So, 8th stage of the race, from Belfort to the fascinating medieval town of Porrentruy. Talking about this town, I want to tell the world that I simply loved the big dinosaur placed on the roundabout that leads directly into the town. Given that I've recently turned 20 (aaaah, I'm so oooold!) and that my parents still haven't bought me a present, I've actually asked dad to buy me that dinosaur and put it in our back garden. His reaction to my idea? A simple 'we'll see'.
Today stage began with the last consequences of the Metz carnage: Froehlinger (broken finger) didn't start the stage, whereas Verdugo (deep cut on his leg) withdrew after a few kms. Unfortunately also another rider had to retire during today's stage. Samuel Sanchez in fact had a bad crash in the first part of the stage and is reported to have broken his collarbone. Poor Samu abandoned the race in tears and may be unable to take part in the Olympics. Poor, poor Samu!!
Talking about the parcours, today's menu offered the riders a day fulls of hills and descents. The most difficult climb was the last one (Col de la Croix), which was followed by a 16 kms long descent towards the finish-line.
Many people thought that today's stage perfectly suited a breakaway and that's why this afternoon the peloton was so full of 'wanna-be breakawayers'. Amongst those who could finally break clear from the peloton there were the Swedish climber Kessiakoff, the youngest boy of the race Thibaut Pinot (who was born in May 1990 and is even younger than Sagan and Phinney), my beloved Chris Anker Sorensen, Radioshack's Toni Gallopin and many others.
With about 30 kms to go, Kessiakoff said 'see you after the finish-line' to his breakaway companions, but some of them didn't agree with this. Pinot and Gallopin, in particular, began chasing the Astana rider in a very hard way. However on the last climb Gallopin (who had been virtual yellow jersey for a while) got dropped and Pinot reached Kessiakoff in the very last meters of Col dela Croix. At that point I felt very sorry for Fredrik (Miss Fede tends to feel a strong connection between herself and the riders who have a name similar to hers), but I still hoped that he could manage to get back on Pinot. Pinot who, by the way, lives in a village near Planche des Belles Filles - and guess who the mayor of that village is? Thibaut's father. Isn't that curious?
However. After riding past Kessiakoff, the young French rider rode full gas in the following 16 kms of downhill. For a moment it looked as if Kessiakoff was going to annihilate the gap between him and the FDJ rider, but then the Swedish rider risked to crash and had to say 'adieu' to his victory dreams. In the meanwhile the GC riders had started a tough battle in order to drop their direct adversaries. In particular, it was Omega-Pharma (Van Den Broeck and Vanendert's team) that tried to surprise everyone else in the hardest part of the last climb. At that point the yellow jersey group was already formed by a few riders and some more athletes got dropped because of Omega's attack. During the descent Nibali decided to accelerate, but no one lost contact.
With 3.5 kms to go Pinot had about 30" of advantage and his ds, Marc Madieu, looked very worried while supporting his rider. In fact during the last kms of race there was some headwind and the riders behind Thibaut were taking regular turns at the front in order to increase their advantage on their chasers. The guys who were following Pinot were Wiggins, Froome, Evans, Nibali, Zubeldia, Gallopin, Schleck, Van Den Broeck and Menchov. At the dinosaur roundabout, Van Den Broeck and Menchov took the shortest road and Jurgen decided to launch an attack. Shortly later also Evans decided to attack, but both these riders were eventually caught by the other members of the yellow jersey group.
In the meanwhile Thibaut Pinot finally crossed the finish-line solo, with his arms raised to the sky. The 22 years old rider looked very happy and so did his ds, Marc Madieu, who spent the last meters of the race hugging FDJ's mechanic and screaming compliments to his rider. FDJ has a long story in cycling and is one of the most combative teams of the peloton. Therefore, I was very glad to see Pinot getting this victory, the first one of a very promising career. Still talking about Pinot, as soon as he crossed the finish-line people started talking about his chances of becoming a GT contender. In particular, someone reminded everyone that Thibaut's just 22 years old and this made me think about the 2007 Giro d'Italia. On that occasion in fact a 21 year old rider, Andy Schleck, got the second spot of the podium in a very surprising way. At the time I was a novice to cycling, so I didn't fully understand the importance of Andy's result. And, actually, I think I realised how amazing this result was just this afternoon. Lots of things have happened since 2007, but none of us has forgotten that amazing, surprising rider from Luxembourg. Anyway, enough sentimentalism for now :P
When Pinot raised his arms to the sky, the strongest GC riders were approaching the finish-line. With about 200 meters to go, then, a very bad thing (at least in my opinion) happened: Radioshack's Toni Gallopin, in fact, launched a sprint and was soon followed by all the other GC riders. All the other GC riders except a certain Frank Schleck, aka Toni's captain, who because of this sprint lost 4" from his main GC contenders. Moreover, Toni even failed in his attempt to get the second place. Now, I understand that 4" aren't much, but I really disliked the way Toni behaved. Frank's already 3 minutes down in the GC, why making him lose other 4"? I know they are extremely unlikely to influence the eventual outcome of this race, but I don't think this attitude will do Frank's morale any good. Right now Radioshack seems a group of people put together by mistake, with ds unable (or unwilling?) to take control of the situation and teammates who don't care at all about each other. Seriously, after today's stage I seriously regret good old Uncle Bjarne.
