Tour de France Stage 4: Lorient - Mur de Bretagne - 172.5 km

[Sophistic]

Great ride by Basso considering that this was absolutely not his type of mtf

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Kinda to be expected.

indeed.

I was pretty nervous at the base.
8 seconds is nothing to lose sleep over tho.

 

[Ferminal]

Can Radioshack make Klöden their leader now? Who cares about the big mountains, he is leading them in the first week.

 

[Jamsque]

I was anticipating Wiggo losing more than 10 seconds today, not really surprising that he couldn't follow the explosive climbers on the 12% pitches. He did well to limit his losses to 6.

 

[Gloin22]

Great ride by Uran. REally happy for him

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Ivan Basso was only 6 seconds back. His form is coming around.

 

[Havetts]

indeed.

I was pretty nervous at the base.
8 seconds is nothing to lose sleep over tho.

Gesink was on the 2nd place waaay too early before the base, but it isnt his type of finish. 8 seconds is nothing compared to what people are able to lose in the mountains.

 

[rhubroma]

This is why Contador is the best rider in the world.

He lit the course on fire, wasted all but Evans and nearly remounted to win.

Gilbert recieved certain of those blows in the face, when Contador attacked, that he was seeing stars by the finish.

On a long climb, Alberto is on a different level than the rest.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

1. EVANS Cadel 141 BMC RACING TEAM 4h 11' 39"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 SAXO BANK SUNGARD 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
3. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 61 PRO TEAM ASTANA 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
4. URAN Rigoberto 118 SKY PROCYCLING 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
5. GILBERT Philippe 32 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
6. HUSHOVD Thor 51 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
7. SCHLECK Frank 18 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
8. SANCHEZ Samuel 21 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
9. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 31 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
10. KLÖDEN Andréas 74 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"

11. WIGGINS Bradley 111 SKY PROCYCLING 4h 11' 45" + 00' 06
13. BASSO Ivan 91 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 4h 11' 45" + 00' 06"

14. CUNEGO Damiano 161 LAMPRE - ISD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
15. KREUZIGER Roman 66 PRO TEAM ASTANA 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
16. HORNER Christopher 72 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
17. GESINK Robert 41 RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
20. LEIPHEIMER Levi 75 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
21. MARTIN Tony 175 HTC - HIGHROAD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
23. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
25. FUGLSANG Jakob 13 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
26. DANIELSON Tom 52 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
27. MOLLEMA Bauke 45 RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
28. INTXAUSTI Benat 86 MOVISTAR TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
33. VAN GARDEREN Tejay 178 HTC - HIGHROAD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
34. BRAJKOVIC Janez 71 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
43. ROCHE Nicolas 101 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 11' 58" + 00' 19"

 

[will10]

need a bit more I feel...what would be an ideal points gain for him?

Ehm.....what?

 

[Parrulo]

I still do write him off, but I also knew he could win this stage, it is why I bet on him. So the point doesn't really stand that he proved us wrong or anything, he has to prove me wrong in the cols

exactly. on my post on the first stage i had him as one of the favourites for this stage. but for the general i still write him off.

Why did Gilbert chase VDB? VDB had something of a gap, Gilbert bridged... Had he let him go, who would have chased him?

Evans was brilliant, Contador took back 8 seconds on Andy, so that's welcome for some excitement in the GC.

not a good move by gilbert. i wouldn't be happy if i was VdB2 after all the work he did for gilbert on the ardennes

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

1. EVANS Cadel 141 BMC RACING TEAM 4h 11' 39"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 SAXO BANK SUNGARD 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
3. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 61 PRO TEAM ASTANA 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
4. URAN Rigoberto 118 SKY PROCYCLING 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
5. GILBERT Philippe 32 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
6. HUSHOVD Thor 51 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
7. SCHLECK Frank 18 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
8. SANCHEZ Samuel 21 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
9. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 31 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
10. KLÖDEN Andréas 74 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"

11. WIGGINS Bradley 111 SKY PROCYCLING 4h 11' 45" + 00' 06
13. BASSO Ivan 91 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 4h 11' 45" + 00' 06"

14. CUNEGO Damiano 161 LAMPRE - ISD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
15. KREUZIGER Roman 66 PRO TEAM ASTANA 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
16. HORNER Christopher 72 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
17. GESINK Robert 41 RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
20. LEIPHEIMER Levi 75 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
21. MARTIN Tony 175 HTC - HIGHROAD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
23. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
25. FUGLSANG Jakob 13 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
26. DANIELSON Tom 52 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
27. MOLLEMA Bauke 45 RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
28. INTXAUSTI Benat 86 MOVISTAR TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
33. VAN GARDEREN Tejay 178 HTC - HIGHROAD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
34. BRAJKOVIC Janez 71 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
43. ROCHE Nicolas 101 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 11' 58" + 00' 19"

amazing ride by thor really.

 

[Archibald]

Evans is in just about the perfect position in terms of GC now. He has time on every single one of his rivals and has all of Garmin-Cervelo to defend his lead until Super Besse.

but knowing how much he'll need in the mountains is he puting out too much too early, or will this (more likely) pay off for him?

 

[yourwelcome]

Kudos to Contador for making a big effort, looking at that finish a minute and a half isn't going to mean much after a few weeks.

And to Evans for still pushing his way to a stage win even after being yo-yo'd off the back minutes earlier.

Where was Andy indeed? About to listen to Rijs - scrap that and make it Frank - screaming at him to take things more seriously?

