Meanderings along the narrow way

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 21 (Montereau-Fault-Yonne – Paris Champs-Élysées)

hopeeternal — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:01:12 +0000

Montereau-Fault-Yonne – Paris Champs-Élysées (164 km)

Today saw the final and most prestigious stage of the world’s greatest bike race after what has been a enjoyable, good humoured, scandal free and very watchable three weeks. There was time for the usual fun and chatting, with time to drink champagne toasts during the early kilometres. Everything changed as Paris was reached and we were being treated to great views of the riders along with the usual stunning views of Paris. I particularly enjoyed the close up views of the obelisk decorated with hieroglyphics originally from Luxor in Ancient Egypt and now on the Place de la Concorde, not just once but every time the race went around the circuit of central Paris. In my photo above, taken at just under 26 km to go, the serious racing was well underway.

I have enjoyed recording the scenery and locations the Tour has passed this year. The Vuelta d’Espana starts on 29th August and I may well do the same for that!

This just had to be the best finish of the entire tour, at least as far as final stage winner Mark Cavendish was concerned. He had wanted this stage so badly, almost more than any of the others. His determination showed as he won by a huge margin, aided by his team and in particular this time by Team Columbia-HTC team mate and lead out man Mark Renshaw who won himself second place. In the end it wasn’t enough to reclaim the green jersey but without the points deduction earlier in the race it would probably have belonged to Cavendish. It wasn’t just Cavendish who had huge success in this tour. Bradley Wiggins held on to his 4th place overall, the best ever Tour ride by a Briton and was only 37 seconds behind 3rd placed Lance Armstrong. Next year should be really worth watching! In the end Alberto Contador was a worthy yellow jersey winner with a lead of more than 4 minutes over second placed Andy Schleck, who also won the white jersey awarded to the best rider under 25. The Polka dot climber’s jersey and the super-combativity prize was won by Franco Pellizotti and the green jersey by Thor Hushovd.

Overall winners:
Yellow Jersey                    Alberto Contador
                     2nd                   Andy Schleck
                      3rd                   Lance Armstrong
                      4th                   Bradley Wiggins

Green Jersey                     Thor Hushovd
                     2nd                   Mark Cavendish
                      3rd                   Gerald Ciolek

Polka Dot Jersey                 Franco Pellizotti
                     2nd                    Egoi Martinez
                      3rd                    Alberto Contador

White Jersey                       Andy Schleck
                     2nd                    Vincenzo Nibali
                      3rd                    Gerald Ciolek

Super-Combative rider Franco Pellizotti

Best team                            Astana
                     2nd                     Garmin Slipstream
                      3rd                    Team Saxo Bank

Stage winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov
Stage 15 – Alberto Contador (to wear yellow for Stage 16 onwards)
Rest Day
Stage 16 – Mikel Astarloza
Stage 17 – Frank Schleck
Stage 18 – Alberto Contador
Stage 19 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 20 – Juan Manuel Garate
Stage 21 – Mark Cavendish

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Today’s pictures photographed from Eurosport coverage on Sky HD television.

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 20 (Montélimar – Mont Ventoux)

hopeeternal — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:24:39 +0000

Montélimar – Mont Ventoux (167 km)

There was only one contender for picture of the day. It had to be the imposing and arid slopes of Mont Ventoux, with its wonderful views across France. The aerial perspective, receding bands of increasingly bluer terrain, seemed to go on for ever. A truly amazing place for the penultimate finish of the 2009 tour.

The riders of todays gruelling stage were strung out along the long ascent with eventual winner Juan Manuel Garate just pipping Tony Martin, both being the last remaining riders of a breakaway group that had formed early in the race. They finished 38 seconds behind Alberto Contador who was confirmed as yellow jersey tour winner, Andy Schleck who is likely to be second and best young rider and Lance Armstrong currently in third overall place. Bradley Wiggins‘ determined ride won him 10th place in this stage, meaning he stays in 4th overall tour place. A good ride in Paris could mean a podium place, but he will have to overtake Lance Armstrong who is 37 seconds ahead: attainable but not easy! Mark Cavendish came in well down the field, which is not surprising as a climb such as this is definitely not his discipline. Let’s hope he was saving his energy for the race to the finish in Paris.Winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov
Stage 15 – Alberto Contador (to wear yellow for Stage 16)
Rest Day
Stage 16 – Mikel Astarloza
Stage 17 – Frank Schleck
Stage 18 – Alberto Contador
Stage 19 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 20 – Juan Manuel Garate

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 19 (Bourgoin – Jallieu Aubenas)

hopeeternal — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:58:49 +0000

Bourgoin-Jallieu – Aubenas (178 km)

Today was a tour of two halves, as far as scenery was concerned. Firstly the riders rode through the flatter agricultural lands around the Rhone valley, with occasional glimpses of the famous sunflower fields. Valences and La Vaulte sur Rhone looked particularly interesting with the river sparkling in the sunlight. We saw several bastide style towns, among them Alixan, red roofed spirals around a central church or fortification. Then, at Le Pouzain, the tour turned away from the river and uphill towards the major climb of the day. I was spoiled for choice for views and towns to include today, but I chose the Ardeche town of Privas (above) with its arched bridge and tiled roofs on houses and chateau.

