Tuesday, 9 July 2013
The Tour de France: Stage Ten
After a rest day came a day for the sprinter's and so, of course, the focus turned to the usual suspects - Cavendish, Greipel, Sagan and Kittel, and the rest. As the sprint wound up, Cavendish brushed against Tom Veelers, Kittel's leadout man, and Veelers came down. Cavendish said that it was just because the road was bearing left and, indeed, when the commissaires looked at footage from the end of the stage they decided that no one was at fault and so Cavendish was not penalised. Even though Veelers was brought down, there was better news for his team-mate, Kittel, who managed to sprint across the line first, ahead of Greipel, Cavendish and Sagan. Luckily for Cavendish and the other sprinters there will be a number of other opportunities to sprint their way to victory this week, though tomorrow's focus is the individual time trial, which is really a day for the time trial specialists and GC contenders.
Monday, 8 July 2013
The Tour de France: Stage Nine
When Chris Froome took the yellow jersey, everyone seemed to expect that the rest of the race would end up looking pretty similar to the Tour de France of 2012 with Team Sky completely dominating the race. However, stage nine showed that even Sky can have bad days. After the impressive one-two finish for Sky on stage eight, Richie Porte lost about 18 minutes on stage nine, putting paid to his chances of a podium finish. Not only that, but Sky lost a key domestique in the form of Vasil Kiryienka who finished outside the time limit, having worked hard to try to bring Porte back to the lead group. Peter Kennaugh had crashed earlier on in the stage, whilst Geraint Thomas was still nursing an injury. Chris Froome therefore found himself isolated, riding behind a very strong Movistar team.
Movistar were keen to push on, as they wanted to consolidate Valverde's second place position, which meant trying to prevent Porte from getting back to the group. Consequently, none of the riders really had enough left in the tank to put in a sustained attack. It was left to Dan Martin and Jakob Fuglsang to set the race alight, but with Martin and Fuglsang not too far down on the GC, nobody was going to let them get too far ahead. Having won Liege-Bastogne-Liege, it was clear that Martin was in good form and, ultimately, it was he who went on to claim the victory, finishing just ahead of Fuglsang and coming across the line 20 seconds ahead of the next group of riders which included Kwiatkowski, Rodriguez, Valverde, Schleck, Froome, Mollema and Quintana amongst others.
It is funny that so many people were disappointed at Sky's dominance, believing that the race was already decided when there are still two weeks of racing to go. Cycling is an unpredictable sport, though, and so anything could happen!
Movistar were keen to push on, as they wanted to consolidate Valverde's second place position, which meant trying to prevent Porte from getting back to the group. Consequently, none of the riders really had enough left in the tank to put in a sustained attack. It was left to Dan Martin and Jakob Fuglsang to set the race alight, but with Martin and Fuglsang not too far down on the GC, nobody was going to let them get too far ahead. Having won Liege-Bastogne-Liege, it was clear that Martin was in good form and, ultimately, it was he who went on to claim the victory, finishing just ahead of Fuglsang and coming across the line 20 seconds ahead of the next group of riders which included Kwiatkowski, Rodriguez, Valverde, Schleck, Froome, Mollema and Quintana amongst others.
It is funny that so many people were disappointed at Sky's dominance, believing that the race was already decided when there are still two weeks of racing to go. Cycling is an unpredictable sport, though, and so anything could happen!
Saturday, 6 July 2013
The Tour de France: Stages Seven and Eight
Stages seven and eight were very different beasts from each other. Stage seven was classified as a medium mountains stage and so there was a question mark over whether the sprinters would get to the finish in order to contest the sprint. In the end, it turned out that the hills were just too much for many of the pure sprinters, such as Cavendish and Greipel. However, some sprinters did make it over the climbs and it was Peter Sagan who finally managed to get the win, after coming second so many times, thus strengthening his hold on the green jersey. He finished ahead of John Degenkolb, who is known as a sprinter who can get over climbs in a similar manner to Sagan. Daryl Impey also managed to finish in the front group, thus keeping hold of the yellow jersey.
Stage eight, on the other hand, was a high mountains stage and gave the GC contenders an opportunity to stretch their legs for the first time in the race. Rather surprisingly, it was Quintana who made the first move, putting in an early attack with about 40km to go. It was Team Sky that were at the front, but there was no sense of panic, as they kept to a tempo, as they are known for doing so well. Although Quintana was going well, he was ultimately brought back, as Peter Kennaugh and Richie Porte kept the pace high for their team leader, Chris Froome. Indeed, the pace was so high that many high-profile GC contenders were dropped, including Cadel Evans and his team-mate Tejay van Garderen. Eventually, even Contador began to suffer.
