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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Stage 16: Bagnères-de-Luchon - Pau. The Politically Correct Day. No Change with the Big Boys. Armstrong Attempts a Stage Win but Doesn't Have the Legs. Petacchi Under Doping Investigation

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


News and Highlights
L to R, US rider Lance Armstrong starting to break away in the first kilometers of the ride up to the Col du Tourmalet pass. Fans wave Luxembourg's flags in support  of white jersey wearer Andy Schleck. France's Pierrick Fedrigo celebrating on the finish line. Yellow jersey wearer and overall leader, Spain's Alberto Contador ridding in the 199.5 km 16th stage of the 2010 Tour de France cycling race run between Bagneres-de-Luchon and Pau, Southwestern France, on July 20, 2010. Image Credit: Joel Saget-Lionel Bonaventure-PA/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

Perhaps the most significant news to come out of today is not from the race but what was going on behind the scenes regarding team Lampre-Farnese rider, Italian Alessandro Petacchi. The live TV coverage didn't show shots of Petacchi who was entitled to wear the green jersey in this stage having led the sprint points classification until yesterday. The TV coverage commentators did wonder why they hadn't seen him on the TV feed. Petacchi did race and finished 91st., some 35 minutes behind the leader. He also lost the green jersey in this stage to arch rival Thor Hushovd of the Cervelo Test Team.

Behind the scenes, La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported that Alessandro Petacchi, is under investigation in Padova Italy for doping.

But this is not new news for Petacchi. Italian prosecutor, Benedetto Roberti had informed Petacchi before the Tour de France started that he was under investigation for the "use of forbidden substances and practices." The substance in question is perfluorocarbon (PFC), a synthetic blood which has an high oxygen-carrying capacity, a property that enhances the performance of athletes.

As part of the Roberti investigation, on June 29, 2010, police raided the home of Dr. Filippo Manelli of Gavardo (Brescia). The news reports link Petacchi to Dr. Manelli. Earlier in the month on June 11, Police found Dr. Menelli's name on confiscated prescriptions and banned pharmaceuticals during raids that were linked to another cyclists and cycling teams.

One wonders why cyclists in particular and athletes in general persist in using drugs when so many get caught, humiliated and penalized. Would it be because the number that get caught are but a small percentage of actual users or that the rewards outweigh the risks?

Returning to racing news from stage 16, team Radio Shack's Lance Armstrong joined an early breakout group in a valiant attempt to chalk up a stage win before he retires from the Tour de France - but he just didn't have the strength to fight off all the challenges (he had said earlier that he didn't want any gifts). The consolation prize is that his team - team Radio Shack - continues to lead the team standings and it would appear that their goal is now to be on the Paris podium in that capacity.

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.




Interesting Photos
Alberto Contador (in yellow jersey) looks at Andy Schleck (in white jersey) with concern. If Andy's missing mummy and crying, should Contador stop racing? Image Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

Lance Armstrong fan runs after him as he climbs up to the Col du Tourmalet pass. Image Credit: Joel Sagat/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

Andy's fans from Luxembourg give new meaning to wrapping one selves in the flag. Image Credit: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

The 12-man breakaway snakes its way up the Col de Peyresourde. Photo credit: Roberto Bettini at cyclingnews

The peloton rides up to the Col de Peyresoudre pass. Image Credit: Joel Sagat/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

The break and the craggy peaks of Col du Tourmalet. Photo credit: Roberto Bettini at cyclingnews

The break and the craggy peaks of Col du Tourmalet. Photo credit: Roberto Bettini at cyclingnews

The break and the craggy peaks of Col du Tourmalet. Photo credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti at cyclingnews

The peloton being cheered near the Col du Tourmalet summit - a very tough, beyond category climb. Image Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

Alberto Contador on the winner's podium receiving a congratulatory kiss from a podium girl. Image Credit: Pascal PavaniAFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports


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
1 CONTADOR Alberto ASTANA 78h 29' 10"
95 HUSHOVD Thor CERVELO TEST TEAM 191 pts
153 CHARTEAU Anthony BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 143 pts
11 SCHLECK Andy TEAM SAXO BANK 78h 29' 18"
TEAM RADIOSHACK 235h 24' 46"

Stage Winners
Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Time Gaps
1. FEDRIGO Pierrick 154 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 5h 31' 43"
2. CASAR Sandy 62 FDJ 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
3. PLAZA MOLINA Ruben 168 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
4. CUNEGO Damiano 201 LAMPRE - FARNESE 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
5. HORNER Christopher 23 TEAM RADIOSHACK 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
6. ARMSTRONG Lance 21 TEAM RADIOSHACK 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
7. VAN DE WALLE Jurgen 138 QUICK STEP 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
8. MOREAU Christophe 166 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
9. BARREDO Carlos 132 QUICK STEP 5h 32' 11" + 00' 28"
10. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"
11. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"
12. CAPECCHI Eros 211 FOOTON-SERVETTO 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"
13. ROCHE Nicolas 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"
14. CIOLEK Gerald 142 TEAM MILRAM 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"
15. ELMIGER Martin 84 AG2R LA MONDIALE 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"
16. KUCHYNSKI Aleksandr 45 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"
17. VAUGRENARD Benoît 69 FDJ 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"
18. MONFORT Maxime 116 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"
19. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"
20. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"

