Flat and short stage, only 76 km! So the favorites are of course the sprinters: Mark Cavendish, Andre Griepel, Alessandro Petacchi, Tyler Farrar, Thor Hushovd, Matthew Goss and Edvald Boasson Hagen. So I need to go for the breakaway for a shot of victory (and the Green jersey!)









A 3-men breakaway was created! Me, Yohann Gene (Europcar) and Arnaud Coyot (Saur). If the stage should be decided between us, I could win the sprint! We had only 37 seconds to the Peloton!
However later the time gap was 3 minutes.




Once the time gap was on 6 minutes, meaning that I would get the yellow jersey, however the last 15 km was with a gap on 4 minutes. So the sprint should be decided between us!




My opportunities are scared of my sprint, so it wouldn't surprise me, if they started to attack for a solo win.



With 7,5 km Coyot tried to break free from Gené and me. However the try was a failure for him.




But they didn't attack...



Now it was time for me to control my nerve. I must be behind them both, so I could see when they started their sprint. Gene is a threat, because he is a sprinter, I am not sure with Coyot, but his attack earlier says a bit that he is not competitive in a sprint.

With 500 meter Coyot started his sprint with Gene and me in his back. The sprint had begun!
With 300 meter I started my sprint and I was flying! I could only see Gene be some inches behind me, he too had begun his sprint! Meanwhile Coyot stopped his own, so there was only Gene who could pass me.



However he never did! This will be a victory for me!
























It was a fantastic day. I am out of word! Well, tomorrow is the time trial, and the race is finished tomorrow, so I am happy that I maybe had won the green jersey!

See you tomorrow!

-Peter

A 7.1 km time trial will do every time trial specialist to a favorit.




Edvald Boasson Hagen has the fastest time.




1. Intermediate Time: 4:52 (+0:05)

Well that was a good time!




Finish line: 9:09 (-0:05)

I just rode faster than a time trial specialist! But I'm sure that the time will not hold rest of the day.




























That says a lot of my day! I am happy for that I had just won the green jersey! That's why I should ride the Tour! So I have an impressive Criterium International, and I am just ready for the Tour (however it is 5 month from now )

See you then!

- Peter

murao22 wrote:
Congratulations! Renshaw was higher than Cav

cyclingnews.com
Caruso will not ride the Tour
30/6-2011
By: Matthew Hancock


Damiano Caruso had been sick in these days and as a result of the illness, he will not ride the Tour.
"I am disappointed that I can't ride the Tour. I had trained to this race in so long time, and now because of my illness I can't ride the Tour", he said. With few days to the Tour, Liquigas need to find a new rider to the Tour.

cyclingnews.com
Peter Sagan will ride the Tour
1/7-2011
By: Michael Owen Wilson
The Slovakian rider Peter Sagan will ride the Tour instead of Damiano Caruso, who had been sick in some days.

We had tried to get an interview with the young Slovak without luck.

"The Tour de France is an annual multiple stage bicycle race primarily held in France, while also occasionally making passes through nearby countries" - Wikipedia

The Tour starts with a road stage rather than the traditional prologue time trial, and with an uphill finish. The day starts with a non-racing parade over the tidal Passage du Gois. When underway, the riders initially follow the coast, where the wind could have an impact, before heading inland to Les Herbiers and the finish on the Mont des Alouettes.

And the Tour had started!

The day started with several attack (I tried once), however the peloton with Saxo Bank in the front reacted straight with crushing every attempt. Alberto Contador has probably great legs today. My legs was great too, so Eros and Daniel was in the front.

Finally a breakaway was allowed to go by Saxo Bank. A 10-men breakaway with this following riders; Jimmy Casper, Robbie McEwen, David Millar, Daniel Oss, Alexandre Pichot, Francisco Ventoso, Romain Fellilu, Leonardo Duque, Anthony Geslin and Koldo Fernández. I think that Robbie McEwen wants to win the intermediate sprint.



However the sprint was a disaster for me, when Larsson (Saxo Bank) blocked me, so every sprinters passed me. Gustav - I know where you live (). Fortunately he apologised, and we are still good friend.

Later Daniel Oss and Robbie McEwen (I suppose that the latter won the intermediate) got a puncture; McEwen was fast with change the tire, and was back in the front group, meanwhile Oss crashed and was caught by the peloton.



After a good dinner, it was time for the finish! With 20 km remaining the 9-men breakaway have 1:30 to the peloton, will we catch them?

With 10 km remaining they have 40 seconds. It looks more difficult for them!



I feel me good, but now the Sky team (for Edvald Boasson Hagen) is setting the pace. Now the pace is really high! We are now 115 in the peloton! Tony Martin and Ivan Basso seems to be dropped! Oh, no he is losing time!


1 km remaining! Joaquim Rodriguez leads the peloton towards the sprint! A Europcar guy came out of nowhere to start the sprint! Daniel Oss has done all his work, now it is up to me. The sprint had started. I am a long way down, so I can't win. But here I come - fast! I overtook Petacchi, so that was good! I look to be number 3...oh, no Gerrans and Vinokourov overtook me. Oscar Freire won the stage. I became number 5. Number 5 is alright, especially when you're ahead of Gilbert.





















What a stage it was! I was surprised, that I was so strong, when the pace became really high! And I am proud of my sprint! Number 1 in the U25 Classification, so I must now go on the podium! Bye to tomorrow!

-Peto