The Tour de France witnessed one of the greatest stages in its storied history last night. The 200.4 km stage from Pinerolo to the Col du Galiber provided a backdrop to a sporting contest which will live long in the memory of all who were privileged to watch it, be it in their Australian living rooms deep in the night or on the majestic slopes of the Alps.
In the future, the events of this stage will be retold like an epic ancient Greek myth.
This is when sport has the ability to transcend.
The peloton had already negotiated the biggest climb of the Col Agnel at 2744 metres. As expected, a large breakaway group which included two riders from the Schleck’s Leopard Trek team had escaped up the road.
An epic story needs a protagonist. Step forward Andy Schleck.
He lit the torch paper halfway up the second big climb of the day, the Col d’Isozard. He peeled off the front of the peloton and charged up to the summit.
What was he thinking? This was foolhardy.
Off he went up the hors category climb in his quest to win the Tour de France, a modern day Jason after the golden fleece. He still had over 60kms to go and the grueling climb of the Col Du Galibier ahead of him.
He topped the summit of the Col d’Isozard 2 minutes and 15 seconds ahead of his rivals and this is when Leopard Trek’s strategy kicked into gear. On the descent and on the flat leading up to the final climb he critically received help from his breakaway mates Posthum and Monforth.
It was Monforth’s huge sacrifice which saw Andy Schlecks’s lead grow to over 4 minutes over the peloton as he reached the early stages of the massive 22.8 km climb up the Col Du Galibier.
Andy Schleck’s move had paid off. He was the virtual yellow jersey holder on the road. Now it was just a matter of gritting his teeth and getting to the finish.
Behind him the chase group with the yellow jersey holder and the contenders were in a shambles. An anxious Cadel Evans looked around and asked, where is everyone?
Where is Contador? Where is Sanchez?
Sanchez was finished. Unlike the Pyrenees, the towering Alps had become his kryptonite. Contador was at the back of the group hanging on for dear life.
It suddenly dawned on Evans that if he wanted to win the Tour de France, he was going to have to do it all by himself.
The final excruciating 12kms of the climb became an epic battle of two heroic men.
Andy Schleck, alone in front, exhausted, running on empty and striving for the finish.
Cadel Evans, singlehandedly hauling the most elite riders in the world up this great big mountain.
With 8kms to go the gap was 3 minutes and 45 seconds.
With 2 kms to go it was down to 3 minutes and 5 seconds.
Andy Schleck hit the wall. His efforts had taken its toll. Cadel Evans dug even deeper.
Contador, hanging onto Evans like a desperate dog to a bone, was finished. He lost contact with Evans. The undefeated Grand Tour champion is mortal. The fateful climb, his Achilles heel.
In the end, the history books will note that Evans finished third in this stage, 2 minutes and 15 seconds behind Andy Schleck.
Frank Schleck would finish second. He sat back and watched Evans’ Herculean efforts, before jumping away in the last hundred metres to make 8 seconds on him.
History will also record that Thomas Voeckler ended the stage retaining the yellow jersey by 15 seconds from Andy Schleck. He hauled himself bravely up that mountain in that golden fleece.
But he kept it for one more day due to the effort of one man, Cadel Evans
Only 1 minute and 12 seconds separate the for contenders for the yellow jersey as we head into the last and possibly decisive mountain stage of the tour.
Stage 19 from Modane Valfréjus to Alpe-d’Huez is also the shortest stage of the tour at 109.5 km and has 3 major climbs.
• Km 26.5 – Col du Télégraphe (1 566 m) – 11.9 km climb to 7.1 % – Category 1
• Km 48.5 – Col du Galibier (2 556m) – 16.7 km climb to 6.8 % – Category H
• Km 109.5 – Alpe d’Huez (1 850 m) – 13.8 km climb to 7.9 % – Category H
The question is how much did the efforts up the Col du Galibier take it out of Evans? The time he lost to Andy Schleck can be hauled back in the penultimate day’s time trial.
However, he can’t afford to lose any more and he has to be wary of Frank Schleck who looms as a huge danger.
The climb up Alped’Huez could well determine the winner of the Tour.
