It was Bastille Day, and perhaps if I had thought about this I would have picked differently, because Bastille Day is the day that the tardy French riders show up for national pride. Virenque gave the French a victory last year and this year that duty fell to David Moncoutie. Moncoutie attacked from a breakaway up the climbs. The chase group tried to pull him back in, but couldn't, and eventually started fighting amongst themselves to see who would cross the line in second. This gave Moncoutie plenty of time down the final straightaway to savor his well-earned victory.
The big news in the sprinter's competition today was that Boonen, leader in the green jersey competition, abandoned due to one too many injuries. That put the green jersey back into competition, and perhaps McEwen is wishing he hadn't so publically given up on the competition after getting relegated. Hushovd, O'Grady, and McEwen will now be fighting it out to see who ends up in green in Paris. McEwen has a lot of ground to cover to jump from third into first, but he has the advantage in the bunch sprints. Today he was able to win the peloton's bunch sprint at the end, but that was for 14th place, not first.
- Stage 12 Photo Gallery (Graham Watson)
- Stage 12 Summary (VeloNews)
- Stage 12 Results (CyclingNews)
- Stage 11/12 Jambon Report (DailyPeloton)
- Stage 12 Live Report (DailyPeloton)
Very, very late TiVo viewing (7/17) Log
My pre-Comic-Con prediction was for a CSC break and I'll stick to that.
It's Bastille Day: will it be a frenchmen riding to victory? Perhaps I should have taken that into consideration when making my pick.
Biggest abandon is Boonen, which puts the green jersey back into contention. This is especially big news for McEwen, who had brattily given up hope of competing for the jersey after being relegated for his head shove.
Beltran had to abandon due to a crash. Sad news for Discovery, which is used to its full complement. He was knocked pretty silly. He was riding his bike not even knowing where he was.
A large break with Marckx, Giunti, Garate, Vicioso, Halgand, Hushovd, Pellizotti, O'Grady, Moncoutie, Casar, Schreck is away by 3 minutes. Before I went away I predicted a CSC break either on this stage or the next, so lets see how well that went. It's a very large break so anything could happen, though Hushovd and O'Grady just want some green jersey points.
Fun fact: riders will drink 3 gallons (25 bike bottles) of sports drink during a stage.
Casar is attacking on the breakaway and is now away on his own.
Lotto wants to chase down this breakaway for McEwen
Casar is back in the main break, which is over four minutes ahead.
Moncoutie is attacking the break, for the honor of France. It's a bit of a climb so he should be able to at least whittle the break down, if not stay away solo. The break has split into many pieces.
Axel Merckx is setting the pace for the first chase group, that is shedding riders up the climb. They're over the top and now have to chase Moncoutie to the next climb.
Moncoutie is on the Col du Corobin, only about 2km
Moncoutie is over the top of the Col du Corobin. It looks like the break is going to win, just a matter of who.
3.6k to go, 0:28 lead. Despite the riders chasing him he's holding them off.
2k to go, 0:29 lead. Looks like France gets a Bastille Day victory. The chase group is jockeying for position so they'll be slowing down. They're fighting for second.
1km to go and Moncoutie is in the clear.
Now he's finally celebrating as he comes down the straightaway.
Moncoutie crosses the line with the victory as they chase group is still jockeying for position. Looks like Casar takes that sprint for that group.
Now the chase group with the green jersey contenders is arriving. Lombardi leads out O'Grady and Hushovd for the way back sprint. Hushovd beats O'Grady across the line for a one point difference in the green jersey competition.
Another Confidis rider is attacking the peloton now even though two of their riders have already cross the line. He's trying to keep even more sprint points out of McEwen's hands. Looks like that attempt won't be successful.
It's a sprint to the finish for the peloton. McEwen is fourth wheel on hthe leadout. McEwen takes it easily.
