American Chris Horner was close -- really, really close -- but it just goes to show how important tactics are to road cycling. Horner was part of an early break of riders that were slowly gobbled up one by one. Chavanal managed to jump over to the breakaway with around thirty kilometers to go, and he and Horner made a go for the win as it appeared that the sprinter teams couldn't get enough organization at the front to reel those last two riders in. With 5k to go it appeared that they were holding them off -- 5k 0:16, 4k 0:14, 3k 0:14, 2k 0:10 -- but it was in the final kilometer that the crucial mistake was made.
Horner was much more tired than Chavanal as Chavanal spent much more of the day sitting in the peloton shielded from the wind. He probably figured that in a straight sprint Chavanal had a big advantage, so he pressed his luck by trying to sitting on Chavanal's wheel instead of coming through to do a pull. Chavanal obviously didn't like the idea of Horner nicking him at the line and with the peloton closing in he needed a bit of effort from Horner to help hold them off. Instead, Horner sat on Chavanal's wheel until about 300m to go, where he made a sprint for the finish. It was too late: American "Fast" Freddie Rodriguez was already leading out Robbie McEwen, and Robbie McEwen was launched like a rocket around Horner and across the finish line.
A 173.5km stage. Horner spent 150km in the lead. Horner and Chavanal were caught in the final 200m. That's road cycling.
- Stage 13 Photo Gallery (Graham Watson)
- Stage 13 Summary (VeloNews)
- Stage 13 Results (CyclingNews)
- Stage 13 Jambon Report (DailyPeloton)
- Stage 13 Live Report (DailyPeloton)
Really TiVo Delayed (7/17) Stage Log
The should be a pretty boring stage today. Hushovd is in green with Boonen's abandon, so the incentive for the sprinters is much higher now that it's all up in the air again.
My prediction for today is McEwen. McEwen's got the most to gain in a bunch sprint at the end. He's a better sprinter than Hushovd or O'Grady, so a bunch sprint means that McEwen can start climbing out of third in the green jersey competition.
Horner's in a break today. Voeckler is also up there. They're 7 minutes ahead, but I don't think McEwen will let that go.
McEwen is saying that Lotto won't chase a breakaway. hmmmm...
Talented Valverde is dropping out. The white jersey will transfer over to Popo's shoulders, which is great news for Discovery (also nice for Armstrong to not have to worry about Valverde).
I kept picking Horner to do something in the mountains, and now that we're finally on a flat stage he goes on the break.
Lotto has done the ride at the front. They've slowly worked it down to 2 minutes.
McEwen's team bus broke down so he had to change in another team's bus.
The breakaway is now within sight of the peloton.
31k to go.
Chavanal is attacking. Cofidis has been busy these past two stages. If he wins he'll protect O'Grady's lead over McEwen in the green jersey competition.
Chavanal has reached the breakaway and continues to try and blow by them. The breakaway is now catching up and they're one group again.
The break has lost cohesion. Horner is trying to put things back in order. Voeckler is attacking now. He's being marked. Now Chavanal goes again. He's going to make it away... wait, Horner's got the power it looks like to catch back up. Horner is just cranking it down. Horner and Chavanal are now together. I'd really like to see Horner get a win.
10k to go.
Discovery is leading the peloton... Lotto better get up there if they want this stage.
9k to go and Chavanal picks up the pace. Horner's been away for so long and Chavanal has fresher legs.
They've made it over that little climb and are still together.
Commesso is now attacking off the peloton. Trying to catch the break that's 30 seconds up.
Commesso is up to the first chase group, 0:12 off the lead.
The peloton is a mess of organization.
7k to go.
The first chase group is being caught.
6k to go.
5k to go, 0:16
4k to go, 0:14. Discovery is kinda leading the peloton, which is to Horner's advantage.
3k to go, 0:14
Chavanal rode on Horner's wheel for quite a bit then tried to come around, but it looks like Horner was able to keep on his wheel.
2k to go, 0:10
1k to go, they can do it but it's gonna be close
Horner's trying to wait on Chavanal's wheel but they're being chased down
Horner's being caught
McEwen blows by Horner and Chavanal and McEwen takes it!
They were just so fast at the end.
Fast Freddy Rodriguez did the leadout for McEwen that blew by the break.
McEwen is 8 pts out of second and 22 points out of first in the green jersey competition.
