Friday, April 19, 2024

Le Tour de France 2013 – Stage 18: Gap > Alpe-d’Huez, 168km. Riblon Saves AG2R’s Tour

-

HomeDiariesLe Tour de France 2013 – Stage 18: Gap > Alpe-d’Huez, 168km....
Alpe-d’Huez

I could never be a ski bum, 60 Euros per night for the room here at the top of Alpe-d’Huez – but you have to pay extra for sheets – and towels – there’s no toilet paper – then you have to clean the place at the end of it. A bit like borstal really, with off-hand, condescending staff.

If you were there ‘with the boys’ to watch the race that would be fine but not when you’re working.

All that said, it was a nice place to be, high in the Alps, the shop was well stocked and you could get L’Equipe with a two minute walk.

It’s edition 21,551 of L’Équipe today and they carry a big feature on Froome and whether his performances are ‘coherent.’

Fred Grappe who has biomechanical and physiological credentials and has advised F des J and the French Federation said that Froome’s rides stand up to inspection.

But L’Équipe also reveals that Froome has been tested 19 times during the race – 13 urine/blood tests and six biological passport checks.

A friend of mine maintains; ‘there’s no such thing as a random dope test.’

Given those 19 tests, there’s little doubt that the Powers That Be are highly suspicious.

And as I write this on the BlackBerry, we pass a banner which simply says; ‘FROOME ?’

Let’s hope it can become’ ‘FROOME !’

Alpe-d’Huez
The view from our chalet balcony – lovely. Photo©Ed Hood

It’s 20:30 and I’m writing this as we head for our hotel in Grenoble.

Getting off l’Alpe is horrific, even jumping into the car the minute the voiture balai (sag wagon) passes and having full credentials is no help to clearing the hill quickly.

It’s chaos all the way down and for miles out of Bourg d’Oisans.

But that’s just the way it is, Martin drives whilst I sit and write the words.

The trouble is that we still have all the pictures to put on the laptops, edit, position in the story and send – it’s gonna be a late one.

Alpe-d’Huez
The obligatory Publicity Caravan shot. Photo©Ed Hood

L’Alpe was it’s usual manic self – especially ‘Dutch Corner’ where we headed to first up to get some good shots of the madness.

Alpe-d’Huez
Dutch corner has become a tradition, but it gets wilder each time. Photo©Ed Hood

The Dutch folks arrive as early as Sunday to set up – tents, camper vans and DJ decks.

The music has been pumping all week – just a pity that Mollema and Ten Dam edged further down that slippy GC slope in a slide which began in yesterday’s time trial.

A shame because they have the most loyal and dedicated fans on the race.

Orange, red, white and blue are the colours and it’s obligatory that you’re wasted.

There’s drink everywhere – and noise and crush.

Alpe-d’Huez
Take care of that precious cargo. Photo©Ed Hood

Most of it is good natured but sometimes it’s borderline; the crowd gives the Sky team vehicles a really hard time, giving them the thumbs down, chucking beer on the windscreen and even jumping on the bonnet.

Alpe-d’Huez
The Team Sky cars get a hard time from the Dutch supporters, but if you rode for Belkin that’s different. Photo©Ed Hood

It’s nuts.

And then there was the Tour’s social media vehicle – a macho pick up which zooms along race route photographing fans and then posting the images to Twitter and Facebook.

Alpe-d’Huez
The official TDF Social Media wagon is taken over. Photo©Martin Williamson

Some of the crazies ‘boarded’ it to the consternation of the occupants – and that was after they’d been on the roof of the Belkin van as it drove the course.

And there’s the odd idiot; ‘go the other side of the road,’ he told me; ‘you are not Dutch!

But what was encouraging was that the lass next to him told him to behave himself.

We got our pictures in there and then got out – it wouldn’t have been possible to do rider pictures among that madness.

There’s all sorts of nut jobs on the hill – a Wiggo replica, Superman and Superwoman, Batman and Robin, Thor, the ‘Froomeys’ and loads more.

