The Tour de France begins its second phase tonight with Stage 11, after a rest day gave everyone a chance to process the tumultuous events of the first ten days of the race.
Join us on The Roar from 10:00pm AEST for a call of all the action from Stage 11.
For a week where the script had to be torn up again and again, Stage 10 produced a cliffhanger episode worthy of HBO. Favourite characters (or villains, depending on your feelings regarding Mr Contador) were written out of the plot, new storylines emerged, and fevered speculation over a broken bike added a touch of intrigue.
Meanwhile, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) tightened his grip on the maillot jaune with a decisive attack on the final climb to La Planche des Belles Filles. He now leads the race by 2’23” to Australia’s Richie Porte (Sky), with Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) at 2’47”.
If the past week has taught us anything, it’s that everything can change in an instant, but so far Nibali has ridden a perfect race.
Stage 11 is a challenging 187km route from Besançon to Oyonnax.
A classic transitional stage between the Vosges and the Alps, it features three Category 3 climbs and a single Category 4, but there is barely a flat moment and riders with dull legs after the rest day will suffer.
The finish in Oyonnax comes after a 15km descent from the Côte d’Échallon – the first time the Tour has finished in this city.
It’s not really a day where the GC leaders would expect to duke it out, but a breakaway stands a good chance – perhaps an opportunity for the freshly decapitated Tinkoff-Saxo squad to regain some purpose?
Also watch out for Orica-GreenEdge to have a dig. The Australian team lost its road captain Matt Hayman during the rest day, but still has plenty of riders who could do well on a stage like this. The Roar’s Luke Durbridge (http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/07/16/luke-durbridge-tour-diary-10-days/) seems positive.
Fabian Cancellara also withdrew on the rest day. He will return home for some R&R before beginning his build up to the World Championships.
Join us for live coverage from 10pm AEST.
Hertryk
Guest
C'ARN Porte! :)
Tim Renowden
Expert
Thanks for joining me for Stage 11, make sure you swing past tomorrow for more analysis and opinion.
Tim Renowden
Expert
Now we wait and see if Talansky survives the day within the time limit. GC after Stage 11: 1. Nibali 2. Porte +2'23" 3. Valverde +2'47" 4. Bardet +3'01" 5. Gallopin +3'12"
Tim Renowden
Expert
The main GC riders all finished in the bunch so no major changes to the overall standings. That was a thrilling finish and a stroke of tactical genius from Tony Gallopin. But what about Peter Sagan? One of the fastest men in the world and he just can't resist getting involved in late attacks. Another tactical blunder just like his stage 7 mishap.
Tim Renowden
Expert
1. Gallopin 2. Degenkolb 3. Matteo Trentin 4. Daniele Bennati 5. Simon Gerrans
Tim Renowden
Expert
Superb strength and tactics from the French rider Gallopin, John Degenkolb was 2nd.
Tim Renowden
Expert
Gallopin wins by only 10m from a bunch chasing him!
Jono
Guest
Gerran's positioning int he last 15 km was pretty woeful. A bit of a waste of his team destroying themselves. In the end 5th isn't too bad, but as with a few days ago he never looked like he was in contention to win.
Tim Renowden
Expert
I think Gallopin has got this one, Sagan and Kwiatkowski hesitated and Gallopin took advantage!
Tim Renowden
Expert
1km to go - Gallopin has a small gap of about 50m!
Tim Renowden
Expert
Gallopin has about 50m on the other riders in that group. Who wants to chase him? He's going to steal this stage if they're not careful.
Tim Renowden
Expert
Gallopin gains another gap!
Tim Renowden
Expert
Kwiatkowski, Sagan, Rogers, Gallopin together with 2.5km to go - serious horsepower!
Tim Renowden
Expert
The OPQS is Kwiatkowski. Again, Sagan is trapped between working in the group and saving his legs for the sprint. He is pulling turns!
Tim Renowden
Expert
Gallopin is caught by Sagan, Rogers and an OPQS rider.
Tim Renowden
Expert
Mick Rogers on the front now for Tinkoff-Saxo, chasing the Sagan group.
Tim Renowden
Expert
6" now.
Tim Renowden
Expert
6.5km to go - Gallopin has 10"
Tim Renowden
Expert
Sagan tucks himself onto his top tube and descends at the front of the chase group - he's a heck of a bike handler and he's using the whole road. Gallopin also hitting every apex and staying off the brakes. Great skills!
Tim Renowden
Expert
10km to go and Gallopin's gap has grown slightly.