Tour de France Stage 18 Results
Standing Rider Team Time Gaps
1. SCHLECK Andy TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 6h 07′ 56″
2. SCHLECK Frank TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 6h 10′ 03″ + 02′ 07″
3. EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM 6h 10′ 11″ + 02′ 15″
4. BASSO Ivan LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 6h 10′ 14″ + 02′ 18″
5. VOECKLER Thomas TEAM EUROPCAR 6h 10′ 17″ + 02′ 21″
6. ROLLAND Pierre TEAM EUROPCAR 6h 10′ 23″ + 02′ 27″
7. CUNEGO Damiano LAMPRE – ISD 6h 10′ 29″ + 02′ 33″
8. TAARAMAE Rein COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 6h 11′ 18″ + 03′ 22″
9. DANIELSON Tom TEAM GARMIN – CERVELO 6h 11′ 21″ + 03′ 25″
10. HESJEDAL Ryder TEAM GARMIN – CERVELO 6h 11′ 27″ + 03′ 31″
11. IGLINSKIY Maxim PRO TEAM ASTANA 6h 11′ 31″ + 03′ 35″
12. VANDE VELDE Christian TEAM GARMIN – CERVELO 6h 11′ 34″ + 03′ 38″
13. ZUBELDIA Haimar TEAM RADIOSHACK 6h 11′ 40″ + 03′ 44″
14. VANENDERT Jelle OMEGA PHARMA – LOTTO 6h 11′ 46″ + 03′ 50″
15. CONTADOR Alberto SAXO BANK SUNGARD 6h 11′ 46″ + 03′ 50″
18. SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 6h 12′ 38″ + 04′ 42
Tour de France Overall Standings
Standing Rider Team Time Gaps
1. VOECKLER Thomas 181 TEAM EUROPCAR 79h 34′ 06″
2. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 79h 34′ 21″ + 00′ 15″
3. SCHLECK Frank 18 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 79h 35′ 14″ + 01′ 08″
4. EVANS Cadel 141 BMC RACING TEAM 79h 35′ 18″ + 01′ 12″
5. CUNEGO Damiano 161 LAMPRE – ISD 79h 37′ 52″ + 03′ 46″
6. BASSO Ivan 91 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 79h 37′ 52″ + 03′ 46″
7. CONTADOR Alberto 1 SAXO BANK SUNGARD 79h 38′ 50″ + 04′ 44″
8. SANCHEZ Samuel 21 EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 79h 39′ 26″ + 05′ 20″
9. DANIELSON Tom 52 TEAM GARMIN – CERVELO 79h 41′ 14″ + 07′ 08″
10. PERAUD Jean-Christophe 108 AG2R LA MONDIALE 79h 43′ 33″ + 09′ 27″
JonnyP
Guest
On commentary I think they said if the group of riders which is outside the time limit is 20%( or larger ) of the total remaining riders they are allowed to continue. Yesterdays group was ,I think , close to 50% of the remaining field.
punter
Guest
Oh almost forgot, thanks Art, wonderful analysis, you fill in the bits I'm not sure about.
punter
Guest
I decided to IQ last night's stage & went to bed at 10pm but for some reason got up at 1am & decided to check out what was happening. That was it, I was up to the end, amazing race, amazing athletes, great scenery & great theatre. Not really understanding all the tactics but just admiring the courage to attack by Andy Schleck, the power of Cadel Evans to pull the peleton & see them drop off 1 by 1, the guts of Voeckler & the cat & mouse play by frank Schleck. Can't wait for tonight, come on Cadel.
Kate
Guest
Brilliant piece of journalism!
Handles O'Love
Guest
Truly, Cadel has been a bit like Lleyton Hewitt to me. I admired his skill, but never really got excited about him. But last night he showed incredible courage and desire. The sight of him towing the peleton up the Col Du Galibier was enough to make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. He would have known that one of Contador/Schleck or even Voekler would take him at the end, but it was all about keeping in touch. The result is not bad - he is closer to the lead now than yesterday, and a good TT could get him there, but who knows how much he spent last night? The annual question for me is why he has not been able to get a strong team around him. Every year (barring broken bones), he seems to get himself into contention only to get squeezed by a better team. Kudos from me too, on the write-up Art.
WilburP
Guest
Art, as a cycling tragic just want to add my thanks for the outstanding job you have done. As always have not missed a minute of the televised coverage this year and catching up with your daily analysis/speculation has been an added bonus. Most of the mainstream cycling press have not done half the job you have in conveying the magnificent spectacle that is Le Tour. Looking forward to Saturday night when I can recline on my well worn couch and indulge my other love - Rugby, as a warm up to should be one of the greatest ITT battles in years.
Bondy
Guest
Well writen Art . My reading of the tea leaves is that the winner of the tour de france will win with a time margin of 12 -16 seconds . And hopefully that will be Cadel .
Ticker
Guest
I'll echo everyone's sentiments too Art - you really did capture the drama of those events last night. Even at 2am I had trouble getting to sleep after watching those incredible scenes unfold. Magnificent stuff, and I'm only a once a year cycling fan!
Schtumpy
Guest
I think not considering over half the field were outside the limit. Given the numbers involved, it probably says more about the difficulty of the stage than either the effort or the ability of the majority of the riders.
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
The time limit rule is one that appears very subjective. It seems to only be applied when one or two laggards are "hors delai", never when there is any form of group. The great problem is there is no way the organisers were going to eliminate the likes of Casar, Cancellara, Chavanel, Cavendish, Greipel, Martin, Goss, Renshaw, Petacchi, Millar, Flecha, Hushovd, Gilbert, Boasson Hagan and Farrar in one go. Why does this rule exist if it is not going to be employed?
