A Dropped Chain Costs Schleck Dearly…
Just as he was making a bid for time gains on his chief rival, Andy Schleck’s bike bucked him out of the yellow jersey. He had made the decision to attack Alberto Contador with about three kilometers to climb on the Port de Bales and although he opened up a solid advantage, he ultimately lost the battle because of a mechanical problem. His chain dropped and got wedged between his crank and the bottom bracket. Not only did her nearly crash, he had to do an emergency repair on a bike that was the same color as the jersey he would ultimately surrender in unfortunate circumstances.Contador was not going to wait around while Schleck repaired his bike and he had the support of one of the best descenders in the world for the 21km downhill to Luchon. Samuel Sanchez joined forces with Contador and Menchov to put time into Schleck who got to within 22” of the rider who began the stage 31” behind but ended it eight seconds ahead. The battle for yellow is far from over!
The Top 10 In Stage 15
The top 10 in stage 15 is: 1. Thomas Voeckler (FRA) BTL - 187.5km in 4h44’51" 2. Alessandro Ballan (ITA) BMC at 1’20" 3. Aitor Perez Arrieta (ESP) FOT at 1’20" 4. Lloyd Mondory (FRA) ALM at 2’50" 5. Luke Roberts (AUS) MRM at 2’50" 6. Francisco Reda (ITA) QST at 2’50" 7. Alberto Contador (ESP) AST at 2’50" 8. Samuel Sanchez (ESP) EUS at 2’50" 9. Denis Menchov (RUS) RAB at 2’50" 10. Brian Vandborg (DEN) LIQ at 2’50" ...12. Andy Schleck (LUX) SAX ... at 3’29"
And today, Tuesday 20 July -- Stage 16 - Bagnères-de-Luchon Pau 199.5 km
The organisers have been criticised because the Tourmalet pass (where the Jacques-Goddet memorial trophy will be awarded at the summit) is apparently too far from the finishing line. Some say that it will not bring anything to how the race develops. The only thing is neither Pau nor the Col du Tourmalet have changed place, and everything depends on the race. The riders will have to tackle Peyresourde from the start, Aspin, Tourmalet and Aubisque. Admittedly, the Aubisque pass is 60 kilometres from the finishing line, but it is followed by 30 kilometres of descent before getting to grips with the valley bottom. It is the same route (except that the stage finish was in Mourenx) as in 1969 when Eddy Merckx was victorious after a 180-kilometre breakaway. We wanted to make this stage a little tribute to him.
The destination town today is the beautiful Pau:
• 62 times a stage town
• Population: 82,000
• Prefecture of Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64)
The city of Henri IV is a mainstay of the Tour: it has gracefully hosted 62 stages of the race, surpassed only by Paris and Bordeaux. The list of prize winners in Pau is a Who’s Who of the Tour. From Alfredo Binda, who set the ball rolling in 1930, to Robic, Coppi, Bahamontes, Gimondi, Hinault, Kelly, Delgado, Chiappucci and Pereiro: all have triumphed here. Only heavyweights can hope to win in the Béarn capital, even if sprinters sometimes find a way through to the front.
Pau loves the Tour and the Tour loves Pau. This year, the stay of the Tour de France in Pau will give rise to a grand popular festival with the show “Je me souviens du Tour” (I remember the Tour), by Christian Laborde, a native of Pau, and the “64ème du nom”, a crazy caravan bringing together the Générik Vapeur troupe and Pau’s associations. Followers of the Tour and the inhabitants of Pau will thus be able to enjoy these shows and share in a moment of relaxation and friendship. In Pau, 2010 also marks the 400th anniversary of the assassination of Henri IV and the 200th anniversary of the election of Bernadotte to the throne of Sweden. Henri IV will in particular be commemorated by a parade, the illumination of the castle and the presentation of an exhibition of paintings entitled “Paris vaut bien une messe” (Paris is well worth a mass). Furthermore, in October, Pau will be organising the Basque Pelota World Championships and, in November, the national flower show.
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