 

[thehog]

Interesting day. Played out how I thought. Show’s not many can follow Alberto’s acceleration. Andy looks to be running scared. If Conta can gain 6-8 seconds in 1km imagine what he’s going to do over 7-10km. Andy is not on form. He should have been up there. I wonder if Alberto will school him about “being up the front” when the race is unfolding?

 

[sportzchick]

Ehm.....what?

hes got some time up over andy and AC but needs more....what would be ideal

 

[SiAp1984]

No Andy. Sanchez or a RadioShack rider was the final rider. Only Frank.

Contador, he again shows who's the real boss, when he has things in control.

AC not able to drop the GC guys on a steep climb- that's new. OK, the climb was short, but it was steep enough for him. If Andy has lost some seconds that's just because this kind of climb still does not fit him (like last year when AC chased Vino down on that one stage on a similar climb). Another nice fact: No stage win for AC. Evans seems to be in great shape. Nice to see him taking the glory. Will be exciting to see what he will be able to do in the Alps or the Pyrenees. Oh, and personally I am glad that Klöden was also there today.

 

[spalco]

This is why Contador is the best rider in the world.

He lit the course on fire, wasted all but Evans and nearly remounted to win.

Gilbert recieved certain of those blows in the face, when Contador attacked, that he was seeing stars by the finish.

On a long climb, Alberto is on a different level than the rest.

I don't know, he looked strong today, but not super-human. Certainly I would go to sleep happy today if I were him, but it's far too early to celebrate.

 

[jilbiker]

Hats off to Evans and Hushovd. Great ride. Contador not as extraterrestrial as normal but still looking great.

If you have watched AC in the classics, this mountain is NOT his type at all. I think he did very well to finish second. I think he wanted to make a statement by winning. Still hard to judge the form but I think the vibrations are good. He seemed relaxed, just doesn't have the experience for these kind of classic type finish

 

[sultanofhyd]

1. EVANS Cadel 141 BMC RACING TEAM 4h 11' 39"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 SAXO BANK SUNGARD 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
3. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 61 PRO TEAM ASTANA 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
4. URAN Rigoberto 118 SKY PROCYCLING 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
5. GILBERT Philippe 32 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
6. HUSHOVD Thor 51 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
7. SCHLECK Frank 18 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
8. SANCHEZ Samuel 21 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
9. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 31 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
10. KLÖDEN Andréas 74 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"

11. WIGGINS Bradley 111 SKY PROCYCLING 4h 11' 45" + 00' 06
13. BASSO Ivan 91 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 4h 11' 45" + 00' 06"

14. CUNEGO Damiano 161 LAMPRE - ISD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
15. KREUZIGER Roman 66 PRO TEAM ASTANA 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
16. HORNER Christopher 72 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
17. GESINK Robert 41 RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
20. LEIPHEIMER Levi 75 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
21. MARTIN Tony 175 HTC - HIGHROAD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
23. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
25. FUGLSANG Jakob 13 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
26. DANIELSON Tom 52 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
27. MOLLEMA Bauke 45 RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
28. INTXAUSTI Benat 86 MOVISTAR TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
33. VAN GARDEREN Tejay 178 HTC - HIGHROAD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
34. BRAJKOVIC Janez 71 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
43. ROCHE Nicolas 101 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 11' 58" + 00' 19"

Chapeau to Intxausti for finishing up there!

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Gesink was on the 2nd place waaay too early before the base, but it isnt his type of finish. 8 seconds is nothing compared to what people are able to lose in the mountains.

yeah exactly, also I am hoping that he hits peak at the perfect time = final week.

 

[Jan the Man]

Cadel in good form. He could podium if he maintains this form. Contador looking tough to beat in the Tour even if he is 1:30 back at the moment.

 

[Kwibus]

1. EVANS Cadel 141 BMC RACING TEAM 4h 11' 39"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 SAXO BANK SUNGARD 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
3. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 61 PRO TEAM ASTANA 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
4. URAN Rigoberto 118 SKY PROCYCLING 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
5. GILBERT Philippe 32 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
6. HUSHOVD Thor 51 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
7. SCHLECK Frank 18 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
8. SANCHEZ Samuel 21 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
9. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 31 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"
10. KLÖDEN Andréas 74 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 39" + 00' 00"

11. WIGGINS Bradley 111 SKY PROCYCLING 4h 11' 45" + 00' 06
13. BASSO Ivan 91 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 4h 11' 45" + 00' 06"

14. CUNEGO Damiano 161 LAMPRE - ISD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
15. KREUZIGER Roman 66 PRO TEAM ASTANA 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
16. HORNER Christopher 72 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
17. GESINK Robert 41 RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
20. LEIPHEIMER Levi 75 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
21. MARTIN Tony 175 HTC - HIGHROAD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
23. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
25. FUGLSANG Jakob 13 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
26. DANIELSON Tom 52 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
27. MOLLEMA Bauke 45 RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
28. INTXAUSTI Benat 86 MOVISTAR TEAM 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
33. VAN GARDEREN Tejay 178 HTC - HIGHROAD 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
34. BRAJKOVIC Janez 71 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 11' 47" + 00' 08"
43. ROCHE Nicolas 101 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 11' 58" + 00' 19"

Thanks for list.
The final climb was a joy too watch.

 

[Swabian Lass]

Great finish and great result for Evans, perfect really. Best position you could hope to be in at this point. Great ride by Thor too.

Gilbert timed it wrong I reckon and Contador I'm not sure about. I thought that he might try something today, but I was expecting a little more and that he'd try to take back some of the time. I'm not reading too much into it either way though. Probably he decided it was the wrong finish to gain much on. Great stuff.

 

[reyan12]

nice Contador !!! You'd shown youre great...Show Schleck and to your critics that youre the best in the world !!!