It was wonderful to see Mark Cavendish victorious once more today, following the disaster of disqualification earlier in the tour. This is his fifth win this year and ninth overall Tour de France win, the best ever by a British rider. It will probably not be enough to overtake Thor Hushovd who seems secure in the green jersey for another year, but Cavendish’s tour is definitely not over yet. A win in Paris, well within Cavendish’s abilities, beckons if the team strategies and his undoubted skill can work together once more. Bradley Wiggins 14th place means he keeps his 4th overall place in the main competition, still behind Alberto Contador, Andy Shleck and Lance Armstrong.

Winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov
Stage 15 – Alberto Contador (to wear yellow for Stage 16)
Rest Day
Stage 16 – Mikel Astarloza
Stage 17 – Frank Schleck
Stage 18 – Alberto Contador
Stage 19 – Mark Cavendish

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 18 (Annecy Time Trial)

hopeeternal — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:35:50 +0000

Annecy – Annecy Individual Time Trial (40.5 km)

Lots of views of beautiful Lake Annecy today, although mostly from the road rather than the helicopter, as the individual time trial followed a 40k (25mile) circuit mostly around the shores the lake. We had several good views of the Chateau de Duingt on its peninsula sticking out into Lake Annecy (just visible in the picture) and Annecy town with its picturesque waterside and old Chateau.

Todays race was about calculating the intervals between the riders and how they would affect their overall race standings, although the race was actually won by current yellow jersey winner Alberto Contador. David Millar crossed the line in 5th and Bradley Wiggins in 6th place, which means Wiggins goes up to 4th in the overall classification behind Alberto Contador, Andy Shleck and Lance Armstrong.

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 17 (Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Le Grand-Bornand)

hopeeternal — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:17:09 +0000

Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Le Grand-Bornand (169.5 km)

More wonderful mountainous scenery today with a finish in the pretty chalet filled alpine town of Le Grand Bornand.

After his bad accident yesterday, it was good to hear that Jens Voigt is recovering reasonably well in hospital. Three riders finished the race together, Alberto Contador, who continues to wear the yellow jersey and looks unasailable for the top place on Sunday, sandwiched in second place between brothers from Luxembourg Frank Schleck in first place and Andy Schleck, who looks to continue to wear the best young rider white jersey to the finish, in third. Bradley Wiggins struggled today, finishing in 7th place and dropping to 5th overall, but still in touch with the leaders.

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 16 (Martigny – Bourg-Saint-Maurice)

hopeeternal — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:25:05 +0000

Martigny - Bourg-Saint-Maurice (159 km)

The Aiguille de Midi promise a wonderful view. (Aiguille is French for Needle, which is very appropriate!) There is a viewing platform perched very high up over a deep cleft between the pinnacles. We saw some wonderful alpine views today as the riders ascended and then descended both the Grand St Bernard and Petit St Bernard passes, passing from Switzerland, through Italy and back into France once more.

Winner today was Mikel Astarloza part of a four man breakaway for much of the race, but surging ahead within the last 3km to ride solo across the line. Bradley Wiggins continues to do well and is still third placed overall with the overall placings remaining mostly unchanged from yesterday. The day, however, was marred by the horrific crash of Jens Voigt on the descent from the Col de Petit St Bernard incurring a fracture of his cheekbone and concussion, forcing him to withdraw. Serious as this was it could have been so much worse. A salutory reminder of the risks of this race.

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 15 (Pontarlier – Verbier)

hopeeternal — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:30:53 +0000

Pontarlier – Verbier (207.5 km)

The tour rode across the border into Switzerland and we were treated to some stunning alpine views on the way to the finish at the ski resort of Verbier. There is a rest day tomorrow, followed by another alpine stage across Switzerland and Italy before returning to France.

