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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Stage 14: Revel - Ax 3 Domaines. The Real Fight: Battle for Third Between Menchov and Sanchez

Contents This Page
News and Highlights
Highlights Video
Interesting Photos
Stage Map & Profile
Results and Standings


News and Highlights
From top, LtoR, Fans cheering on yellow jersey wearer and overall leader of the general classification, Luxembourg's Andy Schleck closely followed by Spain's Alberto Contador. Fans swimming in a lake as the pack rides by. France's Christophe Riblon celebrating on the finish line as he wins. Schleck putting on his jersey at the end of the 184.5 km and 14th stage of the 2010 Tour de France cycling race run between Revel and Ax-Trois-Domaines, southern France in Pyrenees region on July 18, 2010. Image Credit: Pascal Pavani/Joel Saget/Lionel Bonaventure-AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

The real battle of stage 14, was the battle between Denis Menchov of team Rabobank and Samuel Sanchez of team Euskaltel-Euskadi (in the orange colours of Spain and its Basque region). The battle began when Denis Menchov rode away from the second chase group with 3km left. Sammy Sanchez followed and at one point it did seem that Menchov would make up his thirteen second deficit with the Euskaltel-Euskadi rider, but the Spaniard would have none of that - doggedly closed the gap inch by inch until he finished right on Menchov's back wheel.
Menchov about to be caught by Sanchez just under the summit banner at the top of the climb. Image credit: steephill.tv

By the finish, Sanchez (3rd) had caught up to Menchov (2nd). Image credit: steephill.tv

On another note, team Astana led the peloton for eighty kilometers up to the start of the beyond classification Port de Pailhères climb - setting a fast pace that kept the peloton some eight minutes ahead of their anticipated arrival. The sped past the lunch station giving 'fast food-, in the words of Versus commentator Paul Sherwen, a whole new meaning.

We are still trying to figure out why Astana persists in doing all the work as the lead-out train for the peloton - especially today on stage 14. Perhaps they were trying to break the other teams physically and psychologically, or perhaps Astana were trying to tire out other team members so that they could not handle the daunting climb to come. But it is the Astana riders - other than Alberto Contador and team captain AlexandreVinokourov - who eventually paid the price, and exhausted, dropped off the main field. Astana as a team is now fourth in the team standings.

The Astana team might be wondering what they can do to break Saxo Bank's and current yellow jersey wearer Andy Schleck and get him off Contador's tail. Every time Contador put on a charge, Schleck was there on Contador's back wheel. The Astana tactics had not worked. Eventually Contador and Schleck crossed the finish line together with a small group and Contador didn't even attempt to get across the line in front of Schleck. The question that the team might want to try and find an answer to is what tactic to use and break Schleck on stage 15. Team Saxo Bank on their part are probably trying to come up with a tactic to break Contador. Stage 15 may therefore turn out to be the battle of tactics. Some early clues will be which team tries to become the peloton lead train for the approach to the last climb.

Lance Armstrong is back in the news. Click here to read our page on News, Views and Scandals for the latest on the drug scandal surrounding Floyd Landis and involving Lance Armstrong.


Video Highlights


Interesting Photos
Gorges du St Georges before the climb up the Port de Pailhères. Image credit: steephill.tv

Approach to the 2,000 m. Port de Pailhères. Image credit: steephill.tv

The dreaded unclassified climb up the Port de Pailhères. Image credit: steephill.tv

Stage winner to be Christophe Riblon of tean AG2R la Mondiale 4 km from the finish. Image credit: steephill.tv

Cheer-leaders cheering. Image Credit: Joel Saget-AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

Anthony Charteau of team Bbox Bouygues Telecom who retains King of the Mountain designation is flanked by what we call 'the polka-dotted-umbrella-skirted podium girls' who presumably have matching bloomers. leader. Image credit: steephill.tv

Andy Schleck 'dorns the yellow jersey yet again. Image Credit: cyclingnews.com


Stage Map
Image credit: www.letour.fr

Stage Profile


Standings
(Source: www.letour.fr)
For an explanation of the classifications and jerseys, please see our page Classifications and Jerseys
Jersey icon key:
yellow jersey General classification (GC) fastest time leader, green jersey Sprints points leader, polka dot Mountains points leader, white jersey Young Rider time leader, yellow numbers Team total least time leader, red numbers Most Aggressive Rider

Leaders
11 SCHLECK Andy TEAM SAXO BANK 68h 02' 30"
208 PETACCHI Alessandro LAMPRE - FARNESE 187 pts
153 CHARTEAU Anthony BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 115 pts
11 SCHLECK Andy TEAM SAXO BANK 68h 02' 30"
worn by 195 GESINK Robert RABOBANK 68h 06' 57"
CAISSE D’EPARGNE 204h 16'

Stage Winners
Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Time Gaps
1. RIBLON Christophe 89 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 52' 42"
2. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 4h 53' 36" + 00' 54"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 53' 36" + 00' 54"
4. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 53' 50" + 01' 08"
5. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 4h 53' 50" + 01' 08"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 4h 53' 50" + 01' 08"
7. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 4h 53' 50" + 01' 08"
8. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 53' 50" + 01' 08"
9. CUNEGO Damiano 201 LAMPRE - FARNESE 4h 54' 31" + 01' 49"
10. SASTRE Carlos 91 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 54' 31" + 01' 49"
11. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 54' 35" + 01' 53"
12. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 4h 54' 42" + 02' 00"
13. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 4h 54' 42" + 02' 00"
14. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 54' 44" + 02' 02"
15. MOREAU Christophe 166 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 54' 44" + 02' 02"
16. KIRYIENKA Vasil 165 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 54' 58" + 02' 16"
17. HORNER Christopher 23 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 55' 08" + 02' 26"
18. ROCHE Nicolas 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 55' 09" + 02' 27"
19. LÖVKVIST Thomas 37 SKY PRO CYCLING 4h 55' 12" + 02' 30"
20. GADRET John 85 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 55' 12" + 02' 30"

