For the second day in a row the course profile for the Tour de France resembles a row of saw teeth.
But today’s Stage 10 (161km beginning in Mulhouse) will be infinitely tougher than yesterday’s Stage 9, with four out of the seven classified climbs being category one, including the uphill finish at La Planche des Belles Filles.
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While it is fitting that a Frenchman will spend Bastille day in the yellow jersey, one gets the sense that Tony Gallopin’s (Lotto Belisol) ownership of the maillot jaune will be temporary. He will almost certainly lose the jersey today as the main contenders are expected to bring out the heavy artillery.
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) is still the best placed of the general classification riders but Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) has flagged his intentions to attack. Team manager Bjarne Riis has also stated, “If Alberto has the legs then Alberto will try.”
What that means for cycling fans is a mouthwatering duel on the slopes of La Planche des Belles Filles, the scene of Chris Froome’s first Tour stage victory back in 2012.
But while Nibali and Contador look set to smash each other senseless on the final climb, Australia’s Richie Porte (Sky) will be hoping to take advantage of their preoccupation with each other. Porte has never led a Grand Tour team before but he has ridden in support of Bradley Wiggins, Froome and Contador over his seven Grand Tour appearances and has no doubt picked up the tricks of the trade that will ensure he is not caught out when push comes to shove.
At the conclusion of today’s stage we will know whether Porte is a genuine contender or just another member of the support cast.
Another rider who may feature today is Katusha’s Joaquim Rodriguez. The noted climber has been ordinary so far at this edition of the Tour but the revelation that he was losing time ‘on purpose’ so that he could sneak away and claim King of the Mountain points without being chased down by the GC boys may go some way to explaining his apparent poor form.
We will see today whether the foxy Spaniard really was bluffing or, as many suspect, is just poorly out of form.
The climbs and when they will appear are as follows –
30.5km – Col du Firstplan (8.3km @ 5.4%) category 2
54.5km – Petit Ballon (9.3km @ 8.1%) category 1
71.5km – Col du Platzerwasel (7.1km @ 8.4%) category 1
103.5km – Col d’Oderen (6.7km @ 6.1%) category 2
125.5km – Col des Croix (3.2km @ 6.2%) category 3
143.5km – Col des Chevreres (3.5km @ 9.5%) category 1
161.5km – La Planche des Belles Filles (5.9km @ 8.5%) category 1
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Sean Lee
Expert
Well that's it for me. Have to get kids to school in the morning. Exciting day's racing full of drama. Thanks for joining me and don't forget that The Roar will be bringing you all the action over the following two weeks of the Tour. Goodnight.
Sean Lee
Expert
Reports now are that Contador's bike didn't break but that he hit a rock at speed and was sent tumbling. Either way, it is disappointing to see him out of the race.
Sean Lee
Expert
Stage 10 results 1 1 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team 4:27:26 2 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ.fr 0:00:15 3 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:20 4 Jean-Christophe Péraud (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:20 5 Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:22 6 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:22 7 Richie Porte (Aus) Team Sky 0:00:25 8 Leopold Konig (Cze) Team Netapp-Endura 0:00:50 9 Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha 0:00:52 10 Mikel Nieve Iturralde (Spa) Team Sky 0:00:54
Doonaman
Guest
Great Ride by Nibali. Bad luck for Contador.Time for bed now goodnight
Sean Lee
Expert
Nibali takes back the yellow jersey. Richie Porte has moved to second overall at 2:23. Valverde is third overall.
Sean Lee
Expert
Apologies, having internet connection problems. Pinot was second followed by Valverde. Richie Porte crossed the line in seventh. Full results shortly.
Sean Lee
Expert
Apologies there, lost internet for a couple of minutes. Pinot was second followed by Valverde. Richie Porte crossed the line in seventh. Full results shortly.
Sean Lee
Expert
Apologies there, lost internet for a couple of minutes. Pinot was second followed by Valverde. Richie Porte crossed the line in seventh. Full results shortly.
Sean Lee
Expert
Comprehensive performance by Nibali. He crosses the line in victory.
Sean Lee
Expert
Nibali speeds away and almost overcooks a corner. The stage will be his.
Sean Lee
Expert
Rodriguez kicks again and rides side by side with Nibali, but nibali pulls away again. Pinot attacks from the chasing group.
Sean Lee
Expert
Porte is chasing. Van Garderen is with him.
Sean Lee
Expert
Nibali passes Rodriguez. 20 % gradients coming up.
Sean Lee
Expert
Nibali is about to catch Rodriguez. 1.3 km to go.
Sean Lee
Expert
Nibali looking smooth but Porte leads a small group back towards him. Rodriguez still out in front.
Sean Lee
Expert
2km to go. Nibali is after Rodriguez. Forget the rest.
Sean Lee
Expert
van den broeck, Horner and Costa lose contact with the main group.
Sean Lee
Expert
No one can go with Nibali.
Sean Lee
Expert
Nibali makes a move, quickly followed by Valverde and Porte. But Nibali opens a gap and passes Kwiatkowski.
Sean Lee
Expert
Astana tapping away at the front of the group. Sky sitting just behind with Porte looking comfortable. Visconti has been caught. Only Rodriguez and Kwiatkowski remain in front.