General Classification. Also called GC (yellow jersey / maillot jaune)
Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Time Gaps
1. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 78h 29' 10"
2. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 78h 29' 18" + 00' 08"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 78h 31' 10" + 02' 00"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 78h 31' 23" + 02' 13"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 78h 32' 49" + 03' 39"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 78h 34' 11" + 05' 01"
7. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 78h 34' 35" + 05' 25"
8. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 78h 34' 55" + 05' 45"
9. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 78h 36' 22" + 07' 12"
10. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 78h 37' 01" + 07' 51"
11. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 78h 37' 08" + 07' 58"
12. PLAZA MOLINA Ruben 168 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 78h 37' 12" + 08' 02"
13. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 78h 37' 29" + 08' 19"
14. HORNER Christopher 23 TEAM RADIOSHACK 78h 38' 02" + 08' 52"
15. SASTRE Carlos 91 CERVELO TEST TEAM 78h 38' 12" + 09' 02"
16. KLÖDEN Andréas 24 TEAM RADIOSHACK 78h 40' 24" + 11' 14"
17. LÖVKVIST Thomas 37 SKY PRO CYCLING 78h 41' 19" + 12' 09"
18. ROCHE Nicolas 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 78h 41' 44" + 12' 34"
19. DE WEERT Kevin 133 QUICK STEP 78h 43' 17" + 14' 07"
20. GADRET John 85 AG2R LA MONDIALE 78h 43' 34" + 14' 24"

Points Classification (green jersey / maillot vert)
Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Points
1. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 191 pts
2. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 187 pts
3. CAVENDISH Mark 111 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 162 pts
4. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 149 pts
5. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 138 pts
6. HAGEN Edvald Boasson 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 120 pts
7. TURGOT Sébastien 158 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 107 pts
8. CIOLEK Gerald 142 TEAM MILRAM 104 pts
9. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 100 pts
10. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 98 pts
11. MONDORY Lloyd 87 AG2R LA MONDIALE 92 pts
12. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 87 pts
13. ROELANDTS Jürgen 108 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 81 pts
14. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 78 pts
15. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 74 pts
16. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 73 pts
17. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 71 pts
18. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 69 pts
19. ROCHE Nicolas 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 65 pts
20. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 60 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 143 pts
2. MOREAU Christophe 166 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 128 pts
3. CUNEGO Damiano 201 LAMPRE - FARNESE 99 pts
4. CASAR Sandy 62 FDJ 93 pts
5. PINEAU Jérôme 135 QUICK STEP 92 pts
6. VOECKLER Thomas 151 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 82 pts
7. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 76 pts
8. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 76 pts
9. FEDRIGO Pierrick 154 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 72 pts
10. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 72 pts

Young* Riders' Classification (white jersey / maillot blanc)
Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Time Gaps
1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 78h 29' 18"
2. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 78h 34' 11" + 04' 53"
3. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 78h 37' 08" + 07' 50"
4. EL FARES Julien 174 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 79h 10' 11" + 40' 53"
5. VALLS FERRI Rafael 219 FOOTON-SERVETTO 79h 41' 43" + 1h 12' 25"
6. GAUTIER Cyril 155 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 79h 45' 02" + 1h 15' 44"
7. FUGLSANG Jakob 14 TEAM SAXO BANK 79h 56' 42" + 1h 27' 24"
8. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 80h 00' 37" + 1h 31' 19"
9. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 80h 02' 22" + 1h 33' 04"
10. ROLLAND Pierre 156 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 80h 08' 15" + 1h 38' 57"

Team Classification
Standing Team Time Gaps
1. TEAM RADIOSHACK 235h 24' 46"
2. CAISSE D’EPARGNE 235h 29' 13" + 04' 27"
3. RABOBANK 235h 55' 39" + 30' 53"
4. AG2R LA MONDIALE 235h 59' 12" + 34' 26"
5. ASTANA 236h 07' 23" + 42' 37"
6. OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 236h 09' 29" + 44' 43"
7. QUICK STEP 236h 17' 52" + 53' 06"
8. EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 236h 36' 49" + 1h 12' 03"
9. LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 236h 43' 56" + 1h 19' 10"
10. SKY PRO CYCLING 236h 56' 48" + 1h 32' 02"
11. BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 237h 10' 28" + 1h 45' 42"
12. COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 237h 38' 10" + 2h 13' 24"
13. BMC RACING TEAM 237h 40' 07" + 2h 15' 21"
14. TEAM SAXO BANK 237h 43' 49" + 2h 19' 03"
15. FDJ 237h 56' 29" + 2h 31' 43"
16. TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 238h 19' 03" + 2h 54' 17"
17. GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 238h 30' 55" + 3h 06' 09"
18. CERVELO TEST TEAM 238h 31' 59" + 3h 07' 13"
19. KATUSHA TEAM 238h 36' 38" + 3h 11' 52"
20. FOOTON-SERVETTO 239h 31' 16" + 4h 06' 30"
21. LAMPRE - FARNESE 240h 30' 55" + 5h 06' 09"
22. TEAM MILRAM 240h 32' 53" + 5h 08' 07"
at 11:35 PM

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