It must have been disheartening for all the riders, as they watched Chris Froome ride off the front so that he could put even more time into his rivals. Porte stayed behind and kept an eye on things, but decided he had enough gas in the tank to push on, so that whilst Chris Froome took the stage victory and, in the process, the yellow jersey, Porte was able to finish second, 51 seconds down. He was followed by Valverde who was 1.08 minutes down on the winner, Mollema who was 1.10 down and Ten Dam who was 1.16 down. Contador crossed the line in eighth place, 1.45 down on Froome's time.
Of course now it is up to Sky to control the race, but it's a position they're used to and seem comfortable with. Unfortuately, this doesn't bode well for the other teams and unless something unexpected happens, it is hard to imagine Froome being dislodged from top of the GC, even though there are still two weeks left of the race. If other riders don't find a way to challenge Sky's dominance, this could turn out to be a rather boring affair, as it would appear that everyone is now basically riding for third place and the lower placings.
Stage eight, on the other hand, was a high mountains stage and gave the GC contenders an opportunity to stretch their legs for the first time in the race. Rather surprisingly, it was Quintana who made the first move, putting in an early attack with about 40km to go. It was Team Sky that were at the front, but there was no sense of panic, as they kept to a tempo, as they are known for doing so well. Although Quintana was going well, he was ultimately brought back, as Peter Kennaugh and Richie Porte kept the pace high for their team leader, Chris Froome. Indeed, the pace was so high that many high-profile GC contenders were dropped, including Cadel Evans and his team-mate Tejay van Garderen. Eventually, even Contador began to suffer.
It must have been disheartening for all the riders, as they watched Chris Froome ride off the front so that he could put even more time into his rivals. Porte stayed behind and kept an eye on things, but decided he had enough gas in the tank to push on, so that whilst Chris Froome took the stage victory and, in the process, the yellow jersey, Porte was able to finish second, 51 seconds down. He was followed by Valverde who was 1.08 minutes down on the winner, Mollema who was 1.10 down and Ten Dam who was 1.16 down. Contador crossed the line in eighth place, 1.45 down on Froome's time.
Of course now it is up to Sky to control the race, but it's a position they're used to and seem comfortable with. Unfortuately, this doesn't bode well for the other teams and unless something unexpected happens, it is hard to imagine Froome being dislodged from top of the GC, even though there are still two weeks left of the race. If other riders don't find a way to challenge Sky's dominance, this could turn out to be a rather boring affair, as it would appear that everyone is now basically riding for third place and the lower placings.
Thursday, 4 July 2013
The Tour de France: Stages Five and Six
Stages five and six were sufficiently flat for the sprinters' teams to target them, so that both ended up in bunch sprints. Having said that, stage five was a close call, as the breakaway group weren't brought back until near the end. Although there may have been initial doubts over whether some of the pure sprinters would get up the climbs, when it was clear Mark Cavendish was in good shape, Omega Pharma Quickstep set to work at the front and managed to create the perfect leadout train for Cavendish, who won the race ahead of Boasson Hagen and Sagan. Unfortunately, there was a crash behind, which left some sprinters such as Marcel Kittel unable to contest the sprint and took some riders out of the race.
Stage six was more of the same, although there was never any doubt that this would end in a sprint. It wasn't to be Cavendish's day, though, as he was brought down in a crash in the final kilometres and had to expend a lot of energy getting back to the group. Apparently, the team radios were down and so Cavendish found himself isolated and without any other riders to support him. In the end it was Lotto-Belisol that created the perfect leadout train for Andre Greipel, who cruised over the line with ease, followed by Sagan and Kittel. Peter Sagan retains the green jersey and having taken second place in the green jersey standings in stage five, Cavendish was overtaken by Greipel after he finished fourth in stage six.
There was also a time split at the finish line, which put Daryl Impey in the yellow, making him the first South African to wear the yellow jersey.
It may be awhile before the sprinters get another opportunity to go for a stage win, as the roads now head upwards, although before heading to the high mountains, there are medium mountains to negotiate, which may give some of the puncheur-type sprinters an opportunity to do something.