Alpe-d’Huez
We think it’s Thor, not sure. Photo©Ed Hood

It strikes me that they don’t actually see much of the race – many would say that it’s only harmless fun but it’s only a matter of time before one of them or a rider is badly hurt albeit I’m not sure what you could do to prevent that behaviour.

And if we take Vik’s liberal views into account on this one; ‘they should all be shot.’

But what about the race? I hear you ask.

Alpe-d’Huez
Heading the race up the Alpe, van Garderen was crushed to be overtaken in the last section. Photo©Martin Williamson

Respect to van Garderen, the race hasn’t been a good one for BMC – Evan’s excellent ride in the Giro meant there was no way he could do a ride in le Tour.

Every rider in the Tour is in top form, their training and programme designed so as they’ll peak for the French race.

There’s simply not enough time to taper then peak again between the Giro and Tour.

It’s a shame to watch Evans being clubbed, day after day.

Alpe-d’Huez
Fair play to Cadel Evans for continuing when his morale and/or form are in the bucket. Photo©Martin Williamson

Gilbert has hardly dazzled either; he’s just not the same rider who ripped up the Cauberg in 53 x 19 to win the Worlds, last autumn.

Alpe-d’Huez
Philippe Gilbert has been quiet in this race. Photo©Martin Williamson

But maybe it’s all about Florence for Phil – and defending his rainbow jersey?

And van Garderen himself has been a big disappointment – fifth last year and with a highly successful first half of 2013 including the Tour of California it now looks as if he peaked too early.

He rode a good time trial on Wednesday and was at the head of affairs both times up l’Alpe – great exposure for the sponsor.

Alpe-d’Huez
Riblon’s win was needed, on many levels. Photo©Martin Williamson

Riblon deserved his win and le Tour needed it, whilst the French public love Le Tour and characters like Froome, Cav, Sagan and Evans – there’s nothing like a home win to stimulate interest and give the race a boost.

Riblon’s team has had a bitter/sweet week with AG2R renewing their commitment but Jean-Christophe Peraud crashing out in the time trial whilst sitting as best Frenchman.

AG2R’s Tour is now well and truly saved – more than can be said for Cofidis who’d be as well not being here.

Sojasun, F des J and Europcar have been in the breaks and at least animating affairs, with the latter’s Rolland spending time in polka dots.

Alpe-d’Huez
Tommy Voeckler. Photo©Martin Williamson

But the rider who took Richard Virenque’s mantle as the man most French women would like to cuddle – Tommy Voeckler – has been a shadow of his 2012 version.

Alpe-d’Huez
Moreno Moser was superb today. Photo©Martin Williamson

Moser is a big talent and freed of his obligations to Sagan for the day showed what he’s capable off.

Chavanel is still a class act, French TT champion and a vital part of the QuickStep machine but now with his best years behind him – not so long ago, Riblon couldn’t have ridden away from him like that.

Froome and Porte apart, the Sky guys are on their knees – Lopez, Porte and Kennaugh were there first time up but by the second ascent the Manxman and Italian had gone.

Alpe-d’Huez
Peter Kennaugh. Photo©Martin Williamson

The faces of Kennaugh, Thomas and Stannard told the story of how they felt better than any words I could write.

Alpe-d’Huez
Along with his teammates, Ian Stannard has been worked hard these last weeks. Photo©Martin Williamson

Contador rode a great TT on Wednesday but paid the price on l’Alpe, shelled on the second ascent and thanking his lucky stars for Kreuziger – it’s funny these days how many riders can’t produce two big rides back to back, like they used to…

But then maybe Vik has a point, wouldn’t once up L’Alpe have been enough?

Alpe-d’Huez
Chris Froome admitted to being ‘on his knees’ the last time up the hill, and risked a fine for illegal feeding. Photo©Martin Williamson

Another ‘easy’ day today; two HC, two first and a second cat climb – may be just too much after a day like l’Alpe?

