs, as well, it’s raining and really foggy on lee side of the Col de Marie-Blanque.
8:15
Here comes the Peloton, the chase is on; can they close the gap on the downside?
Tour de France Stage 17 Live 8:15 AM EDT
8:23
Down the other side of the Col de Marie-Blanque the Peloton has already erased 1:30 of the breakaways lead.
Tour de France Stage 17 Live 8:21 AM EDT
The Peloton can’t seem to bring this breakaway back, the gap has remained what is was on the decent, now on the long, flat 30 km valley between the two Category 1 mountains.
The Col du Soulor, a 9.3 average degree, 11.9 km climb awaits.
Tour de France Stage 17 Live 8:44 AM EDT
9:14
The breakaway begins to climb the second last climb in the 2010 Tour de France. Their lead over the Peloton is still quite large at 8:21. Carlos Sastre is now 4:41 behind the leaders 3:00 ahead of the main group.
Tour de France Stage 17 Live 9:11 AM EDT
The teams are putting the GC candidates near the front of the Peloton, including Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck and Garmin-Transitions’ Ryder Hesjedal.
9:16
The lone chaser, Carlos Sastre hits the mountain; at the 117.5 km point of the 174 km stage.
9:24
Carlos Sastre is a mountain climber – and he’s showing that now. He’s picked up 40 seconds on the breakaway quite quickly, now on the mountain.
The Peloton is also pressing, they’re catching the leaders (now at 6:30) but not Sastre, who is maintaining the gap behind him – while closing the one in front.
9:35
Sastre can’t close the gap to the breakaway, he’s back down to 4:10. The Peloton, on the other hand, is catching both Sastre and the breakaway – Sastre is only 1:30 ahead and will probably soon be eaten by the main group. As I write Sastre elastics the other way with a surge.
9:49
1 km from the top of the Col du Soulor a heard of sheep pop up out of nowhere – up over the edge of a precipice at the side of the road, and right into the main group! The cameramen riding on motorbikes can’t get enough shots of the sheep who are running down the road, trying to get away from the noisy things.
Meanwhile the cyclists are swerving and bobbing out of way of the frightened, fluffy herbivores. Nobody goes down.
9:57
Tour de France Stage 17 Live 9:55
10:36
The breakaway is 10 km from the start of the terrible Category “H” which marks both the highest point and the last climb in this years Tour de France.
Carlos Sastre, the lone chaser of the lead 7, is only 1 minute ahead of the Peloton – but still 4:30 behind the breakaway seven. The Peloton is powering up to catch him before he gets to his favorite terrain – the mountain ahead.
10:36
Here we go, it’s every man for himself the “domestiques” of the valley will lay back with the sprinters in a ‘survive the mountain’ sub-peloton. The climber domestiques will try to stay with their leads to protect them at the summit finish line.
All hell is about to break loose…
10:39
Tour de France Stage 17 Live 10:39 AM EDT
10:40
Carlos Sastre has been dropped by the Peloton.
Here’s a screen shot from Team HTC Columbia’s widget, “VeloStream” that shows real time telemetry of each rider with a map of where they are – better than F1 racing! Brilliant!
Here’s a close up of the stats beside four riders picture the first number is watts being expended.
Real time telemitry team HTC - up the final climb
When you ride to work you create about 100 watts.
11:00
The lead group has split to pieces. Half way up the murderous climb, the Peloton is 1 minute behind the lone leader Alexandr Kolobnev.
They’re blasting up this mountain at an un-heard-of, magnificent, 30 kph!
11:07
As I publish Contador and Schleck have caught Alexandr Kolobnev. It’s a race of two now – the Podium in Paris will be decided right here on this climb with 7 km to go.
Ryder Hesjedal is right behind the lead two. Versus are predicting an 8th place “GC” after this stage for Hesjedal at this point.
Of all the races I’ve covered so far in this years race I’ve never heard cheering crowds like this. This is mayhem. The two cycle-gods Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck are delivering a show for the decades!
11:15
5 km to go
11:15 AM EDT: Contador and Sckleck - Canadian, Ryder Hesjedal is forth in the first chase group
11:20
The games at the front begin Schleck is slowing and Contador will not pass – a little pay back from Contador from the ealier stand off.
Contador attacks!!
Schleck is surprised, but he’s caught him!