Stage six was more of the same, although there was never any doubt that this would end in a sprint. It wasn't to be Cavendish's day, though, as he was brought down in a crash in the final kilometres and had to expend a lot of energy getting back to the group. Apparently, the team radios were down and so Cavendish found himself isolated and without any other riders to support him. In the end it was Lotto-Belisol that created the perfect leadout train for Andre Greipel, who cruised over the line with ease, followed by Sagan and Kittel. Peter Sagan retains the green jersey and having taken second place in the green jersey standings in stage five, Cavendish was overtaken by Greipel after he finished fourth in stage six.
There was also a time split at the finish line, which put Daryl Impey in the yellow, making him the first South African to wear the yellow jersey.
It may be awhile before the sprinters get another opportunity to go for a stage win, as the roads now head upwards, although before heading to the high mountains, there are medium mountains to negotiate, which may give some of the puncheur-type sprinters an opportunity to do something.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
The Tour de France: Stage Four
Going into the team time trial, it was Jan Bakelants that was wearing yellow, but Radioshack Leopard were not seriously expected to finish high enough in the standings for Bakelants to retain the yellow jersey. Indeed, this turned out to be the case. Some of the favourites for the victory included Team Sky, Omega Pharma Quickstep and Garmin Sharp and, clearly, any teams targeting the GC as one of their major aims would have to put in a decent performance. The course was only 25 km long, so it was unlikely that any team would lose too much time, but for those chasing yellow it would clearly be preferable to put time into rivals, rather than to lose it.
What was somewhat unexpected was that it would be Orica Greenedge that would come away with the victory and the yellow jersey. After Simon Gerrans' victory in stage three, the pressure for the team to get a stage win was off, and this perhaps helped somewhat. In the end, they finished ahead of Omega Pharma Quickstep by a second; with Sky in third, three seconds behind; Saxo Tinkoff in fourth at nine seconds behind; and Lotto Bellisol in fifth, at 17 seconds behind.
Although Sky may have wanted to take the victory, they were riding with an injured rider, Geraint Thomas, and perhaps there is some relief that they won't have to defend the jersey and control the race, if it means Thomas can hide out in the peloton and work on recovering. Alberto Contador will be glad his team didn't lose too much time to Sky. BMC may be disappointed that they finished 26 seconds down on the stage winners, but it is not an unsurmountable amount of time to make up.
With a flat stage on the horizon, the yellow jersey could be on Simon Gerrans' shoulders for a number of days to come, although that is likely to change when the race enters the high mountains.
What was somewhat unexpected was that it would be Orica Greenedge that would come away with the victory and the yellow jersey. After Simon Gerrans' victory in stage three, the pressure for the team to get a stage win was off, and this perhaps helped somewhat. In the end, they finished ahead of Omega Pharma Quickstep by a second; with Sky in third, three seconds behind; Saxo Tinkoff in fourth at nine seconds behind; and Lotto Bellisol in fifth, at 17 seconds behind.
Although Sky may have wanted to take the victory, they were riding with an injured rider, Geraint Thomas, and perhaps there is some relief that they won't have to defend the jersey and control the race, if it means Thomas can hide out in the peloton and work on recovering. Alberto Contador will be glad his team didn't lose too much time to Sky. BMC may be disappointed that they finished 26 seconds down on the stage winners, but it is not an unsurmountable amount of time to make up.
With a flat stage on the horizon, the yellow jersey could be on Simon Gerrans' shoulders for a number of days to come, although that is likely to change when the race enters the high mountains.
Monday, 1 July 2013
The Tour de France: Stages Two and Three
Stages two and three had a similar profile in that they were both set in the medium mountains, meaning that there was an element of uncertainty - would the sprinters hang in on there and contest the sprint at the end or would the peloton be thinned out enough for the puncheurs to make their mark?
It turned out that stage two would end up with many of the top sprinters being shed out the back and unable to stay with the peloton to contest the sprint. There was a little bit of drama towards the finish as an errant dog made its way on to the road as the peloton fast made its approach. Luckily, the dog realised it was in danger and got out of the way, but it could have been carnage! Jan Bakelants decided to make a move, realising he could not win in a sprint, which paid off, as he finished a second ahead of Peter Sagan, Michal Kwiatkowski and the rest of the peloton, taking the yellow jersey in the process.