But we’ll be there to record the scenery and suffering – a demain.

Don’t forget you can follow us on Twitter and see more photos on Facebook.

Results - Le Tour de France 2013 – Stage 18: Gap > Alpe-d’Huez

Stage Result

1 Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 4:51:32
2 Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:59
3 Moreno Moser (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:01:27
4 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team 0:02:12
5 Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha 0:02:15
6 Richie Porte (Aus) Sky Procycling 0:03:18
7 Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling
8 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 0:03:22
9 Mikel Nieve Ituralde (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:04:15
10 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team
11 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
12 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:04:31
13 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:04:45
14 Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp 0:04:49
15 Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez (Col) Lampre-Merida 0:05:18
16 Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:05:40
17 Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
18 John Gadret (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:05:42
19 Alessandro De Marchi (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:05:47
20 Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Belisol 0:05:56
21 Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha 0:06:08
22 Wouter Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:06:10
23 Daniel Navarro Garcia (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 0:06:13
24 Alexandre Geniez (Fra) FDJ.fr
25 Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team
26 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team
27 Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar 0:06:19
28 Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack Leopard 0:06:30
29 Jan Bakelants (Bel) RadioShack Leopard 0:06:45
30 Arnold Jeannesson (Fra) FDJ.fr 0:06:59
31 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:07:06
32 Lars Petter Nordhaug (Nor) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:07:09
33 Guillaume Levarlet (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 0:09:09
34 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Merida 0:09:17
35 Hubert Dupont (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:09:34
36 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
37 Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:09:54
38 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar
39 Lars Boom (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:10:59
40 Andy Schleck (Lux) RadioShack Leopard 0:11:23
41 Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra) Sojasun 0:11:32
42 Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Sharp 0:12:52
43 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Sharp
44 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) FDJ.fr 0:13:08
45 Cyril Gautier (Fra) Team Europcar
46 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack Leopard
47 Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
48 Steve Morabito (Swi) BMC Racing Team 0:13:35
49 Przemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Lampre-Merida 0:14:04
50 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:14:50
51 Jens Voigt (Ger) RadioShack Leopard 0:15:34
52 Peter Kennaugh (GBr) Sky Procycling 0:16:12
53 Jesus Hernandez Blazquez (Spa) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:16:47
54 Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Movistar Team 0:19:42
55 Laurent Didier (Lux) RadioShack Leopard 0:20:59
56 Andrey Amador Bakkazakova (CRc) Movistar Team 0:21:45
57 Jonathan Castroviejo Nicolas (Spa) Movistar Team
58 Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:22:16
59 Adam Hansen (Aus) Lotto Belisol
60 Julien El Fares (Fra) Sojasun
61 Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
62 Eduard Vorganov (Rus) Katusha
63 Simon Geschke (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano 0:22:30
64 Sébastien Minard (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:22:33
65 Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) Team Europcar 0:24:20
66 Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:24:22
67 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing Team 0:24:57
68 Lars Ytting Bak (Den) Lotto Belisol 0:25:10
69 Jack Bauer (NZl) Garmin-Sharp
70 David Lopez Garcia (Spa) Sky Procycling
71 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team
72 Koen De Kort (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano
73 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano
74 Imanol Erviti Ollo (Spa) Movistar Team
75 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
76 Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin-Sharp
77 David Veilleux (Can) Team Europcar
78 Kristijan Koren (Slo) Cannondale Pro Cycling
79 Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team
80 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
81 Manuele Mori (Ita) Lampre-Merida
82 Anthony Delaplace (Fra) Sojasun
83 Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack Leopard
84 Markel Irizar Aranburu (Spa) RadioShack Leopard