Now the two are back in order; the Yellow Jersey-ed Contador on Schleck’s wheel. Pumping, up on their pedals, never taking their eyes off each other, Schleck turning to try and read Contador. Contador: pum-ad-ada-dum, pum-ad-ada-dum, pum-ad-ada-dum…
11:29
1.5 km to go.
Contador vs Schleck
Places 7 - 12
Contador doesn’t contest at the line and lets Andy Schleck take the top of the stage podium today. Wow! what a race that was fanstastic!
Ryder Hesjedal comes in 1 minute later, likely 8th GC – picking up 2 places on one of the hardest stages in this years tour.
Stage 17 Finish Order – first 10 riders
Tour de France Stage 17 - Top 10 Finish Order
General Classification after Stage 17
Tour de France General Classification after Stage 17
Ryder Hesjedal post race interview:
“I’m feeling great. I was riding with people I was close to [editor: in the standings]. I was happy. Couldn’t catch the lead two. I feel like I’m getting stronger”
Stronger??
With a good sprint this guy could end up on the third level podium in Paris.
Today, for your enjoyment, the riders will summit two “Category 1″‘s and two “Category Uncategorized” climbs (HC). Category 1′s are the hardest climbs, HC are harder than that. (Those French have a different word (concept) for everything.)
Bagnères-de-Luchon to Pau – 199.5 km
Tour de France Stage 16 Profile
9:28
10 riders are 7:23 ahead of the Peloton
1. Lance Armstrong
2. Christopher Horner
3. Sandy Casar
4. Ignatas Konovalovas
5. Carlos Barredo
6. Jurgen Van De Walle
7. Pierrick Fedrigo
8. Christophe Moreau
9. Ruben Plaza Molina
10. Damiano Cunego
As I write Lance Armstrong attacks at the head of the breakaway – the result is the breakaway has split into 4 groups
D’oh! – now they’re back together… What was that about? Did visions of greater days fire Lance’s muscles for a minute?
No… he’s serious, he attacking again – pumping up the mountain in classic Armstrong tempo. He’s on his feet bouncing back and forth, each pump of the pedals followed by a perfect mirror on the opposite side. Pum-pa-de-dum, pum-pa-de-dum, pum-pa-de-dum, pum-pa-de-dum – the classic Armstrong rhythm goes…
The Versus announcers, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen think Armstrong is trying to win this stage; they think he’s trying to dump Damiano Cunego – who they feel is Lance’s main nemesis for a stage win in this group.
As a result of these attacks, the breakaway has added a minute to their lead – now 8:34 in front of the Peloton.
9:55
Tour de France Stage 16 LIVE 9:50 AM EDT
10:14
Sandy Casar and Ignatas Konovalovas have been dropped from the breakaway.
The Breakaway Eight.
1. Lance Armstrong
2. Christopher Horner
3. Carlos Barredo
4. Jurgen Van De Walle
5. Pierrick Fedrigo
6. Christophe Moreau
7. Ruben Plaza Molina
8. Damiano Cunego
Now 9:42 ahead of the Peloton.
10:23
Sandy Casar has now re-joined the eight (so nine) but wait, Carlos Barredo is out off the front now (so eight). A breakaway from the breakaway; Barredo is 30 seconds in front.
10:30
Carlos Barredo’s lead has stabilized now, out in front of the breakaway by 45 seconds.
10:50
Tour de France Stage 16 LIVE 10:50 AM EDT
11:55
The “League de Lance” as the French networks are saying, the eight chasing Barredo, are closing the gap to the leader – now only 15 seconds.
Meanwhile the Peloton is closing on the breakaway as well, now 8:38 back.
11:00
Carlos Barredo has ‘put the pedal down’ and stretched the lead back out to 22 seconds – or is the League de Lance just preparing to pounce?
11:05
When will the League de Lance attack come?
11:07
Armstrong has moved to the front of the League de Lance.
Barredo’s lead is UP, to 28 seconds!
11:08
Barrado is kicking it with 4 km to go!
11:11
Barredo as he goes up the last little hill is wobbly, exhausted on his bike – the lead is down now to 15 seconds with 2000 metres to go.
10 seconds now, Barredo’s on the flat with 1.5 km to go!
11:12
Caught!
11:13
Lance is in near the back of the lead sprinters as he breaks out of his draft to sprint for the finish. He’s too late, not enough!
