Sorry for missing yesterday, the "news desk" fell behind other
priorities (sad I know).
Stage 17: On Thursday Andy Schleck won the final mountain stage from Pau
to Col du Turmalet, 174 km, just ahead of Alberto Contador, very
gentlemanly crossing the finish line in uncontested fashion. Yet, Andy
failed to gain any time on Alberto has he remained 0.08 back. There
were no real changes in the general classification, green, polka dot,
white or team standings. It was a very old school kind of day, mountain
top finish in the mist, goats running along and crossing the race route
and head to head racing amongst the leaders. This ended the mountain
stages, the Polka-Dot Jersey race is over, the finals are:
1 Anthony Charteau (Fra) - Bbox Bouygues Telecom 143 pts
2 Chirstophe Moreau (Fra) - Caisse d'Espargne 128 pts
3 Andy Schleck (Lux) - Saxo Bank 116pts
4 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) - Astana 112 pts
Note: The mountain racing between Andy and Albert pushed them to the
top of the standing and the closeness of their points just further tells
the story of how close this race is.
Stage 18: Salies de Bearn to Bordeaux 198 km. This flat fast stage was
won in an impressive final sprint by Mark Cavendish - HTC Columbia.
Clearly he put his stamp on this year's tour. Racing sick with a fever
and without one lead-out man, Renshaw, he simply out sprinted Thor
Hushovd and Alessandro Petacchi to the line. This was the 14th career
Tour stage win for Cavendish in only three years. All I can say is look
out down the road. Thor simply started his sprint too soon and ran out
of gas while Alessandro just got beat. Alessandro did well enough
however to take back the green jersey and Cavendish pulled close enough
to put himself in the race for the final green jersey. This Tour looks
like it is a race all the way to Paris.
Yellow: No changes here. Look for Alberto to add to his 0:08 overall
lead over Andy tomorrow in the time trial. While Andy and Alberto
clearly have the race for 1 and 2 between them, Samuel Sanchez -
Euskaltel Euskadi 3:32 behind the leader in 3rd and Denis Menchov in
4th, 3:53 back are in a race of their own for the final podium spot.
It is possible that Andy could keep it close in the time trial tomorrow.
If he does it will be the first time in a while that the ride to Paris
is a real race. I sure hope so as this stage is usually more parade
than bike race. Note that Christopher Horner - Radioshack in 10th,
10:37 back, is the highest placed American. Levi Leipheimer -
Radioshack is 13th 14:24 back, Carlos Sastre - Cervelo is 21st 25:50
back and Lance is 37:58 back in 23rd.
Green: Alessandro Petacchi is 1st with 213 pts, Thor Hushovd is 2nd with
203 pts and Mark Cavendish is finally up to 3rd with 197 pts. This race
is very very close. Thor lacks any significant team help from his team,
Cervelo is noticeably absent in his sprints. In contrast, Cavendish has
a whole team focused on him and working well. Yet they still don't hold
the green, go figure. Alessandro has taken advantage of the
opportunities and moved to the lead one step at a time. The big splash
finish in Paris clearly favors Cavendish. He appears to have gotten
stronger over the Tour, impressive to say the least. He may well hold
the one green jersey that counts. Thor seems to be struggling, his
early season injury and lack of race time a factor. Alessandro is more
than capable and does not have to beat Cavendish to win, just be close.
You just gotta watch this one on Sunday.
White: Unless he flats, falls over and takes a nap (or he gets sick or
hurt he was at the Dr car today for what appeared to be saddle sores,
OUCH) Andy Schleck has this one taken care of. He has a 6:33 lead over
Robert Gesink. The next closest rider is 10:04 back.
Team: Radioshack should be able to hang on and win this if not pull
away. They have an 8:30 lead over Caisse d'Epargne. The next closest
team is over 30 minutes back. Lance may not make it on the podium alone
but his team will.
Tomorrow is an individual time trail from Bordeaux to Pauillac, 52 km.
Look for Fabian Cancellara (yes he is still racing in 132nd place
overall). Alberto should add to his time over Andy. However, given
that the Yellow jersey is at stake, look for both riders to give it
their best shot. It should be interesting even if you don't really care
for time trails.
I expect that the final stage from Longjumeau to Paris Champs Elysees,
102.5 km, on Sunday will be a race for the green jersey. The yellow
should be decided in the time trial on Saturday. Yet, if Andy keeps it
close Saturday, Sunday could be a wild affair. The route starts out with
some undulating terrain before settling into a flat sprinters run. HTC
Columbia should win this one for Cavendish but will it be by enough to
get the green jersey? Will Alessandro Petacchi hang close and sling
shot to the line himself in the final meters? Will Cervelo finally pull
together for Thor and send the Norwegian champ to green for the second
year in a row?
Also look for...the tallest rider changing bikes with the shortest
rider, the leaders drinking champagne on the ride in to Paris, a rider
hitching a ride on a gendarme's (French cop) motorcycle.
Finally, near and dear to my heart, the race for the "Lanterne Rouge".
Currently Bert Grabsch - HTC Columbia is 170th, 4:26:56 off the pace.
Adriano Malori - Lampre-Farnese is 169th 4:24:55 back. The fight for
the red light is on!
We shall see.....
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