Cycling Commentary

Tour de France Stage 8 - Preview and Results

Tour de France Stage 8 - Belfort to Porrentury

With the general classification taking shape and the Tour de France 2012 Contenders either celebrating their success or licking their wounds, Stage 8 from Belfort to Porrentury could prove to be an interesting day. The stage is shorter than those of rcent days at 157.5 km or 98 miles, but it is also considerably lumpier. The peloton will make their way from the mountainous Haute-Saône département of eastern France into Jura Mountains of Switerzerland. In the process, they will scale no less than seven (7) categorized climbs.

• Km 20.0 - Côte de Bondeval4.4 kilometre-long climb at 3.9% - category 4

• Km 32.0 - Côte du Passage de la Douleur3.8 kilometre-long climb at 6.4% - category 3

• Km 50.0 - Côte de Maison-Rouge7.9 kilometre-long climb at 5% - category 2

• Km 73.0 - Côte de Saignelégier7.8 kilometre-long climb at 6.1% - category 2

• Km 97.0 - Côte de Saulcy4.6 kilometre-long climb at 8.6% - category 2

• Km 130.5 - Côte de la Caquerelle (834 m)4.3 kilometre-long climb at 7.6% - category 2

• Km 141.5 - Col de la Croix (789 m)3.7 kilometre-long climb at 9.2% - category 1
  
  

With Bradley Wiggins now in the Yellow Jersey, the responsibility for controlling the race will fall to Team Sky. Likely, a number of Tour de France 2012 favorites - Frank Schleck, Levi Leipheimer, Jurgen Van Den Broech, Alejandro Valverde and Robert Gesink - who lost big time over the last few days will try to take a flyer to regain some time. Sky will need to decide who are danger men and who can fly. With all the categorized climbs, the King of the Mountains' aspirants will also want to give it go. Again, Sky will need to decide who is "just going for the KOM" and who is a threat to the Yellow Jersey. 

Tour de France Stage 8 Results

 Chapeau Thibeat Pinot! The youngest rider (22)  in the Tour de France attacked on the bottom of the Col de la Croix chasing the lone Astana rider, Fredrik Kessiakoff. Pinot caught him, dropped him and soloed to victory in Porrentury. Meanwhile, another shattered peloton lead by the likes of Jurgen Van Den Broeck, Cadel Evans, Bradley Wiggins, Christopher Froome and a quartet of RadioShack riders including Tony Gallopin, Chris Horner, Haimar Zubeldia and Frank Schleck. On the descent into the Jura town, Van Den Broeck and Evans repeatedly attacked the small group seeking any small advantage. In the final approach, Evans took second, followed closely by Gallopin, Wiggins and Nibali.

Earlier in the day, Tour de France Contender Samu Sanchez crashed, abandoned and was evacuated to hospital by ambulance.

Stage 8 - Top 10 Finishers

1	Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat	3:56:10
2	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:26
3	Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack-Nissan
4	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling
5	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
6	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team
7	Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling
8	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team
9	Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan
10	Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:30

General Classification after Stage  (Top 10 and Favorites)

1	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling	14:17:56
2	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:10
3	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:16
4	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team	0:00:54
5	Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:59
6	Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling	0:01:32
7	Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan	0:02:08
8	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team	0:02:11
9	Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale	0:02:21
10	Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne	0:02:27
12	Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team	0:03:24
14	Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan	0:03:43
15	Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan	0:03:47
16	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team	0:04:03
18	Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:04:12
19	Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan	0:04:24
20	Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar	0:04:26
21	Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-Quickstep	0:04:46
52	Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar	0:20:45
56	Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:23:12

Tour de France Stage 7 - Preview and Results

Tour de France Stage 7 - Tomblaine to La Planche des Belles Filles

Let's hope that Fabian Cancellera from RadioShack-Nissan has enjoyed his weeklong sojourn in the Tour de France Yellow Jersey. Today's 199 km (123 miles) stage from Tomblaine, just south of Metz, to the ski state of La Plance des Belles Filles (the board of the young girls), is one for the pure climbers and a test for the Tour de France 2012 contenders.

