Textbook lead out
Remember the mistake in Stage 2, when Tom Boonen's lead out man won the stage. There was no such mistake in stage 4 today. Julian Dean earned his yearly salary with a superb lead out to deliver Thor Hushovd to the finishing line. They should also thank the two guys who were at the front before Dean kicked, because those guys set such a fast pace that the field was stretched out. As Dean led Hushovd, the only one close enough to get Hushovd's wheel was Robbie Hunter.
Yesterday some moron said the green jersey was a two man race. Today Boonen and McEwen finished 8th and 16th (18 and 10 points, respectively). Meanwhile Hushovd, Hunter, Freire, and Zabel scored 35, 30, 26, and 24 points each, respectively. So, this is a substantial shift in the green jersey standings
Boonen 98
Zabel 86
McEwen 84
Hunter 81
Hushovd 79
Sebastien Chavanel 70
Gert Steegmans 66
Freire 62
Yesterday there were only 2 men within 20 points of Boonen's lead, but now there are 4.
Hushovd and Hunter have given themselves a fighting chance by going 1-2 on a day when Boonen and McEwen didn't have their A-game. One wonders if McEwen is suffering physically from the crash in stage 1--since then he has been totally average. And what about 37-year old Zabel. He finished 2nd & 4th on consecutive days. He clearly still has more in the tank than I thought.
See the FDJ rider in white on the right...why does he have his head turned in the final sprint?
photo from AFP via velonews.com
Yesterday some moron said the green jersey was a two man race. Today Boonen and McEwen finished 8th and 16th (18 and 10 points, respectively). Meanwhile Hushovd, Hunter, Freire, and Zabel scored 35, 30, 26, and 24 points each, respectively. So, this is a substantial shift in the green jersey standings
Boonen 98
Zabel 86
McEwen 84
Hunter 81
Hushovd 79
Sebastien Chavanel 70
Gert Steegmans 66
Freire 62
Yesterday there were only 2 men within 20 points of Boonen's lead, but now there are 4.
Hushovd and Hunter have given themselves a fighting chance by going 1-2 on a day when Boonen and McEwen didn't have their A-game. One wonders if McEwen is suffering physically from the crash in stage 1--since then he has been totally average. And what about 37-year old Zabel. He finished 2nd & 4th on consecutive days. He clearly still has more in the tank than I thought.
See the FDJ rider in white on the right...why does he have his head turned in the final sprint?photo from AFP via velonews.com
posted by uberschuck at 5:51 PM
1 Comments:
I've been thinking the same thing about McEwen. That wrist has to be bothering him, because he has not been the same guy since the crash. Then again, this means the sprinters should be picking up all the points they can right now, before McEwen starts to heal and puts his foot down in the final week. Which means Boonen is today's big loser.
Also, Zabel said before the Tour he wouldn't try to win the green. You think he's changing his mind? He's been in one every sprint, and he's had a huge impact on almost every stage. With McEwen suddenly looking mortal, Boonen's apparent inability to win a stage, and Hushovd needing a perfect day to win... the door is open for Zabel.
How cool would that be?
Hills tommorrow. Hopefully a breakaway will actually work.
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