After yesterday's exciting - and difficult - mountain time trial up the Mont Vetoux, we are back with yet another exciting stage which could end up being one of the decisive ones. Most of the stage is pretty flat, but at the end the riders will have to climb a rather short, but quite steep, mountain. After that, it's going one way -- right down to the finish line.
So, if one of the favourites can launch a powerful attack on the mountain, this stage is his. It certainly fits the explosive climbers.
Anyway, the stage got started. Right at the start of the stage there's a mountain which was used as take-off spot for a bunch of riders. Their attempt was succesful, and soon we had a group of riders out in front of the peloton. These were: Van Houts, Lagutin, Vandevelde, Raabe, Sosenka and Dupont.
As time went by, the pace was increased, both in the breakaway and in the peloton. That also meant that Lagutin, who's obviously not suited for Pro Tour races , had to let go of the breakaway. At this point, the breakaway has a gap of 9 minutes to the peloton with 70 km to go.
Both Vandevelde and Sosenka seemed to be very interested in keeping up the high pace, and 40 km. later it payed off: Raabe and Van Houts were dropped. Left in the front group were Dupont, Sosenka and Vandevelde with a gap of about 3'20.
Dupont was also in trouble, but managed to hold on, and at the foot of the last climb they have 2'30 minutes down to the peloton.
But, as expected, this was definitely going to be a day for the favourites. Very early on the mountain, Kashechkin attacks. He is followed by a few other riders, who are followed by another few, who again is followed by another few. All the favourites (yes, all, maybe with an exception or two) end up in one group which easily catches the breakaway group.
And basically, that was it. No one tried to do anything on the mountain, no one moved away. Schleck was first to get over the mountain, with Valverde and Rasmussen right behind him.
In the sprint, it's Rasmussen leading with Simoni, Schleck and Danielson behind him. It will probably be a sprint between them.
The sprint starts really late, and that also makes it very easy for Rasmussen. He leads from the start of the sprint to the end of it and takes the victory! And like that wasn't enough, his team-mate Simoni takes 2nd -- and you know what? Rasmussen also takes the leader jersey - what a fantastic day for Carlsberg!
, had to let go of the breakaway. At this point, the breakaway has a gap of 9 minutes to the peloton with 70 km to go.
