There's everything to play for on the last stage here in France. Only 3 seconds separates
Ignatiev
from Koren
in the overall classification, with Roy Reus
being less than a minute behind. Ignatiev Roy Breschel
are named favourites for the stage win by the bookmakers, meaning they fancy Roy in the fight for 3rd place overall, and Ignatiev in the fight for yellow.
The last stage is 182 kilometers long and the weather is once again good, at least at the start. Will we see fireworks on the finishing circuit, with Koren
desperately trying to force the yellow jersey of Ignatiev's shoulders?
Just like yesterday, the first attack of the day is successful in forming the breakaway of the day. Biondo Pfannberger O’Loughlin Claes & Van Coppernolle
are the riders brave enough to attack early today, and 25 kilometers into the stage, they’ve got a lead of 3’30.
The rain starts to fall for the first time in the race with 150 kilometers left, and one of the stage favourites crashes, and is also hit by the motor cyclist. Breschel
and his team can only hope he isn’t wounded, which should mean he’ll be able to sprint for the win today.
The first mountain sprint is only contested by Claes
who gives his team a moment of glory as he takes the maximum points on offer. The gap back to the peloton has grown to nearly 6 minutes now.
The second mountain sprint isn’t contested at all, and it’s Pfannberger
who takes the 10 points on offer, ahead of Claes
The rain continues to fall, and it’s looking more and more like a stage for the strongest riders.
Biondo
rolls first over the 2nd intermediate sprint, just like he did with the first one. But it’s clear that this hasn’t been a tour for the sprinters, as Biondo has 0 points in the sprint competition before today’s stage. The gap back to the peloton is 8 minutes now, but the peloton has started to chase, as there’s 90 kilometers left.
Back in the peloton, Poulhies
is next to taste asphalt, as he crashes with 93 kilometers to go for the peloton. Luckily he takes no one with him, and he’s able to continue. Also, Korzh & Ignatenko
has abandoned the race, without giving a reason. That can’t be according to the plan for Ignatiev.
Today’s final mountain sprint is won by Pfannberger
But no one in the breakaway is really interested in the points, all they care about is the gap back to the peloton. And they’re doing good, with 53 kilometers left, the gap is 5 minutes.
Back in the peloton it’s somewhat surprising to see Koppert doing the major work. Do they think it will come down to a sprint for their Dutch veteran, Dekkers?
The sun is luckily back, which should make it easier for the riders to stay on the bike. Biondo
clearly knows the art of passing intermediate sprints first, as he takes his third intermediate sprint with 38 kilometers left.
Crossing the finishing line for the first time, it’s still Koppert
who leads the peloton. They’re 3’30 behind the breakaway, meaning they control them well.
The final circuit is about 12 kilometers long, and absolutely nothing happens on the first of 3 laps. Pfannberger
leads the breakaway over the finishing line, 2’15 ahead of the peloton.
As we’re about to finish the 2 nd lap, Van Coppernolle
is dropped by his 4 breakaway companions. But they’re struggling to hold on to their lead, 15 kilometers from the line the gap is only 1’05.
Finishing the penultimate lap with 12 kilometers to go, the peloton, still led by Koppert, has the breakaway in sight, and they’re chasing only 20 seconds behind. This is looking more and more like a bunch sprint, looks like no one wants to attack. It definitely favours Ignatiev
who can only sit back and outsprint Koren
at the finishing line to secure his overall win.
The breakaway is caught with 8 kilometers left, except for the Italian sprinter Biondo
And he’s going strong! 6000 meters to go, and he has a gap of 36 seconds back to the peloton. Can he sneak away a brilliant solo victory?
3000 meters to go, and Biondo
is hanging on! Koppert has put up a solid lead out for Dekkers
as Freire is leading out Hopman and Dekkers. Ignatiev
also looks like he wants another stage win, as he’s right up there, looking to take part in the final sprint.
2 kilometers to go, and Biondo
is caught. That was close to a surprising win, but now there’s no hope for him. Hopman
storms past, with Dekkers
on his wheel. The King of the mountains of Tour du Limousin 2012 is also up there, Dumoulin
looks confident at the rear wheel of Dekkers
Ignatiev
has already launched his sprint, on the right side of the road.
Dekkers
opens his sprint with 1600 meters left, which means he has a pretty long way home, but he looks fast, and immediately jumps into the lead!
But no, it isn’t meant to be for Koppert & Dekkers
Ignatiev
flies past him with 1.2 kilometers to go, looking for his second stage win in this tour.
Koren Dumoulin
have far from given up, and they breath down Ignatiev’s
neck coming into the final corner with 800 meters left. Dumoulin has the best position, while Ignatiev will need to take a long turn.
Dumoulin
profits on his inner turn, and storms to the lead with 300 meters left, inspired by the nationalistic crowd, who’s absolutely nuts, looking for another French victory.
Dumoulin
takes the win! This has been a huge success for the French riders and France, taking two stage wins in a row on the 2 decisive days of racing. Ignatiev
must settle for 2nd once again, while Koren
takes third.
Roy
finishes fast to claim 4th place on the stage, while Dekkers
isn’t better than 5th, which must be disappointing for his team, who were working all day long. Geslin
celebrates Dumoulin’s huge win in 6th place.
Vansummeren Pineau Borges
are 7th, 8th and 9th, but they were never in contention for the stage win, sitting too far back when the sprint started.
Ignatiev
can celebrate a great overall victory here in France, after a great show on the mass start stages. He wasn’t impressive on the individual time trial, but took the necessary time head-to-head with his competitors. But you must admit today’s final stage was a bit disappointing, as there was no attacks on the yellow jersey.