Thanks to everyone for all the great feedback. Covering the tour has been a great challenge in terms of time management, work and social commitments. I think I've done last night's stage justice. I am sure for those who watched it, the events will be etched in their cherished sporting memories. This morning I felt like Mark Cavendish, I just missed the time limit, but survived to carry on to Paris. Not long to go now. The Champs Elysees is in sight.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I agree with all above re the article Art. Sensational and captured a lot of the emotion I felt last night. I follow cycling like I follow all sports, not a fanatic (except for rugby and cricket) but more than most fans. And that stage was one of the best I've ever seen. It was 2 men pushing the absolute boundaries of athletic and mental abilities. I couldn't believe the power with which Cadel brought himself back into that race just in the same way I couldn't believe how far Schleck made it before his legs tired out. If its true what they say - slip streaming is 30% easier than breaking the air - than what Cadel did on the last climb was pretty amazing. The tempo he set was breath taking. He allowed about 7 of the best riders in the whole world to sit on his wheel and dropped them one by one due to his relentless tempo. All except Frank. That is unbelievable. He didn't have the energy left to explode away (not his forte anyway) and just rode them all into the ground. Fantastic. And Jimbo, you may be right about Cadel believing he would have Contadors help later on. And I think Contador and Sanchez thought the same thing. They were planning all throughout the attack how to come back, they just couldn't do it.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
could be buying himself some breathing space for a crack at the prized stage win on Alpe d'Huez. More time lost means he won't be as marked. Maybe he and Sanchez were saying "lets stay out of it for today, save the legs for tomorrow"? Also he and Schleck ... well i'm a bit suss about this whole "rivalry" thing, its not quite so simple IMO even after last year ... i think Alberto realised that helping Cadel would only hurt Andy and not do enough for him on the GC anyway. So he hung back somewhat i reckon. Even though i prefer the idea that he couldn't hack it!
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Art, I have been an avid cycling fan since I was a teenager and your articles of this year’s tour are up there with some of the best I have read covering one of the grand tours over the years. Alpe-d’Huez is going to be an absolute cracker like it always is. Remember the time trial up the face a couple of years back when Armstrong destroyed all before him? I think we are going to see something equal to that this time around. I have the feeling this is Even’s year. He needs to keep the damage to a minimum tonight and try and get sub 1.45 from the lead. If he can do that the tour is his to win in the time trial.
Redb
Roar Guru
It's pretty telling that there is not one other BMC rider in the top 18 standings. No help for Cadel has to do it on his own. great article Art.
Stoffy18
Roar Guru
I'll keep the accolades flowing then for this piece... very nicely written. Last night we saw A) Tactically, one of the finest performances by a team/rider... B) an unwilling peloton... and C) Alberto Contador who just couldn't hack it... maybe its back to the diuretics and not the drawing board for the reigning champ! The relationship between Euskaltel-Euskadi's Sammy Sanchez and Saxo Bank’s Alberto Contador comes with a please explain? 40km or so out from the near vertical Col du Galibier, the two Spaniards were caught chin wagging. Hardly the time for a friendly catch up, tactics must have been the topic of discussion surely? how then, in the latter part of the stage do we find Contador and Sanchez lagging at the back? Even the ever-complimentary Phil Liggett was left to question this ploy, if that is what you could call it. You can probably find a fair amount when analysing Contador's repertoire, but throwing in the towel is something that simply does not go hand in hand with the Spaniard. So why do i get this glum feeling that resignation had its role in Alberto Contador's Stage 18 attempt? Because really that’s all it was…. An attempt.
A
Guest
yeah i think he looked around when contador fell off his back wheel not long after sorensen(?) dropped off the front of that group...in fact a few of them had that same expression of "wtf?! where'd contador go?". but otherwise yeah, head down, arse up and gritted his teeth. i really hope he doesnt let the brothers get more than 1'30" out tonight so he has a comfortable margin to work with sat night
Jimbo
Guest
I have a feeling Cadel may not have marked the original move by Andy as he thought Contador would sit back and come back at him later, and he would have an ally in Contador. He certainly looked capable of covering the move if he wished. In fact, the reason Contador wasn't chasing was because he didn't have it in him, not that he wanted to wait and see Schleck crack later and reel him back in. I think it was a bit foolhardy of Cadel not to attempt mark the original move more closely. I also cannot believe that one of the worst descenders in Andy Schleck made a minute going downhill.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
hauled them all like a big wheel semi!!! And well he did sorta ask the question of a few of them initially... but from then on yeah ... "head down, arse up" as they say!
A
Guest
Fantastic articles. Excellent writing Art. You really captured the thrill and anxiety of last night's stage...a great read on the bus each morning! Cadel really hauled that group up the last climb. I hope he has the legs in him tonight, and perhaps some support! So amazed with him though when he just put his head down and went for it. He didnt look around once, he knew it was all on him.