Posts: 3027 Joined: 22.06.09 Location: USA, Michigan PCM$: 20.50
Tour de France - Stage 13
Rapid Recap
Stage 11:
Vincenzo Nibali's first day in yellow wouldn't be an easy one as we head straight into the Alps after the individual time trial. However the route suits Nibbles perfectly with a long desert into the finish line which should allow him to catch back up to any late attackers.
But it was the man we all came here to see that got into the morning breakaway and picked up the 20 points available at the sprint point.
Extending Sagan's lead to 230 to Cavendish at 181. Peter then sat up and returned to the peloton where he did a little bit of chasing for Nibali as he said he felt good. He was eventually dropped but rode to the finish easily within the time limit. So overall a very productive day for the Slovakian.
With that out of the way we can focus on the GC race which heated up once the breakaway was caught on the final climb of the day. There were a few low key guys that tried attacks on the HC climb Colombier but were all pulled back in time for a classic battle up Col de Richemond.
The Schlecks were the first on the move, they were eventually followed by other favourites Evans, Wiggins, Valverde, and Hesjedal. But a strong presents by Liquigas and Euskatel on the front of the peloton keep the climbers within 30 seconds as the hit the top. From there it was Nibali who put danger aside and attacked on the downhill in a mix of rain and snow.
Sanchez was the only other rider to put in the risk as the flew past the Evans group heading to the finish. Where Sanchez just held on to beat Nibbles for the stage win. But they both pulled out a nice time gap from their risky attack.
After a successful day keeping yellow yesterday,
it was all about doing the same on stage 12.
But with a mountain top finish Nibali could be in trouble today.
But we have to start with Sagan again as the sprint point comes right from the gun. Liquigas tries their best to keep the breakaway close but it's just to hard of a task to ask for as Sagan has to settle for 9 points, but on the plus side none of the other sprinters put in the effort to get points. Looks like the mountains are completely draining them. Sagan rides the rest of the race in the peloton before getting dropped near the finish,
so a rather easy day of riding for his standards.
The race took a rather slow pace up the two HC climbs and let the breakaway work out a rather large 11 minute lead. From there the tempo increased to make sure nobody took advantage and attacked, so heading into the final climb up to La Toussuire the breakaway was just 4 minutes up the road.
And that's were the fun began as Cadel Evans made the first attack. Concerned but didn't want to show his hand Nibali had to use the rest of his teammates to drag him back, leaving himself issolated for the remaining 10kms to the finish. Seeing this Sanchez put in a dig, and then the Schlecks, Van den Broeck, and Ruben Plaza. Nibbles still did want to follow as Sky was lined up to chase for Wiggins he went after them. So he went to the front and started to ride a false pace. Knowing if he attacked he would be caught and then Evans and Wiggins would leave him in the dust. So thinking in terms of the overall picture he thought losing time to the Schlecks and Sanchez would be better since he could pick that time back up in say the final ITT.
The same could not be said if he let Evans or Wiggins go.
So Vincenzo using this theory tried to stay as close to the Sanchez group without catching them or attacking himself, really a brilliant tactic on his part. All Evans and Wiggins could do was watch, because if they attack Nibali would be in a perfect position to counter. And that's how the whole climb went, Sanchez pulled away at the end to take the stage and yellow away
but Nibali didn't lose time to Evans or Wiggins which is what he wanted.
With two category 1 climbs early into the stage many think the sprinters won't make it to the finish making Sagan the overwhelming favourite. But it remains unseen if any of the GC favourites will make a move today to jump up a few placings.
Over top the first climb a clear 5 man breakaway gets away with Ivan Basso who has had very rough two weeks so far and has lost chunks of time.
Nuyens makes the journey across the gap on the downhill
leaving the peloton to sprint for 7th.
And again what sprint? Sagan is uncontested taking the points.
Basso just isn't having it today and is dropped from the breakaway.
He is in danger of not making the time limit if he can't get his legs under him.
Fast forward to 20kms to go as the breakaway is caught.
Nibali is setting a fast pace on the front not wanting the other climbers to get away. Sagan is loving this effort from his GC contender. It's almost a thank you since Sagan put in some work on the climbs the last two days.
But this plan turns on it's head as Valverde challenges Nibali,
and Nibbles accepts and jumps on his back wheel.
Van den Broeck, Evans, and A. Schleck attack across to Valverde and Nibali.
Thus leaving Sanchez and Team Sky to chase. Sagan is in this group as well.
While the chase does bring back Nibali's group, a huge crash happens at the back of the peloton. Dan Martin and John Gadget are the biggest names to go down in the pileup.
After a few kilometers of looking at each other, Nibali takes to the front once more but this time with Sagan locked in on his back wheel! 4kms to go.
Sagan slams on his brakes while Nibali attacks!
