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TODAY'S STAGE: TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 18: CONTADOR KING OF ANNECY; ARMSTRONG INTO THIRD
By Chris Henry in Annecy
July 23, 2009
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(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Alberto Contador continued to distance his rivals with a display of pure speed in Thursday's stage 18 individual time trial. Over 40.5km around the scenic Lac d'Annecy, Contador was the strongest at every time check, finishing the stage ahead of Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank). Second-place Andy Schleck rode superbly to maintain his podium position, while Lance Armtrong dragged himself back onto the podium with three stages remaining.
"I had a really big day today. I was thinking mostly about the general classification but when saw that at the first time check that I was out front, I gave it everything."
"The general classification was most important," he continued. "The stage victory was not the primary objective. I was very tired after yesterday and to win a time trial in the Tour de France is a great success."
A time trial in the third week of a grand tour is often a test of recovery and longevity more than a typical matchup of the specialists against the clock. Despite his work throughout the Tour, first in the yellow jersey then working for Andy and Frank Schleck, it was Swiss time trial ace Fabian Cancellara who set the time of reference early in the day.
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Cancellara almost took his second TT of the Tour but Contador had the last word |
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
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"The difference between this time trial and many others is that it comes after the hardest mountain stage in the Tour, and before the giant stage to Mont Ventoux, which everyone is a bit afraid of," Cancellara told French television after his ride.
While Contador was the dominant force of the day, Andy Schleck's ride demonstrated both his ability to recover after his aggressive passage through the Alps and to manage a time trial when the stakes are high.
"I was very confident this morning and I wasn't afraid of a time trial even if I'm not a favorite," Schleck said at the finish, looking relaxed and recovered just minutes after his ride. "Contador showed that he's the strongest but I gave it everything today. It wasn't a course that really suited me, with a fair amount of flat after the the climb."
His brother Frank did not enjoy the same result, slipping to sixth in the general classification. Nonetheless, four riders are not placed within a minute of each other in the overall standings with the decisive Mont Ventoux looming on the horizon. Lance Armstrong, Bradley Wiggins, Andreas Kloden and Frank Schleck will gear up for a battle royale on the slopes of the Giant of Provence.
Changing Fortunes
Changing winds and the deceptively difficult Côte de Bluffy, a third category rise peaking 12km from the finish, thwarted the chances of several riders, including Garmin-Slipstream's Bradley Wiggins, who finished in sixth position after setting early best times. Armstrong set a brisk pace in the opening kilometers but ultimately revealed the effects of fatigue during a time trial that in years past would have been his to lose.
It was a mixed result for the Texan, having reclaimed his podium position but without the usual spark that put serious time into his rivals. His place on the final podium in Paris remains tenuous with both Wiggins and Frank Schleck poised to make life difficult on the Ventoux.
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Armstrong rejoined the podium but didn't meet expectations in the time trial
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(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
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Contador himself lost precious seconds to Cancellara in the closing kilometers but held on to take an emphatic stage win and add time to his overall lead.
"I knew that Cancellara would be very fast on the descent so I had to go all out to the end," he explained.
A Giant on the Horizon
With a four-minute advantage in the overall classification, Contador looks poised to take his second yellow jersey in Paris, even if the summit of the Ventoux awaits as the final confirmation. As with all would-be winners, he continues to set a tone of modesty even as his competitors resign themselves to his superiority.
"I won ahead of some real specialists," he said of the stage victory today. "We're at the end [of the Tour] and I think the differences are made in the mountains. For the Ventoux we need to pay attention to all of the details."
"We have a good advantage but we can't afford to make mistakes," he added, perhaps admitting to the futility of his attack on the Col de la Colombiere the day before which left both Kloden and Armstrong scrambling to limit losses. "I have a great team around me, even if it's often written that there are differences among us."
As his teammate Armstrong announced plans for a new venture next year sponsored by RadioShack, Contador refused to divulge details of his own. Rumored to be joining Caisse d'Epargne, but also linked to a new team to be created with the help of his friend the Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso, the top stage race rider of the current generation seems to know only that he will part ways with Armstrong and Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel.
"I'm focused on the Tour de France," he said in response to speculation about his next move. "There are three days left and I'm going to give everything to take the yellow jersey. After Sunday I'll have some time to reflect about the future."
Stage 18: July 23, Annecy to Annecy ITT 40.5km
1. Alberto Contador (SPA/Astana) 48min 30sec (50.103 km/h)
2. Fabian Cancellara (SWI/Saxo Bank) @ 0:03
3. Mikhail Ignatiev (RUS/Katusha) @ 0:15
4. Gustav Larsson (SWE/Saxo Bank) @ 0:33
5. David Millar (GBR/Garmin-Slipstream) @ 0:41
6. Bradley Wiggins (GBR/Garmin-Slipstream) @ 0:43
7. Luis-Leon Sanchez (SPA/Caisse d'Epargne) @ 0:44
8. Christophe Moreau (FRA/Agritubel) @ 0:45
9. Andreas Kloden (GER/Astana) @ 0:54
10. David Zabriskie (USA/Garmin-Slipstream) @ 1:02
Overall Classification After Stage 18
1. Alberto Contador (SPA/Astana) 74hr 15min 39sec
2. Andy Schleck (LUX/Saxo Bank) @ 4:11
3. Lance Armstrong (USA/Astana) @ 5:25
4. Bradley Wiggins (GBR/Garmin-Slipstream) @ 5:36
5. Andreas Kloden (GER/Astana) @ 5:38
6. Frank Schleck (LUX/Saxo Bank) @ 5:59
7. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/Liquigas) @ 7:15
8. Christian Vande Velde (USA/Garmin-Slipstream) @ 10:08
9. Mikel Astarloza (SPA/Euskaltel-Euskadi) @ 12:38
10. Christophe Le Mevel (Française des Jeux) @ 12:41
Other Classifications
Green Jersey: Thor Hushovd (NOR/Cervélo TestTeam)
Polka Dot Jersey: Franco Pellizotti (ITA/Liquigas)
White Jersey: Andy Schleck (LUX/Saxo Bank)
Teams: Astana
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