Stage fifteen of the 2012 Tour de France between Samatan and Pau will be one of the last stages to feature the sprinters. Please join us for live blogging from 9:00 pm AEST with full coverage starting at 10:00pm.
Rolling hills with three small categorised climbs are the features of this rather short Tour stage. The climbs come towards the end of the 158.5 kilometre route with the longest being the 2.1 kilometre Cote de Lahitte-Toupiere. With an average gradient of 5.3 per cent, it shouldn’t cause the peloton too much trouble. The other two climbs are of similar length and gradient.
Time is running out for Goss and Farrar to claim stage victories for their teams, while Cavendish will also be looking to add to his solitary victory. I expect the Sky sprinter to continue onto Paris, but should he decide to pull out in preparation for the Olympics, then it will be after this stage.
The chance is there for another breakaway, but success may not be as easy as it was for last night’s group which stormed home over 18 minutes ahead of the peloton. While the main group was on a go-slow for most of the day and then faced the added inconvenience of tacks being spread across the roads in front of them, the pace will be a lot more frantic today with the sprinters’ teams keen to record further victories. With the green jersey all but wrapped up by Peter Sagan, it is stage victories that the likes of Greipel and company are after now.
With that in mind expect to see Lotto Belisol and Orica-GreenEdge doing most of the grunt work today at the head of the peloton. Sky and Liquigas-Cannondale will be there-abouts, but I wonder if we’ll see Wiggins lead out Cavendish as he did Edvald Boasson Hagen two days ago?
The 600 metre finishing straight will provide the perfect opportunity for the sprinters to go shoulder to shoulder in what should be a high speed conclusion to the day’s racing.
Join us tonight from 9:00 pm AEST to see how it all unfolds.
The Crowd Says (105) | Page 1 of Comments
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1:51am
Sean Lee said | 1:51am | Report comment
There are no changes to the general classification. I’m off to bed, but don’t forget to join us for all the action in two day’s time when the Tour continues. Sleep well.
1:50am
Sean Lee said | 1:50am | Report comment
Here is the top ten from today’s stage:
1 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat 3:40:15
2 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin – Sharp
3 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar 0:00:12
4 Nicki Sörensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank
5 Dries Devenyns (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quickstep 0:00:21
6 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne 0:01:08
7 André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol Team 0:11:50
8 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin – Sharp
9 Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale
10 Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
1:43am
Sean Lee said | 1:43am | Report comment
Greipel swings out to sprint – Sagan next to him, can’t get there. It looks to be Greipel, Farrar and Sagan the first 3 across the line in the bunch sprint.
1:42am
Sean Lee said | 1:42am | Report comment
Now it cranks up a little. Lotto on the front now for Greipel. Sagan sitting there as well.
1:41am
Sean Lee said | 1:41am | Report comment
A slow, calm approach to the finish by the peloton. Coming up to 1 kilometre to go.
1:40am
Sean Lee said | 1:40am | Report comment
Now to the peloton. Cavendish is leading out Team Sky, driving the peloton, continuing in his role of a super domestique.
1:39am
Sean Lee said | 1:39am | Report comment
The results so far -
1. Pierrick Fedrigo (FRA) FDJ – 3h36’34″
2. Christian Vande Velde (USA) GRS at same time
3. Nicki Sorensen (DEN) STB at 16″
4. Thomas Voeckler (FRA) EUC at 16″
5. Dries Devenyns (BEL) OPQ at 18″
6.Samuel Dumoulin (COF) at 18 seconds
1:38am
Sean Lee said | 1:38am | Report comment
A good win by Pierrick Fedrigo. He rode a good race.
1st Fedrigo
2nd Vandevelde
3rd Voeckler
1:34am
Sean Lee said | 1:34am | Report comment
Meanwhile the peloton take a leisurely roll through the tree lined streets of Pau. They will be awhile away yet. Yawn.
1:32am
Sean Lee said | 1:32am | Report comment
4 stage wins for France this year!
1:31am
Sean Lee said | 1:31am | Report comment
Fedrigo saw Vandevelde kick and matched him. Vendevelde couldn’t get around – Fedrigo first. Voeckler came through for third.
1:30am
Sean Lee said | 1:30am | Report comment
Vandevelde sitting in Fedrigo’s wheel.
1:30am
Sean Lee said | 1:30am | Report comment
Voeckler is 15 seconds behind – wont get to them.
1:29am
Sean Lee said | 1:29am | Report comment
The winner should come from either Fedrigo or Vandevelde – 1 km to go.
