The eighth stage of the Tour de France 2010 was one filled with drama, and shuffled the top of the deck in the General Classification, while the new guard replaced the old as a severely unlucky Lance Armstrong effectively lost any chance of being a contender in his last Tour, crashing three times and trailing the other big guns past the line with a time deficit of over 11 minutes. Stage 8 was the first of the proper mountain stages, after a tester yesterday, with two heinous category 1 climbs to contend with, the second of them in the immediate lead up to the finishing line. The stage from Station des Rousses to Morzine-Avoriaz is 189 km, and this route is a very rare inclusion in the Tour, so for many, a bit of prior research would have been called for.
As the race got underway, there were several attacks and Kiryienka (GCE) was making progress in his breakaway when there was a crash at the head of the peloton which left several of the riders injured and requiring medical assistance, though they insisted on riding on. They included Evans (BMC), Pineau (QST) and Kreuziger (LIQ). Despite fresh attacks, the group reeastablished itself soon after the crash with Kiryienka swept up. By the 28 km mark six riders mounted a new escape attempt, led by Aerts (OLO), the others being Erviti (GCE), Moerenhout (RAB) and Riblon (ALM), along with Moinard and Minard from Cofidis.
(Photo of Andy Schleck, by Fliedermaus. Reproduced under Creative Commons licence.)
The leading group began to extend their lead, and in what was possibly a misjudgement, Sky riders including Wiggins led the peloton, ramping up the pace, but ultimately burning out, and unable to keep up in the latter stages of the race. It was Rabobank and GMC which took up positions at the head and tried to lead the chase. Garmin also vied for the lead positions and at the 166 km Armstrong was involved in a crash, but remounted and kicked to rejoin the peloton, helped with pacing by team mates. The effort seemed to be too much and the Col de la Ramaz – the first category 1 climb of the Tour – killed off Armstrong, as the others injected more speed into their ascent, which popped him off the back of the group. By the summit, the peloton had split into several groups: the leaders; the group containing Contador, Wiggins, Evans, Schleck and Basso among others; the Armstrong group, and a group further behind containing the Ywllow Jersey rider Chavanel.
On the ascent of the final category 1 climb of the day, the three front runners were eventually swept up 5 km from the finish, by the powerful elite group of riders. Navarro put in an inspirational effort to set pace and protect his team mate Contador as the latter fought to gain time in his quest for the Yellow Jersey. With less than 4 km to go, Wiggins legs gave up and he dropped off the back of the lead group of about 15 riders, promting a series of attacks on the final climb. None were successful until Schleck found a burst, and took off, with Sanchez the only rider left with any legs to counter. He overtook as the two riders fought out the last 500 meters, and Sanchez looked to be on his way to a stage win, but simply didn’t have enough left in the tank to complete the job, as Schleck ducked out from behind his rear wheel and pipped him at the line, getting his first ever stage win in Tours de France.
The positions in the General Classification changed again, and Armstrong is effectively out of the competition, although as far as his Team RadioShack are concerned, they still have a man in the game – Leipheimer. It will be the team’s job to support him from now on.
Here’s the state of play in the General Classification and Results for Stage 8:
1. Evans (BMC)
2. Schleck (SAX)
3. Contador (AST)
4. Van Den Broeck (OLO)
5. Menchov (RAB)
6. Hesjedal (GRM)
7. Kreuziger (LIQ)
8. Leipheimer (RSH)
9. Sanchez (EUS)
10. Rogers (HTC)
1. Schleck
2. Sanchez
3. Gesink
4. Kreuziger
5. Contador
6. Evans
7. Van Den Broeck
8. Leipheimer
9. Basso
10. Menchov
So there is a change in the awarded cycling shirts, with the Yellow Jersey going to Cadel Evans; the others remain the same after Stage 8: Green Jersey stays with Thor Hushovd; Polka Dot Jersey stays with Jerome Pineau; and the White Jersey stays firmly with Andy Schleck, who is now in second place for the Yellow.
Tomorrow is the first rest day of the Tour, and a well deserved break from the saddle. however, for several teams, not least Team RadioShack, there will be lots to think about, as they make plans of attack for the remainder of the race.
