Stage 13 Vittel – Colmar, 200 km
Friday 17th July 2009
Live Ticker PART ONE
The first, and only, medium mountain stage on this year's route sees the riders enter the Vosges mountains for what could be a deceptively tough day. The climbing starts with the third category Côte de Xertigny, followed by 20 kms of descending before the road takes them upwards again at the 70km mark towards the Category 2 Col de la Schlucht. The climb proper doesn't start until 95kms in but it's an awkward 25km drag uphill to that point.
Next up is the 1193 metre high Col du Platzerwasel, a difficult Category 1 ascent, that, whilst short in comparison to Alpine climbs at 8.7km, has a leg testing average gradient of 7.6%. The stage then finishes off with two further climbs, the third category Col du Bannstein and the second category Col du Firstplan.
So that's five classified climbs then, among tough terrain, making this a difficult day. It is also a stage that will appeal to those aiming for the King of the Mountain's Polka Dot Jersey. Expect an attack from someone hoping to bag a bunch of KoM points before the really big climbs come into play.
Colmar WikipediaTM Fact(?): Colmar was the scene of the fantastically named Charles the Fat's Diet in 884. However, despite his name, this didn't mean Charles chose to lay off the chocolate cookies, Diet, in this context, meaning Assembly.
General Classification after Stage Twelve
1. Rinaldo Nocentini 48:27:21
2. Alberto Contador (Astana) @ 00‘06”
3. Lance Armstrong (Astana) @ 00‘08”
Points Classification after Stage Twelve
1. Mark Cavendish (Columbia - HTC) 200pts
2. Thor Hushovd (Cervelo) 190pts
3. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Caisse d’Epargne) 116pts
King of the Mountains Classification after Stage Twelve
1. Egoi Martinez (Eusklatel) 88pts
2. Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) 71pts
3. Christophe Kern (Cofidis) 59pts
Yong Riders Classifcation after Stage Twelve
1. Tony Martin (Columbia HTC) 48:28:21
2. Andy Schleck (Saxo-Bank) @ 00‘49”
3. Vicenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 00’54”
News from the startline
LEIPHEIMER OUT OF TOUR - The biggest news of the day was that Levi Leipheimer had to abandon the Tour de France with a broken wrist. Leipheimer crashed yesterday 2.5km from the finish with Cadel Evans also falling down. Unfortunately for Leipheimer scans revealed a transversal fracture of the scaphoid bone of the wrist. The experienced veteran from the United States was a pivotal team member to Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong. How does this affect Astana now? We will soon find out!
We wish Levi all the best for his recovery.
Live Coverage of Stage 13
Reporting by Chris Graetz
G'day and welcome to stage 13 of the 2009 Tour de France. Today's stage features an undulating course from Vittel to Colmar where the riders will take in reasonably big climbs. Will this be a day for the general classification or will a break take this again?
After a few transitional stages I would be disappointed if I didn't see some fireworks today from the teams of the following riders: Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans, Denis Menchov, Roman Kreuziger. It's clear, Astana are weakened now. Take advantage of it and take advantage of it today. Put some hurt in the Astana legs. See if you can take a few seconds back. Every second matters.
Before we start today's coverage I would like to thank you for all your E-Mails. I'm glad you're enjoying the Daily Peloton's coverage of the 2009 Tour de France.
I'm Chris Graetz and I'll be bringing you the coverage of stage 13.
1223 CEST - The riders are nearly through the neutral zone. The stage will be starting shortly.
Stage 13 Climbs
46 km: Cat. 3 Côte de Xertigny (2.0 km/ 5.3 % max)
105 km Cat. 2 Col de la Schlucht (8.9 km/4.2 % max)
138.5 km Cat 1 Col du Platzerwasel (8.7 km /7.6 % max)
165.5 km Cat. 3 Col du Bannstein (2.1 km/5.1 % max)
179.5 km Cat 2 Col du Firstplan - (8.4 km/5.4 % max)
1235 CEST - 195km to go
It's been attack central today with Moreau and Haussler trying to go out early. A group of 5, including Garate and Voigt counter attacked. Currently, we have 7 riders at the head of the field with 10 seconds on the peloton.
The seven that escaped are the 8km mark. They are: Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank), Heinrich Haussler (Cervelo), Ruben Perez (Euskaltel), Juan Manuel Garate (Rabobank), Rigoberto Uran (Caisse d'Epargne), Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) and Christophe Moreau (Agritubel). They have 15 seconds on the Ag2r led peloton.
1243 CEST - 187km to go
The septet have 30 seconds on the peloton which is now being led by the Liquigas and Lampre teams. I have a feeling this break may not get away.
Looks like I was wrong on that assumption. The break now have 45 seconds 15km into the stage.
1253 CEST - 178km to go
Liquigas, Lampre, Cofidis and Katusha are leading the peloton as the septep have 50 seconds. I think these teams wanted someone in the break today and missed the move. Will be interesting to see how the next 10km shape up.
1300 CEST - The escape doesn't seem to be getting much freedom at the moment. The gap is around 45 seconds, 27km into the stage. Moreau was the first rider that attacked today and made this escape happen. He might have plans for his KOM jersey assault today.
Silence Lotto have sent a few riders to the front now. The gap is now down to 40 seconds. This break's survival doesn't look good.
