As soon as it was clear that the GC contender's teams weren't going to chase the 18 man break today, we were all hoping that Michael Albasini could secure one of his famous breakaway wins. With three Category 4 climbs in the last 30 km it was the type of sprint finish that suited the Swiss strongman from OGE.
None of the riders in the break were a threat to the General Classification and with most teams represented it was always going to be an individual road race to the finish. Sojasun's Julien Simon played his cards on the last climb 5 km from the finish and was able to hold a solid 15 sec lead. With the other 17 riders in the break looking at each other and not wanting to chase and burn themselves out, it looked at one stage that Simon could possibly deliver France their first win of this year's Tour. However, with 1 km to go he started to peddle squares and the chasers closed in for great sprint finish.
Albasini rode the perfect race and timed his run to be the winner a few metres from the line, however Omega Pharma-Quickstep's Matteo Trentin came from the clouds to snatch two in a row for OPQ on the line.
Our group rode a scenic and quiet route from Gorges de la Loire to Marcigny, 65km into the race, to see the riders go by and enjoy lunch in the shade of a Bikestyle tent pitched in the town square right on the race route. It was then a quick dash to the bus to try and get to Lyon for the finish. We arrived when the riders hit the 30 km to go mark. While our clients hot-footed it to the finish near our hotel, we secured the bikes and unloaded the luggage and then settled in to watch the last 10 km on the television in the comfort of the hotel.
We have the Argos and Belkin teams in our hotel and we were lucky enough to have Koen de Kort come down for a chat before dinner. As I mentioned in a previous blog, Koen is engaged to one of our staff and led Marcel Kittel out for his last sprint victory two days ago. I got a great pic of Koen in Nouans-les-Fontaines that day and had a pic taken with him and Eric at the hotel tonight, see below. I had a great spot close to a corner and got some great pics that day so I've alos included others with Froome and OGE featured.
None of the riders in the break were a threat to the General Classification and with most teams represented it was always going to be an individual road race to the finish. Sojasun's Julien Simon played his cards on the last climb 5 km from the finish and was able to hold a solid 15 sec lead. With the other 17 riders in the break looking at each other and not wanting to chase and burn themselves out, it looked at one stage that Simon could possibly deliver France their first win of this year's Tour. However, with 1 km to go he started to peddle squares and the chasers closed in for great sprint finish.
Albasini rode the perfect race and timed his run to be the winner a few metres from the line, however Omega Pharma-Quickstep's Matteo Trentin came from the clouds to snatch two in a row for OPQ on the line.
Our group rode a scenic and quiet route from Gorges de la Loire to Marcigny, 65km into the race, to see the riders go by and enjoy lunch in the shade of a Bikestyle tent pitched in the town square right on the race route. It was then a quick dash to the bus to try and get to Lyon for the finish. We arrived when the riders hit the 30 km to go mark. While our clients hot-footed it to the finish near our hotel, we secured the bikes and unloaded the luggage and then settled in to watch the last 10 km on the television in the comfort of the hotel.
We have the Argos and Belkin teams in our hotel and we were lucky enough to have Koen de Kort come down for a chat before dinner. As I mentioned in a previous blog, Koen is engaged to one of our staff and led Marcel Kittel out for his last sprint victory two days ago. I got a great pic of Koen in Nouans-les-Fontaines that day and had a pic taken with him and Eric at the hotel tonight, see below. I had a great spot close to a corner and got some great pics that day so I've alos included others with Froome and OGE featured.
Oh inst it all so exciting Pete, am watching Mt Ventoux stage and the sky team have been so good... riveting watching, love your pickies excellent work! take care in les Alpes, Shaz.xx
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