1:29am
Sean Lee said | 1:29am | Report comment
Dumoulin (COF) is out of it.
1:28am
Sean Lee said | 1:28am | Report comment
vandevelde and Fredrigo swapping turns. They have a 21 second advantage with 2 kms to go.
1:27am
Sean Lee said | 1:27am | Report comment
3 kms to go.
1:26am
Sean Lee said | 1:26am | Report comment
Fredrigo and Vandevelde have a good break. The other four are back together.
1:25am
Sean Lee said | 1:25am | Report comment
The four chases aren’t organised. Voeckler tries to jump across the gap himself.
1:25am
Sean Lee said | 1:25am | Report comment
Fredrigo and Vandevelde are clear of the four others and working together. 5 kms to go for them.
1:23am
Sean Lee said | 1:23am | Report comment
Fedrigo (FDJ) has taken off. Vandevelde closes in on him. They have opened a gap on the rest of the break.
1:22am
Sean Lee said | 1:22am | Report comment
The breakaway of Sorensen (STB), Vande Velde (GRS), Dumoulin (COF), Voeckler (EUC), Devenyns (OPQ) and Fedrigo (FDJ) are shadow boxing now. 7.5 kms to go for them – they remain 11’33” ahead of the peloton. They are trying to work over Dumoulin.
1:21am
Sean Lee said | 1:21am | Report comment
FDJ sprinter Yauheni Hutarovich has abandoned. He has been riding solo out the back of the peloton for a long time to day.
1:20am
Sean Lee said | 1:20am | Report comment
Meanwhile Leiphemer was on the side of the road needing a bike change. He is now being paced back to the peloton. He could walk his way back to them today!
1:19am
Sean Lee said | 1:19am | Report comment
Here we go – sorenson is attempting to blow the breakaway apart with 10 kms to go – but they have reeled him in already. Bit of action though!
1:17am
Sean Lee said | 1:17am | Report comment
Of the breakaway,Dumoulin (COF) would be the fastest sprinter. Will one of the others attempt to breakaway from the breakaway?
1:14am
Sean Lee said | 1:14am | Report comment
It’s taking a whole suitcase of courage just to stay awake watching this! Sorensen (STB), Vande Velde (GRS), Dumoulin (COF), Voeckler (EUC), Devenyns (OPQ) and Fedrigo (FDJ) now have an 11’30” advantage over the peloton. 13.5 kms to go. Nothing happening.
1:09am
Sean Lee said | 1:09am | Report comment
17 kms to go for the breakaway. 25 kilometres to go for the laid-back peloton.
1:02am
Sean Lee said | 1:02am | Report comment
Sorensen (STB), Vande Velde (GRS), Dumoulin (COF), Voeckler (EUC), Devenyns (OPQ) and Fedrigo (FDJ) are now over 11 minutes ahead of the non-racing peloton with 21 kms to go.
1:07am
Doonaman said | 1:07am | Report comment
Notice drainage grates in the middle of the road going through the town the breakaway group just went through, hope the bike tyres are wider than the gaps in the grates
1:11am
Sean Lee said | 1:11am | Report comment
Could be nastier than the tram tracks around Lake Wendouree!
12:57am
Sean Lee said | 12:57am | Report comment
If I wasn’t doing this I’d be in bed by now. Still, I’m hacking into the left overs of my son’s birthday cake (frog shaped with Liquigas green icing).
1:02am
Doonaman said | 1:02am | Report comment
Careful Sean you will put on weight, you will need to do a big ride tomorrow to work off all the extra calories
1:11am
Sean Lee said | 1:11am | Report comment
Go to bed Dad!
12:53am
Sean Lee said | 12:53am | Report comment
A disappointing day’s racing really.Everybody is saving themselves for when hostilities resume after tomorrow’s rest day.
12:51am
Sean Lee said | 12:51am | Report comment
Voeckler takes the one KOM point on offer over the third climb. The leaders are now just 29.4 kms from the finish. The gap is 10’03”.
12:50am
Sean Lee said | 12:50am | Report comment
The main field have only just begun the second climb of the day. They sit at a very slow 9’55” behind our six leaders.
12:49am
Sean Lee said | 12:49am | Report comment
The break are on the last climb of the day. The cat 4 Cote de Monassut-Audiracq. 1.5kms at 5.4 %.
12:43am
Sean Lee said | 12:43am | Report comment
Voeckler collects another 2 KOM points being first across the top while Dumoulin takes the remaining point.
