Winners
Alberto Contador
Excellent work from his Saxo-Tinkoff has put Contador back in contention for the overall victory. A snap decision from Michael Rogers and Daniele Bennati forced the split as the team fully committed to pull a 14-man group clear. With six men in the move, Saxo-Tinkoff were able to commit as many men to drive the move as were working in the pursuing peloton, and it was this strength in numbers that allowed Contador to open up a 1:09 gap. My only concern is that the team, including Contador, were having to work incredibly hard to open this gap, and may pay for this effort in the next couple of days.
Bauke Mollema
Belkin were the other major beneficiaries of the stage. With Valverde off the back, the team were already working hard before the Contador went off the front, moving Mollema up to second place in GC. The two team leaders, Mollema and Ten Dam were then on the ball, joining the Contador group, moving them up into second a fifth place respectively. As the race enters the Alps, this puts the team in a great position to put a man on the podium in Paris, a great early return on the investment of new sponsor Belkin.
Mark Cavendish
Once again the Manxman proved what a genuine bike racer he is, realising the gravity of the situation and being the final man to make the jump across to the front group. After his disappointment yesterday, I’m sure this isn’t the way Cavendish was expecting to bounce back, but this was perhaps the finest of the 28 year old’s Tour de France victories. Of course this was helped by a poorly-timed Kittel mechanical, but that’s bike racing, and I’m sure Cavendish will be delighted to move equal to Andre Leducq on Tour stage wins.
Losers
Chris Froome
I’m still convinced that Froome is the strongest rider in the race, but today was a day to question his racing instinct, as well as to again scrutinise the strength of his team. While a few others were quick to make the decision to join the move, Froome was on his radio to the team car, and it was this indecision which led to him leaving over a minute to Contador and Mollema. Sky also only had Thomas and Stannard working on the front, not enough to combat the strength of Contador’s team. The move of Michael Rogers to Saxo-Tinkoff, and the non-selection of Christian Knees, may have made the difference for Froome today.
Alejandro Valverde
The big loser today, a poorly timed puncture led to the Spaniard, who started the day in second position, losing almost ten minutes, dropping out of contention for a decent top ten finish. This isn’t the first time Valverde has found himself in this situation, losing a minute in crosswinds on the fourth stage of the Vuelta last year. However, today he lost contact much earlier, with 86 km remaining, and did not initially seem to realise the gravity of the situation. After looking in such good form in the Pyrenees its a shame that the Movistar man is now out of contention, and he will now find himself working for Quintana instead of pursuing individual glory
Marcel Kittel
Another victim of a poorly timed mechanical. The German sprinter got his chain jammed between frame and cassette, and by the time he was back on his bike, the Omega Pharma-Quickstep driven peloton was out of reach. After his superb stage win yesterday, Kittel was many people’s favourite for the stage today, and will now have to wait for the Champs Elysees to add to his three stage wins.
Stage 14 Preview
A lumpy day as the race crosses the Beaujolais, the famous wine-producing region which some of the riders would have sampled on stage 3 of the Criterium du Dauphiné.
With seven categorised climbs this could be a tough day, although none of the climbs are tough in the context of the Tour. The urban climbs of the Cote de la Duchere and the Cote de la Croix Rousse could act as the launching pads for attacks in the finale, although the long straight finish towards the Stade de Gerland will help any chase behind.
Scenario
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the break stay clear tomorrow. The lumpy profile will deter the sprinters (although Sagan might fancy another stage win), while the tough stage today and the prospect of Mont Ventoux tomorrow will mean that the GC contenders might be content with a relatively easy day.
The make up of the break will be interesting tomorrow. Teams such as Cofidis, Sojasun, and Lampre have got nothing out of the race so far, so will be looking to put a man in the move, while riders such as Juan Antonio Flecha, Sylvain Chavanel and Thomas Voeckler always have an eye for a good break.
And what about the likes of Alejandro Valverde. The Spaniard is now over 12 minutes down on GC so might be allowed in a move, and could be able to claw back a few minutes.
Stage Win: Sylvain Chavanel
Yellow Jersey: Chris Froome
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