David Millar won his fourth Tour de France stage in Annonay in the Ardèche comfortably out-sprinting Jean-Christopher Peraud and denying France a third successive stage win, while giving Scotland their first in this edition. Today is the 45th anniversary of Tommy Simpson's death on Mont Ventoux in 1967.
Millar was in the escape from early on. A group of five were allowed to stay away and build up a big lead of nearly 13 minutes once the two last Alpine climbs were over and Peter Sagan's attempt to get across to the break had been reeled back. Within the last two kilometres Peraud attacked and Millar went with him dropping the other three members of the escape group – Cyril Gautier, Robert Kiserlovski and Egol Martinez.
In the peloton bunch sprint Matthew Goss was disqualified for having moved across and leant on Peter Sagan – a very dangerous move which could have caused a big crash with everyone charging for the line.
There was no change overall with the peloton enjoying a relatively leisurely ride over the last two thirds of the stage, so Bradley Wiggins remains in Yellow. Following a crash on the descent of the Grand-Cucheron, David Moncoutie abandoned the Tour. Tom Veelers also abandoned. There are now 163 riders left.
Race standings here.
**
Fine and powerful piece in today's Guardian by Bradley Wiggins on why he would not use dope.
Mont Ventoux – Tommy Simpson died climbing up the other side of the mountain on 13th July 1967
No comments:
Post a Comment