• Km 112.0 - Col de Grosse Pierre3.1 kilometre-long climb at 6.4% - category 3

• Km 150.5 - Col du Mont de Fourche (620 m)3.1 kilometre-long climb at 6.4% - category 3

• Km 199.0 - La Planche des Belles Filles5.9 kilometre-long climb at 8.5% - category 1
   

Stage 7 is neither the most difficult nor mountainous of the 2012 edition of the Tour de France. The stage features two (2) category 3 climbs, each of which are 3.1 km in length at an average grade of 6.4%. But it is the summit finish at La Planche des Belles Filles that will show which of the best climbers at the Tour de France are on form. The final climb to the ski station finish is 5.9 km or 3.7 miles long and gains 503 m (1,650) and averages 8.5%. As such it is about as steep, on average, as Alpe D'Huez and about half the distance. However, La Planche des Belles Filles climb features several pitches near 14% with a short-stretch from 22% to 28% near the finish.

With pitches like this, La Planche des Belles Filles favors the light climbers with a high power to weight ratio (functional threshold power / weight in kg). Among the Tour de France 2012 favorites, look to the likes of Janez Brajkovic, Levi Leipheimer, Frank Schleck, Alejandro Valverde, Sammy Sanchez and Vincenzo Nibali to rise to the top. Having lost time in earlier stages, Schleck, Sanchez and Valverde will be particularly motivated. Other general classification notables such as Cadel Evans, Bradley Wiggins and Dennis Menchov will have to dig deep when the pitches kick up and rally back on the "flatter" parts of the climb.

Stage 7 will also be the first stage where the real King of the Mountains Contenders come forward. Each of the category 3 climbs is worth worth 2 points, but the final climb to La Planche des Belles Filles is worth 20 points to the winner. So, it will be interesting to see how the stage unfolds, as those in the early break of the day will clearly be seeking the coveted polka dot jersey.

Tour de France Stage 7 Results

The peloton approached the steep climb to La Planche des Belles Filles. Team Sky came to the front, put the hammer down and proceeded to decimate the field. Richie Porte pulled the bunch for the first 2km, shredding the general classification hopefuls one by one. Leipheimer was among the first to go, followed by Schleck, Brajkovic and Sanchez. Then, with 2km to go, Sky's Christoper Froome took over, and Menchov popped. Only Wiggins, Evans, Rein Taarame (a surprise from Cofidis!) and Nibali could follow. As Taarame dropped off the back, and the quartet approached the final, steep 350m, Evans attacked. Wiggins followed and Froome a counter attacked. An amazing cycling performance by Team Sky ensued as Froome took the stage and the King of the Mountains Jersey, and Wiggins took yellow, leaving Cadel in second place on the climb and on the general classification.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Van Den Broeck and Alejandro Valverde each encoutered mechanical problems as the pace of the peloton accellerated within 10km to go. As a result, their general classification hopes were dashed by the ruthless accelleration of Team Sky. Afterwards when interviewed by CyclingNews.com, Wiggins claimed it was not the team's intent to decimate the field. "We rode tempo" with the intent of claiming the yellow jersey. The Brit claimed that both he and Froome could have gone deeper, and he was surprised that there were only four left in the final selection. In his words, claiming the Yellow Jersey is "fucking great!"

 From today's clear, it is clear that it is Evans and Wiggins (and Wiggin's Team Sky) that are head and shoulders above the rest.

 Stage 7 - Top 10 Finishers

1	Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling	4:58:35
2	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:02
3	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling
4	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:07
5	Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne	0:00:19
6	Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:44
7	Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar	0:00:46
8	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team
9	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team	0:00:50
10	Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:56

 

General Classification after Stage 7 (Top 10 and Favorites)

1	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling	10:21:20
2	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:10
3	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:16
4	Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne	0:00:32
5	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team	0:00:54
6	Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:59
7	Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan	0:01:09
8	Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale	0:01:22
9	Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling	0:01:32
10	Michael Rogers (Aus) Sky Procycling	0:01:40
12	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi	0:02:02
13	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team	0:02:11
15	Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team	0:02:25
16	Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan	0:02:29
17	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team	0:03:04
20	Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
23	Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar	0:03:27
24	Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan	0:03:39
26	Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan	0:03:43
27	Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-Quickstep	0:03:47
35	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team	0:04:50
39	Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:06:57
65	Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar	0:16:13
111	Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-Quickstep	0:24:39
170	Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:40:18

Top Climbers in the Tour de France 2012

A Look at Best Climbers in the Tour de France

Alberto Contador is widely acknowledged to be the best climber in the professional peloton, and Andy Schleck, who finished 2nd overall in the 2011 Tour de France, is considered a strong runner-up. But neither Contador nor Schleck are competing in the 2012 Tour de France. Contador is serving a yearlong suspension for a Clenbuterol doping positive in the 2010 Tour de France, while Schleck fractured his pelvis in a crash during the Criterium du Dauphine time trial.