The Finish
1. Pierrick Fedrigo
2. Sandy Casar
3. Ruben Plaza Molina
4. Damiano Cunego
5. Christopher Horner
6. Lance Armstrong
7. JurgeVan De Walle
8. Christophe Moreau (all at 0:00)
9. Carlos Barredo + 00′ 28″
10. Thor Hushovd + 06′ 45″
11. Jose Joaquin Rojas + 06′ 45″
12. Eros Caprcchi + 06′ 45″
13. Nicolas Roche + 06′ 45″
14. Gerald Ciolek + 06′ 45″
15. Martin Elmiger + 06′ 45″
With 20 km to go, with the four contenders to the Yellow Jersey in the process of kicking it into the downhill of the Port de Balès to the finish, Andy Schleck’s chain pops off it’s front sprocket. Two things can happen when this occurs; either you get lucky and get it back on by adjusting the de-railer, or you have to get off the bike and put it back on by hand.
Schleck tried the de-railer trick as he rolled slowly down the road with 2nd place Alberto Contador, 3rd place Samuel Sanchez and 4th place Denis Menchov powering by him. Schleck eventually has to dis-mount to put it back on by hand; but now he can’t seem to get the simple thing to slip onto the sprockets.
Finally with the help of a Tour de France mechanic who happened to be there, they get it to do what it’s supposed to do – and off he goes – but he’s lost the 31 second gap he had over Alberto Contador for Yellow.
In yesterday’s coverage of the race here, I opined that the full stop showdown between Schleck and Contador near the end of the stage could come back to haunt the riders, especially Contador who was playing the others game. Both rider’s massive ego’s left them balancing in the middle of the road while race contenders flew by yesterday.
That kind of vanity, where an individual seems to see themselves as larger than the sport, greater than the Pyrenees mountains and better than any other bicycle rider on earth, in the great race of life – tends to get slapped down by fate.
Fate stepped in and dealt a warning slap to Schleck today.
Perhaps if Schleck hadn’t been challenging Contador with these mind games all race long, maybe Contador might have waited for him to make the repair, maybe Sanchez and Menchov might have seen that and done like-wise… or maybe not…
The Game of Brinkmanship
Schleck 0 – Fate 1
After the race Schleck said he wouldn’t have taken advantage of a mechanical problem to gain advantage. He referenced stage 2 where he waited for riders after crashes. He said, “I have rage in my stomach, I will have my revenge.”
Ryder Hesdejal, a comparative rookie to these racers, said in an interview right after the race that he didn’t see anything wrong with what the top three did in leaving Schleck behind. In a typical Canadian way Hesdejal wouldn’t take the bait and provide the quote the reporter was salivating for — a quote like, ‘Yeah, those guys are a**holes for doing that’ — was not forthcoming.
The Finish
Ryder Hesjedal (16th place in the stage, + 3:55) rode with, and finished with, the greats again today, and as a result picked up 3 places in the overall – now 10th in the 2010 Tour de France.
Oh, and by the way, the nicest guy in the 2010 Tour, France’s Thomas Voeckler won today’s stage 15. Voeckler made a breakaway early and, for only the second time in this years tour, a breakaway sustained all the way to the end.
To the happy cheers of Le Francois crowding the finish area, Thomas Voeckler finished all alone – 1:20 ahead of the 2nd and 3rd place riders Alessandro Ballan and Aito Perez Arrieta.
Today, a narrative – written while watching the replay of Stage 14 on OLN.
The Tour de France enters the Pyrenees for 4 terrible days.
Revel to Ax 3 Domaines – 184.5 km
Tour de France Stage 14 Profile
At the 142 km mark the bottom of the Category H, Port de Pailhères a 9.4 degree, 15.5 km High Mountain, the first climb of today’s stage.
For the last 40 km the Peloton has been engaged in the process of closing the gap to the breakaway. At the foot of the Port de Pailhères climb they have erased 5.5 minutes of the gap – now at 3:30.
Team Astana has been setting the pace at the front of the Peloton all day. Astana’s three flat specialists, have been drafting for their team mate Alberto Contador. Now they have dropped off the Peloton and will simply concentrate on finishing in advance of the stage’s cut off time (a function of the stage winners finish time the team director will keep them informed how fast they need to pedal at regular intervals).
As the Peloton embark up the Port de Pailhères team Astana now has three mountain specialists around Contador. They will draft him over two summits – the second of which marks the finish line of today’s stage.
