An earlier start today for the tour, with a cooked breakfast at 8am sure to fill the group with enough energy for todays stage. A quick summary of where we stand. Current King of the Mountains leader and Most Aggressive - Mick Jamieson. Current Golden Hammer holder - Andrew T. Fastest descender - Karl. Most careful descender - Phil. Most toilet breaks in a crowded area - Creeds. Would this change today, with many points and deductions up for grabs on todays ride out and over the Col de Bales. Breakkie done, kitted up and a quick minor bike service from La Pomme and it was time to go.
The first 5 or so kilometres of today's stage were declared neutral as the group made its way through the back streets to te main road out of Luchon. John T was hovering at the back. He declared last night he planned to attack and attack hard. Perhaps he was at the back hatching his planned escape. As the group rolled its way forward, it was reasonably chilly in the shade but beautiful with the sunshine on their backs.
Passing out of the neutral zone, the flag dropped and JT got thte order from the director sportif to go and attack he did. Suddenly he was out of sight, and there was a worry he had run out of oxygen and collapsed by the road. The group continued on as no one was willing to chase. Mick noted that JT didnt have a map so we were safe as houses. A lovely rolling ride out of town. Suddenly John T attacked the group again from the back of the group. How is it possible? Is this man a magician? Again he was quickly out of sight. It was not long before we turned off heading toward Mauleon Barousse.
Where was John T. Andrew T had ramped up the pace on the front with the aim of hauling him in but he was no where to be seen. We pulled up at our turn off, looked behind and there was JT sitting ont he back of the group. This man was a magician. Soon after the turn off a climb hit the group. Some thought this was the commencement of the climb, but were bitterly disappointed. In comparison to the Port de Bales this was nothing more than a bump. Rolling landscape followed on very quiet roads. The group pulled up in the very picturesque town of Mauleon Barousse. A series of photos taken it was time to tackle the major climb of the day. The Hors Categorie Port de Bales.
John O started out riding tempo on the climb. Sanchez decided after the first 500m that it was time to come to the front and set tempo. Also to take photos to prove he was on the front of the group on a Hors Categorie climb. A solid but not astounding pace was being set for the next 3 kilometres as Sanchez continued on the front, helping to set up the climb for the GC contenders. The group were still a very long way from where the road really ramps up let along from the summit. It was safer to keep the powder dry for a little while longer yet.
Andrew T and Adrian came to the front to lift the temp slightly on the rolling terrain. The gradient had lifted to an average of 5%, then smack we came around a corner into a very large pinch and this was were the contenders would have to fight it out on their own. The peleton splintered, no shattered behind them, as Mick, Andrew T, John O & Adrian continued into the distance and then out of sight. Sanchez, followed by Creeds, follow by JT & Colin made up the second group on the road.
A quick stop for a photo where Adrian had stopped to what for the grupetto. The heat was starting to build and the second group on the road were drenched in sweat. Adrian waited for Colin, Karl & Phil, while the domestics headed off again. Meanwhile up the road the fight for the King of the Mountains was heating up and the selection was down to Mick & Andrew T. John O had floated off the back for a while, but was starting to come back. All three of them were hurting as the gradients increased to 14%. The second group trudged on "creeping" up the climb. The ride was not getting any easier, with some pretty savage ramps. Soon that group rounded a bend and you arrive out of the tree line and into pastural fields with 2 kilometres to go. The gradient had eased but the ramps had not.
The King of the Mountains was decided with Mick crossing ahead Andrew and John O battled for a strong 3rd. The second group on the road came through soon after with Sanchez, following Creeds and John T following behind. Not too long after the grupetto of sprinters made their way across the summit. Meanwhile Mark & Carol climb Superbagneres today - in a Gondola! They took some amazing photos, especially of the paragliders setting out from the top
A short break and KoM ceremony and the group hit the descent. Great roads, sweeping turns as Adrian shot ahead of the pack. The group followed with Karl charging to the front in an attempt to protect his fastest descender position. With Phil carefully patrolling the back of the group. A quick stop to what for Phil and Sanchez had a flat tyre, which Mick helped with while the rest of the group pushed on. Mick and Sanchez charged off in pursuit, part way along grabbing on to a group that dragged them along without having to work too hard.
Soon the CCW group were back together and continued the descent to where it met up with the last 5kms of the race route. After regrouping again, the CCW riders took off in search of glory as they past under the 5km to go banner. People on the roadside were cheering especially when their local hero Mick Jamieson was again conducting descending master class, Casey Stoner style.They love Aussie Mick in the Pyrenees where he is a legend and inspiration to young and aspiring riders. Watch as the descending technique takes off in the local region.
The grouped cruised into town, Sanchez on a small sly break as they passed under 1km to go sign. Sanchez had visions of glory, champagne & podium girls. They couldn't catch him as he charged to the line. 900m to go, 800m to go, 700m to go - STOP!! Enter the gendarmes. No further. Sanchez's dream of being a TdF stage winner and opening a little bar or bike shop in the Pyrenees and being set for life was torched before his very eyes. Back to reality and the rest of the CCW riders arrived and were asked to turn around and leave the road. It was now time for a drink and something to eat.
Mick & Adrian found a cafe and after standing around and scaring some Poms off, we got a couple of tables. Beers and baguettes for all after what was a pretty hard climb. Everyone enjoyed to chance to rest their legs and down their beers as we discussed what would be the approach for the afternoon. A quick chance to return to Le Poujastou (
Gite) before Mick & Adrian would drive us back down to the finish. It would also be a chance to watch the race over some of the toughest climbs around, Col du Tourmalet & Col d'Aspin.
An hour or so later all ready the group jumped in the cars and made for the day's stage finish. Everyone split up doing their own thing as they looked for a great vantage point to watch the closing of what is an epic stage on the Tour. The Tour riders climb Tourmalet & Aspin, after having already climbed Col d'Aubisque and then have to climb over the Col de Peyresourde before dropping into Bagneres-du-Luchon for the finish. Over 6000m of climbing for the tour riders on a day when it reached 40 degrees going over the Peyresourde.
Thomas Voeckler would win the stage with plenty of time back to Anker Sorensen, Vino, Jens and a smattering of others. The big shock of the day was Cadel losing nearly 5 minutes to the Yellow Jersey held by Wiggins. We were later to find out that overnight Cadel had caught a stomach bug and hence started losing time over the Aspin & Peyresourde. Many photos taken by all and it was time to head back in time for dinner back at the Gite.
A big day for all. Tomorrow is a bit more of a day of choice. Some will head to the stage start or somewhere along the route. Some will ride. Some will not. Some might head to Spain. Some may spend the entire day in bed.
Posted by David
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