Le Tour - - - what a great race in the Pyrenees today

[Baclava]

Now it gets real....


Voeckler keeps yellow on Bastille Day



Tour de France Stage 12: Sammy Sanchez flies to victory while the GC battle heats up!

Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez of Euskaltel claimed his maiden Tour de France stage victory on the 211km 12th stage from Cugnaux to Luz Ardiden.

Samuel Sánchez of Euskatel-Euskadi won stage 12 of the 2011 Tour de France with a daring attack on the descent of the Col du Tourmalet and a scrappy climb up to the summit finish at Luz Ardiden. It was his first ever stage victory at the Tour de France.

Frenchman Thomas Voeckler, of Europcar, upset the formbook to retain the race leader's yellow jersey after the first of three consecutive days in the Pyrenees.

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2011/7/14/2275320/tour-de-france-stage-12-sammy-sanchez-flies-to-victory-while-the-gc

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Frank Schleck was a rocket, just sayin'

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OVERALL STANDING ON TIME

1.VOECKLER T.EUC51h 54'44"

2.SCHLECK F.LEO01'49"

3.EVANS C.BMC02'06"

4.SCHLECK A.LEO02'17"

5.BASSO I.LIQ03'16"

6.CUNEGO D.LAM03'22"

7.CONTADOR A.SBS04'00"
Contador, who lost over a minute to his rivals in a crash on the first stage, is now seventh overall at 4:00 behind.

[glinda]

1. I agree! What a fantastic line up also. Waiting for Andy to creep up though.

[Baclava]

2. I dunno - Haven't seen anything from Andy so far.

It was the race's first major climb, so we'll see whose legs show up tomorrow. Cadel Evans looks good, as does Frank Schleck, he was the only one who really attacke, and nobody followed.

A long way to go, and everyone is anxious to put time on Contador as it seems he's still recovering from all his crashes, I think.

[glinda]

3. Contador is a mess. Perhaps too much on his mind with future legalities. I agree about 'frank but

he and Andy have been cautious and I think biding their time. Yes, Evans also looks good.
I am impressed by the camerawork this year. My stomach feels weak going down those mountains and hills.
Personally I have no favorite yet this year. But that is ok.
I named one of my cats "Musette" after the crash with the musette and Armstrong since I got her this time of year.