The GC after stage 8 says that first is Bradley Wiggins, second Cadel Evans, third Nibali, 4th Menchov. 5th is Zubeldia, 6th Froome, 7th Monfort, 8th Van Den Broeck, 9th Roche, 10th Taaramae. Frank Schleck is now 15th, 3'47" down in the general classification.
Tomorrow's stage is a 42 kms long time trial and this almost makes me wanna cry. Hopefully Frankie and Menchov won't lose too much time.
So, dear readers, that's all for the moment. Have a nice evening and a nice week, and see you tomorrow (at least I hope so)!
ps: I've recently surrendered to Pottermore. Is there any fellow Slytherin out there? :P
I too was sad when Samu Sanchez had to retire. I like that guy. And speaking of people who will miss the Olympics, add Andy Schleck to the list. Today I read an official statement somewhere saying that while his injury is healing, it's not going as fast as expected. It further says he tried to climb on his bike and had to get back down almost immediately because it hurt, and that it's highly unlikely he'll be ready for the Olympics. Poor boy, it's really not his year. :(
RispondiEliminaI've been thinking about team RaNT more than I'd like to admit. I can't help it, it pains me to see the team that happens to hold many riders I like and respect basically falling apart. It doesn't exactly take a genius to see that there's something deeply wrong within that team. And if I had to put money on the reason, I'd blame it on the management. They put down their own riders in public (Jerk-an Bruyneel basically calling Frankie a liar in the Giro, the Jakob-gate, Dirk Demol basically said it's Frank's own fault he lost time in Metz...), then they publish press releases that aren't true and that riders appear to have never seen before (Andy Kloedi called bullshit on the release that said he had bad legs in La Planche des Belles Filles). And then there's the confusing part - the riders themselves actually report a good atmosphere within the team. Jensie wrote on his blog that they're having a good time together, Fabu said before leaving that the atmosphere in the team is great... If you'll allow me to rephrase your words a little, my conclusion would be that they're a group of people trying to make the best they can of being put together by mistake.
On a side note, best wishes to Fabu and his wife Stephanie who are expecting their second baby every day now. I think it's so sweet that wanted to be there for the final days and the birth!
Cristin
I'm so sad about Andy Schleck not taking part in the Olympics! And as if this wasn't enough, there are rumours according to which Andy's season could already be over... I really hope these rumours are false, otherwise I'm afraid it will be very hard for him to recover from such a bad disappointment! :(
EliminaI competely agree with everything you've said about team RaNT. The situation is terrible, although every rider is doing what he can to get good results - even if this means not having a captain or a protected rider.
As for the riders' comments about the team, Fabu, Voigt and Frank have always been good friends, so perhaps they're having fun also on this 'adventure'. Still, I remember that when LT had their first training camp last year, everyone said that it had been a success, but no one mentioned the fact that O'Grady had broken a few ribs while skiing :P Therefore, I wouldn't completely trust the riders' words - I think they're happy because they're still together after all this time, but this doesn't mean they're satisfied with the way the team works... :(
Fabu and Stephanie are now the proud parents of a little girl called Elina, which Fabian called 'the biggest gift beside our other daughter Giuliana'. That's sooo sweet!!! Also Peraud has recently become father of a little girl (Valentine), just like Mollema (he called his daughter Julien)! Lots of births in the peloton in these days ;) Of course I wish the little girls a long, happy and serene life and I congratulate their parents! :)
It does seem strange over at RaNT. Cyclingnews are saying that Jakob is apparently suing them for unpaid wages! I do sometimes think Riis must sometimes smile to himself just a little when he reads about all the problems at RaNT.