85 Bram Tankink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team
86 Davide Malacarne (Ita) Team Europcar
87 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Sky Procycling
88 Romain Sicard (Fra) Euskaltel-Euskadi
89 Julien Simon (Fra) Sojasun
90 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team
91 Kévin Reza (Fra) Team Europcar
92 Jerome Coppel (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
93 Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
94 Luis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
95 Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ.fr
96 Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
97 Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack Leopard
98 Amaël Moinard (Fra) BMC Racing Team
99 Jerome Cousin (Fra) Team Europcar
100 Simon Clarke (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
101 Michael Albasini (Swi) Orica-GreenEdge
102 Boy van Poppel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
103 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling
104 Ian Stannard (GBr) Sky Procycling
105 Sep Vanmarcke (Bel) Belkin Pro Cycling Team
106 Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:25:47
107 Murilo Antonio Fischer (Bra) FDJ.fr
108 Alan Marangoni (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:25:49
109 John Degenkolb (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano
110 Yohann Gene (Fra) Team Europcar 0:26:08
111 Gatis Smukulis (Lat) Katusha 0:26:25
112 Albert Timmer (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 0:26:38
113 Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:27:06
114 Peter Sagan (Svk) Cannondale Pro Cycling
115 Jon Izaguirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:28:13
116 Rudy Molard (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 0:29:09
117 Thomas Leezer (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:29:17
118 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:30:03
119 Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
120 Roy Curvers (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano
121 Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano
122 Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Astana Pro Team
123 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing Team
124 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team
125 Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
126 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
127 Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
128 Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Lotto Belisol
129 Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica-GreenEdge
130 Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
131 Nicolas Roche (Irl) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
132 Marcel Kittel (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano
133 Maciej Bodnar (Pol) Cannondale Pro Cycling
134 André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol
135 Brian Vandborg (Den) Cannondale Pro Cycling
136 Juan Jose Oroz Ugalde (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
137 Yury Trofimov (Rus) Katusha
138 David Millar (GBr) Garmin-Sharp
139 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
140 Egoitz Garcia Echeguibel (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
141 Maarten Wynants (Bel) Belkin Pro Cycling Team
142 Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
143 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
144 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
145 Alberto Losada Alguacil (Spa) Katusha
146 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
147 Frederik Willems (Bel) Lotto Belisol
148 Blel Kadri (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
149 Cameron Meyer (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
150 Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Sojasun
151 Elia Favilli (Ita) Lampre-Merida
152 Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Sojasun
153 Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
154 Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin-Sharp
155 Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
156 Pavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha
157 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha
158 Svein Tuft (Can) Orica-GreenEdge
159 Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Blr) Katusha
160 Assan Bazayev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team
161 Maxime Mederel (Fra) Sojasun
162 Jérémy Roy (Fra) FDJ.fr
163 Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team
164 Greg Henderson (NZl) Lotto Belisol
165 Brice Feillu (Fra) Sojasun
166 Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
167 Marcel Sieberg (Ger) Lotto Belisol
168 Jean-Marc Marino (Fra) Sojasun 0:30:16
169 Roberto Ferrari (Ita) Lampre-Merida 0:30:26
170 Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:30:51
171 Davide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre-Merida 0:32:02
172 Matteo Trentin (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
173 Juan Jose Lobato Del Valle (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
174 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
175 Tom Veelers (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 0:33:18
DNF William Bonnet (Fra) FDJ.fr
DNF Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana Pro Team

