Yellow jersey holder Thomas Voeckler paid the price for his bravery as stage 17 of the 2011 Tour de France came to another dramatic conclusion. He lost 27 seconds to his rivals on the 8.5km descent to the Italian town of Pinerolo.
The final Category 2 climb of the day did not produce any decisive breaks among the contenders. But, on the narrow, twisting, tree lined descent, Alberto Contador launched an incredibly courageous attempt to make up time on his rivals.
Samuel Sanchez joined Contador as they turned the descent into cycling’s version of a kamikaze death ride.
Only Thomas Voeckler responded and he ultimately paid the price.
He took a tricky corner way too fast and ended up the car park of some lucky Italian’s alpine holiday home. Fortunately, the organisers had the presence of mind to leave the gate open, otherwise it could have been pretty messy end for Voeckler.
Cadel Evans and the Schleck brothers decided that caution was the better part of valour on the descent. Their wisdom was rewarded as they rode past the hapless yellow jersey holder. They also caught Contador and Sanchez in sight of the finish line as their group worked together to successfully reel in the two escapees.
Voeckler came in with Ivan Basso, who also lost time on the descent, 27 seconds behind.
“I lost time and if I’d been more calm, I could have finished with the favorites but I was a little bit too ambitious. Maybe I wanted too much today. Yesterday I learned about my limits. Today I learned what my limits on the downhill are.” Voeckler reflected after the finish
The stage was won by Edvald Boassen Hagen. He was part of a breakaway group that escaped earlier in the stage.
The young, supremely talented rider made his decisive move on the final climb of the day and did not look back as he cruised to a very comfortable victory. It was the second stage win of the tour for the 24 year old Norseman as he made amends for yesterday’s lapse in concentration.
The current stage win leaderboard remarkably reads: Norway 4, Cavendish 4, France 0.
It’s almost certain the host will leave empty handed by tour’s end.
Stage 18 from Pinerolo to Galibier Serre-Chevalier will see the stage finish at the highest altitude in the tour’s history, 2645 metres.
It also has three hors category climbs
• Km 107.0 – Col Agnel (2 744 m) – 23.7 km climb to 6.5 % – Category H
• Km 145.5 – Col d’Izoard (2 360 m) – 14.1 km climb to 7.3 % – Category H
• Km 200.5 – Col du Galibier (2 645 m) – 22.8 km climb to 4.9 % – Category H
This will be an incredible test for the riders. The physical demands of racing at such high altitudes will take its toll.
Voeckler has already conceded “My climbing has been good but I don’t think it’s good enough for tomorrow. A six kilometer climb is a lot different to a 35 kilometer one.”
Contador has to inflict damage on Evans tonight. He has to soften him up before the tour’s alpine climax on Alpe D’Huez on Friday.
It will make for dramatic viewing.
Tour de France Stage 17 Results
Rider Team Time Gaps
1. HAGEN Edvald Boasson SKY PROCYCLING 4h 18′ 00″
2. MOLLEMA Bauke RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM 4h 18′ 40″ + 00′ 40″
3. CASAR Sandy FDJ 4h 18′ 50″ + 00′ 50″
4. EL FARES Julien COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 4h 18′ 50″ + 00′ 50″
5. CHAVANEL Sylvain QUICK STEP CYCLING TEAM 4h 18′ 50″ + 00′ 50″
17. SCHLECK Frank TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 22′ 26″ + 04′ 26″
18. CUNEGO Damiano LAMPRE – ISD 4h 22′ 26″ + 04′ 26″
19. SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 4h 22′ 26″ + 04′ 26″
20. EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM 4h 22′ 26″ + 04′ 26″
22. CONTADOR Alberto SAXO BANK SUNGARD 4h 22′ 26″ + 04′ 26″
24. SCHLECK Andy TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 22′ 26″ + 04′ 26″
28. VOECKLER Thomas TEAM EUROPCAR 4h 22′ 53″ + 04′ 53″
31. BASSO Ivan LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 4h 22′ 53″ + 04′ 53″
Tour de France Overall Standings
Standing Rider Team Time Gaps
1. VOECKLER Thomas TEAM EUROPCAR 73h 23′ 49″
2. EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM 73h 25′ 07″ + 01′ 18″
3. SCHLECK Frank TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 73h 25′ 11″ + 01′ 22″
4. SCHLECK Andy TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 73h 26′ 25″ + 02′ 36″
5. SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 73h 26′ 48″ + 02′ 59″
6. CONTADOR Alberto SAXO BANK SUNGARD 73h 27′ 04″ + 03′ 15″
7. CUNEGO Damiano LAMPRE – ISD 73h 27′ 23″ + 03′ 34″
8. BASSO Ivan LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 73h 27′ 38″ + 03′ 49″
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