General Classification. Also called GC (yellow jersey / maillot jaune)
Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Time Gaps
1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 68h 02' 30"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 68h 03' 01" + 00' 31"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 68h 05' 01" + 02' 31"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 68h 05' 14" + 02' 44"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 68h 06' 01" + 03' 31"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 68h 06' 57" + 04' 27"
7. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 68h 07' 21" + 04' 51"
8. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 68h 07' 28" + 04' 58"
9. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 68h 08' 26" + 05' 56"
10. BASSO Ivan 41 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 68h 09' 22" + 06' 52"
11. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 68h 09' 34" + 07' 04"
12. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 68h 09' 41" + 07' 11"
13. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 68h 09' 47" + 07' 17"
14. ROCHE Nicolas 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 68h 10' 33" + 08' 03"
15. SASTRE Carlos 91 CERVELO TEST TEAM 68h 10' 45" + 08' 15"
16. LÖVKVIST Thomas 37 SKY PRO CYCLING 68h 12' 16" + 09' 46"
17. KLÖDEN Andréas 24 TEAM RADIOSHACK 68h 12' 57" + 10' 27"
18. WIGGINS Bradley 31 SKY PRO CYCLING 68h 14' 00" + 11' 30"
19. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 68h 15' 09" + 12' 39"
20. PLAZA MOLINA Ruben 168 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 68h 15' 20" + 12' 50"

Points Classification (green jersey / maillot vert)
Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Points
1. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 187 pts
2. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 185 pts
3. CAVENDISH Mark 111 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 162 pts
4. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 144 pts
5. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 138 pts
6. HAGEN Edvald Boasson 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 120 pts
7. CIOLEK Gerald 142 TEAM MILRAM 102 pts
8. TURGOT Sébastien 158 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 101 pts
9. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 92 pts
10. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 89 pts
11. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 83 pts
12. ROELANDTS Jürgen 108 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 81 pts
13. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 76 pts
14. MONDORY Lloyd 87 AG2R LA MONDIALE 75 pts
15. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 74 pts
16. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 73 pts
17. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 69 pts
18. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 64 pts
19. ROCHE Nicolas 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 62 pts
20. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 57 pts

King of the Mountains Classification [white & red (polka) dotted jersey / maillot à pois rouges]
Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Points
1. CHARTEAU Anthony 153 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 115 pts
2. PINEAU Jérôme 135 QUICK STEP 92 pts
3. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 76 pts
4. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 72 pts
5. MOREAU Christophe 166 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 68 pts
6. AERTS Mario 102 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 65 pts
7. CUNEGO Damiano 201 LAMPRE - FARNESE 63 pts
8. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 62 pts
9. RIBLON Christophe 89 AG2R LA MONDIALE 60 pts
10. CASAR Sandy 62 FDJ 56 pts

Young* Riders' Classification (white jersey / maillot blanc)
Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Time Gaps
1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 68h 02' 30"
2. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 68h 06' 57" + 04' 27"
3. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 68h 09' 41" + 07' 11"
4. EL FARES Julien 174 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 68h 38' 17" + 35' 47"
5. GAUTIER Cyril 155 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 68h 47' 37" + 45' 07"
6. VALLS FERRI Rafael 219 FOOTON-SERVETTO 68h 52' 20" + 49' 50"
7. ROLLAND Pierre 156 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 68h 52' 52" + 50' 22"
8. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 69h 12' 59" + 1h 10' 29"
9. FUGLSANG Jakob 14 TEAM SAXO BANK 69h 16' 14" + 1h 13' 44"
10. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 69h 20' 09" + 1h 17' 39"

Team Classification
Standing Team Time Gaps
1. CAISSE D’EPARGNE 204h 16' 00"
2. TEAM RADIOSHACK 204h 16' 08" + 00' 08"
3. RABOBANK 204h 33' 13" + 17' 13"
4. AG2R LA MONDIALE 204h 34' 38" + 18' 38"
5. ASTANA 204h 42' 32" + 26' 32"
6. OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 204h 44' 35" + 28' 35"
7. LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 205h 04' 20" + 48' 20"
8. EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 205h 05' 52" + 49' 52"
9. QUICK STEP 205h 08' 15" + 52' 15"
10. COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 205h 13' 08" + 57' 08"
11. SKY PRO CYCLING 205h 14' 23" + 58' 23"
12. BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 205h 23' 35" + 1h 07' 35"
13. TEAM SAXO BANK 205h 43' 13" + 1h 27' 13"
14. TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 205h 49' 47" + 1h 33' 47"
15. BMC RACING TEAM 205h 56' 20" + 1h 40' 20"
16. FDJ 205h 58' 53" + 1h 42' 53"
17. KATUSHA TEAM 206h 21' 18" + 2h 05' 18"
18. GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 206h 25' 45" + 2h 09' 45"
19. CERVELO TEST TEAM 206h 40' 16" + 2h 24' 16"
20. FOOTON-SERVETTO 207h 08' 43" + 2h 52' 43"
21. LAMPRE - FARNESE 207h 46' 00" + 3h 30' 00"
22. TEAM MILRAM 207h 53' 56" + 3h 37' 56
at 11:53 PM

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