It's a crazy outside of the box kind of tactic that catches everyone off guard!
Everyone starts to scramble behind as Nibbles is sprinting to the line!
And he takes the win! That move might go down as one of the most cunning tactics every preformed as Nibali picks up 15 seconds on the field.
While others might say it was foolish as it possible ruined a stage win
for teammate Sagan who had to battle to just finish 5th.
In the worst news of the day for Liquigas is having three riders abandon after the stage including super helper Ivan Basso.
6 riders with 8 stages left, not good at all ...
Posts: 13202 Joined: 22.08.10 Location: North Wales PCM$: 127.35
Unlucky thirteen it wasn't, as Nibali reduces the gap on GC to just 49 seconds after a great victory and Sagan extends his lead in the Points classification over Cavendish, very nice work indeed
Posts: 3027 Joined: 22.06.09 Location: USA, Michigan PCM$: 20.50
Tour de France - Stage 14
Race Review
After a few stages of Sagan extending his points lead,
Cavendish and the other sprinters hope to put him back in his place
with this relatively flat stage.
It's a morning group of 5 that scamper away.
Leaving the peloton to sprint for 6th.
Where Cavendish shows Sagan that he wants to fight
for the green jersey after all.
As we reach the very scenic finally climb the breakaway is reeled in.
But this climb shouldn't be taken lightly as it creates splits in the peloton.
Tyler Farrar is the biggest name missing from the lead group.
At the front of the race Team Sky is in full control
setting up the World Champion Mark Cavendish.
As Eisel pulls off EBH takes to the front, but Cav is either struggling to keep up or Sky is performing the same tactic Liquigas did the last stage.
It looks like Cavendish is really struggling!
But on the bright side Hagen has a shot at a stage win.
Nope it's a black hole for Team Sky as EBH gets charged by.
The spaniard Oscar Freire gets the win, *wait for it*
and Peter Sagan follows for 2nd!
The mountains have taken a toll on the Manx Missile,
he comes to the line in 21st!
Has Sagan hit Cavendish with the dagger to seal his green jersey?
Posts: 3027 Joined: 22.06.09 Location: USA, Michigan PCM$: 20.50
Tour de France - Stage 16
Rapid Recap
Stage 15:
The day started right from the gun as 9 riders broke free from the bunch. They quickly grew their lead out to 10 minutes where it stood for the rest of the day as Euskaltel Euskadi didn't want to put in the effort to chase today. This allowed the breakaway to fight it out for the stage win where Richie Porte proved to be the best sprinter of the breakaway to capture the stage win.
As for Peter Sagan he rode in the peloton throughout the day and took 11th at the sprint point as Bennati was the first rider out of the peloton to cross the line. Many would have thought Sagan would just sit back and ride out the rest of the rest, well they would have been wrong. The pace was so slow up the first of the final two climbs that Sagan decided to attack on the downhill. His move was followed by Arnold Jeannesson and Jelle Vanendert. And the peloton didn't want to waste the energy chasing them, so Sagan easily takes 10th on the stage after beating his followers in a sprint.
So he continues to grow out his lead over Bennati and Cavendish.
However the biggest story of the stage comes from the Liquigas leader, Vincenzo Nibali. After watching Sagan ride away and with the other favourites almost throwing away this stage by not attacking, Nibbles unleashed at the top of the final climb and hit the downhill to finish hard. At one point he even had a 2 minute gap over the peloton. His excellant downhill abilities where on showcase as he weaved through the tight corners. Back in the peloton it was chaos as Sanchez wanted to keep his yellow jersey. And in the end Sanchez got his way as Nibali's gap was reduced to nothing at the finish.
A good effort but not good enough.
Can you believe it, just 6 stages left!
Surely Sagan can hold onto a 116 point lead over Bennati, right?
The first 8 spots at the sprint point are given to the morning breakaway.
Spot #9 goes to Bennati. He really wants to test Sagan. But Peter is right there behind him, so the Italian only gains a point.
Team Sky has no problem bringing the breakaway back in time.
Many are also wondering if that means Cavendish is back on form today.
I guess not, as Cav can't even manage his way to the front.
So Sky does all the work and Cavendish decides to throw in the towel!
So as the Sky train disappears on the right leaving just EBH, RadioShack has Cancellara on the front giving Bennati a perfect leadout.
What a burst of speed from Bennati!
And he can just coast to the line as he wins by 3 to 4 bike lengths.
Sagan has an average sprint to finish 6th.
Allowing Bennati to cut into his points lead, just a little.
But more surprising is the collapse of Mark Cavendish here in the last few days. Who would have predicted that?
I think both are going to be extremely close, hopefully I will get some "Quest for History" luck to continue the story. 
Sagan slams on his brakes while Nibali attacks!