General Classification after Stage 18

1 Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling 71:02:19
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:05:11
3 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team 0:05:32
4 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:05:44
5 Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha 0:05:58
6 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:08:58
7 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team 0:09:33
8 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:14:26
9 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:14:38
10 Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:14:39
11 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 0:14:56
12 Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp 0:16:24
13 Daniel Navarro Garcia (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 0:19:18
14 Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack Leopard 0:19:56
15 Mikel Nieve Ituralde (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:24:13
16 Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha 0:30:05
17 Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:30:45
18 Andy Schleck (Lux) RadioShack Leopard 0:31:19
19 Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin-Sharp 0:34:22
20 Richie Porte (Aus) Sky Procycling 0:37:42
21 Jan Bakelants (Bel) RadioShack Leopard 0:40:08
22 Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez (Col) Lampre-Merida 0:41:05
23 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:41:13
24 Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:42:09
25 Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:43:48
26 John Gadret (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:44:24
27 Steve Morabito (Swi) BMC Racing Team 0:44:46
28 Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar 0:45:41
29 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:46:16
30 Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:46:39
31 Wouter Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:49:56
32 Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team 0:50:56
33 Arnold Jeannesson (Fra) FDJ.fr 0:51:59
34 Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack Leopard 0:58:47
35 Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:59:09
36 Cyril Gautier (Fra) Team Europcar 0:59:55
37 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 1:02:13
38 Hubert Dupont (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 1:06:51
39 Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team 1:07:22
40 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack Leopard 1:09:21
41 Eduard Vorganov (Rus) Katusha 1:13:01
42 Nicolas Roche (Irl) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 1:13:50
43 Maxime Mederel (Fra) Sojasun 1:16:00
44 Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra) Sojasun 1:17:49
45 Przemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Lampre-Merida 1:24:11
46 Bram Tankink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 1:24:16
47 Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Belisol 1:24:20
48 Laurent Didier (Lux) RadioShack Leopard 1:26:05
49 Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ.fr 1:26:41
50 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Merida 1:26:50
51 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 1:28:27
52 Lars Petter Nordhaug (Nor) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 1:28:28
53 Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Movistar Team 1:29:17
54 Andrey Amador Bakkazakova (CRc) Movistar Team 1:31:20
55 Alexandre Geniez (Fra) FDJ.fr 1:31:36
56 Yury Trofimov (Rus) Katusha 1:32:01
57 Davide Malacarne (Ita) Team Europcar 1:32:35
58 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team 1:32:53
59 Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack Leopard 1:33:40
60 Jesus Hernandez Blazquez (Spa) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 1:36:52
61 Amaël Moinard (Fra) BMC Racing Team 1:38:10
62 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Sharp 1:41:15
63 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar 1:41:16
64 Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Sharp 1:41:37
65 Adam Hansen (Aus) Lotto Belisol 1:47:22
66 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) FDJ.fr 1:48:24
67 Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica-GreenEdge 1:50:54
68 Manuele Mori (Ita) Lampre-Merida 1:52:02
69 Jens Voigt (Ger) RadioShack Leopard 1:53:39
70 Michael Albasini (Swi) Orica-GreenEdge 1:54:08
71 Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Astana Pro Team 1:54:52
72 Peter Kennaugh (GBr) Sky Procycling 1:56:48
73 Jerome Coppel (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 1:57:36
74 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 1:58:43
75 Guillaume Levarlet (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 1:58:48
76 Rudy Molard (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 1:58:59
77 Julien El Fares (Fra) Sojasun 2:00:41
78 Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Astana Pro Team 2:00:54
79 Peter Sagan (Svk) Cannondale Pro Cycling 2:01:30
80 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing Team 2:03:08
81 Simon Geschke (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano 2:03:44
82 Jon Izaguirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 2:04:14
83 Alessandro De Marchi (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 2:04:37
84 Simon Clarke (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 2:06:24
85 Juan Jose Oroz Ugalde (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 2:07:49
86 Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 2:07:50
87 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team 2:09:12
88 Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 2:09:18