Creating a list of top climbers in the 2012 Tour de France begins with an evaluation of the mountainous stage races leading up to the Tour, such as the Tour de Suisse, the Criterium du Dauphine and even the Tour of California. Most of the best climbers also come from the ranks of the Tour de France contenders.

 • Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) from Movistar Team won Stage 1 of the Tour de Suisse on the climb to Verbier and laid the foundations for his overall win of the Swiss race.

• Frank Schleck (Lux) of RadioShack-Nissan showed that he was on form at the Tour de Suisse with his commanding performances in the mountains on his bid for a second overall.

• Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Omega Pharma - QuickStep showed that he was coming back on form with his 3rd place finish at the Tour de Suisse. He's light and powerful, and can do very well in the steeper climbs.

• Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team first showed his climbing prowess in his dominant performance in the last stage of the Tour de California, which he won overall. He went on to climb well at the Tour de Suisse where he finished 4th overall.

• Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) of Movistar Team worked for teammate Rui Costa at the Tour de Suisse and still managed to come in 7th overall. He has a history of strong climbing abilities, though that record is somewhat suspect due to his role in Operacion Puerto.

• Bradley Wiggins (GBr) of Sky Procycling won the Criterium du Dauphine 2012 with commanding time trial performances and by climbing with the best in the mountains. As such, he needs to be considered among the top climbers in the 2012 Tour de France.

• Cadel Evans (Aus) of BMC Racing Team won the 2011 edition of the Tour de France by climbing well, time trialing well and riding smart throughout the 3-week race. He consistently climbs with the best, and he showed that by placing 3rd overall at the Criterium du Dauphine 2012.

• Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) of Lotto Belisol Team finished 4th at the Dauphine, and he has showed tremendous form in the mountains at both the 2010 and 2011 editions of the Tour.

• Janez Brajkovic (Slo) of Astana Pro Team first showed his climbing prowess at the 2010 edition of the Criterium du Dauphine where he beat Alberto Contador, the best climber in the world. Brajkovic finished 7th overall at the 2012 edition of the Dauphine.

• Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) of Liquigas-Cannondale has not shown much form in the run up to the Tour de France, but the winner of the 201o Vuelta and 2nd place finisher at the 2011 Giro is among the best climbers at this year's Tour.

• Denis Menchov (Rus) of Katusha Team is a two-time winner of the Vuelta and a winner of the Giro. You cannot win a Grand Tour without being a top climber. Menchov has been below the radar this year and did not compete in either the Tour de Suisse of the Criterium du Dauphine.

• Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi, the reigning Olympic Road Race Champion, climbs consisently well at the Tour de France - well enough to win the King of the Mountains Jersey in the 2011 Tour. With two podium finishes at the Vuelta, Sanchez ranks among the top climbers.

 

Other Notable Climbers:

Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale (past winner of the Giro)

Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan (podium finished at the Tour, consistent climber)

Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar (winner of the mountaintop finish at Alpe D'Huez at the 2011 Tour de France)

Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan (solid climber but old at 40)

Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Garmin - Sharp (winner of the 2012 Giro but crashed hard on Stage 6)

Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - Sharp (crashed out of the 2012 Tour de France in Stage 6)

 

 

 

Tour de France Stage 6 - Preview and Results

Tour de France Stage 6 - Épernay to Metz

The peloton continues their easterly push towards the mountains from Épernay to Metz . With only one Category 4 climb, Stage 6 of the Tour de France will be one last chance for the sprinters to shine for the better part of a week. This is another long stage - 207.5 km or 129 miles.

After a week of racing, the peloton is getting pretty beat up, and many sprinters have seen the tarmac more often than they would like. There's a remote chance that the day's breakaway will survive to the finish, but more than likely, the peloton will finish in a bunch sprint to the line. Look for Cavendish, Sagan and Farrar, if he's not too beaten up,to redeem themselves. The General Classification contenders will once again seek to conserve energy and stay out of trouble, as they will want to have fresh legs for the first real mountaintop finish of the Tour de France at La Planche des Belles Filles in Stage 7 on Saturday.

