Bike World News

In today’s Tour de France news, some still sore about Cancellara “neutralization”, cobbles did not undo the GC, injury updates and more….

Stage 2:

• Some are saying that Sylvain Chavanel’s victory in Stage 2 never would have happened without the massive crash that stopped most of the field, but Chavanel says it does not minimize his victory. He says that he and Pineau chose to be in the break. [Spoken like a true cannibal - Ed.]
• More riders are saying that it was not fair for Fabian Cancellara to neutralize the finish yesterday and that they should have been allowed to sprint. Phillipe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) was the latest to weigh in, saying “The rain, the falls are integral part of our sport” in Le Soir.  [Cancellara says that it was to show solidarity for the Schleck brothers, but it's not like they are the only GC contendors that fell. - Ed.]

Stage 3:

• On to today’s stage, the abandonment of David Le Lay and Frank Schleck aside, the cobbles did not wreak the mayhem that the naysayers expected. Certainly, the cobbles separated the men from the boys, but that’s bike racing, folks.
• Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank), who was key in neutralizing the peloton yesterday, finished with the lead group of six today to move back into the race lead.
• At the finish, Cancellara’s teammate Jens Voigt was livid. “I think the ASO owes the entire Tour peloton a public apology,” an emotional Voigt screamed from his bike. “I lost one of the best friends I have in cycling, Fränk Schleck. And it was written all over the road before the stage even started. It was a stupid race, and a stupid mistake from the race organization. All I want is a public apology. They should say ‘Dear riders, it was a mistake, putting on a stage like that.’ It was stupid, it’s as simple as that.”
• Thor Hushovd had had his eye on today’s stage for some time: “To win on this day on the cobblestones really means a lot to me. The team was perfect today. I really want to compliment them. They were really motivated and they gave me so much help to keep me in a good position. I needed to stay in the front group and avoid trouble, I knew I would have a good chance. That’s what I did and I was able to win. I am really proud to win today. It was a special stage, and a nice win. I have had my eye on this stage for awhile and it’s great that it worked out.”
• Cadel Evans moved into third place overall for the BMC Racing Team by making the front group through the cobbles. Evans said the decisive selection was made on a section of pavé where teammate George Hincapie punctured. “It was probably the worst,” Evans said. “On the shoulders it was all cut up. Just to get through it as a GC rider – and get through it without losing any time – was all that I wanted. (They) weren’t going to let me go anywhere. I’m not quite built for the cobbles. With the wind and everything, there wasn’t any chance for any big heroics.”
• Big props should go out to Canadian Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions), who went clear with six others early in the race and outlasted all of his original break companions to finish with the winning group of six. The team seems focused on the loss of team leader Christian Vande Velde and the injuries of Tyler Farrar, while Hesjedal pratically ran away with today’s stage.
• Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong both struggled with the road conditions and punctures today. Contador came in 1’15″ behind with Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank), while Armstrong (RadioShack) recovered from a flat to come in 2’07″ back.
• Sylvain Chavanel was in position to defend his yellow jersey, but two flat tires and another mechanical cost him valuable time, and he ultimately finished 3’58″ to fall to fifth place in the G.C.
• Geraint Thomas claimed the white jersey (and narrowly missed the yellow) at the Tour de France after ending the brutal third stage in second place behind Thor Hushovd. The British national champion had formed part of a late six-man break on the fabled Paris-Roubaix cobbles and was only narrowly pipped to victory in the sprint finish by his Norwegian rival Thor Hushovd.
• Milram’s Linus Gerdemann was riding at the front until just before the finish, when he fell twice on the pavé. “I had the opportunity to improve (in the)overall,” Gerdemann said. “This is very annoying.”
• Milram team manager Gerry van Gerwen says that Gerdemann is particularly under pressure to succeed, as the team expects to announce their 2011 sponsor on the second rest day of the race.

Injury Updates:

• David Le Lay (AG2R) crashed on a wide, flat section of road, breaking his right collarbone and elbow. Others, including including Felline and Moreno were able to get back on their bikes and continue in the race.
• Robbie McEwen (Katusha) continues in his 13th Tour de France despite a deep laceration to his elbow. “Very deep wound and (I) lost a lot of blood,” McEwen told reporters. “Doctor says, racing will be okay. Will not be pleasant.”
• Tyler Farrar started today despite a broken wrist.  The 26-year-old sprinter also sprained his left elbow and suffered contusions, bruises and abrasions.
• Rabobank’s Robert Gesink was another rider with a broken wrist. He was expecting a painful day today, but did start the race.
• Andy Scheck rode today in spite of large bandages on his knee, hip, belly and shoulder. He looked to be in visible pain today.
• Frank Schleck was one of the few victims of the cobbles today, falling during the Sars-et-Rosieres section and breaking his collarbone.
• Team Sky’s Simon Gerrans fell at the 140 km mark. He did not break anything, but he did hit his head and suffered a black eye.

Tags: 2010 tour de france, Ag2r, alberto contador, andy schleck, BMC Racing, BMC Racing Team, cadel evans, christian vande velde, cobblestones, collarbone, David Le Lay, Fabian Cancellara, frank schleck, George Hincapie, geraint thomas, jens voigt, katusha, Lance Armstrong, linus gerdemann, Milram, omega pharma-lotto, Paris-Roubaix, Phillipe Gilbert, Robbie McEwen, Robert Gesink, Ryder Hesjedal, Saxo Bank, stage 3, Sylvain Chavanel, Thor Hushovd, Tour de France News, Tyler Farrar

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