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″
Jimbo
Guest
Watch it live for sure. Don't want any surprises, plus the riders are busting their arses, the least you can do is go to work tomorrow a little sleep deprived.
boes
Roar Pro
With only 3 stages left (ok 4, but the Champs is essentially a procession) at least one of stages will have to decide the race. Its amazing to think that the biggest time gaps between the big GC contenders have been due to accidents or the transitional/medium mountain stage 16. Art I think you are wise to hold out on predictions. Time to just enjoy the battle.
punter
Guest
Interesting 3 stages (including TT) to go plus thge little romp around Paris & still 6 riders in with a chance. Should be a great race tonight, can I stay up or IQ it & watch it in the morning? Big decision.
camcallsthegame
Roar Pro
Just over 42% of people that have voted on camcallsthegame.wordpress.com so far; just under 15% predict he won't be wearing yellow in Paris while 15% believe Contador will claim victory; Frank Schleck has acquired just over 28.5% of the vote. have your say.
Again, thanks for all the great comments. I'm not going to make a prediction for tonight. Even, Cadel and his opponents don't know how they will cope with the extreme conditions until they get to them. All I know is that tonight's stage is going to be amazing.
jameswm
Guest
Pretty silly of Cadel to get caught behind Andy Schleck during a downhill. Anyway - pretty steady ride, but now we're up to the 2,700m altitude. I think this stage will decide it. The last stage has two big climbs early without a big break in between, but it then has a long downhill and flat bit to catch back up with the leaders before the final iconic Alpe d'Huez climb. If they put up to 20-30 seconds on you on the earlier climbs, you can catch up before the Alpe d'Huez. I'd almost go dso far as to say if Cadel loses no time to the Schlecks or Contador tonight, he'll win it. There'll be a bit to do still, but if he stays there tonight, I don't think they'll break him tomorrow. Contador can't put 2 mins (if anything) on Cadel in the TT, and the Schlecks have little chance staying within 1 min of him.
Redb
Roar Guru
Looking forward to it.
Bondy
Guest
Well done Art . Good update .
nordozzz
Roar Guru
he said he got caught behind A.Schleck initially ... also yeah he's a smart downhiller as much as a brave one. tonight's stage is crazy... 200kms with those climbs, next day is the headline stage but i think tonight might be more decisive. (could be worth posting some profiles for the next stages too Roar eds, Art ... can probably grab some off the Tour official site, provided u credit them.)
jameswm
Guest
Does anyone know why Cadel dropped back right at the start of the downhill? Did something happen or was he being cautious? You have to remember if they get 100m ahead on those downhill bits, it's only about 5 seconds. Maybe Cadel was smart, figuring they'd pull them back or if not, they'd only lose a couple of seconds, and it wasn't worth the risk.
camcallsthegame
Roar Pro
It is starting to really heat up now; I can't wait for tonight. Have your say on my poll at http://camcallsthegame.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/will-cadel-be-in-yellow-at-the-champs-elysees/ - will Cadel wear Yellow in Paris??? Good article Art.
Midfielder
Guest
Art Once again a great read .... your credit on leaving the gate open should be for the owner I think ... What got me last night was how narrow the streets were .... like how would cars get by each other ... Art,do you think tonight is the night ... if Cadel can hold on tonight, given the lead he already has and the time trial to come... can he loose that much time in the last mountain stage...
Schtumpy
Guest
Dramatic indeed. Thanks again, Art. Though the gradients are not as dramatic as the riders faced in the Pyrenees nor what they'll face tomorrow night, the extreme height of the d'Agnel and the finish on the Galibier brings rarified air into the equation for the first time. Add to this the best named mountain in cycling, "IZ SO 'ARD", and you have a stage where at least one of the GC boys will lose the race tonight. There may not be a decisive gain by a single rider, though Contador will not die wondering, but at least one of them will break in the thin air and lose a mountain of time tonight. While every Tour brings it's own textures and nuances, this year has highlighted the importance of the descent as an attacking weapon. It's been riveting.