45 kilometers of time trial are by most experts said to be the key factor to the overall standing in Tour du Limousin 2012. The individual ride against the clock is mostly flat today, as the riders will climb 374 meters in total over the 45 kilometers. The first stage showed us that the best time trialists here, Ignatiev Reus Koren
have overall intentions, as they were active in the final kilometers. They’re tipped as favourites for today’s stage, and you must fancy Ignatiev
to finally get momentum in a stage race that suits him.
Gudsell
is first to go, meaning he’s also the first rider to test the main challenge of the stage, the early climb. It averages around 6%, with its steepest sections being 9%. He’s a decent time trialist, who clearly saved energy yesterday, as he starts the day almost 12 minutes behind race leader Ignatiev. Gudsell goes through the time check in 32’55, which naturally is the best time so far, as it’s the only time.
Perry
is second to start. The national champion of South Africa is just like Gudsell a decent time trialist, they’ll definitely put up some challenging times for the late starters, both on the time split after 21 kilometers, and at the finishing line. Perry looks inspired, and he blasts through the time check 23 seconds faster than Gudsell, 32’31 should be a solid marker.
Renäng
is another solid rider against the clock, but it doesn’t look like he learnt much from his team mate Gudsell’s opening. He’s better than Gudsell, but 12 seconds behind Perry on the time check.
The moustache himself, Cozza
is an important team mate for Koren today, as he can give Koren valuable information about the course. He goes through the time check faster than Gudsell, but slower than Renäng, 34’50 gives hime provisional 3rd.
Gudsell
is the first rider home, meaning he’ll have the honour of leading today’s time trial. 65’41 is his time, question is how long it will be the best time, as Perry is the next rider to arrive.
Perry
posts an outstanding time at the finish line, compared to Gudsell. 64’48 is a superb time.
Renäng
catches his 4 minutes man, Van Coppernolle
with 600 meters left, but is he fast enough to threaten Perry? Not quite, 65’10 gives hime provisional 2nd place.
Cozza
is actually riding without his moustache today, that's a disappointment. You must ask why, getting rid of the moustache doesn’t help his time trialing it seems, he goes provisional third, 65’24 is 36 seconds slower than Perry.
Khatuntsev
is an early starter for Tinkoff, but he doesn’t ride very well. He’s probably taking it slow, to notice all turns and twists of the course, to report back to Ignatiev. 66’30 gives him provisional 3rd.
Saab clearly wants to show their overall strength today, after failing to put Breschel in a stage winning position yesterday. Pronk
surprises everyone, and goes through the time check in 32’18, 12 seconds faster than Perry
Boucher
is truly inspired on home soil, and he looks to be riding the time trial of his life! He goes through the time check in 32’15, which is a new best time! He’s 3 seconds ahead of Pronk, 15 seconds in front of Perry.
Van Goolen
is 30th overall after yesterday’s stage, and he’s the first to go under 32 minutes on the time check! 31’46 is a superior time so far, and he’s 28 seconds ahead of team mate Boucher
That’s no doubt a strong time, which should test the biggest guns.
Former Swedish champion Lindgren
is the first rider to come close to Van Goolen’s intermediate time. 31’49 is 3 seconds slower, but 3 seconds isn’t much on the final 24 kilometers.
Pronk
thunders to the finish line, and the few spectators watching are getting excited. He was fastest at the time check, but he isn't able to keep it up. 65’33 gives him no more than provisional 4th.
Home favourite Boucher
is next. He went through the time check on a new best time, but just like Pronk, he isn’t able to keep it up. 65’27 is faster than Pronk, but only provisional 4th.
And we have a new best time on the only time check on the course! Van Zandbeek
goes 2 seconds faster than Van Goolen, 31’44 is the new benchmark.
Mouris
tried the breakaway yesterday, with no luck. Yesterday’s effort clearly pays now, as he’s only provisional 6 th through the time check, 25 seconds slower than Van Goolen.
Van Goolen
arrives the finishing line. And he leads this crucial stage with 29 riders left. 64’29 is 19 seconds faster than Perry
meaning he lost 25 seconds on the final part. That can’t be a good sign for Van Goolen.
Lindgren
comes home as the fastest rider from Saab. But he isn’t fast enough, he finishes 4 seconds behind Van Goolen. 64’33 at least gives him provisional 2nd place.
Elijzen
had a promising start to the race yesterday, where he fought for a top 10 placing. The first kilometers of his time trial isn’t too convincing though, and he goes provisional 3rd on the time check, 31’47 is 3 seconds slower than Van Zandbeek’s time.
Casar
looks motivated to do well on home soil, but he can’t quite match the finishing time of Van Goolen. 65’03 is 34 seconds slower, and a provisional 4th.
One of the pre-stage favourites, Reus
is on the course! And he’s really motoring in the opening kilometers. He catches Breschel
going through the time check, and his time is by far the fastest of the day! 31’29 is 14 seconds faster than fellow countryman Van Zandbeek
Speaking of Van Zandbeek
he was just faster than Van Goolen on the intermediate time check, and he desperately gives it everything on the last meters to become the new leader at the finish. And it pays off! 64’09 is 14 seconds faster than Van Goolen, how high will he go?
Koren
sprinted well yesterday, grabbing 8 bonus seconds on the finishing line. But he needs to deliver today, which he should, considering he’s a great time trialist. 31’35 is 6 seconds slower than Reus
on the time check, which means he’s still ahead of him in the overall ranking.
France holds their breath when Roy
comes through the time check. Today will be all about damage limitation for him, question is how much he will loose. The time check is decent, 31’58 is 29 seconds slower than Reus, and gives provisional 8th.
Only one rider left to go through the time check, and everyone is waiting for the Russian powerhorse. And this is a surprise! Ignatiev
does by no means deliver the goods, he’s only 6th, 31’58 is 19 seconds slower than Reus.
Elijzen
was a bit disappointing on the time check, but he has managed to gear up. In fact, his final 24 kilometers are outstanding, and he takes the provisional lead. 63’50 is 18 seconds faster than Van Zandbeek.
Pokerstars is not all about Van Goolen in this race. Clement
is also a good time trialist, and he comes home in 64’14, which is provisional 3rd, 24 seconds behind the new leader Elijzen, but 14 seconds faster than his leader, Van Goolen.
Reus
already arrives the finishing line. He leads at the intermediate time check, and he has definitely managed to build on his great start. 63’10 is 39 seconds faster than Elijzen, and it’s a real challenge for the remaining riders. Is he today’s stage winner?
Koren
was closest to Reus on the time check, but he needs to step it up on the final 24 kilometers to have a chance on the stage win. And so he does! But it isn’t enough, he’s only 3 seconds behind Reus, at 63’13.
Roy
is responsible for the French pride today, and he's fully commited. He should be satisfied with 64’04, it gives him provisional 4th, 54 seconds behind Reus.
Ignatiev
was disappointing at the time check, but Elijzen proved that it works to be a slow starter, but does it work for Ignatiev? 63’26 is the answer, 16 seconds slower than Reus, 13 seconds slower than Koren. By no means convincing, but he’s definitely still in the mix for the overall win.
