Cadel Evans (BMC) claimed victory in stage 4 of the Tour de France, edging out Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) in a thrilling photo finish. This is the second career Tour de France stage win for Evans who also grabbed the King of the Mountains jersey today. George Hincapie (BMC) once again proved to be the consummate leader, working tirelessly to help shepherd Evans to the finish line including an epic pull into the final steep climb.
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) followed Contador to claim 3rd place in the stage. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) executed a 6th place finish to retain the yellow jersey and hold as the leader in the GC. Evans follows Hushovd in the GC and Frank Schleck moves up to 3rd place.
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) followed Contador to claim 3rd place in the stage. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) executed a 6th place finish to retain the yellow jersey and hold as the leader in the GC. Evans follows Hushovd in the GC and Frank Schleck moves up to 3rd place.
Contador’s 2nd place finish prompted “El Pistolero” to prematurely celebrate a 1st place win with what appeared to be a partial finger point vs. a full pull of the trigger. He executed an attack on the final stretch but where were his teammates to help when everyone around him countered? Regardless, today’s ride propelled him a bit in the GC where he now stands at #41. Contrary to what some are speculating, I don’t think Contador is “emotionally drained." But rather I think he is too mentally tough to let any external factors impact his performance. Let’s see what happens in the mountains.
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| An actual 1/2 page article with a photo..next to an ad |
The US still holds strong with both teams and riders represented in the top ranks of the Tour. I keep hoping the US media will embrace the sport beyond Lance Armstrong – and I am finally seeing signs of life. The Associated Press (AP) wrote a few stories that seem to be gaining widespread pick-up in major media. One article specifically calls out the “record tying” number of American cyclists (10) in this year’s Tour and a “growing fan base” in the US. It also cites a great quote from Hincapie: Ten Americans at the Tour de France just shows you how much the sport has grown in the U.S.,” he said. “You know people are really starting to realize what a grueling sport this is, and starting to respect it.” Another AP article highlights Tyler Farrar’s (Garmin-Cervelo) stage 3 win pointing out (1) the significance of a US win on 4th of July, (2) Farrar’s first Tour de France stage win and (3) the first American to win a stage since Levi Leipheimer won the Individual Time Trial in 2007. http://tinyurl.com/6hs5h26
Speaking of Farrar….he went head-to-head with Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) for the points in today’s intermediate sprint and solidly beat him in his continuing hunt for the green jersey.
Speaking of Cavendish….Sprinter Romain Feillu (Vacansoleil-DCM) told Cycling News that Cavendish is “arrogant like (Ricardo) Ricco.” Really?? Ricardo Ricco is a former teammate of Feillu’s who was banned from the sport for doping. While the article may make some valid observations about Cavendish, please don’t compare him to Ricco. Ricco isn’t smart enough to be arrogant. In other words he's an idiot. The 27 year old almost died in February 2011 as a result of a self transfusion with 25 day old blood. Sure Mark Cavendish may be arrogant but he’s considered by many to be the best sprinter in the world. To an extent he has earned the right to call himself “the best.” Ricco on the other hand is done as a pro cyclist and will never attain anything close to what Cavendish has accomplished so far in his career. Not to mention that according to UCI doping ranking, Cavendish is classified as a 2 on a scale of 1-10; 10 being the highest risk.
Stage 5 (Carhaix - Cap Fréhel) is one for the sprinters. Maybe another win for Tyler???? I hope so!
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