89 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 2:11:56
90 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing Team 2:12:17
91 Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 2:12:22
92 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Sky Procycling 2:12:56
93 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team 2:13:21
94 Kristijan Koren (Slo) Cannondale Pro Cycling 2:15:26
95 Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 2:15:30
96 Moreno Moser (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 2:15:32
97 Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 2:15:39
98 Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) Team Europcar 2:16:27
99 Alberto Losada Alguacil (Spa) Katusha 2:16:47
100 Luis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 2:18:20
101 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 2:19:57
102 Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 2:21:20
103 Anthony Delaplace (Fra) Sojasun 2:22:48
104 David Millar (GBr) Garmin-Sharp 2:23:12
105 Jonathan Castroviejo Nicolas (Spa) Movistar Team 2:24:48
106 Lars Boom (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 2:25:01
107 Pavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha 2:25:49
108 Jean-Marc Marino (Fra) Sojasun 2:26:37
109 Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Sojasun 2:26:56
110 Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin-Sharp 2:27:10
111 Alan Marangoni (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 2:27:15
112 Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 2:27:41
113 Markel Irizar Aranburu (Spa) RadioShack Leopard 2:27:50
114 Julien Simon (Fra) Sojasun 2:29:02
115 Lars Ytting Bak (Den) Lotto Belisol 2:29:03
116 John Degenkolb (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano 2:30:59
117 Maciej Bodnar (Pol) Cannondale Pro Cycling 2:33:38
118 Brice Feillu (Fra) Sojasun 2:36:26
119 Blel Kadri (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 2:40:42
120 Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling 2:41:09
121 Maarten Wynants (Bel) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 2:42:45
122 Gatis Smukulis (Lat) Katusha 2:43:26
123 Elia Favilli (Ita) Lampre-Merida 2:45:01
124 Imanol Erviti Ollo (Spa) Movistar Team 2:46:38
125 André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol 2:47:24
126 Sébastien Minard (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 2:50:04
127 Jérémy Roy (Fra) FDJ.fr 2:50:13
128 David Veilleux (Can) Team Europcar 2:51:54
129 Matteo Trentin (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 2:52:45
130 Cameron Meyer (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 2:54:26
131 Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano 2:54:42
132 Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 2:55:00
133 Marcel Sieberg (Ger) Lotto Belisol 2:56:59
134 Davide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre-Merida 2:57:19
135 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 2:57:26
136 Romain Sicard (Fra) Euskaltel-Euskadi 2:57:30
137 Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 2:57:46
138 Egoitz Garcia Echeguibel (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 2:57:50
139 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha 2:58:00
140 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 2:58:24
141 Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Blr) Katusha 2:58:34
142 Jack Bauer (NZl) Garmin-Sharp 2:59:28
143 Murilo Antonio Fischer (Bra) FDJ.fr 2:59:49
144 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 3:00:14
145 David Lopez Garcia (Spa) Sky Procycling 3:01:22
146 Ian Stannard (GBr) Sky Procycling 3:02:04
147 Kévin Reza (Fra) Team Europcar 3:02:35
148 Sep Vanmarcke (Bel) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 3:03:03
149 Boy van Poppel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 3:03:28
150 Roy Curvers (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 3:03:37
151 Koen De Kort (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 3:05:08
152 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling 3:06:49
153 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 3:07:14
154 Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 3:09:11
155 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 3:09:45
156 Roberto Ferrari (Ita) Lampre-Merida 3:09:49
157 Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 3:11:17
158 Thomas Leezer (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 3:11:54
159 Greg Henderson (NZl) Lotto Belisol 3:12:26
160 Yohann Gene (Fra) Team Europcar 3:12:40
161 Albert Timmer (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 3:14:15
162 Brian Vandborg (Den) Cannondale Pro Cycling 3:14:21
163 Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 3:15:03
164 Juan Jose Lobato Del Valle (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 3:15:34
165 Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Lotto Belisol 3:15:43
166 Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 3:17:48
167 Marcel Kittel (Ger) Team Argos-Shimano 3:18:18
168 Frederik Willems (Bel) Lotto Belisol 3:20:34
169 Jerome Cousin (Fra) Team Europcar 3:22:18
170 Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Sojasun 3:26:00
171 Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 3:27:54
172 Assan Bazayev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team 3:29:59
173 Svein Tuft (Can) Orica-GreenEdge 3:31:56
174 Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team 3:32:08
175 Tom Veelers (Ned) Team Argos-Shimano 3:34:56
Ed Hood and Martin Williamson
Ed Hood and Martin Williamson
Ed and Martin, our top team! They try to do the local Time Trials, the Grand Tours and the Classics together to get the great stories written, the quality photos taken, the driving done and the wifi wrestled with.

