Sheffield, 6th of July – 2014
The British spectators certainly support and cheer on the Tour de France riders and today’s 201 kilometer long undulating stretch from York to Sheffield picked up where yesterday’s supporters left. It was a spectacular scene for this second stage of the big drama, Tour de France.
Seven riders, Armindo Fonseca (Bretagne-Séché Environnement), Perrig Quémeneur (Europcar), Matthew Busche (Trek), Cyril Lemoine (Cofidis), David de la Cruz (NetApp-Endura), Biel Kadri (AG2R-La Mondiale) and Bart De Clercq (Lotto-Belisol) formed the long-lasting breakaway of the day. In the peloton, Tinkoff-Saxo were at all times visible on the front securing Alberto his space and shielding him from the cheering crowd.
With 60 kilometers to go, the front group exploded and Biel Kadri (ALM) took matters into his own hands and rocketed away from his previous followers to harvest the mountain points. In the pack, Tinkoff-Saxo were significantly active in the chase as a small group were chasing between Kadri and the peloton and with 40 kilometers to go, they were all swept up.
A few kilometers later, the peloton exploded completely and already at this point, the leader of the race, Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) was distanced with more than 5 minutes. As Garmin-Sharp picked up the pace, the peloton was reduced to a select group of about 25 riders including Tinkoff-Saxo’s Michael Rogers, Nicolas Roche, Alberto Contador and all other GC favorites.
A big group however made it back to the front and Pierre Rolland (Europcar) launched an attack that lasted until 8 kilometers to go where the group took on the final climb of the day. From the top of the ascent, the GC riders took turns testing each others legs and nerves and in the end, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) launched the decisive attack and he completed his quest for the stage win and the leader’s jersey in magnificent style.
Tinkoff-Saxo´s Alberto Contador finished in the group behind with all other GC and is now 8th overall, 2 seconds behind Nibali.
DS, Philippe Mauduit states:
“It was an extremely demanding stage and it’s almost as demanding as a spring classic so it was only natural that a select group of favorites arrived in Sheffield. Our boys did their job really well. The most important thing is to keep Alberto on his bike and he was supported ally he way to the final climb. Tomorrow, it’s an ordinary sprinter stage where Astana are responsible for the pacesetting and eventually we hope to see a thrilling, safe and beautiful run-in to London where the sprinters get their chance to shine.”
