Stage 13, 54km TT

The Individual 54km TT would see the GC change and the rain would keep the TT honest. At 1:31am this morning (Oz time) the results where in. Staying up was the only option as this was the stage to watch. Vino showed his pure TT ability and pulled back large time gains on the GC and moved from 19th to 9th over all. It was a good day in the office for Vino and watch this space I think Vino will be a contender after all.

Cadel blased around the course coming in second for the stage behind Vino. Cadel now sits 2nd overall with three days in the Pyrenees to come and 60 seconds off the yellow Cadel is poised to make it or break it in the mountains.

Tips for the week ahead. From the way things are looking I’m tipping Vino to slip into the top five if not even the top three if he has the legs in the mountain. Cadel will need to ride a smart race not giving time away to the other GC contenders and wait for the second TT to pull on the yellow. 

Today’s stage has seen South African Robbie Hunter get a stage win after a second a week ago. As this is Barloworld’s second stage win in the ‘07 TDF, the wildcard team is thanking the sponsors and Tour Management for inviting them to the TDF. This second win has given the team the respect they deserve in the Peloton.

All GC rider have kept safe in Stage 11 and out of the wind. Team Astana came out in the windy conditions to make a statement that Vinokourov TDF is not over yet. It appears that Vino’s medical staff have been working late into the night to keep him on the bike. Vino almost pulled the pin on Wednesdays stage, his team manager Marc Biver later said his injuries included inflammation under his kneecap, Vinokourov woke up knowing it was time to end days of struggling to stay in the race.

Robert Hunter (RSA) Team Barloworld, Stage 11. TDF 2007

Stage 11 highlights - VeloNews TV
Post Stage 11 Interview with Robbie Hunter (Team Barloworld) - VeloNews TV

It’s Jens Voigt in the break again.

I always look forward to Jens getting away in a break. This man is a work horse and never gives up and Stage 10 was one of those days. He was pipped at the post after working well with the break away, The time gains have seen him move up to 31 in the GC. Although he’s not a contendor in the GC I’m a huge Jens fan.

Stage 10 highlights
Stage 10 Jens Viogt Interview

 
Jens Voight in the break away. Stage 10. TDF 2007

Cadel, Cadel all hail for Cadel has made his mark.

The final day in the Alps has seen the top GC boys rip into each other at last. With no real time gains in the top six. I gotta take my hat off to Juan Mauricio Soler Hernandez from team Barloworld, what a day in the mountains he took off and left the lead break away for dead. Valverde and Cantador are looking good at this stage. I was impressed to see Cadel go after Cantador but was unable to stay with him to the summit. It didn’t matter in the end as Cadel stormed home for a 3rd on the day behind Valverde.

As the 54km TT is on Saturday I’m looking forward to it as this might be the point where Cadel could move into yellow. It’ll be a tough few days in the office as The Pyrenees start on Sunday. The next few days are going to long and fast with the usual break aways.

Cadel Evans, Stage 9. TDF 2007

Highlights of Stage 9 - VeloNews TV

Have a read of this article and interview with Cadel Evans on his rest day after Stage 8 of the 2007 TDF
tdf.sbs.com.au