Stage 6 Results

 The first week of the Tour de France, with its long, generally flat, sprint-filled stages, is as much about survival as it is about taking early stage victories. This is particularly true for teams with Yellow Jersey aspiratations. Just ask Garmin-Sharpe, who GC hopes are all but dashed after today's seemingly innocuous Stage 6 to Metz.

With teammate Dave Zabriskie off the front in an all-day chase group and only 25kms to go on the stage, disaster struck an already stricken Garmin-Sharpe team. An enormous, high-speed crash in the peloton that took down an already injured Tyler Farrar, Tom Danielson and Christian Vandevelde. Worse yet, Garmin-Sharpe's general classification best hope, Ryder Hesjedal went down hard, ultimately losing 9+ minutes on the stage. Later on, Tom Danielson abandoned the race, their best climber and another GC contender, done! The final blow was that Dave Z was caught by a charging peloton with 1.5km to go.

Other teams were not spared the wrath of Stage 6. Frank Schleck, Robert Gesink, Janez Brajkovic, Pierre Rolland and Alejandro Valverde all lost time.

And, oh yeh, Peter Sagan won his 3rd Tour stage!

Stage 6 - Top 10 Finishers

 

1	Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale	4:37:00
2	André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol Team
3	Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
4	Kenny Robert Van Hummel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
5	Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank
6	Greg Henderson (NZl) Lotto Belisol Team
7	Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
8	Luca Paolini (Ita) Katusha Team
9	Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
10	Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team	0:00:04

 

 

General Classification after Stage 6 (Top 10 and Favorites)

 

1	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan	5:22:36
2	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling	0:00:07
3	Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
4	Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team	0:00:10
5	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team	0:00:13
6	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:17
7	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:18
8	Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:19
9	Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan
10	Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:22
17	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team	0:00:28
18	Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:29
20	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi	0:00:40
21	Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team	0:00:42
22	Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-QuickStep	0:00:45
24	Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan	0:01:29
31	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team	0:02:27
34	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team	0:02:40
37	Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan	0:02:43
38	Baden Cooke (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team	0:02:46
40	Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar	0:02:50
51	Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:04:13
114	David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Sharp	0:14:17
115	Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar	0:14:17
151	Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickStep	0:19:47
181	Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:27:49

 

Tour de France Stage 5 - Preview and Results

Tour de France Stage 5 Rouen / Saint-Quentin

Stage 5 is another long (197km, 122 mile) flat stage from Rouen in North Central France to Saint-Quentin in an easterly direction en route the the Jura Mountains. After having hit the Tarmac yesterday, sprinters Mark Cavendish, Tyler Farrar and Bernie Eiesel will be seeking their revenge. With no categorized mountain stages, Stage 5 is going to be a sleeper. The Tour de France 2012 contenders will just be trying to keep their noses clean during the stage that will likely feature a no-name breakaway group who get chased down by RadioShack, Lampre and other ambitous sprinter teams.

Lance Armstrong Betrayed by Former Teammates

Stage 5 would be a complete sleeper were it not for today's public disclosure of cyclists who reportedly betrayed Lance Armstrong. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie, Dave Zabriski and Jonathan Vaughters have all confessed to doping and turned Lance in at the same time. The cyclists will receive a six-month ban from USADA at the beginning of the 2013 cycling season. It is unknown whether or not Vaughters will be suspeneded.

Tour de France Stage 5 Results
The final kilometer into Saint-Quentin featured a slight uphill finish that might have been perfect for Peter Sagan. But a crash just within the 3km mark that saw Tyler Farrar thrown to the tarmac for the 3rd day in a row, also ensnared the Green Jersey Sagan. Mattie Goss went for it; Greipel, Haedo and Cavendish followed with Greipel blowing past Goss in the final 200 meters to take the win.

The GC contenders played it safe with the result that there were no changes in the general classification.

