Winners
Marcel Kittel
A superb stage win for Kittel as he confirmed his status as the fastest sprinter in this year’s Tour. Argos-Shimano timed it to perfection coming to the fore with 800m to go, and they placed the German in an excellent position thanks to great work by Koen de Kort, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the best leadout men in the business. From this position it was always Kittel’s to lose, and despite Cavendish and Greipel slowing making up ground, the Argos-Shimano rider was able to hold on to win by a relatively comfortable half a bike length.
Chris Froome
The winner of the 2013 Tour de France, such was Froome’s margin of victory that he and the rest of the Sky team were able to drop off the back of the main bunch to cross the line together, with Chris Froome at the centre of the line and key lieutenant Richie Porte alongside him.
Europcar
After being the preeminent French team for the last two Tours, with the exception of Pierre Rolland’s futile pursuit of the polka dot jersey, Europcar have been relatively quiet this year. However, they should be pleased to place Kevin Reza and Yoann Gene in the top ten, the first time the French have put two men in the top ten on the Champs Elysees for the first time since 2006. Neither of these men are ever likely to be top names, but they are good enough to pick up top tens in big races.
Losers
Mark Cavendish
The Manxman was unbeaten on the Champs Elysees and was looking to notch up his fifth successive win in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe. However, as has been the case on a number of occasions over the course of the race, the Omega Pharma-Quickstep leadout train misfired, getting overwhelmed in the final kilometre. This left Cavendish too far back going into the final corner with about six riders in front of him. Although he was making up ground on Kittel, this poor positioning meant that Cavendish was always going to struggle to reel in the German.
Lieuwe Westra
Westra was certainly the least fortunate rider of the final stage. After being ill all day, the Dutchman made it within 40 km of the finish line of the 3,403 km race before being forced to abandon, the first man to do so on the final stage since Joseph Bruyere in 1977. The Vacansoleil man hadn’t been at his best during the Tour, getting in a few breaks but failing to pick up any results, but I can only imagine what it must feel like to have to abandon the Tour de France, yet alone on the Champs Elysees.
Stage 22 Preview
If like me you’re already suffering from Tour withdrawal symptoms, then you can begin the 347 day countdown to the start of the 2014 Tour in Leeds on Saturday 5th July. The race will kick off with three stages in the UK, two in Yorkshire and one in southeast England.
The first stage will be from Leeds to Harrogate and should be a lumpy test across the Yorkshire Dales. The race will be up and down all day, but although there should only be two or three categorised climbs, the final third of the stage should be relatively flat with a chance of a sprint finish, although perhaps slightly uphill. Will Mark Cavendish fancy picking up yellow on British roads or will Peter Sagan spoil the party?
Stage 2 will be much more testing as the race crosses the peak district on its way to the finish in Sheffield. There will be a number of longer testing climbs (although I doubt any will be given second category status) as well as some shorter steeper climbs in the final 30 km. Definitely one for the puncheurs, although perhaps we could see some early attacks from the GC men.
The final stage in Britain will start in Cambridge, and is certain to be one for the sprinters as the race heads towards London and a finish on the Mall.
As for the rest of the route, that will be announced on 24th October although one day after the finish of the 2013 race, rumours are already circulating about the route of next year’s race.
With the start in the UK it seems natural that the race will jump across the Channel to north east France, where it will commemorate WWI, passing through Ypres, perhaps making a friendly visit to Germany and also including cobbles for the first time since 2010. From there the talk is that we will head towards two stages in the Alps, possibly by way of a summit finish at the Planche des Belle Filles. The race will also visit the Massif Central for the first time since 2011, before heading to the Pyrenees for a number of stages which should decide the race.
As I say, this is currently nothing more than informed speculation, so be sure to check back here in October for full analysis of the route as soon as it is announced.
Student Cyclist 