The peloton's jaunt across the northwest tip of the Normandy region was the longest of the 2011 Tour de France, with yet another atypical run-in to the finish. A perfect day for a good rider to post his name in the annuals of Tour de France lore.
It was Norway's Edvold Boasson Hagan of team Sky who bolted from the field with less than 500 meters to go ahead of countryman Thor Hushovd, still clad in yellow for the fourth straight day, to win. Australian Matt Goss was set free to fly as HTC Highroad teammate Mark Cavendish didn't fancy the gritty uphill set up to the final run out of flat pavement, and finished second. For many teams, it suited their second best sprinter or lead out men; those strong men with enough kick to win a stage but perhaps don't have the top speed needed to kick past an opponent in the final 200 meters. Thus was the case for Hagan, who would ordinarily lead out Sky's young sprinter Ben Swift. It was the perfect day to cease the moment for individual glory and write his name into the history books. The young Norwegian is a good all around rider who also happens to sprint well too, and has featured well in past American major tours.
For Garmin-Cervelo is was another tough day at the quarry for riders like David Zabriskie, who despite being in the bottom of the general classification is showing incredible form riding hour upon hour of tempo at 30 mph unselfishly limiting breakaways while also destroying the back of the peloton. The team continues to impress, keeping Hushovd in the yellow leader's jersey, keeping Tyler Farrar fresh for stages and a possible final-week run at the green sprint points jersey. All that while attempting to keep climbers Tom Danielson, Ryder Hesjedal, and Christian Vande Velde protected for the big mountains ahead that will decide the final overall standings. And, incidentally, David Millar remains atop the leader board only eight second in back of teammate Hushovd. It's been a marvelous play of cards by team manager Jonathan Vaughters.
With the first week wrapping up tomorrow with a flat stage from Le Mans to Chateuroux, Garmin has been the big winner so far in the Tour. Hushovd is expected to keep the yellow jersey at least one more day and they've won two stages and almost another today.
Stage 7 prediction: The most flat stage of the Tour will be served back up to the fastest sprinters. After a lengthy stage, it will still be a healthy 218 kilometers (135 miles) and more dirty work for guys like Zabriskie. (Ah, the life of world-class cyclist. Pain and more pain.) HTC-Highroad, which featured heavily in the pace making, especially by Colorado's Danny Pate, in the chase of the breakaway Thursday, will again pick up some of the pace making after another suspected breakaway goes from the gun.) Why? To get Mark Cavendish back in position for his second stage win. This could also be a day for American Farrar, Spain's J.J. Rojas, France's Romain Feilleu. Expect a fast and furious final sprint. Expect Cavendish to notch No. 2 of this year's Tour with the others chasing for second.
No comments:
Post a Comment