Stage 5 - Top 10 Finishers

1	André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol Team	4:41:30
2	Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
3	Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank
4	Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne
5	Mark Cavendish (GBr) Sky Procycling
6	Tom Veelers (Ned) Argos-Shimano
7	Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Katusha Team
8	Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
9	Sébastien Hinault (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
10	Yohann Gene (Fra) Team Europcar

General Classification after Stage 5 (Top 10 and Favorites)

1	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan	24:45:32
2	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling	0:00:07
3	Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
4	Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team	0:00:10
5	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling	0:00:11
6	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team	0:00:13
7	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:17
8	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:18
9	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp
10	Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:19
13	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team	0:00:22
23	Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:00:26
24	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team	0:00:28
26	Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:29
27	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team	0:00:35
31	Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:38
33	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi	0:00:40
37	Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar	0:00:45
38	Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-Quickstep	0:00:45
47	Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan	0:01:29
154	Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - Sharp	0:12:02
180	Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-Quickstep	0:17:42
190	Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:21:51

Tour de France Stage 4 Preview and Results

Tour de France Stage 4 - Abbeville to Rouen

Tour de France Stage 4 from Abbeville is another long 214km (133 ilems) stage for the sprinters. The route takes riders inland from Abbeville in the north of France along the coast that abuts the English Channel for 80+kms before turning back inland to finish at Rouen. Along the way, the peloton will encounter four Category 4 climbs. So once again, a break featuring current King of the Mountains Jersey wearer, Michael Mørkøv (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff), is likley to develop. (Mørkøv, by the way, stands no chance of holding onto the jersey beyond stage 6, as the peloton enounters the first real mountain stage with the Stage 7 summit finish at La Planche des Belles Filles.)

• Km 38.0 - Côte du Mont Huon2.1 kilometre-long climb at 4.1% - category 4

• Km 69.0 - Côte de Dieppe1.8 kilometre-long climb at 3.9% - category 4

• Km 74.0 - Côte de Pourville-sur-Mer1.9 kilometre-long climb at 4.4% - category 4

• Km 143.0 - Côte de Toussaint1.9 kilometre-long climb at 4.5% - category 4

Category 4 climbs aside, the real challenge of Stage 4 could be wind developing off the English Channel. If the winds starts to blow, enchelons will form with the risk of creating significant gaps in the peloton. Tour de France Contenders 2012 like Evans, Wiggins, Menchov and others will need to pay careful attention. The resulting scurry for the head of the peloton could result in a large number of crashes. Thunderstorms forecast for the day may also present special challenges for a peloton that has already had three hard days of racing (the prologue doesn't count!).

Assuming they all make it to the outskirts of Rouen safely, the sprinters teams will take charge of the peloton with about 10km to go. Since it is Independence Day in the United States, Garmin-Sharpe and their sprinter Tyler Farrar will be particularly motivated for the stage win. But with yesterday's crashes and injuries to both Danielson and Vandevelde, Farrar may not have the support he needs to compete for the win. As with Stage 2 of the Tour, the final fireworks of the day may come down to a sprint contest between Mark Cavendish, Andre Greipel, Matty Goss, Alessandro Petacchi and the Green Jersey, Peter Sagan.

Tour de France Stage 4 Results

A spectacular crash with 2.5km to go witnessed Mark Cavendish being dropped to the pavement, while his sprint competitors rode away with the victory. Andre Greipel sprinted for the win with a greatly diminished main field. Meanwhile, the General Classification contenders finished the stage safely with no change in the overall results. Cancellera held onto the Yellow Jersey, and young gun Peter Sagan held onto Green.

Stage 4 - Top 10 Finishers

 

1	André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol Team	5:18:32
2	Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
3	Tom Veelers (Ned) Argos-Shimano
4	Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
5	Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale
6	Jonathan Cantwell (Aus) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank
7	Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
8	Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
9	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling
10	Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi

 

 

General Classification after Stage 4 (Top 10 and Favorites)

 

1	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan	20:04:02
2	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling	0:00:07
3	Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
4	Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team	0:00:10
5	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling	0:00:11
6	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team	0:00:13
7	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:17
8	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:18
9	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp
10	Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:19
13	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team	0:00:22
23	Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:00:26
24	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team	0:00:28
26	Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:29
27	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team	0:00:35
31	Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:38
33	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi	0:00:40
37	Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar	0:00:45
38	Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
47	Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan	0:01:29
154	Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - Sharp	0:12:02
181	Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-Quickstep	0:17:42
190	Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:21:51

 

Tour de France Stage 3 Preview and Results

Short, Sharp Hills: A Stage for the Puncheurs

Stage 3 from Orchies to Boulogne-sur-Mer takes the 2012 Tour peloton from its Belgian origins to the northeast coast of France. Another long stage at 197.0km or 122 miles, the first 130km of the stage is relatively flat, but the last 65km  features six (6) categorized climbs. The climbs are short and steep and are sure to leave a mark on the peloton.