RispondiEliminaFede, I've been very impressed by Nibali, although I am very sad to see Cadel move down to 4th overall. I think I have resigned myself to the fact that Wiggins is very likely to win, though I really, really hope that the remaining stages bring us some big surprises and serious challenges. I know Sky and Wiggins have worked very hard and have ridden a very strong race, but my heart of hearts is very, very sad to see him in the yellow jersey. It must be the Aussie in me, that hates to see us lose to the Poms (British). Froome is looking very strong and one day I would love to see him set loose and winning a stage. I imagine it would be very spectacular. Speaking of winning stages, the Fabulous Jensie almost pulled off a stage win of his own! I was so excited when I saw him join the break away - he was so close and so, so deserving!
Anyway, I have my fingers crossed for some exciting racing in the Pyrenees!
Bris. Gal
My mind has no problem imagining Riis laughing like mad at the back of Team RaNT. Sometimes I wish I could turn back time and force los Schlecks and all the other riders to remain at Saxo! :P
RispondiEliminaI understand why you'd be sad if Wiggo won the Tour. I don't have anything against him, but I really do hope something will happen in the next stages. This Tour has been pretty boring so far and I hate it when a rider takes control of a race thanks to a TT and a strong team! I think Wiggo needs to prove that he's the strongest on a climb... Until then, I'm not sure I'll be happy with a victory of his :P
Nibali is impressing me too, just like Van Den Broeck and Evans. These three riders are like lions, they never stop fighting and they prefer giving it all and losing rather than arriving on the podium without trying to win. Therefore, I think (hope!) they will do their best to defeat Wiggo and his invincible armada in the next days! :)
Froome's metamorfosis over the last few years is extraordinary. I remember that once he was excluded from the Giro because the jury found out that he had been helped by a car during a climb - he's surely come a long way since then (and he's also lost a lot of kgs)! On Thursday he seemed the strongest rider, but he also showed he's very loyal to Wiggins. I wonder what could happen if Wiggo had serious troubles in one of the upcoming mountain stages!
I really hoped Jens would win that stage too. I like Voeckler, but Jensie is Jensie! He's almost 41 but he can still ride with the same energy as a neopro. The day Jens retires will be one of the darkest in cycling history! :(
I really hope we'll have some exciting stages too in the next days - we've entered the third week and now it's a matter of 'now or never' for Nibali and all the other GC contenders!!
FEDE! I was sorted into Slytherin House in November, last year.
RispondiEliminaI'd like to think Slytherin is for ambitious people who put forth their best in everything that they do, rather than the ignoble snake house :P
Ha ha, what are the chances? I'm WatchMirror48 by the way.
Oh, a fellow Slytherin (*gives big, big hug*)!! I feared I was the only one! :D
RispondiEliminaI must admit that, when the Sorting Hat made me end up in Slytherin, I almost broke into tears because I wanted to be sorted into Ravenclaw :P Still, after a few days I got used to my house. Slytherin is definitely a house for ambitious people and I must admit I'm a very ambitious person, so I can see why the Sorting Hat put me there. Moreover Snape (who was one of my favourite characters already at the beginning of the saga) was a Slytherin too, so I must admit things could have gone worse :P And hey, we've won the final cup of the year and this means we're very capable people, doesn't it? ;)
ps: I'm DragoNight12758
Technically, due to an email glitch, I was sorted twice! Ravenclaw was my other house, but since I was sorted into Slytherin first, I chose to be loyal to them.
EliminaI thought I would be an outright Ravenclaw, to be perfectly honest, so the result surprised me! I found myself questioning WHY the hat had put me there. Am I latently evil? Unheroic? Cunning? No. But, I do expect a lot from myself, and determined to succeed.
Also, I happen to like the actor who played Tom Riddle--Christian Coulson. So perhaps that hat knows my one nature, better than I do.
Alan Rickman! Fede, have you watched Anthony Minghella's Truly, Madly, Deeply? If not, do so. Don't be put off by reviews that call it the thinking man's "Ghost". Ghost is a TERRIBLE movie, and all it has in common with the former, is dead people! By that logic, if Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy is a movie about espionage, so is Austin Powers.
Oh, let's not be modest. Slytherin House is kicking ass on Pottermore :P
You were sorted into Ravenclaw? Ahah, I don't think I would have been loyal to Slytherin then ;)
RispondiEliminaLOL, I had the same doubts as you when I was sorted into Slyhterin! Am I as evil as Malfoy? Am I as arrogant as him? Am I as stupid as Goyle? Luckily the thought of Snape cheered me up a bit :P
I've never seen 'Truly, Madly, Deeply', but I remember recognising Professor Snape in 'Sense and Sensibility'. My classmates and I watched it during an English Literature lesson and when we saw Alan, we all started screaming: 'It's Snape, it's Professor Snape!' Our teacher had no idea what we were talking about, she was so shocked!
Ahah, we're definitely kicking ass on Pottermore! :D