Tour de France 2009...

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

The men in the break

 

Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d'Epargne)

Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel)

Christophe Riblon (Ag2r)

Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r)

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

Also known as the grupetto, the laughing group is the peloton that forms up on climbing stages, largely composed of sprinters and other non-climbers. Looking back at results in past climbing stages, you might often notice a large number of riders who finish as a group several minutes behind the winner. They ride together to benefit from the draft and the company, usually with the sole purpose of finishing within the day's time cut.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

It looks like Christophe Riblon (Ag2r) took the top points on the summit of the climb.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

Leaderboard as of the start of today's ride

 

Race Leader: Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank)

Points: Mark Cavendish (Columbia-HTC)

KOM: St

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

Up next, summiting at 136.5km, is the Category 3 Port del Comte, a 3.1 km climb, with an average grade of 5.3 percent.

 

Then comes the biggie, the hor cat

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

The last time the Tour took on the climb to Arcalis was in 1997. Indeed, that was the only time the Tour hit this climb. Jan Ullrich won that one - the 10th stage of the '97 Tour - on his way to his one and only overall Tour victory.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

Our leaders are over the Port del Comte and the peloton - still led by Astana - is working its way down the descent. The gap is still hovering around the 12-minute mark. They have about 20km of descent ahead and then it's all uphill to the finish

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

Results from the Port del Comte:

1. Christophe Riblon (Ag2r)

2. Aleksandr Kuschynski (Liquigas)

3. Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel)

4. Christophe Kern (Cofidis)

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

In case you're wondering, Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r) is the current leader on the road, having started his day in 32nd place, at 3:13. He is the highest placed rider in the break.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

With 65km remaining, the gap is still quite large at 11:30.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

Cancellara is having a spot of bother today. He's flatted twice and has been chasing quite a bit on this descent. He'll catch the field.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

With 62km remaining, Cancellara is back in the field. The Astana crew is still setting tempo at the front. The time gap is now back over 12 minutes.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

I would put my money on Martinez, if the break sticks. We'll see, though. Even though the gap is still quite large, these guys have been off the front for nearly 200km already. That's a looooooong day in the saddle and there is some serious climbing power back in the peloton.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

The gap with 51km is still 12:07. The Astana team is leading the peloton, which is stretched out in single file.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

Up front, Pineau is back at his team car getting his radio replaced. The gap, with just 44km remaining, is still 12 minutes. We may see the day's winner emerge from this group, but the more important GC race will still be happening back in the peloton, even if one of these leading riders grabs the jersey today.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

Yesterday's stage underscored just how preliminary the preliminary results are. Millar was initially listed as having finished in 17th place, crossing with the leaders. In fact, he lost about a minute once he was caught and later results corrected that.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

With 40km remaining, the gap is still at 12 minutes.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

With 38km remaining, Astana's domestiques continue to lead the peloton.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

The time gap is now 11:45.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

Our leaders have just passed into Andorra.