If all of the "Heads of State" came out to play on Sunday, then I guess they formed the "board of trustees" today. Yes, the list of legitimate Tour contenders shrunk from 14 down to about 5 or 6 thanks mostly to the work done by Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador. Schleck and Contador, likely the two biggest rivals over these next few weeks, decided to call a temporary truce and permanently shake up the leaderboard. Schleck launched a series of attacks on the Col de la Madeleine, and Contador was the only man who can match the power in Schleck's legs. The two race favorites pulled away from the pack, leaving the riders behind them in a frenzy. Schleck and Contador were not done yet, though, as they pulled time back so quickly that they reeled in the 4 man breakaway that had been clear most of the day. They would not have anything for the riders in the break, who were preparing for the final attacks.
It was expected that either Luis-Leon Sanchez would attack in the final km or Damiano Cunego would win the sprint, but nobody expected Sandy Casar. Casar had obviously done his homework, as he kicked at a time he knew nobody would be able to catch him. He timed the turn at the finish line perfectly, and claimed yet another stage victory for France. He was obviously emotional at the finish line, and received great support from his home fans in France. Another Frenchman also had a memorable day. Anthony Charteau stayed in the breakaway all day and managed to gain enough KOM points to wear the polka-dot jersey tomorrow. He is technically tied with Pineau, but will receive the tiebreak and get the jersey. Thor Hushovd took care of business as well, getting into the early breakaway long enough to get the sprint points before unhitching in the mountains. Hushovd extended his lead over Petacchi in the overall points competition. It was not so good of a day for Cadel Evans.
Evans, who began the day in yellow, came unhitched off the back of the peloton very early on and continued to slide back rapidly. It is incredibly unfortunate for the world champion, as it was discovered he was riding with a fractured arm. He lost over 8 minutes on the roads, and all but eliminated himself from contention. Keeping with the "out of contention" topic, Lance Armstrong had a good bounce-back day.
Lance found himself in a small group containing Ivan Basso and Jurgen Van Den Broeck once the peloton splintered apart. The group rode well together, particularly Basso, and did not lose a huge amount of time to the leaders. While the really means nothing for Lance, Basso and Van Den Broeck still have a chance in the overall picture so it was important for them. For Lance, the main goal is helping teammate Levi Leipheimer. Levi had a very good day, finding himself in a group with Rabobank teammates Gesink and Menchov as well as Joaquin Rodriguez. Leipheimer, as well as Menchov and Gesink, finished only about 2 minutes behind Schleck and Contador and preserved their hopes of the Tour. I would not exactly call this a two horse race just yet, though it is quite close. Samuel Sanchez, who went by himself and made up over a minute of the gap to Schleck/Contador, sits in third and is in striking distance. Just behind him is Menchov, Van Den Broeck, Leipheimer, and Gesink. Beyond that, the time gaps get really huge and are all but unreachable. I am still giving the massive edge to Schleck/Contador, but in this unpredictable Tour all it takes is one mechanical problem to ruin the entire race. For now at least, Andy Schleck will enjoy the yellow jersey, and will keep it at least until next week if not later.
If all of the "Heads of State" came out to play on Sunday, then I guess they formed the "board of trustees" today. Yes, the list of legitimate Tour contenders shrunk from 14 down to about 5 or 6 thanks mostly to the work done by Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador. Schleck and Contador, likely the two biggest rivals over these next few weeks, decided to call a temporary truce and permanently shake up the leaderboard. Schleck launched a series of attacks on the Col de la Madeleine, and Contador was the only man who can match the power in Schleck's legs. The two race favorites pulled away from the pack, leaving the riders behind them in a frenzy. Schleck and Contador were not done yet, though, as they pulled time back so quickly that they reeled in the 4 man breakaway that had been clear most of the day. They would not have anything for the riders in the break, who were preparing for the final attacks.
It was expected that either Luis-Leon Sanchez would attack in the final km or Damiano Cunego would win the sprint, but nobody expected Sandy Casar. Casar had obviously done his homework, as he kicked at a time he knew nobody would be able to catch him. He timed the turn at the finish line perfectly, and claimed yet another stage victory for France. He was obviously emotional at the finish line, and received great support from his home fans in France. Another Frenchman also had a memorable day. Anthony Charteau stayed in the breakaway all day and managed to gain enough KOM points to wear the polka-dot jersey tomorrow. He is technically tied with Pineau, but will receive the tiebreak and get the jersey. Thor Hushovd took care of business as well, getting into the early breakaway long enough to get the sprint points before unhitching in the mountains. Hushovd extended his lead over Petacchi in the overall points competition. It was not so good of a day for Cadel Evans.
Evans, who began the day in yellow, came unhitched off the back of the peloton very early on and continued to slide back rapidly. It is incredibly unfortunate for the world champion, as it was discovered he was riding with a fractured arm. He lost over 8 minutes on the roads, and all but eliminated himself from contention. Keeping with the "out of contention" topic, Lance Armstrong had a good bounce-back day.
Lance found himself in a small group containing Ivan Basso and Jurgen Van Den Broeck once the peloton splintered apart. The group rode well together, particularly Basso, and did not lose a huge amount of time to the leaders. While the really means nothing for Lance, Basso and Van Den Broeck still have a chance in the overall picture so it was important for them. For Lance, the main goal is helping teammate Levi Leipheimer. Levi had a very good day, finding himself in a group with Rabobank teammates Gesink and Menchov as well as Joaquin Rodriguez. Leipheimer, as well as Menchov and Gesink, finished only about 2 minutes behind Schleck and Contador and preserved their hopes of the Tour. I would not exactly call this a two horse race just yet, though it is quite close. Samuel Sanchez, who went by himself and made up over a minute of the gap to Schleck/Contador, sits in third and is in striking distance. Just behind him is Menchov, Van Den Broeck, Leipheimer, and Gesink. Beyond that, the time gaps get really huge and are all but unreachable. I am still giving the massive edge to Schleck/Contador, but in this unpredictable Tour all it takes is one mechanical problem to ruin the entire race. For now at least, Andy Schleck will enjoy the yellow jersey, and will keep it at least until next week if not later.
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