1310 CEST - 165km to go
It's raining at the moment as the escapees still struggle to get a solid lead. The peloton are keeping them close today. The break is still around 40 seconds.
1323 CEST - The results of the first of three intermediate sprints on todays stage at Xertigny: 1. Moreau (6pts), 2. Haussler (4pts), 1. Chavanel (2pts). They are 35 seconds ahead of the peloton which is keen not to let them get out too far.
There are two more intermediate sprints on todays course. The next is at Gerardmar 88km into the stage and the last is at Luttenbach 124km into the stage.
The septep are nearing the base of the first climb of the day, the Cote de Xertigny. They are 25 seconds ahead of the raging peloton.
Results of the first climb of the day: 1. Garate (4pts), 2. Perez (3pts), 2. Chavanel (2pts), 1. Moreau (1pt). They have 17 seconds on the peloton.
1332 CEST - 150km to go
The gap is now back out to 30 seconds as David Millar (Garmin Slipstream) tries to bridge the gap.
Haussler, Perez and Chavanel have attacked the break and now have an 18 second lead on the rest of the escapees who have a further 22 seconds on the peloton.
1350 CEST - 133km to go
New situation on the road. Haussler, Perez and Chavanel now lead by 1 minute. The original escapees have been caught.
Now this break has finally been formed, I'll acknowledge the three riders out front who are trying to go for stage honours.
Sylvain Chavanel (Quick-Step) is a solid experienced rider. Last year, he won his first Tour stage, claiming victory in stage 19. This year, he has had a solid win to his name, winning stage 3 in Paris-Nice in March. He has said during and before the Tour that he aims to repeat his performance of last year. Well, he's in a break today which could have a chance of survival. Can the 37 year old Frenchman achieve his goal today?
Euskaltel-Euskadi always show their colours in the mountains. Today, they have given freedom to Ruben Perez. The 27 year old Spaniard hasn't had a win this year, nor has he won a tour stage before. His best result came in the Ronde van Murcia claiming a 3rd and 2nd place on stages 1 and 2 respectively. Euskaltel have sent plenty of riders in the breakaways in the first 12 stages. Could today be the day that Perez can pick up a win?
1404 CEST - 125km to go
The peloton have let this trio go trailing them by 5 minutes.
Cervelo's Heinrich Haussler hasn't won a Tour de France stage before, but he has claimed victory in a Grand Tour stage in his career. This came back in 2005 in Stage 19 of the Vuelta Espana. Earlier this year, Haussler showed supreme consistency in the major races. In Paris Nice, he won stage 2. He followed that up with a 2nd place behind Cavendish in Milan-SanRemo and then another second in the Tour of Flanders behind Stijn Devolder. He also came 7th in Paris Roubaix. The 25 year old German-Australian will be keen to get back to that level. Earlier last month he came first in GP Triberg Schwarzwald and finished second and third respectively in the Neuseen Classics and the GP Kanton Aargau. Could he grab another victory today?
1412 CEST - 120km to go
The gap is now out to 6'30 as the peloton aren't concerned about the trio. The best placed rider in the General Classification is Heinrich Haussler in 105th position, 55 minutes behind.
Will the escape survive today or are we going to see some major action on the last two climbs of the day? We're set for an intriguing stage. Don't go away. The stage is going to get very interesting.
1418 CEST - 115km to go
This is the biggest gap we have seen all week. The trio now lead by 7'30. They are working well together. Looking at the three riders in the escape today, if they were to survive, you would have to give the edge to Perez who is the better climber. However, Chavanel can time trial and if he can get away on the final climb, he's going to be hard to peg back on the descent into Colmar.
1425 CEST - 111km to go
The gap is now out to 8'10 as they contested the second sprint of the day at Gerardmar. The results: 1. Perez (6pts), 2. Chavanel (4pts), 1. Haussler (2pts).
I am now joined in the ticker by Vaughn Trevi and Nick Bull. I have not yet decided whether or not I'll stop for the night or continue.
1431 CEST - 108km to go
The leading trio are now approaching the feed station at Xonrupt-Longemer. Soon after, they will tackle the next classified climb of the day, the Col de la Schlucht. This category 3 climb has an average gradient of 4.2% over 8.9km.
1440 CEST - 103km to go
The trio now have 8'58 over the main field as they start the climb. The rain is heavy out there today. Lance Armstrong is currently at the back of the peloton consulting his team car.
The last time a Tour de France stage finished in Colmar, back in stage 7 2001, Lauren Jalabert won the stage attacking from the breakaway on the final climb. Jens Voigt came second and claimed the yellow jersey.
Linus Gerdemann (Milram) is riding at the front of the peloton. He is looking comfortable on his bike. I have tipped him in for a win on Wednesday in stage 17 when he hits the area where he put his name on the map winning his first Tour de France stage in Le Grand-Bornand in 2007. On that occasion, he took the yellow jersey and even though he held it for a day, he showed himself as one of the next big talents.
1456 CEST - Christophe Kerne and Amets Txurruka are attacking out of the main field. They are trying to bridge a gap to a chase group that's forming Franco - eternal trier - Pellizotti is one of those in this group. And Powerhouse Cancellera (TM) is also there. Meanwhile at the back of the pack, a handful of riders are dropping off. Remember, this is just a 2nd Cat. climb - the tricky, narrow Col de Bratwurst is yet to come.
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