12:41am
Sean Lee said | 12:41am | Report comment
Sorensen, Vande Velde, Dumoulin, Voeckler, Devenyns and Fedrigo are almost 9 minutes ahead of the peloton with 35 kms to go.
12:39am
Sean Lee said | 12:39am | Report comment
The break are on the second climb of the day, the cat 3 Cote de Simacourbe. It is 1.9 kms at 6.3 per cent
12:38am
Sean Lee said | 12:38am | Report comment
I thought Orica-GreenEdge would have attempted to move the pace along today.
12:34am
Sean Lee said | 12:34am | Report comment
The peloton doesn’t seem very interested in the breakaway. Looks like they will survive with an advantage of almost 8 minutes with just on 40 kms to go.
12:30am
Sean Lee said | 12:30am | Report comment
Almost chocking to death here after trying to ‘drink’ the crumbs remaining in the bottom of my Pringles container!
12:28am
Sean Lee said | 12:28am | Report comment
Tacks on the road yesterday, oil on the road today. No mishaps however as Team Sky indicated the danger to all those behind them. It was easy as she goes though!
12:27am
Sean Lee said | 12:27am | Report comment
The break away has stretched its lead back out to nearly 7 minutes. It consists of Vande Velde (GRS), Voeckler (EUC), Fedrigo (FDJ), Dumoulin (COF), Devenyns (OPQ) and Sorensen (SAX).
12:24am
Sean Lee said | 12:24am | Report comment
Two more riders have just abandoned the Tour. Giovanni Bernaudeau (EUC) and Kenny van Hummel (VCD) were dropped easrly on today and have had enough. We are done to 157 riders left in the Tour.
12:23am
Sean Lee said | 12:23am | Report comment
Team Sky are spread out across the road as the peloton approaches the top of the climb.
12:20am
Sean Lee said | 12:20am | Report comment
Full result of sprint
1. Sorensen (STB) 20pts
2. Voeckler (EUC) 17pts
3. Devenyns (OPQ) 15pts
4. Dumoulin (COF) 13pts
5. Fedrigo (FDJ) 11pts
6. Vande Velde (GRS) 10pts
7. Sagan (LIQ) 9pts – at 5’20″
8. Koren (LIQ) 8pts
9. Bak (LTB) 7pts
10. De Greef (LTB) 6pts
11. Eisel (SKY) 5pts
12. Froome (SKY) 4pts
13. Knees (SKY) 3pts
14. Boasson Hagen (SKY) 2pts
15. Cavendish (SKY) 1pt
12:19am
Sean Lee said | 12:19am | Report comment
The next climb is the cat 3 Cote de Simacourbe. It is 1.9 kms at 6.3 per cent.
12:18am
Sean Lee said | 12:18am | Report comment
Voeckler picks up the only KOM point on offer on top of the climb as the breakaway maintain a lead of 4’58”.
12:17am
Sean Lee said | 12:17am | Report comment
Orica-GreenEdge rider Brett Lancaster has just abandoned the race.
12:16am
Sean Lee said | 12:16am | Report comment
Sagan picked up another 9 points for his effort. The top seven were –
1. Sorensen (STB) 20pts
2. Voeckler (EUC) 17pts
3. Devenyns (OPQ) 15pts
4. Dumoulin (COF) 13pts
5. Fedrigo (FDJ) 11pts
6. Vande Velde (GRS) 10pts
7. Sagan (LIQ) 9 pts
12:13am
Sean Lee said | 12:13am | Report comment
No challenges to Sagan. He rolls over the line to get the remainder of the points. Not one sprinter attempted to challenge. That competition is all over. It’s all about stage wins for the fastmen now.
12:12am
Sean Lee said | 12:12am | Report comment
1 km to go to the sprint point for the peloton. Will Sagan attempt to gain even more points?
12:10am
Sean Lee said | 12:10am | Report comment
We have a category 4 climb coming up. The Cote de Lahitte-Toupiere is 2.1 kms long with an average gradient of 5.3 %.
12:08am
Sean Lee said | 12:08am | Report comment
The break approach the intermediate sprint point. They will just roll through – the points mean nothing to this group of riders consisting of Vande Velde (GRS), Voeckler (EUC), Fedrigo (FDJ), Dumoulin (COF), Devenyns (OPQ) and Sorensen (SAX).
12:04am
Sean Lee said | 12:04am | Report comment
Under 60 kms to go with the peloton at 5’30”
12:08am
Doonaman said | 12:08am | Report comment
Just saw a few minutea ago Cadel drop his empty water bottle at the feet of a young fan on the side of the road
12:11am
Sean Lee said | 12:11am | Report comment
Did it burst on impact and saturate the youngster? He would then have to dry his eyes with a kangaroo!