The sprinters may have hoped that they were in with a chance of a win in stage three, but it wasn't to be, as Cavendish, Greipel and other pure sprinters were distanced. However, the likes of Gilbert, Sagan and Edvald Boasson Hagen managed to stay at the front. Ultimately, it was Simon Gerrans who took the stage victory, though, claiming the first Tour de France win for Orica-Greenedge, having just beaten Peter Sagan to the line. Jan Bakelants managed to hold on to the yellow jersey and will wear it in the team time trial which makes up stage four. It is doubtful Bakelants will keep it beyond that with so many strong teams, but anything is possible!
It turned out that stage two would end up with many of the top sprinters being shed out the back and unable to stay with the peloton to contest the sprint. There was a little bit of drama towards the finish as an errant dog made its way on to the road as the peloton fast made its approach. Luckily, the dog realised it was in danger and got out of the way, but it could have been carnage! Jan Bakelants decided to make a move, realising he could not win in a sprint, which paid off, as he finished a second ahead of Peter Sagan, Michal Kwiatkowski and the rest of the peloton, taking the yellow jersey in the process.
The sprinters may have hoped that they were in with a chance of a win in stage three, but it wasn't to be, as Cavendish, Greipel and other pure sprinters were distanced. However, the likes of Gilbert, Sagan and Edvald Boasson Hagen managed to stay at the front. Ultimately, it was Simon Gerrans who took the stage victory, though, claiming the first Tour de France win for Orica-Greenedge, having just beaten Peter Sagan to the line. Jan Bakelants managed to hold on to the yellow jersey and will wear it in the team time trial which makes up stage four. It is doubtful Bakelants will keep it beyond that with so many strong teams, but anything is possible!
Saturday, 29 June 2013
The Tour de France: Stage One
Well, at least one thing is for certain - cycling is far from being a predictable sport! What looked like being a run-of-the-mill sprint stage, which Mark Cavendish was favourite to win, turned out to be a rather farcical affair! Of course, the race started off in the usual way. The peloton set off, a few riders got into a breakaway and the sprinters' teams set about bringing them back in order to set their sprinters up for the sprint. However, nobody expected that one of the team's buses would end up getting stuck at the finish line, having become jammed underneath the overhead barrier. It must have been embarrassing for race organisers to watch the Orica-Greenedge bus wedged in as the peloton hurtled ever closer towards the finish line.
It appears that panic set in, as the route was amended with under 10km left to go, so that the riders were unsure of what was going on. News filtered in via team radios, but still there was a degree of uncertainty about what was actually happening. The pace was picking up, as riders geared themselves up for the sprint, only for there to be a massive crash, which was seemingly caused by Andre Greipel, whose attempts to make his way closer to the front ended up with a number of riders on the floor. Tony Martin hit the ground hard, as did Alberto Contador and Peter Sagan. Indeed, a significant number of potential contenders for the green jersey were unable to contest the sprint, including Mark Cavendish, Peter Sagan and Andre Greipel.
Eventually the bus was freed and so organisers decided to tell riders that they would now have to ride to the original finish line, which surely added to the confusion and perhaps pre-empted the crash. So, with many of the major sprinters out of the sprint, it was left up to others who had managed to come away unscathed by the crash to contest it. In the end, it was Marcel Kittel who took the victory ahead of Alexander Kristoff and Danny van Poppel. He now has the privilege of wearing the yellow jersey in stage two of the Tour de France, although the terrain means that he may be unable to keep it for longer than a day. However, it would appear that anything can happen in bike racing!
It appears that panic set in, as the route was amended with under 10km left to go, so that the riders were unsure of what was going on. News filtered in via team radios, but still there was a degree of uncertainty about what was actually happening. The pace was picking up, as riders geared themselves up for the sprint, only for there to be a massive crash, which was seemingly caused by Andre Greipel, whose attempts to make his way closer to the front ended up with a number of riders on the floor. Tony Martin hit the ground hard, as did Alberto Contador and Peter Sagan. Indeed, a significant number of potential contenders for the green jersey were unable to contest the sprint, including Mark Cavendish, Peter Sagan and Andre Greipel.
Eventually the bus was freed and so organisers decided to tell riders that they would now have to ride to the original finish line, which surely added to the confusion and perhaps pre-empted the crash. So, with many of the major sprinters out of the sprint, it was left up to others who had managed to come away unscathed by the crash to contest it. In the end, it was Marcel Kittel who took the victory ahead of Alexander Kristoff and Danny van Poppel. He now has the privilege of wearing the yellow jersey in stage two of the Tour de France, although the terrain means that he may be unable to keep it for longer than a day. However, it would appear that anything can happen in bike racing!
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