Wednesday, July 13, 2005
TdF Stage 11: Vino Rebounds
VENOKOUROV RECOVERS, WINS STAGE. He may have collapsed on the climb to Corchevel, but Alexandre Vinokourov led the way up the highest climb in this year's Tour de France--the Col de Galibier--and finished Stage 11 a full 1'15" ahead of a chasing group that included Lance Armstrong and other contenders. With this effort, Vino demonstrated he not only has the capacity to continue to climb well, but has not necessarily given up his hopes for a top three finish in Paris on July 24.
DEFENSIVE DISPLAY. I was hoping for more fireworks on this day that included a Cat 1 and two HC mountains. But Discovery Channel controlled the peloton, rode defensively, and contained most attacks. Discovery Channel's power is demonstrated in the fact that they had 5 riders in the chasing group at the end of the stage. I suppose we can count on the "Disco Boys" to do more of the same in the stages ahead. I think the fireworks are over...for a few days. But wait until Sunday.
A few notes from Stage 11:
DEFENSIVE DISPLAY. I was hoping for more fireworks on this day that included a Cat 1 and two HC mountains. But Discovery Channel controlled the peloton, rode defensively, and contained most attacks. Discovery Channel's power is demonstrated in the fact that they had 5 riders in the chasing group at the end of the stage. I suppose we can count on the "Disco Boys" to do more of the same in the stages ahead. I think the fireworks are over...for a few days. But wait until Sunday.
A few notes from Stage 11:
- Christophe Moreau moved into third place overall. Good to have a Frenchman in the mix for the podium in Paris. France is long overdue for a Yellow Jersey champion.
- Colombian Santiago Botero moved into 6th place.
- Vinokourov erased 1'15" from his deficit to Armstrong and moved up from 16th to 12th. He still has a lot of time to make up if he is to be on the podium in Paris.
- Mickael Rasmussen continues to hold a solid lead in the mountains competition; he may well wear the Maillot Pois into Paris.
- Tom Boonen keeps the Maillot Vert...even though he crashed again and is more banged up.
- Alejandro Valverde, yesterday's stage winner, keeps the White Jersey of best young rider; he also keeps pace in 5th place.
# posted by John Franklin Hay @ 12:03 PM 
