Result: Jelle Vanendert won the stage solo just ahead of Samuel Sanchez in a reversal of the finish to Stage 12. The overall favourites crossed the line in a group together as they cancelled each other out on this big Pyrenéean stage.
Here’s how it happened: A massive breakaway formed at the start of the day comprised of 24 riders, none of whom posed a threat in the general classification. Although it was a relatively short stage at 168.5km, it involved climbing six mountains making it one of this year’s toughest days.
The lead group gained a maximum of about nine minutes on the peloton but as they reached the foot of the final 16km climb to Plateau de Beille the gap was down to two minutes. And with 12km left all of the escapees were caught apart from Sandy Casar who battled on alone to try and win the stage.
With 10.5km to go, Andy Schleck attacked, Contador followed and was tailed by nine riders including all the major favourites; they were Cadel Evans, Ivan Basso, Damiano Cunego, Frank Schleck, Samuel Sanchez, Jelle Vanendert, Jean-Christophe Peraud, Pierre Rolland and the race leader Thomas Voeckler.
The following few kilometres saw a flurry of attacks from the Schleck brothers, each attempt as half-hearted as the next as the two Luxembourg riders continue to prove their tactical ineptness.
With 6km remaining, Vanendert attacked and because he is no threat on G.C., he was not followed. He quickly caught Casar who had begun to fade badly as the gradient hit 10% in places.
Shortly after, Sanchez attacked and again there was no reaction from the other riders in the group as they continued to mark each other. With just 2km left to the summit, Basso and Evans made efforts to gain a gap but each were closed down by the yellow jersey wearer himself Thomas Voeckler who looked imperious all day.
The group crossed the line together as the whole stage ended in a stale-mate. If Basso, Evans, the Schlecks and Contador keep looking at each other every day, Thomas Voeckler could end up winning this Tour – it’s no longer a crazy notion.
The Big Winner: Thomas Voeckler. He was expected to lose his yellow jersey two days ago at Luz-Ardiden but he held on. Again today he was not supposed to be there at the finish, but there he was and looking good too.
He was helped once again by team-mate Pierre Rolland. If the pair continue their marvellous performances in the Alps next week, there is no end in sight for Voeckler’s stint in the yellow jersey.
The Big Loser: Unfortunately, see below.
What about the Irish? A day to forget for Nicolas Roche. He was dropped by the main bunch with 1km to go to the top of the Col d’Agnes, more than 50km from the finish.
He made it back into the peloton before the final climb but was quickly dropped again as the Leopard-Trek team of the Schlecks set a fierce pace for the first few kilometres up toward Plateau de Beille.
Roche ended up crossing the line in 33rd position, losing 6’47″ to the stage winner. He is now 18th overall, 10’56″ behind Voeckler and 4’38″ away from the top 10.
His chances of finishing in the top 10 of the Tour now seem remote. The silver lining is that because he is now quite far back from the leaders overall, he may be afforded opportunities to make it into breakaways and attempt to win a stage.
So what happens tomorrow then? The sprinters will be back and will certainly not let a breakaway succeed. With a week still to go in the Tour de France, besides the processional stage to Paris, this is the final chance for the fast men of the peloton to win a stage.
It will all be about who can possibly beat Mark Cavendish as the Manxman aims to win his fourth stage of this year’s Tour. Should he win tomorrow, he will become the first rider ever to win four road stages in four Tours in a row.
They bloody well better offer him more than a one year deal! He’s been brilliant after the turmoil of the Keane tenure, also I imagine Friendy is a big part of why players would join.
The IRFU need to cop on and tie down the good coaches to long term contracts. Oh and sign the players too. Stop importing players for 2 seasons and promote from within
I hope the IRFU find the funds to keep him longer. Nigel Carolan would be another option.
@Con Cussed: yeah Nigel is an option, but the question remains whether his preference is hands on coaching rather than top management. His track record has been good enough for years to have had Head Coach job offers elswere, but he’s stayed in Galway. My feeling is he loves what he does and isn’t interested in the politics of the top job, could be 100% wrong of course. Jimmy Duffy is established too. Shame the timing was out for Dan McFarland, because he would fit back in perfectly. All the above is conjecture of course, first preference is to keep Friendy. Love what he’s doing and especially the contagious positive vibe he exudes from every pore…..
Suspect Friend will be returning to Australia at the end of the current season. He was very annoyed about the failure to win the game vs Munster last weekend off that final scrum and his pique at his onfield leaders botching (yet again) an end of game opportunity was noticeable. I wonder if he feels he’s taken them as far as he can. I do hope he stays. He’s a great man manager, but a 1 year contract extension offer would force him to look elsewhere, and will the IRFU offer him a 2 year contract – I doubt it.
@David Finn: If the IRFU are serious they have to stop these 1-2 year deals. It gives the wrong message to those receiving them. Keep Friendly at Connacht or resign. The politics at the IRFU does not help in these situations.