The riding today, especially on the final climb, was equally stunning. Alberto Contador showed his stamina and superiority and could not be caught once he sped away from the pack on the way to the summit. Several riders rode almost as hard and it was great to see Bradley Wiggins not only staying with the pursuing group but coming across the line in 5th place several places ahead of Lance Armstrong who came in 9th. This means that Wiggins is now placed 3rd in the yellow jersey competition behind Contador, who took the overall lead for the first time today, with Lance Armstrong in second place. The standings for the green jersey remained unchanged at the end of today and following Mark Cavendish’s disqualification and points deduction yesterday it sadly looks as if his bid to win overall is probably now over.

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 14 (Colmar – Besançon)

hopeeternal — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:09:46 +0000

Colmar – Besançon (199 km)

A much better weather day today, though initially there were some very overcast skies. We saw some beautiful views of the River Doubs, alongside which the tour rode for much of the race. The finish was at Becançon, situated on a large bend in the river and overlooked by an impressive citadel built by Vauban. I stayed here many years ago but remember very little and until seeing the aerial shots today I had no idea how worthy the town of Becançon is of a second visit.

The day was marred by two events. Firstly there was tragedy with a race spectator losing her life following a collision with an outriding motorcycle. There have been near misses before and this was an accident waiting to happen. The organisers urgently need to look to see if there are any safety improvements that can be made. The race winner was Russian Sergei Ivanov. Irishman Nicolas Roche crossed the line in second place. The second event was that, following a bunch finish of a group of riders, Mark Cavendish was judged to have impeded green jersey holder Thor Hushovd on the line in a race for the valuable points. As a result Cavendish was disqualified from today’s race, losing all his points for the day. This could well be disasterous to his chance of being overall winner of the coveted green jersey at the finish of the Tour in Paris. He has a hard and uphill task ahead, quite literally in the next few days as the Tour moves into the Alpine stages. We continue to watch Briton Bradley Wiggins with interest. He is still doing well and is currently in 6th place in the yellow jersey competition and is being spoken of as a possible contender for a podium place in Paris, which would be terrific.

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 13 (Vittel – Colmar )

hopeeternal — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:12:01 +0000

Vittel – Colmar (200 km)

The television coverage today started just after the Tour left the lakeside town of Gérardmer and began the ascent of the Col de la Schlucht. Such a shame that it was such terrible weather. The Vosges scenery should have been wonderful but we saw none through the mist and driving rain. We visited Alsace in 2005 just after the Tour went through on their last visit to this region. We saw tour related roadside displays still in place and the inevitable writing on the roads where the riders had gone through just a few weeks before. Here is one of my photos of the town of Munster, definitely a place to visit again. In the foreground are the ruins of the Abbey where the famous Munster Géromé cheese was originally made by the monks. On the roof behind you can just about see the equally famous storks of the region in their giant nests, now thriving due to a very successful breeding programme following a decline in their numbers and much encouraged by the local people. The tour finished today in the town of Colmar, also well worth a visit with its picturesque houses with wooden beams and multi-coloured plaster, especially in the little Venice area.

The race was won today by Heinrich Haussler. Thor Hushovd came over the line in 6th place and takes the green jersey back from Mark Cavendish who had a fall and crossed the finish line well down the field. Bradley Wiggins is still doing well, crossing the line in 8th place and in 4th place overall in the race for the yellow jersey.

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 12 (Tonnerre – Vittel)

hopeeternal — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:30:09 +0000

Tonnerre – Vittel (211.5 km)

The ride from Tonnerre, meaning ‘thunder’ in French, passed through some pleasant and undulating rural terrain, with a few low category climbs to negotiate as the Tour rode towards Vittel in Lorraine. Early in the race we saw the towering three tier viaduct at Chaumont, with the railway running across the top and a footpath on one of the lower tiers. A real feat of 19th Century engineering. Tomorrow should be a good day, passing through places we have visited. In particular, the ride from the lakeside community of Gerardmer to Munster via the Category 2 Col de la Schlucht, which we have driven, followed by the Category 1 Col du Platzerwasel and on down into Colmar should be beautiful. Look out for the nesting storks, especially around Munster!

A breakaway of five riders were at the front for much of the race, with eventual winner Nicki Sørensen making a break for the front at 23km with Sylvain Calzati and eventually going all out for the finish just before the 5km marker. Mark Cavendish was 6minutes behind the winner but still managed to finish in front of Thor Hushovd, increasing his lead. Italian Rinaldo Nocentini is still in the yellow jersey, but may not be for much longer as they climb the Vosges tomorrow and continue on to the demanding Alpine stages. In the overall standings Lance Armstrong remains in 3rd and Briton Bradley Wiggins in 5th place, 8 seconds and 46seconds back respectively.

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)