Today's race was the Individual Time Trial over 20.5 miles or 33 kms - over flatlands - finishing at the majestic Mont Saint Michel.
It promised to be a battle against the clock - agonizing against oneself bringing the best out of each rider.
Cyclists start with gaps of 3' between one rider and the next- so this was going to be a long day.
All was set for the excitement. Indications were that strong winds could be a major factor in the last 10 kms.
Before the race started we had heard that Alberto Contador had said that he was prepared to concede and restrict Chris Froome's advantage in today's time trial to 90 seconds. A very negative comment coming from an ex Tour winner.
The race started and quite soon Tony Martin, who started 65th out of 182 riders on the day, set the fastest time of 36' 29". As he sat watching the other riders come over finish line, you could see the tension on his face. The main riders on the Tour would be bringing up the rear - so he had a long long wait.
The fast time of Tony Martin came as no surprise considering that he is the current Individual Time Trial World Champion.
However what was surprising were the times of the other cyclists. They were all losing over a minute to Tony Martin. It seemed Tony Martin would surely win the stage if this continued. Andy Schleck, one of the pre race favourites lost over 4 mins to Martin. This was incredible when you consider Andy is the Time Trial Champion of Luxembourg.
We were all glued to what was happening out on the course. Can Tony Martin hold on.
Richie Porte, of SKY, gave it his all. He cycled as if his life depended on the Time Trial and finally clocked in at 37'50" - giving a very credible account of himself after his shocking performance on Sunday on the Pyrenees. Readers may remember that he rode to the second place in the General Classification ( GC ) on Saturday and then gave it all away when he cracked on the mountains on Sunday.
Andrew Talansky the young US rider showed early promise in the first 10 kms but then drifted out slightly to finish with 38'37".
The race was on for the White Jersey - the best young rider in the Tour. First came the Polish rider- Michal Kwiatkowski who clocked an incredible 38' flat and then watched Nairo Quintana of Columbia coming in at 39'57" - thereby taking back the White Jersey which he had won before the Tour went up the Pyrenees - before the mountains.
We saw the big two warming up at the starting point. Chris Froome was fully concentrated on the job on hand. He had cotton balls inserted in his nostrils. These cotton balls were apparently soaked in oils so that he could breathe easier during the race. Alberto Contador was also seen going through his warm up pedalling motion.
What differentiates Chris from the average rider is to see how smooth he pedals. Poetry in motion - sheer grace and beauty.
Alberto went before Froome and although faster than the average rider, he was losing time to Tony Martin. the only question that remained was how much time he would lose today?
Chris Froome began his race and looked very comfortable and at ease with himself. He gained 1" at the first time check and 2" at the second time check on Tony Martin and looked as if he would surely win the stage. It didn't bode well for Tony Martin at all.
However when Chris crossed the finish line, his time of 36'41" confirmed Tony Martin the winner of today's stage. This was remarkable. Did Chris slow down to preserve his body for the Alps which were coming up shortly? Or were the winds too strong? In either case Tony Martin won.
But this did not change the standings for the Yellow, the Polka Dot and the Green Jerseys. These were retained by Chris Froome, Pierre Rolland and Peter Sagan respectively. However Chris extended his overall lead in GC to 3'25" from Alejandro Valverde and 3'54" to Alberto Contador.
Froome had increased his lead from Valverde and Contador by 2' and 2'3" respectively.
The Yellow Jersey was becoming permanent fixture on Froome' back.
There were disturbing developments of yesterdays crash involving Mark Cavendish and Tom Veelers. It was said that the Race Referee had blamed Veelers for the crash. The crowds were not pleased at what had happened and showed their displeasure by hurling abuse at Cavendish and if reports are to be believed, someone threw urine as well.
Tomorrow Stage 12 covers 218 kms or 136 miles - mostly flatlands. We should see some exciting sprints.
It promised to be a battle against the clock - agonizing against oneself bringing the best out of each rider.
Cyclists start with gaps of 3' between one rider and the next- so this was going to be a long day.
All was set for the excitement. Indications were that strong winds could be a major factor in the last 10 kms.
Before the race started we had heard that Alberto Contador had said that he was prepared to concede and restrict Chris Froome's advantage in today's time trial to 90 seconds. A very negative comment coming from an ex Tour winner.
The race started and quite soon Tony Martin, who started 65th out of 182 riders on the day, set the fastest time of 36' 29". As he sat watching the other riders come over finish line, you could see the tension on his face. The main riders on the Tour would be bringing up the rear - so he had a long long wait.
The fast time of Tony Martin came as no surprise considering that he is the current Individual Time Trial World Champion.
However what was surprising were the times of the other cyclists. They were all losing over a minute to Tony Martin. It seemed Tony Martin would surely win the stage if this continued. Andy Schleck, one of the pre race favourites lost over 4 mins to Martin. This was incredible when you consider Andy is the Time Trial Champion of Luxembourg.
We were all glued to what was happening out on the course. Can Tony Martin hold on.
Richie Porte, of SKY, gave it his all. He cycled as if his life depended on the Time Trial and finally clocked in at 37'50" - giving a very credible account of himself after his shocking performance on Sunday on the Pyrenees. Readers may remember that he rode to the second place in the General Classification ( GC ) on Saturday and then gave it all away when he cracked on the mountains on Sunday.
Andrew Talansky the young US rider showed early promise in the first 10 kms but then drifted out slightly to finish with 38'37".
The race was on for the White Jersey - the best young rider in the Tour. First came the Polish rider- Michal Kwiatkowski who clocked an incredible 38' flat and then watched Nairo Quintana of Columbia coming in at 39'57" - thereby taking back the White Jersey which he had won before the Tour went up the Pyrenees - before the mountains.
We saw the big two warming up at the starting point. Chris Froome was fully concentrated on the job on hand. He had cotton balls inserted in his nostrils. These cotton balls were apparently soaked in oils so that he could breathe easier during the race. Alberto Contador was also seen going through his warm up pedalling motion.
What differentiates Chris from the average rider is to see how smooth he pedals. Poetry in motion - sheer grace and beauty.
Alberto went before Froome and although faster than the average rider, he was losing time to Tony Martin. the only question that remained was how much time he would lose today?
Chris Froome began his race and looked very comfortable and at ease with himself. He gained 1" at the first time check and 2" at the second time check on Tony Martin and looked as if he would surely win the stage. It didn't bode well for Tony Martin at all.
However when Chris crossed the finish line, his time of 36'41" confirmed Tony Martin the winner of today's stage. This was remarkable. Did Chris slow down to preserve his body for the Alps which were coming up shortly? Or were the winds too strong? In either case Tony Martin won.
But this did not change the standings for the Yellow, the Polka Dot and the Green Jerseys. These were retained by Chris Froome, Pierre Rolland and Peter Sagan respectively. However Chris extended his overall lead in GC to 3'25" from Alejandro Valverde and 3'54" to Alberto Contador.
Froome had increased his lead from Valverde and Contador by 2' and 2'3" respectively.
The Yellow Jersey was becoming permanent fixture on Froome' back.
There were disturbing developments of yesterdays crash involving Mark Cavendish and Tom Veelers. It was said that the Race Referee had blamed Veelers for the crash. The crowds were not pleased at what had happened and showed their displeasure by hurling abuse at Cavendish and if reports are to be believed, someone threw urine as well.
Tomorrow Stage 12 covers 218 kms or 136 miles - mostly flatlands. We should see some exciting sprints.
No comments:
Post a Comment