Tour de France *** 2010 *** [LIVE THREAD]

Various incl letour.com / versus.com / steepjill.tv ^ | July 3, 2010 | Numerous - ongoing LIVE thread

[Ready4Freddy]

Stage results, Chavanel:

1. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 4h 40’ 48”
2. BOUET Maxime 82 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”
3. WEGMANN Fabian 149 TEAM MILRAM 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”
4. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”
5. KNEES Christian 145 TEAM MILRAM 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”
6. ROELANDTS Jürgen 108 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”
7. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”
8. GERDEMANN Linus 141 TEAM MILRAM 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”
9. LADAGNOUS Matthieu 65 FDJ 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”
10. EISEL Bernhard 112 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”
11. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel 107 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”
12. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 44’ 44” + 03’ 56”

[Mom MD]

Intriguing is not exactly how I would put it. It will be interesting to see what the race referees do with this. But it would be a sin to strip Chavanel of yellow. Maybe give all other finishers the 2nd place time? Or let the results stand as they are. I think Levi put it best in his post race interview.

[nutmeg]

17:16 - Peloton’s Solidarity In Final Kilometer

Cancellara is insisting that no rider attack his group as it arrives in Spa. It appears that the riders are expressing their concerns about what was a most intriguing day of racing.

Was that "protest" at the end of today's stage (led by Cancellara) legit or was it a load of BS and the riders were throwing a little hissy fit? It makes Cancellara come off particularly bad, IMO. He loses the yellow jersey to Chavanel, who deserved to win today, so he insists that the rest of the riders protest the TdF organizers because of the numerous crashes? What are they complaining about, the rain??

Am I missing something here?

[nutmeg]

Gosh, the older Bob Roll gets, the more he becomes a dead ringer for this guy:

ROLLing on the floor laughing at that Mr Clean pic! ;-D

[nutmeg]

nutmeg, your Robbie right up there!

Yes, thanks for those results! Of course I'm rooting for our American riders, but I admit Robbie McEwen is fun to watch, LOL.

[wita]

Am I missing something here?

I was and still am, a bit confused. I have always thought it a bike “race”, not just a tour. Maybe if they got some rain tires like in F1 there wouldn’t be an issue, but seriously, if every stage gets protested what is that going to look like. Sprinters complaining they get left behind on Mt. stages?

Even Levi was complaining about the organizers wanting blood.

So, I remain confused about where this is all going, meanwhile Chavanel has a BIG lead.

[nutmeg]

Even Levi was complaining about the organizers wanting blood.

Yeah, I saw that interview. It all seems like whining to me, but I've never been part of an event like the Tour de France, so I'm no expert.

I hope we learn soon whether this protest was legit or simply a big hissy fit staged by the riders. I'm sure the Versus staff (Phil, Paul, Bob Roll et al) will definitely have some strong opinions about this later tonight or tomorrow...

[WackySam]

I’m wondering if these times will stand if (and I think there was) some kind of foreign substance on the road surface?

[longjack]

The peloton, rather than reel in the breakway, slowed down to allow Saxobank to bring back the Schenck brothers, tour GC favorites, after they crashed on wet roads. Cancellera gave up the yellow in order to allow his teammates to get back.

I think the split was about 40 seconds with 45 KM to go, so there was probably going to be a sprint until the spills occurred.

Reminds one of the time when Lance waited for Jan Ullrich when he crashed. Ullrich was in second place and Lance's main competition at the time.

[longjack]

Chavanel has a BIG lead

The few minutes doesn't amount to anything if he's not a climber or a time trialer. I think the fact they let him go shows he is not a GC threat.

He will have the yellow fo a few days. Quick Step is a Belgian team that rides Eddy Mercxx bikes and the rider is from France, where they ride into tomorrow. So, all in all, he was a good rider to let go.

[deport]

Chavanel A Winner & A Leader

On 25 April 2010, Sylvain Chavanel cracked his skull in a crash in the Belgian Ardennes. On 5 July, he raced over similar roads like a true champion. He was determined to have an impact in the second stage of the Tour de France: after attacking at the 10km mark, he lured seven others to join him in an escape group. His team-mate, Jerome Pineau was part of this posse and he collected the polka-dot jersey by sprinting up the small climbs leading to Spa. But Quickstep earned more than a consolation in Belgium. With Chavanel inspired, the peloton splintered – by crashes and, later, polemics – the Frenchman bolted ahead of his rivals and onward to an incredible win.On a day of many stories, one of the more memorable incidents was a crash on the descent of the Stockeu climb that took out Andy and Frank Schleck and caused Contador and Armstrong to lose time as well. Eventually the peloton would all come back together but only after a half hour of total drama. With frayed nerves, from the crashes and wet weather and slippery descents the peloton arrived at the finish en masse in a show of solidarity 3’56” behind Chavanel.

The Progress Report
The 201km second stage of the 2010 Tour de France began at 12.35pm. There were 194 riders at the sign on, with Adam Hansen (THR) the only rider to abandon because of a fall in stage one. He fractured his left collarbone. There were three intermediate sprints – in Perwez (39.5km), Seny (112km) and Coo (177km) – and six climbs. The first points for the polka-dot jersey were awarded atop the côte de France (98km), Filot (128.5km), Werbomont (136km), Aisomont (161.5km), col de Stockeu (167.5km) and the col du Rosier (189km).