• Km 132.0 - Côte de L'Éperche0.7 kilometre-long climb at 6.9% - category 4

• Km 163.5 - Côte de Mont Violette1 kilometre-long climb at 9.2% - category 3

• Km 181.0 - Côte de Herquelingue1.7 kilometre-long climb at 5.8% - category 4

• Km 185.0 - Côte de Quéhen1.4 kilometre-long climb at 5.9% - category 4

• Km 190.5 - Côte du Mont Lambert1.3 kilometre-long climb at 8.4% - category 3

• Km 197.0 - Boulogne-sur-Mer0.7 kilometre-long climb at 7.4% - category 4

The final short climb to the finish Boulogne-sur-Mer is a perfect finale for puncheurs like Sagan, Boasson Hagen, Gilbert and Valverde. As in Stage 1, Yellow Jersey wearer Fabian Cancellera will also motivated to stay close to the front. If Spartacus is feeling good, he may go for the win. The Tour de France 2012 favorites will also want to keep things close at hand. Evans, Wiggins, Gesinick, Menchov, Hesjedal and Nibali all showed that are on form and ready to minimize and potential time gaps.

Stage 3 Results

Peter Sagan does it again with another amazing cycling performance!

With 5km to go, Sylvan Chavenel from Omega Pharma-Quickstep attacked and gapped the peloton. He maintained a 10 second lead going into the final steep (7.4%) climb with .7km to go to the line. BMC came to the front and caught the Frenchman, only to be left in the dust by an amazingly strong 22-year old from Slovakia, who took his second Tour de France stage win in four days of racing. Cancellera finished in 4th place, thus preserving his Yellow Jersey.

A small crash in the peloton as the group neared the finish line ensnarled a few riders, including Bradley Wiggins. Despite losing 47 seconds on the stage, Wiggins was awarded the same time as the chase group as he was within 3KM of the finish, by rule. Other Tour de France general classification contenders finished in the greatly diminished main bunch, including Cadel Evans, Samu Sanchez, Vincenzo Nibali, Ryder Hesjedal and Andreas Klöden. Others lost time including Brajkovic, Gesink, Valverde, Rolland, Schleck, Van Den Broeck and Basso, all of  whom lost :07 to their primary GC rivals. But the biggest loser of the day had to be Tom Danielson who hit the tarmac hard and lost over nine minutes, joining the ranks of other fallen Tour de France 2012 favorites, Tony Martin and Luis Leon Sanchez. Danielson is questionable for the start of Stage 4 of the Tour with a reported shoulder separation.

Stage 3 - Top 10 Finishers

1	Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale	4:42:56
2	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling	0:00:01
3	Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
4	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan
5	Michael Albasini (Swi) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
6	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
7	Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale
8	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
9	Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team
10	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale

 

General Classification after Stage 3 (Top 10 and Favorites)

1	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan	14:45:30
2	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling	0:00:07
3	Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
4	Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team	0:00:10
5	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling	0:00:11
6	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team	0:00:13
7	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:17
8	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:18
9	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp
10	Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:19
13	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team	0:00:22
22	Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:00:26
23	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team	0:00:28
25	Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:29
26	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team	0:00:35
30	Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:38
32	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi	0:00:40
34	Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team	0:00:42
36	Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar	0:00:45
37	Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
47	Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan	0:01:29
110	Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar	0:08:19
126	Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - Sharp	0:09:41
181	Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-Quickstep	0:15:21
190	Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:19:30

 

Tour de France Stage 2 Preview and Results

Sprinters Delight from Visé  to Tournai

Stage 2 from Visé to Tournai is a long, 207.5KM (129 mile) flat, fast stage from Visé to Tournai. With only one 4th category climb on tap, Stage 2 is a sprinters delight.

Expect the teams of fast men like World Road Race Champion Mark Cavendish, Andre Griepel, Tyler Farrar, Peter Sagan and Philip Gilbert to jockey for position in the final 10 kms coming into Tournai. Cycling Commentary expects a real battle between top sprinters Cavendish and Sagan, winner of Stage 1, on the line. Meanwhile, the Tour de France Favorites will try to stay to the front and stay out of trouble. This stage will be pretty boring right up until the last 10K, but then watch out! High speed crashes are often the outcome on days like this.

