(AP Photo/Ena/Edme/Trovati)
Pereiro loudly complained about Hincapie's victory yesterday -- Hincapie had sat on Pereiro's wheel on the final climb and came around at the end to take the victory. That was uphill, where drafting doesn't matter as much.
Today, Pereiro and two other riders sat on Evans wheel on a flat stage sprint, letting Evans pull for the final 5k or so. In the final sprint Pereiro jumped around Evans' wheel and took the stage victory. Evans did all the work because he wanted to jump into the top ten in the overall standings, so he had no time to lose time and play games.
This is not to say Pereiro didn't deserve to win today -- he more than earned this finish after riding himself into the "Most Aggressive Rider" designation and doing his work for teammates Botero and Landis. He also nearly soloed his way to victory on this stage but was stopped short by a rock in his wheel that forced him to wait for repairs. Perhaps he should be more careful, though, about what he chooses to complain about, lest people like me make these snarky comparisons.
Despite not getting the stage victory, it was a big day for Evans who climbed all the way into seventh place, with Landis and Vino right behind him. It should make for a good time trial performance by all three. The Tour from here on out is about the sprinters green jersey competition and a time trial to determine who places in the Top Ten, or rather, in 2nd-10th place, as everyone has long conceded that Armstrong is The Boss. Rasmussen is probably in the toughest spot right now: he's riding in a podium position right now (3rd), but sitting in 4th place in Jan Ullrich who can tear the cranks off his bike when it comes to the time trial. Rasmussen has already accomplished all of his goals for this Tour -- King of the Mountains and a stage win -- but those suprise accomplishments are always welcome.
- Stage 16 Photo Gallery (Graham Watson)
- Stage 16 Summary (VeloNews)
- Stage 16 Results (CyclingNews)
- Stage 16 Live Report (Daily Peloton)
Stage profile and my stage log in the extended.
TiVo-delayed Stage Log
My prediction: I'm gonna go way out there and pick Floyd Landis. The time gaps are too big for him to get on the podium just yet, even with a time trial approaching. Of course, CSC and T-Mobile have good reason to not let that happen. We might also see my oft-predicted CSC breakaway (Voigt/Lombardi/Sorensam).
Lots of attacks, including Vino and Evans.
T-Mobile is setting a fast tempo up the Col du Aubisque which is sending Team Disco off the back of the peloton. Guess T-Mobile doesn't want Vino to get away again.
Vino just passed Fast Freddie
T-Mobile's fast pace has eliminated their own team. It's now just Ullrich with Armstrong.
Hincapie is up there for Armstrong. Back to being the lieutenant
An attack from Ullrich, Basso and a CSC teammate.
Armstrong bridges back up with Rasmussen on his tail.
Vino and Heras are being brought back into the fold, and now Armstrong is driving the group up the mountain.
Evans is over the top first. Apparently an Australian rider friend of his was recently killed and he wants to win for her.
Pereiro is over the top second, followed by Mazzoleni and Zandio and a bunch of other stragglers for an earlier break.
Vino attacks yet again. Didn't see what happened except that now Armstrong is leading the group past Vino.
Rasmussen leads the charge with Armstrong on his wheel. They are catching Horner.
Popo and Hincapie have done their job and caught up with Armstrong on the descent.
Azevedo and CheChu have rejoined Armstrong as well.
Pereiro has caught up with Evans. An now their break is a group of four with Zandio and Mazzoleni.
The break has 4:28 on the Armstrong group. The other teams have a big interest in limiting Evans gains. 15k to go.
Flecha is part of a large chase group behind Evans' group.
No one is helping Evans in the lead group. He is effectively solo-ing in the lead. 3k to go. It will be hard for him to win this stage with everyone drafting him. 2k to go.
Pereiro goes, Pereiro has the lead right now, and Pereiro wins. Nice reward for the rider who is currently designated Most Aggressive, though interesting finish given that Pereiro complained about Hincapie sitting on his wheel on Stage 15, and today Pereiro gets a victory by sitting on Evans wheel for about 5k.