Chavanel Instigates Escape
The first successful escape was instigated by Sylvain Chavanel (QST) after 10km of racing. He was caught by seven others: Lloyd and Roelandts (OLO), Burghardt (BMC), Pineau (QST), Turgot (BTL), Taaramae (COF) and Gavazzi (LAM). The peloton was content with the selection and allowed this group to gain time quickly: 6’55” at 32km was the maximum gain. The pace was rapid with an average speed for the first hour of 46.8km/h and 46.4km/h for the second hour. Once in the Provence de Liege rain started to fall and the pace dropped a little on the up-and-down terrain of the Ardennes. The average for the third hour was 38.7km/h.
Pineau attacked along with Taaramae and Lloyd on each of the first three climbs and the Frenchman led over the line – taking three points each time.

Delage Crashes Out
Around the 57km to go mark, there was a crash involving Dean (GRM), Karpets (KAT), Mickael Delage (OLO) and several others. The New Zealander and Russian continued but the Frenchman was forced to abandon the race after sustaining cuts to his face.

Chaos On Stockeu Descent!
Gavazzi started the attacking on the fourth climb. This caused the lead group to split; Turgot and Lloyd were the first to retreat to the peloton (with 40km to go). Pineau collected first place at the top of the Stockeu climb. Gavazzi was fourth over the summit and, as he tried to catch the leaders, he crashed. That was the beginning of a scene of chaos: the following camera motorcycling crashed into the Italian and then, as the peloton arrived, several riders crashed while trying to avoid the bodies and bikes lying on the road. Riders involved in accidents included Andy and Frank Schleck (SAX), Contador (AST) and Armstrong (RSH) were also involved.
The peloton split into three distinct groups: one containing Cancellara and Evans (amongst 33 other riders), Armstrong and Contador (in a similar sized group), and the Schleck brothers in the third peloton.
At the foot of the final climb Chavanel was on his own: he led Monfort (THR) by 47”, Cancellara’s group by 1’40”, the Contador/Armstrong group by 2’35”; and the Schleck peloton by 3’40”. There was a moment of truce in Cancellara’s group as he tried to calm the situation out of respect for the fallen riders. It lasted a couple of kilometers before Cervelo sent riders to the front of the yellow jersey’s group. They set a furious tempo as they pursued Chavanel.

Chavanel Wins The Stage & Takes Yellow
Eventually, between the Stockeu and Rosier climbs, the three pelotons merged. And Chavanel turned into the only man interested in racing for a result in the stage. After a brief consultation with the race jury’s car, Cancellara moved to the front of the peloton and arranged a display of solidarity on a day of most intriguing racing. The Frenchman won his second stage (following a victory in Montlucon late in the 2008 edition) and took over the lead of the general classification. The rest of the peloton rolled across the line, 3’56” behind the stage winner who earned a victory with panache. Even though the other riders eased their efforts, it was only in the final kilometer that they settled on a tranquil pace.
Chavanel will wear the yellow jersey in stage three. He leads Cancellara by 2’57".

[deport]

Sorry about the red font... I didn’t realize it was on.

[wita]

he’s not a climber or a time trialer.

Good points, and it gives the teams something to do if they would like someone else in yellow. Except I’m thinking on flat stages, Chavanel or his team isn’t going to give it up easy.

[longjack]

Thanks.

German reports are completely different, and are similar to what I listened to today on TV here.

According to the report above:

They were planning to catch the break out on Col du Rosier about 10 km before the finish. They had allowed it to stretch out to 7 minutes, but had no problem reeling it in easily in the second half, when the hills started.

The riders, led by Cancellera, decided to call off the pursuit to let the Schlecks come back. It wasn't the team heads, rather the riders. They want to protect the favorites, and there was also concern Andy Schleck may have been seriously hurt.

Nothing against Chavanel, he broke out early and deserved to have his day.

I just think that had the crashes not occurred there would have been a mass sprint. I remember the commentators saying that it looked like the sprint was going to be called off, because they had been keying on Cavendish and saw the tactics change.

[longjack]

Quick step was out in the breakaway yesterday, too, I believe.

I love those combative riders.

Jacky Durand lives on. Makes the tour great.

[deport]

Cavendish was back at the official’s car at some point before they came to the finish. He then came back to the front and you could see him communicating to the riders indicating keep it down and cross the line together. I’m not sure where the decision was made or by whom.

[deport]

sheesh.....

Cavendish should be Cancellera in my post above.

[PeteB570]

“Am I missing something here?”

It’s what makes the TdF a little bit special.

At the time of the big pile-up Cancellara was clear with a small group.

But his Team GC riders were back in the pack along with most of the other GC riders. He could have said “To heck with it, it’s a race, every man for himself” and took off.

Instead he held back the pace allowing everyone, well almost everyone, to catch up. It would have then been bad form for the sprinters to then jump past the people who waited on them and sprint in for the gloy and points.

I think this was a little bit “riders pissed at the course selection” and a whole lot of the special “TdF sportsmanship.”

Just my opinion of course.

[luv2ski]

As I have been watching the coverage on DVR (and have learned to add time to the broadcast), what's all this about a “substance” being on the roads? Is there actually suspicion that someone sabotaged the narrow roads on the course today causing the falls?
I didn't get to see any of the post-race interviews b/c the scheduled coverage ended.

[Ready4Freddy]

I think this was a little bit “riders pissed at the course selection” and a whole lot of the special “TdF sportsmanship.”

Well put, Pete.