Tour de France Stage 2 Results

With a kilometer to go, the peloton was winding its way Tournai at mach speed, and Mark Cavendish was nowhere to be seen. Then, with about 500 meters to go, his yellow helmet is suddenly seen in 3rd position just behind Andre Greipel. When Greipel went, Cavendish, now is full sight and full flight, followed. The sprint was tight, but Cav took Greipel by a half a wheel in his first win of the 2012 Tour de France.

Afterwards, the Manxman spoke of his win without the support of his team, who is fully dedicated to the general classification hopes of teammate Bradley Wiggins, one of the favorites for the 2012 Tour de France. "I had to be plucky," said Cavendish. Apparently, plucky means, sneaking, tactical, clever and fast, because Cavendish's come-from-nowhere cycling peformance was incredible!

Among the general classification contenders for Tour de France 2012, the injured Tony Martin and Luis Leon Sanchez lost over 4 minutes on the stage. Wiggins, Menchov, Evans, Van Den Broeck, Hesjedal, Leipheimer and Schleck all finished safely in the bunch.

Stage 2 - Top 10 Finishers

1	Mark Cavendish (GBr) Sky Procycling	4:56:59
2	André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol Team
3	Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
4	Tom Veelers (Ned) Argos-Shimano
5	Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
6	Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale
7	Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) FDJ-Big Mat
8	Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank
9	Mark Renshaw (Aus) Rabobank Cycling Team
10	Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Sharp

 

General Classification after Stage 2 (Top 10 and Favorites)

1	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan	10:02:31
2	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling	0:00:07
3	Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
4	Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team	0:00:10
5	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling	0:00:11
6	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team	0:00:13
7	Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team
8	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:17
9	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:18
10	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp
11	Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:19
12	Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:00:21
14	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team	0:00:22
28	Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:00:26
30	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team	0:00:28
33	Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:29
34	Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - Sharp	0:00:31
36	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team	0:00:35
42	Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:38
45	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi	0:00:40
47	Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team	0:00:42
49	Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar	0:00:45
50	Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
58	Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar	0:00:53
78	Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan	0:01:29
172	Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-Quickstep	0:04:45
191	Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:08:54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tour de France Stage 1 Preview and Results

Belgian Classic Specialists Expected to be on Top

Tour de France Stage 1 from Liege to the Belgian town of Seraing features five (5) category 4 climbs including an uphill finish into Seraing with an average grade of 4.7% over the last 2.4km. At 198 kilometers or 123 miles, Stage 1 is reminiscient of (though not as hard as) Belgian classics such as the Amstel Gold or Liege-Bastonge-Liege. Look to riders with powerful uphill finishes to take today's stage 1. 

Among the one-day specialists, riders like Philipe Gilbert of BMC, Peter Sagan of Liquigas, Maxim Iglinski of Astana (winner of the Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2012) or Dan Martin of Garmin-Sharpe are possible winners. Mark Cavendish, who has made a concerted effort to lose body weight and get lean since the Giro, may also figure prominently in Seraing.

Certain Tour de France contenders for the yellow jersey may also do well on Stage 1. Cadel Evans of BMC is a past winner of La Flèche Wallonne race; Alejandro Valverde of Movistar won Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2008; and Frank Schleck of Radioshack finished 2nd at Liege in 2011. Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky has also been known to turn a pedal in anger winning the uphill finish this year of Stage 1 at the Tour of Romandie. Likewise, Vincenzo Nibali of Liquigas soloed to second at Liege-Bastogne-Liege. With no bonus points available for stage winners, however, the Tour de France favorites are likely to play it safe.

First King of the Mountains Jersey to Be Awarded

A total of give (5) King of the Mountains points will be awarded during today's stage from Liege to Seraing. One point will be awarded to the first rider to reach the top of each of today's 4th category points. The likely winner and Polka Dot Jersey wearer will be an opportunistic rider from the breakaway that is sure to form at the start of today's stage. But with only 5 points available today, the real King of the Mountains contenders will probably not show themselves.

