Vanendert wins 14th stage; Voeckler retains yellow jersey
Source: Agencies |
July 17, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
BELGIAN rider Jelle Vanendert won yesterday's 14th stage of the Tour de France, and French cyclist Thomas Voeckler retained the race leader's yellow jersey.
Vanendert finished 21 seconds ahead of Samuel Sanchez of Spain, who beat the Frenchman to win Thursday's 12th stage, and 46 seconds in front of third-placed Andy Schleck of Luxembourg.
The contenders were expected to launch attacks in the most grueling stage of the Pyrenees so far, but Schleck only gained two seconds on defending champion Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans despite several attempts from the two-time Tour runner-up.
The 168.5-kilometer trek from Saint-Gaudens finished with a 15.8km climb to Plateau de Beille, a famed and tortuous ascent.
Schleck kept shooting glances at Contador when next to the three-time champion early in the last climb, looking to see if the Spaniard was struggling. Contador beat Schleck to win the Tour the past two years.
With about 10.5kms remaining, Schleck, Contador and Evans accelerated ahead of the main pack.
Schleck launched another attack soon after, with Contador struggling to follow until he sat on Frank Schleck's wheel and caught up a few seconds later.
When Andy Schleck attacked for the third time with 9kms left, he could not get away from Contador and Australian Evans, who was Tour runner-up in 2007 and 2008.
Having waited for his moment, Vanendert timed his attack perfectly with 6.4 kilometers left, and Sanchez left it too late to reel him in.
Today's 15th stage to Montpellier is a flat route for sprinters. A rest day follows tomorrow before the riders head to the Italian and French Alps for three more days of climbing, before a time trial on the next-to-last stage.
Vanendert finished 21 seconds ahead of Samuel Sanchez of Spain, who beat the Frenchman to win Thursday's 12th stage, and 46 seconds in front of third-placed Andy Schleck of Luxembourg.
The contenders were expected to launch attacks in the most grueling stage of the Pyrenees so far, but Schleck only gained two seconds on defending champion Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans despite several attempts from the two-time Tour runner-up.
The 168.5-kilometer trek from Saint-Gaudens finished with a 15.8km climb to Plateau de Beille, a famed and tortuous ascent.
Schleck kept shooting glances at Contador when next to the three-time champion early in the last climb, looking to see if the Spaniard was struggling. Contador beat Schleck to win the Tour the past two years.
With about 10.5kms remaining, Schleck, Contador and Evans accelerated ahead of the main pack.
Schleck launched another attack soon after, with Contador struggling to follow until he sat on Frank Schleck's wheel and caught up a few seconds later.
When Andy Schleck attacked for the third time with 9kms left, he could not get away from Contador and Australian Evans, who was Tour runner-up in 2007 and 2008.
Having waited for his moment, Vanendert timed his attack perfectly with 6.4 kilometers left, and Sanchez left it too late to reel him in.
Today's 15th stage to Montpellier is a flat route for sprinters. A rest day follows tomorrow before the riders head to the Italian and French Alps for three more days of climbing, before a time trial on the next-to-last stage.
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