Why have just one bit at the finish into Paris, when you can have two? This stage is like a reverse Ardennes classic rather than your normal flat run in to Paris - the question is if we are back in classic racing are we in Sony Ericsson territory?
Alessandro Ballan may seem a good bet with enough strength to get over the climbs and some finishing kick. Many may predict a group sprint and which sprinters can survive t get there?
It was forecasted to be windy which made this even more difficult than previously predicted. However that did not stop one rider attacking as early as the first short steep climb before the two longer up sections.
Redondo (Warner Brothers) eases away from the peleton on the descent
On that first of the pair of difficult longish early climbs Koren of Starbacks joined the attacks.
Koren moves away from an alert peleton
He was joined initially by Faiers (Vesuvio), Brandt (Carmuese), Manchebo (Jack Wolfskin), Cunha (Energie Diesal) and Mori (Sony Ericsson). These riders were then joined on the next climb by Eibegger (Domina Vancanze), Denifl (Festina), Reimer (Philips), Ardila Cano (Cafe de Columbia) and Brizuela(Lipton Iced Tea). This made a solid breakaway of 12 riders.
Twelve pretty solid riders make up our early break
Behind it was La Gazzeta keeping the break at a pretty level 1.30 ish, clearly feeling that Bennati has a great chance of taking his second victory in Paris.
La Gazzeta keep a firm grip
Already some riders were in difficulty with this pace as Castaneda (Cafe de Columbia), Peeters (Lafarge) and Lang(Sony Ericsson) had been shot out the back of the peleton. Conversely some other riders are really feeling in fine form and more bridge to the front group on this windy day.
Four more join the front group making 16
Chavenel (El AL), Danielson (Lipton Iced Tea), Zabella (Energie Diesal) and Caser (Cafe de Columbia) bridge across in the smaller hills before the two other tough climbs. Also coming across were Pereiro (Cafe de Columbia), Kolesnikov (Warner Brothers), Joly(Cafe de Columbia) and Grivko (B and O). This made twenty riders up front with three from the Cafe de Columbia squad. However two riders Brizuela and Cunha were dropped from the break and quickly passed by one more rider trying to bridge... Fiedler of Nespresso.
Feidler a strong TTer tries to time trial across
With 108km to go the 18 at the front had a minute on Fielder and 3.45 on the Gazzeta led peleton. On the second to last climb it was time to weed out a few weaker riders, said riders were Faiers and the rider that started the attacks today Redondo.
Two more lose touch with front group
Similarly on this penultimate long climb the peleton was making a selection of its own with Philips dropping back en masse to help their sprint Serebriakov.
Philips on help their sprinter duty
The last of the four long climbs is a real steep one and with the added difficulty of the wind there was yet more culling as first Manchebo dropped back to the peleton from the front group.
Manchebo drops back
Then the first really big sprinting casualty, this being Vanderbeist of Pearl Adidas no retribution for that disappointing tour for them.
Vanderbeist finds the last big climb difficult
However a lot of riders were feeling pretty leggy after that monster and Festina always alert to oppurtunities launched a triple move out of the peleton. Ulissi, Van Goolen and Castano make a pretty powerful trio.
Festina make an innovative triple move
The strongest two of these triumvirate Castano and Ulissi would make it across to the front group. Meanwhile it was obvious that Vanderbiest was not the only sprinter who had struggled on the climb as more slid off the back of the peleton on the subsequent smaller leg breakers.
Sony riders drop back for Granjel Cabrera
On the second of the last two small bumps, suddenly La Gazzeta disappeared from the front of the now 39 man peleton. It was no surprise to see Bennati drop back along with Haussler as the reason for this sudden change.
Bennati and Haussler are gooone
The lead group of 17 riders had stayed pretty stable now, they feel if they can get to Paris they will have a shot. Unfortunately for Tom Danielson he fell right before the last climb leaving him behind even the peleton.
Danielson falls and loses ground
The lead group also did not make it over the last climb without merging with the remainder of the peleton.
Lead group merges with rest of the very small peleton
However the last of the recognized sprinters Van Stayen had been dropped here.
Van Stayen cannot hold on
As they started into Paris it became clear that the was going to be one winner from 31 riders, here was the names:
Ulissi, Castano, Denifl, Sanchez G (Festina);
Anza, Ballan, Mori (Sony Ericsson);
Amador, Koren, Visconti (Starbucks);
Joly, Periero, Ardila Cano (Cafe de Columbia);
Zabella, Vicioso, LL Sanchez Gil (Energie Diesal);
Sinkewitz, Boom (Auber 93);
Vanendert, Eibegger (Domina Vacanze);
Calzati, Chavenal (El Al);
Casar, Brandt (Carmuese);
Van Garderen (Wikipedia);
Rodriguez Oliver (Philips);
Kolesnikov (Warner Brothers);
Fedrigo (Nespresso);
Grivko (B and O);
Bakelandts (Pearl Adidas)
and Frank Schleck (Vesuvio)
31 riders now with two circuits to go
The tension built as they thundered round the windy streets of Paris and into the tunnel for the second to last time they went. Out of it riders had started to attack using the uphill as a launchpad.
Riders attack out of the second to last visit of the tunnel
Fedrigo, Vanendert, Grivko, Casar, Pereiro and Van Garderen were the riders to attack here. The latter rider really pushed on and left his other attackers behind as they came through the bell and onto the last circuit.
Van Garderen powers on
Ardila Cano of Cafe de Columbia began to lose touch here and as they went round the top corner at high speed, one of the other tired riders went tumbling over.
Eibegger goes over badly
As the five other breakaway men were gobbled up the front group began snake around, no one seemed willing to want to do the final chasing of Van Garderen. The American was powering away into the distance.
The chase becomes disorganised
The young Wikipedia rider just gets his head down and rides, he goes into the tunnel with 5km to go with a 72 second lead. If he can hold his form surely the victory here is his.
Van Garderen takes the tunnel alone with the peleton some way back
The 28 riders behind are going fast though and as they exit the tunnel into the home straight we get another crash this time four riders involved Rodriguez goes over bringing down Ballan, Vicioso and Zabella.
Rodriguez brings one of the favourites down
Despite the high speed it is Van Garderen who takes a big big win for Wikipedia - Tejay has really announced himself here.
Van Garderen takes a fine win
Their youngsters promise a fine future, behind him there is a big scrap for the minor placings. Visconti of Starbucks takes second ahead perhaps surprising a bit here Frank Schleck. Ulissi (4th), Sanchez G (8th), Castano (16th) and Denifl (17th) complete a fine team showing from Festina. Sony were not absent either with both Anza (5th) and Mori (10th) both making top tens. Kolesnikov nabbed 6th, Bakelants was 7th and wild card team El Al can feel pleased with 9th place with Calzati.
The following riders Did not Finish:
Myaymarsuran (Domina Vacanze); Zrimsek (Lipton); Chamion, Vandevelde, Bret, Peeters, Korzh and Taillefour (Lafarge); Vingerling (Festina); Giraldo, Van der Pluijm (Warner Brothers); Castaneda (Cafe de Columbia); Lang (Sony); Sebright, Broers, Timofeev, Eekhout (Wikipedia); Rasmussen, Drucker (B+O); Colop (Energie Diesal) and Tronet (Auber)
