Thor Hushovd wins the stage from Edvald Boasson Hagen; Thomas Voeckler keeps the Yellow Jersey; Cadel Evans makes time on the race leadership; and, ominously, Alberto Contador starts to work and eats into the Schleck brothers' advantage. Contador is finding form (?) and the Alps are looming!
Stage 17: Gap - Pinerolo (179km) The first of three Alpine stages finishes in Italy, after 2 x Cat 3, 2 x Cat 2 and 1 x Cat 1 climbs. Cadel Evans is 01' 45" off the Yellow Jersey, with Frank Schleck a mere 4 secs behind him. Andy Schleck is at 3' 03" off the lead, with Sammy Sanchez at 3'26". Alberto is now at 3'42" after a much better ride yesterday and must now be a danger to the riders ahead of him. Cadel Evans showed the benefit of his mountain-biking experienc yesterday, opening up a gap on Contador and Sanchez on the descent into Gap. He is likely to benefit again today on the drop into Pinerolo, whereas the Schleck brothers and Ivan Basso will find 'downhill difficulties'. Thomas Voeckler rode very well yesterday, to retain the Yellow Jersey against predictions, but could well lose it today. Cadel Evans could be in Yellow at the end of the day, but Contador will very likely be at least 3rd,
Going slightly off topic, this summer we've signed Evans and it looks like we're about to sign Basso. Who's next for NP? A Schleck or Contador? Sanchez is probably most likely.
I caught the 'Basso' link, but missed 'Evans'. Is Sanchez your pick for today? I really rate him, but he lost out to Evans on the descent yesterday, and could do so today.
Going to watch the highlights tonight, hope Voeckler can hang on, seems clean not sure about some of the others
As I feel stages 18 and 19 are going to be the killers I was quite surprised that there was so much action yesterday between the GC contenders. All it takes is one good stage by any of the top 8 to overhaul Voeckler. I think it will be Evans day. There is a loooooong downhill section and I think he'll make hay there. Despite the high finish tomorrow, the final climb doesn't look as brutal as I thought it might be, so that stage might be another damp squib.
I think Voeckler will keep the shirt till tomorrow. Evans is the best in downhills and he may get some more seconds from the Schleck Brothers.
72km to go, and the 14 leading riders have 6 mins+ gap. If there's no increase in pace by the peloton, this'll be a 'tick-over' stage.
15km to finish. Perez (Euskaltel) out in front; 13 riders behind him by 43 secs; then a trio including Johnny Hoogerland (of barbed-wire fame!); then the peloton. The peloton is 7mins (and falling) behind Perez, and includes the Schlecks, Voeckler, Contador, Sanchez and Evans. All to ride for!
9km to go and Boasson Hagen 10 secs in lead. The bunch is at 5mins, but Contador attacks! Andy Schleck and Voeckler stay with him.
Boasson Hagen wins! Contador and Sanchez leading the (GC) bunch. Voeckler in danger of losing Yellow. Schlecks catch Contador & Sanchez on the line. Voeckler holds on to Yellow Jersey by 1' 18" from Evans. Voeckler only lost 27 secs on the riders immediately behind him in the G.C.
Contador must be gutted after his breakaway was pegged back at the end, enjoyed the highlights today, lucky that guy left his backgate open to use as a run-off area on the descent!
Imagine the buzz you would get racing down there though, would be worth the danger risk for me, but I suppose Schleck jr. was right in that it was a bit too much. Think Voecklers had it now anyway,can't see him hanging in much longer.