 Tour de France Stage 1 Results

With about 1.5 km to go on the uphill stretch into Seraing, the orders came from the RadioShack team car for Yellow Jersey wearer Fabian Cancellera to give it a go. Sparticus went, and only two riders could follow, Peter Sagan and Edvald Boasson Hagen. Cancellara and his followers formed an immediate gap over a diminished main field that included GC contenders Cadel Evans, Vincenzo Nibali, Bradley Wiggins and Dennis Menchov. The Yellow Jersey practically begged Sagan to pull through, but the Slovenian refused like a lion about to take it's pray. With about 200 meters to go and the main field closing quickly, Cancellera gave it another go only for Sagan to come around and win the stage with seeming ease. With the win, Sagan will donne the green jersey of the sprints competition leader, as Cancellera retains both the Yellow Jersey and the Green Jersey.

While you cannot win the Tour in the early stages, it can definitely be lost. The big losers of the day included GC contender Chris Horner who dropped :55 and Luis Leon Sanchez who lost over four (4) minutes in a crash.

Stage 1 - Top 10 Finishers

1	Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale	4:58:19
2	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan
3	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling
4	Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team
5	Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team
6	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team
7	Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team
8	Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin - Sharp
9	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp
10	Dries Devenyns (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickStep

General Classification after Stage 1 (Top 10 and Favorites)

1	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan	5:05:32
2	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling	0:00:07
3	Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
4	Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team	0:00:10
5	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling	0:00:11
6	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team	0:00:13
7	Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team
8	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:17
9	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:18
10	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp
11	Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:19
14	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team	0:00:22
18	Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickStep	0:00:23
29	Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:00:26
31	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team	0:00:28
34	Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:29
35	Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - Sharp	0:00:31
36	Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar	0:00:33
39	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team	0:00:35
45	Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:38
48	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi	0:00:40
53	Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar	0:00:45
54	Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
81	Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan	0:01:29

 

 

Tour de France 2012 Prologue Results

Cancellara Wins the Prologue while Evans Loses Time to Wiggins

The battle of the big aerobic engines at the Tour de France Prologue played out pretty much as expected. Fabian Cancellera, who rose to prominence in the 2004 Prologue in Liege where he beat Lance Armstrong, repeated in 2012 with a dominating time of 07:13 over the 6.4km course. With huge aerobic capacity, functional threshold power in excess of 450 watts,  and great bicycle aerodynamics, Cancellara averaged 53.21kph or 33.03mph. Such an amazing cycling performance likely required average power in excess of 540 watts.

Peter Sagan of the Liquigas squad lead at the first time check, but a mishap at the second roundabout caused him to slow and unclip, costing him valuable seconds and a top 10 finish. Likewise, Tony Martin from Omega Pharma-Quickstep experienced a mechanical, was forced to change bikes and lost 20 seconds.

Among the Tour de France 2012 Favorites, Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky showed that he is ready to romp at this year's Tour de France. Wiggins finished second to Cancellara with a time of 7:20. Dennis Menchov from Team Katusha also demonstrated that he is a force to be reckoned with an 8th place finish, just 6 seconds behind Wiggins. Poor bicycle aerodynamics cost Cadel Evans of Team BMC 10 seconds over his rival Wiggins.

Wiggins and Evans likely have a very similar power profile, but look at the aerodynamic position of each rider. Wiggins' heead is tucked and his hands are in a position such that it is not scooping air, thus reducing frontal surface area drag. Contrast his position with Cadel Evans. His oversized head is sticking up above his shoulders and his hand position creates even more aerodynamic drag. It's hard to imagine that a professional cyclist like Evans does not spend hours in the wind tunnel analyzing his position. But there it is - an inferior aerodynamic position cost Evans valuable seconds against Wiggins. That 10 second difference is likely to become minutes over the longer time trials to come.

Tour de France Prologue Results (Top 10 and Tour Favorites)

1	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan	0:07:13
2	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling	0:00:07
3	Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
4	Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team	0:00:10
5	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling	0:00:11
6	Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
7	Patrick Gretsch (Ger) Argos - Shimano	0:00:12
8	Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team	0:00:13
9	Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team
10	Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana Pro Team	0:00:15
13	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:17
14	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:18
15	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp
19	Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:19
32	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team	0:00:22
45	Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickStep	0:00:23
59	Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team	0:00:25
65	Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:00:26
74	Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team	0:00:27
77	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team	0:00:28
80	Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
90	Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale	0:00:29
100	Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - Sharp	0:00:31
109	Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar	0:00:34
113	Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan
116	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team	0:00:35
136	Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:38
145	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi	0:00:40