Cadel Evans in Tour de France 2011 (Courtesy: BMC/Tim de Waele)
Some questions were answered and many more were being asked after the completion of the first big mountain stage of the Tour.
The first day in the Pyrenees – Stage 12 from Cugnaux to the ski station at Luz Ardiden via the Col de Tourmalet – saw Cadel Evans announce himself as one of the men to beat for the yellow jersey.
He produced a solid performance up the final climb of the day to finish fifth, 30 seconds behind the eventual stage winner, Euskatel’s, Samuel Sanchez.
Sanchez’s winning move was made on the descent of the Tourmalet. He broke away in a small group which also contained the eventual second place getter Jelle Vanendert.
They were both helped by the power of his Omega- Pharma teammate, Phillipe Gilbert in chasing down Jeremy Roy and Geraint Thomas, the first two riders over the Tourmalet .
By the time the big boys decided to put the pressure on with only a few kilometres left to go in the final climb, the gap had become insurmountable.
Andy Schleck made the first attack with 4kms to go but it was the attack of Frank Schleck, who looked the fresher of the brothers, with 3km left which determined the look of the race to the finish.
He was able to get away and was able to make some time on his rivals. A controlled Cadel gave steady chase and only Andy and Ivan Basso were able to go with him.
In the final wash-up, Cadel did not lose any time to Andy Schleck and gained 13 seconds on a struggling Alberto Contador.
However, he did lose 20 seconds to be Frank Schleck to be overtaken in the standings. Frank is now in second place, 17 seconds ahead.
Frank’s excellent performance left many people wondering as to whether he will be the main challenger for the yellow and not his favoured younger brother. He certainly looked the fresher of the two on the final ascent.
Thomas Voeckler became the pride of the nation by retaining the yellow jersey on Bastille Day. Not many people had given the Frenchman much hope at the start of the day, but he put in a dogged effort to finish in eighth place and only 50 seconds behind Sanchez.
Contador’s sluggish performance today might have signaled the end of his reign as tour champion. There is definitely something amiss. Losing 13 seconds in the final kilometre to his rivals has set the alarm bells ringing.
Blame it on the Giro, his dodgy knee or the stress of the impending doping decision, It looks like it will finally see him dethroned.
Tonight’s 152.5km stage, the second in the Pyrenees, from Pau to Lourdes does not have a mountain top finish, although it does have one all-category climb.
• Km 110.0 – Col d’Aubisque (1 709 m) – 16.4 km climb to 7.1 percent – Category H
There will be an exciting descent to the finish and time gaps have been known to occur.
Expect Voeckler to retain the jersey for one more day. He will probably need a miracle to keep it on Saturday.
Expect Contador to visit Our Lady of Lourdes and to “drink at the spring and wash in it”. It looks like divine intervention might be his only hope.
Stage 12 Results
Rider Team Time Gaps
1. SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 6h 01′ 15″
2. VANENDERT Jelle OMEGA PHARMA – LOTTO 6h 01′ 22″ + 00′ 07″
3. SCHLECK Frank TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 6h 01′ 25″ + 00′ 10″
4. BASSO Ivan LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 6h 01′ 45″ + 00′ 30″
5. EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM 6h 01′ 45″ + 00′ 30″
6. SCHLECK Andy TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 6h 01′ 45″ + 00′ 30″
7. CUNEGO Damiano LAMPRE – ISD 6h 01′ 50″ + 00′ 35″
8. CONTADOR Alberto SAXO BANK SUNGARD 6h 01′ 58″ + 00′ 43″
9. VOECKLER Thomas TEAM EUROPCAR 6h 02′ 05″ + 00′ 50″
10. ROLLAND Pierre TEAM EUROPCAR 6h 02′ 05″ + 00′ 50″
11. DANIELSON Tom TEAM GARMIN – CERVELO 6h 02′ 18″ + 01′ 03″
Overall Standings
Rider Team Time Gaps
1. VOECKLER Thomas TEAM EUROPCAR 51h 54′ 44″
2. SCHLECK Frank TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 51h 56′ 33″ + 01′ 49″
3. EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM 51h 56′ 50″ + 02′ 06″
4. SCHLECK Andy TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 51h 57′ 01″ + 02′ 17″
5. BASSO Ivan LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 51h 58′ 00″ + 03′ 16″
6. CUNEGO Damiano LAMPRE – ISD 51h 58′ 06″ + 03′ 22″
7. CONTADOR Alberto SAXO BANK SUNGARD 51h 58′ 44″ + 04′ 00″
8. SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 51h 58′ 55″ + 04′ 11″
9. DANIELSON Tom TEAM GARMIN – CERVELO 51h 59′ 19″ + 04′ 35″
10. ROCHE Nicolas AG2R LA MONDIALE 51h 59′ 41″ + 04′ 57″
Polka Dot Climber Standings
Rider Team Points
1. SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 40 pts
2. VANENDERT Jelle OMEGA PHARMA – LOTTO 32 pts
3. ROY Jérémy FDJ 24 pts
4. SCHLECK Frank TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 24 pts
5. HOOGERLAND Johnny VACANSOLEIL-DCM 22 pts
6. THOMAS Geraint SKY PROCYCLING 18 pts
Just waiting for the Eds to put up this morning's report.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
could be the need for aso to have french teams, only so many spots to go around. I guess the fringe teams sign big names like Menchov and Sastre to get the Tour invite, doesn't always work out. Geox-TMC would be looking for a big Vuelta being a Spanish team. GreenEdge ... not sure how they are placed for the big tours, they could face similar issues in their debut year.
