Mount Ventoux was supposed to be the final showdown of the 2009 Tour de France. Instead, with first and second on the overall classification already decided, the GC boys decided to play cat and mouse. The result was a victory for former Spanish national champion, and breakaway hero Juan Manuel Garate, who out sprinted his escape companion Tony Martin about 50 metres from the line to conquer the mountain and win the stage. Andy Schleck, again looking comfortably easy on the final climb of a Tour, led the GC boys home in third some 30 seconds later.
Stage 20, a 167km race from Montelimar to Mount Ventoux was supposed to be a battle for the podium in Paris, but the battle never eventuated. Try as he might, Andy Schleck could not drag brother Frank up to a podium position. All the Schleck brothers managed to do was crack Andreas Kloden allowing Frank to move up from 6th to 5th. While Bradley Wiggins was cracked in the final 2 km's he managed to hold on to his 4th place by just 3 seconds from Frank Schleck. The top two in the classification, Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador never looked in trouble on the climb and could have put minutes into their rivals had the development of the race warranted it. Instead, Contador helped ensure Lance Armstrong would finish on the podium in third in Paris, while Andy Schleck helped out his brother. However they neutralised each other, and Kloden was the only loser on the day. The only other man to lose out was Mikel Astraloza who had a shocker and dropped out of the top 10 to be replaced by Roman Kreuziger. Christophe Le Mevel held onto best Frenchman 10th overall.
So tomorrow sees the parade into Paris where Alberto Contador will be crowned the Tour de France champion for the second time in his career. Andy Schleck will make the podium for the first time in second, and will wear the White Jersey for best young rider as reward for a magnificent effort. For the first time Lance Armstrong will stand on the podium as a minor place getter - finishing third on the overall classification. The GC riders will be joined by Franco Pellizotti the King of the Mountains, and most-likely Thor Husvhod will be on the podium wearing the Green Jersey.
Yellow Jersey - Alberto Contador
Green Jersey - Thor Hushovd
Polka Dot Jersey - Franco Pellizotti
White Jersey - Andy Shleck
Photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports.
Stage 20, a 167km race from Montelimar to Mount Ventoux was supposed to be a battle for the podium in Paris, but the battle never eventuated. Try as he might, Andy Schleck could not drag brother Frank up to a podium position. All the Schleck brothers managed to do was crack Andreas Kloden allowing Frank to move up from 6th to 5th. While Bradley Wiggins was cracked in the final 2 km's he managed to hold on to his 4th place by just 3 seconds from Frank Schleck. The top two in the classification, Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador never looked in trouble on the climb and could have put minutes into their rivals had the development of the race warranted it. Instead, Contador helped ensure Lance Armstrong would finish on the podium in third in Paris, while Andy Schleck helped out his brother. However they neutralised each other, and Kloden was the only loser on the day. The only other man to lose out was Mikel Astraloza who had a shocker and dropped out of the top 10 to be replaced by Roman Kreuziger. Christophe Le Mevel held onto best Frenchman 10th overall.
So tomorrow sees the parade into Paris where Alberto Contador will be crowned the Tour de France champion for the second time in his career. Andy Schleck will make the podium for the first time in second, and will wear the White Jersey for best young rider as reward for a magnificent effort. For the first time Lance Armstrong will stand on the podium as a minor place getter - finishing third on the overall classification. The GC riders will be joined by Franco Pellizotti the King of the Mountains, and most-likely Thor Husvhod will be on the podium wearing the Green Jersey.
Yellow Jersey - Alberto Contador
Green Jersey - Thor Hushovd
Polka Dot Jersey - Franco Pellizotti
White Jersey - Andy Shleck
Photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports.
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