12:03am
Sean Lee said | 12:03am | Report comment
Lotto Belisol taking a turn at the front of the peloton now. Looking after Andre Greipel who will be chasing his fourth stage victory in this edition.
11:53pm
Sean Lee said | 11:53pm | Report comment
The breakaway are passing through the feedzone. The intermediate sprint is not far away, but all interest in those has evaporated.
11:52pm
Sean Lee said | 11:52pm | Report comment
Sky are leading the chase. Eisel wants his room mate Cavendish to pick up another stage win.
11:48pm
Sean Lee said | 11:48pm | Report comment
70 kms to go and the break of Vande Velde (GRS), Voeckler (EUC), Fedrigo (FDJ), Dumoulin (COF), Devenyns (OPQ) and Sorensen (SAX) are 5’55” ahead of the peloton – but the time is falling.
11:43pm
Sean Lee said | 11:43pm | Report comment
Vande Velde (GRS), Voeckler (EUC), Fedrigo (FDJ), Dumoulin (COF), Devenyns (OPQ) and Sorensen (SAX) are the six man leading group. The peloton sit at 6’33”.
11:41pm
Sean Lee said | 11:41pm | Report comment
Sorensen has joined the five breakaway riders and Saxobank have stopped chasing.
11:38pm
Sean Lee said | 11:38pm | Report comment
Saxo have the Australian sprinter Jonathan Cantwell among them. Would be good to see him get a chance to contest the sprint at the end of the stage. He managed a top 10 earlier in the Tour but has had limited chances.
11:35pm
Sean Lee said | 11:35pm | Report comment
Saxobank have come to the front and strung the peloton out into single file. They are chasing down their own man, Nicki Sorensen who is between them and the 5 man breakaway.
11:28pm
Sean Lee said | 11:28pm | Report comment
The peloton are rocketing along at….20 kph!
11:27pm
Sean Lee said | 11:27pm | Report comment
So we have the break of Vande Velde (GRS), Voeckler (EUC), Fedrigo (FDJ), Dumoulin (COF) and Devenyns (OPQ) leading the race. At between 30” – 40” is Nicki sorensen, while the peloton is at 5’00”
11:25pm
Sean Lee said | 11:25pm | Report comment
Julien Fouchard (Cof) is back with the doctor’s car.
11:22pm
Sean Lee said | 11:22pm | Report comment
The break is now 2’09” ahead. Sorensen is 45” behind the leaders.
11:19pm
Sean Lee said | 11:19pm | Report comment
The break leads the peloton by about 45”.
11:17pm
Sean Lee said | 11:17pm | Report comment
Nicki Sorrensen is trying to bridge the gap to the break, but no one else is interested now.
11:15pm
Sean Lee said | 11:15pm | Report comment
The peloton finally call a truce and let them go.
11:15pm
Sean Lee said | 11:15pm | Report comment
A new break shoots away. This one contains 5 riders – Vande Velde (GRS), Voeckler (EUC), Fedrigo (FDJ), Dumoulin (COF) and Devenyns (OPQ)
11:13pm
Sean Lee said | 11:13pm | Report comment
All together, but the volley of attacks are starting again!
11:05pm
Sean Lee said | 11:05pm | Report comment
The lead group has grown from 5 to 9. But the peloton are very, very close at 100 kilometres to go.
11:04pm
Sean Lee said | 11:04pm | Report comment
Bernie Eisel attempts to call the attacks off – he is mostly ignored as riders keep flying off the front after that elusive breakaway that sit tantalisingly close.
11:01pm
Sean Lee said | 11:01pm | Report comment
Jerome Vincent of Europcar has just abandoned.
10:58pm
Sean Lee said | 10:58pm | Report comment
Lots of attacks still coming off the front much to the disgust of Team Sky who are trying to control it all. The breakaway still survives though, by just 14”. They consist of Grivko (AST), Arashiro (EUC), Grabsch (OPQ), Millar (GRS) and Rui Costa (Mov)
10:54pm
Doonaman said | 10:54pm | Report comment
I still think he can, but after Wiggan’s and the Sky Teams gesture yesterday when a number of riders punctured I now have a soft spot for them
11:00pm
Sean Lee said | 11:00pm | Report comment
Fantastic sportsmenship by Wiggins and Sky.