Brian
Guest
I don't exactly get the politics but I believe Menchov & Sastre are on the same team (TMC) that did not get a license to ride the Tour De France. I know that seems strange that a team with two such riders don't get a license and keep those two riders, but I am sure there is a reason somewhere. I recall likewise that is why Contador missed the tour the year Sastre won
Rhys
Guest
They probably prefer the goofball spectators to French television vehicles running them off the road :) Though I noticed Andy Schleck gave one of them a big don't argue when they got in his face a bit too much.
Axelv
Guest
I love TDF, looking forward to the next 2 stages especially, Cadel looking good for a top 3 in Paris. I expect Frank to have Yellow by the end of the Pyraneese. Contador looks weak and Andy Schleck looks out of form, they keep saying the Giro is too heavy to recover from just before the Tour, why don't they learn? We've seen the same with Mechov and Cadel and now Contador has done the same thing. Either that or he isn't eating his favourite steak anymore which is making him ride more like a human. ;) Speaking of which what happened to Menchov and where is Valverde? And Sastre!
JVGO
Guest
Honestly I don't know how the riders keep their concentration with all the berserk spectators in their face, dressed in gorilla suits, mooning, jumping in the way flashing cameras, all over the road, running alongside waving flags and screaming at them. It is absolute mayhem at times. I would be tempted to get off and smack some of these guys. But I guess the riders must be used to it.
jameswm
Guest
on an uphill finish it is. I love the carnage as they drop off one by one. All plans go out the window 3/4 of the way up one of those climbs - it's mayhem. Esp the hilltop finish. And 5 of them this tour. Isn't that a lot?
nordozzz
Roar Guru
meh the french torture their foie gras too much for a sensitive (though mostly failed) vegan like me :-) i enjoy the whole cultural experience side of the coverage though. There's just some stages where they should put him at the end of the coverage LOL ... right at the end ...
Elisha Pearce
Expert
It's not just "H" for hectic? :P
damian
Guest
I'm waiting for cadel to make a move and take the tour by the throat, other wise i think basso or frank will beat him
jameswm
Guest
I love the Gabriel Gate recipes at the start of each stage. How good was the rabbit and red wine stew one a couple of stages back? It only takes 5 mins and you hard core cycling types have to understand how proud each region is of their local food and wine! It's only 5 mins of the race for a big hit of culture! And yes - I do love French food (though not so keen on desserts) - so I'm a bit biased. I love all the shots of the towns and the countryside, and the history lessons on the way through. It's all part of the experience for me.
jameswm
Guest
by the way Art it's hors category - hors is French for outside Frank is supposedly poorer in the TT. Comtador looked spent but Basso good. Cadel had chances to attack but probably smart not to yet. A long way to go.
Schtumpy
Guest
The one who looked totally shattered was Andy. His bike was so wobbly after he crossed the line that he nearly fell off. Art described the sluggishness of Alberto well but the guy who looks a real threat is Basso. No-one seems to be talking about him but he had that steely/creepy smile going strong last night. A little sad to see Kloden fall away so soon but with so many contenders so closely matched, it has the potential to be a real cracker this year. Can't wait for Saturday night.
Schtumpy
Guest
At least last night we got to see every climb. It's been frustrating in the past missing the whole of the Galibier climb on the way to another Alp. And, for a nice change, Paul didn't have to correct Phil too often on the identification of the various chase groups. Best time of the year.
Thanks for all the comments, I forgot to mention Sammy Sanchez taking a spill. Thank Mr. Video. But, I felt like Thomas Voeckler as I filed the piece last night. I actually can see him surviving one more day in yellow. I reckon they GC riders will be keeping something in store for Saturday and he might not be to far behind when they go over Col d’Aubisque.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
agree 100pc, some of his stage race wins show just that ... he hangs in there and lets other spend themselves with attacks. Its like no one expects him to attack so it saves him from having to lead and expend the effort. Works to his advantage sometimes.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
i preferred the pink one too, nice back-drop :P though i had always wondered whether that team was sponsored by a tampon manufacturer...
boes
Roar Pro
I jumped on to SBS tour tracker around 9 last night and it had live coverage, Keenan commentating, unfortunatley at 10 the pics switch over to the live broadcast and we get to see Gabriel cook up his tasty morsels.
punter
Guest
What I have always loved about Cadel, he always looks like he has always given his best & just looks spent, while others look welll.... I'll leave that alone.
GrecoRoman
Roar Guru
That's the issue from my perspective. We miss all the early attacks and breakaways forming. A lot of pre-race strategies go out the window depending on who is attacking and who is in the breakaway.