Related Articles

Le Tour de France 2006 – Day 5: Stage 2, Obernai – Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg)

At Le Tour de France 2006 I was involved with TV - no, no, not like that, cycling dot TV - the Internet TV guys. I met their guy, Steve Masters in the press room yesterday and he scrounged a lift off me to the start at Obernai with his camera man, James.

Le Tour de France – Day 6: Stage 18, Bourg D’Oisans to Saint-Etienne

Guten dag! We honoured Carlos yesterday, so we best pay tribute to Big Marcus today. It's been a great Tour for Columbia - and it's not over yet. We had to be flexible today, the plot was to do a bike feature - the top GC riders plus points and mountains leaders - but the start at Bourg-D'Oisans was so tight for space, with team buses in the village streets that there was no room for the team trucks. These went directly to the hotels at the finish in St. Etienne, so it wasn't the best day to bike skek.

Le Tour de France 2017 – Stage 15: Laissac-Sévérac l’Église – Le Puy-en-Velay, 189.5km. Mollema in the mountains

Sunday, Stage 15 and VeloVeritas’s last shift on Tour - so we headed for the biggest hill we could find to remind ourselves how special and beautiful France and this race really are. Today we’re in the heartland, perhaps not deepest agricultural ‘France Profonde;’ the rural, simple, beautiful heart of the nation, not with the gorges and cols - but it’s quiet, lovely and some of the simple, striking images surprise as you drive the parcours.

Scottish 100 Mile Time Trial Championship 2007

A chilly, breezy but rapid Sunday morning on the roads alongside the Cromarty Firth saw Shetland's Carlos Riise reclaim the Scottish 100 Mile Time Trial Championship 2007 title he last won in 2004, with a personal best 3-51-43. This was Carlos's eighth hundred title, the man who ended his run of seven straight wins and who took the title in 2005, Jonathan Copp (Deeside) was not riding, neither was last year's champion and current record holder, Mark Atkinson (Sandy Wallace).

At Random

Bradley Wiggins wins the British Road Championships 2011

On a balmy Sunday afternoon in quaint Stamfordham, Sky and Bradley Wiggins did 'what England expected' and grabbed the first four places in the British elite road race championship over 197 hard Northumbrian kilometres; and the skeletal Bradley Wiggins will start the Tour in the white British champion's jersey after jumping his team mates on the run in; defending champion Geraint Thomas took silver, Peter Kennaugh was third and Ian Stannard fourth.

Sam Spokes – a Great Start for Drapac with 5th at the Aussie Nationals

He has a great name for a cyclist, Sam Spokes; we first spoke to the young Aussie in 2013 when he was making a name for himself with QuickStep U23 feeder team, Etixx. Last year also saw some nice results - but not enough to move him up to the Etixx World Tour squad. But all is not lost, he’s signed with Australian Pro Continental team, Drapac – and in his first race in the Aussie team’s distinctive red jersey he made the winning break in the recent Australian Elite Road race taking a solid fifth behind winner Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling).

RIP Peter Post. Outstanding Road and Trackman, Six Day Star, Manager Par-Excellence

With the news on Friday that Peter Post had died in Amsterdam at the age of 77 the sport lost one of it's Colossi. Born in Amsterdam in November 1933, the son of a butcher, he had a hard childhood growing up in Nazi occupied Holland. He turned professional in 1956 for Legendary Amsterdam bicycle makers RIH Sport; he would remain in the peloton until 1972 having ridden for some of the most famous teams in the history of cycle sport-Flandria, Faema, Solo-Superia and Willem 11.

Mark McKay – Scotland’s Talent Scout

The "Chris Hoy effect," is Scottish Cycling capitalising on it? We decided to speak to British Cycling's new Olympic talent scout for Scotland, Mark McKay.