10:54pm
Sean Lee said | 10:54pm | Report comment
One hour down and the average speed on this beautiful French day is 46 kph.
10:46pm
zacbrygel said | 10:46pm | Report comment
Hi Sean, I know that today’s stage probably wont effect the general classification, but do you think Cadel can still make the podium?
10:47pm
zacbrygel said | 10:47pm | Report comment
sorry wrote that twice
10:56pm
Sean Lee said | 10:56pm | Report comment
Yeah, Cadel can still make the podium. Nibali is an ok time trialler, but Evans may be able to make up time on him on the final time trial, if not before hand. Other than that, it’s Sky for 1st and 2nd all the way.
10:45pm
Sean Lee said | 10:45pm | Report comment
Voeckler bringing up the rear of the peloton.
10:40pm
Sean Lee said | 10:40pm | Report comment
The break of Grivko (AST), Arashiro (EUC), Grabsch (OPQ), Millar (GRS) and Rui Costa (Mov) are at 25” and gaining.
10:37pm
Sean Lee said | 10:37pm | Report comment
The five in the breakaway and their overall positions -
COSTA Rui Alberto 163MOV+00:19:02
GRIVKO Andriy 184AST+01:14:22
MILLAR David 66GRS+01:42:39
ARASHIRO Yukiya 22EUC+01:47:36
GRABSCH Bert 195OPQ+02:05:04
10:36pm
Sean Lee said | 10:36pm | Report comment
A break of five has got away including Millar and Grabsch. This could be it.
10:31pm
Sean Lee said | 10:31pm | Report comment
Furious pace early. Farar is just hanging on at the back of the peloton. No one can make an escape stick just at the momenth. A number of riders have been dropped already.
10:26pm
Sean Lee said | 10:26pm | Report comment
All back together as expected with Voeckler rocking around on his bike leading the peloton.
10:25pm
Sean Lee said | 10:25pm | Report comment
Frank Schleck has ridden away with Vinokourov at the front of the racce. Surely he will soon be marked and not allowed to get to far away.
10:22pm
Sean Lee said | 10:22pm | Report comment
They have now been joined by 3 more – Vanendert (LTB), Burghardt (BMC) and Izaguirre (EUS)
10:21pm
Sean Lee said | 10:21pm | Report comment
At 20 kms the lead group has grown to five – Martin (GRS), Fedrigo (FDJ), N. Sorensen (STB), Vinokourov (AST) and Devenyns (OPQ). Good to see the old stager Vinokourov in the break.
10:20pm
Sean Lee said | 10:20pm | Report comment
Devenyns (OPQ) Fedrigo (FDJ) and Nicki Sorensen (Saxo) are now leading the pack – the previous six man group having dissapated.
10:13pm
Sean Lee said | 10:13pm | Report comment
At 17 kilometres, the lead group has risen to six – Oss (LIQ), Roelandts (LTB), Valls Ferri (VCD), Vichot (FDJ), Devenyns (OPQ) and Sprick (ARG). They lead the peloton by a slender 15”.
10:11pm
Sean Lee said | 10:11pm | Report comment
Sylvain Chavanel (OPQ) has just withdrawn from the Tour. We are down to 161 riders now.
10:08pm
Sean Lee said | 10:08pm | Report comment
Bram Tankink, one of only 4 Rabobank riders left in the race, is riding alongside the Tour Doctor’s vehicle.
10:05pm
Sean Lee said | 10:05pm | Report comment
Daniel Oss (LIQ), Dries Devenyns (OPQ) and Arthur Vichot (FDJ) make up the breakaway (Kevin de Weert didn’t make it). They lead by about 15”
10:02pm
Sean Lee said | 10:02pm | Report comment
Daniel Oss (LIQ), Kevin de Weert (OPQ) and Arthur Vichot (FDJ) have opened up a gap on the peloton. Could this be the make up of today’s breakaway?
10:00pm
Sean Lee said | 10:00pm | Report comment
Continuing on the theme of yesterday, yellow jersey wearer Bradley Wiggins has already punctured. Hopefully not from tacks on the road today. Plenty of team mates on hand to pace him back to the pack as the escape attempts continue to fail.
9:57pm
Sean Lee said | 9:57pm | Report comment
We are racing in France and four kilometres into the stage. Several unsuccessful escape attempts have already been made.
9:03pm
Sean Lee said | 9:03pm | Report comment
Good evening and welcome to stage 15 of the 2012 Tour de France. Today’s stage doesn’t start until about 9:50 pm AEST. Please join us then for all the action.