Stage 7
We get excited when a breakaway succeeds because the peloton usually reels them in. Today Luis-Leon Sanchez did something even more impressive. He was in a breakaway that got caught around 5 km from the finish, but he attacked a few minutes later and held off the chase. And while I criticized Banesto for bringing a talented team that had not won a stage since 2005, they've won two of the first 7 this year.
Most of the yellow jersey contenders finishing together, 6 seconds behind Sanchez, whose premature celebration came close to costing him the win. The exceptions were Cunego and Zubledia, who seem to like riding in the middle of the peloton so they can get lost when the field splits because of a hill or crash. They finished in a bunch 33 seconds behind Sanchez.
All of the sprinters were in that group too (or further back). So, they didn't win any points on the finish line. Kim Kirchen, however, finished 4th, which is good for 18 points. He also won points in the second intermediate sprint. In the first sprint, Robbie Hunter and THOR! scored 6 and 2 respectively, so Kirchen attacked on the second sprint, taking 4 points while Freire got 6. So, it's clear that the sprinters have a big problem. Kirchen isn't just keeping the green jersey warm for the sprinters, he's taking this very seriously, and now has 119 points. Freire and THOR! trail with 91 and 90 points.
The KoM changed hands again today. David de la Fuente picked up 24 points today to overtake Chavanel. See, this is why we mock the poseurs who keep the KoM jersey warm before the big mountains...they aren't strong enough climbers to contest the little category 2 & 3 climbs on consecutive days. Chavanel and Voeckler didn't contend for squat today.
Most of the yellow jersey contenders finishing together, 6 seconds behind Sanchez, whose premature celebration came close to costing him the win. The exceptions were Cunego and Zubledia, who seem to like riding in the middle of the peloton so they can get lost when the field splits because of a hill or crash. They finished in a bunch 33 seconds behind Sanchez.
All of the sprinters were in that group too (or further back). So, they didn't win any points on the finish line. Kim Kirchen, however, finished 4th, which is good for 18 points. He also won points in the second intermediate sprint. In the first sprint, Robbie Hunter and THOR! scored 6 and 2 respectively, so Kirchen attacked on the second sprint, taking 4 points while Freire got 6. So, it's clear that the sprinters have a big problem. Kirchen isn't just keeping the green jersey warm for the sprinters, he's taking this very seriously, and now has 119 points. Freire and THOR! trail with 91 and 90 points.
The KoM changed hands again today. David de la Fuente picked up 24 points today to overtake Chavanel. See, this is why we mock the poseurs who keep the KoM jersey warm before the big mountains...they aren't strong enough climbers to contest the little category 2 & 3 climbs on consecutive days. Chavanel and Voeckler didn't contend for squat today.
posted by uberschuck at 10:50 AM
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