Whee!! Down the other side of the Port de Pailhères. But the Category 1, Ax-3-Domaines, a 9.7 degree, 7.8 km climb, looms.
Canadian Flags all over the place on the pretty, winding route.
Up the mountain now…
Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador are battling it out for the 2010 Tour de France overall lead. The Peloton has broken apart, only 9 riders are in the group lead by the pacing of Vinokourov.
Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador are playing a game with each other. The last time we saw this was in the Alps (see stage 9) – Schleck is trying to break Contador, it is his Raison d’être. Contador’s ego takes up the challenge, playing Schlecks game like he is a super human, master of the universe, better than human or god. He thinks can play his enemies game and win doing it – stupid boy.
Riders who are not in the General Classification (GC) race are passing them as they play their game. Schlecks is on Contador’ wheel and Schleck responds instantly to Contadors attacks – adrenaline surge for adrenaline surge. It’s like their bio-fields are connected. But they’re killing each other!
Now Contador decides he doesn’t want to draft for Schleck any more, he’s offering him the lead position – slowing, now slower, and then slower. Soon it’ a contest to see who can go the slowest up a mountain. Now Schleck is proving he can balance just as well as Contodor.
In a bizarre scene, the two rider’s bikes are positioned awkwardly in the middle of the road, both are standing on their pedals, balancing on two wheels at a complete stop – like scorpions; claws at the ready, tail stingers arched over their heads. Meanwhile the main group is circling around them – on their way up the mountain.
The Peloton includes riders in the GC race, including Denis Menchov and Samuel Sanchez, two riders who are likely to pose a threat to Schleck and Contador for final victory – so every second the game continues now means time is coming off the two pugilists overall lead.
Schleck, the one wearing the Yellow Jersey (the one with the most to lose), outlasts Contador in this strategic mind game. Contador guns it and, with Schleck still right on his wheel, they power back up to speed and catch the main group.
While losing 6 seconds to Denis Menchov and Samuel Sanchez in the overall, they both preserve their standing at the top of the GC.
The Game of Brinkmanship
Schleck 1 – Contador 0.
Finish order – Stage 14
1. RIBLON Christophe
2. MENCHOV Denis + 00′ 54″
3. SANCHEZ Samuel + 00′ 54″
4. SCHLECK Andy + 01′ 08″
5. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin + 01′ 08″
6. GESINK Robert + 01′ 08″
7. CONTADOR Alberto + 01′ 08″
8. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen + 01′ 08″
9. CUNEGO Damiano + 01′ 49″
General Classification – after 14 stages
1. SCHLECK Andy 68h 02′ 30″ 0:00
2. CONTADOR Alberto 68h 03′ 01″ + 00:31
Today’s stage started at 12:48 PM CUT | 6:48 AM EDT.
Here’s where we are now:
10:50
This morning before the stage began letour.fr officials did a survey of the teams. They asked all ‘directeurs de sportifs’, “Which two riders from your team do you think will be in an escape today?”
Garmin-Transitions:
What two riders from your team do you think will be in a breakaway today?
Today’s breakaway includes 3 riders, right now only 16 second ahead at the foot of the Category 3 Côte de Saint-Ferréol 7.5 degree 1.9 km climb – they will be eaten shortly.
For the record here are the names of ‘the dead’
Flecha
Chavanel
Fedrigo
They are no more, the Peloton is of the one.
11:05
Peloton eats breakaway - now at one with the commons
11:11
Vinokourov and Veockler are attempting to leave the commons! Now they have left each other, Vinokourov is going for the line all by himself! It still very close, only 16 seconds separates the leader and the Peloton – 2.6 km to go!
11:12
Alexandre Vinokourov has pulled it off, he’s going to win – now 18 second to the pack inside the last km!!
Your at the Blog - the Wiki is: "The Toronto/GTA Bicycle Route Mapping Wiki"
Click on the BikingToronto icon to go to this Blog's sister site"The Toronto/GTA Bicycle Route Mapping Wiki"
BIO
I manage two blogs here at BikingToronto: "@Blog_FreeWheel" and the "Toronto/GTA Bicycle Route Mapping Wiki". The Blog and the Wiki are two sides of a coin - the blog to discuss bicycle routes and the politics of bicycle routes - and the Mapping Wiki to publish bike route maps contributors and I have discovered to help city planners, cycling advocates and road users to choose and advocate for, safe and efficient cycling routes on Toronto's busy and dangerous car-centric infrastructure.
