2010 Paris–Nice
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Paris–Nice was the 68th running of the Paris–Nice cycling stage race, often known as the Race to the Sun. It started on 7 March and ended on 14 March in Nice
and consisted of a prologue time-trial and seven stages. Alberto Contador
of Spain won the race, regaining the title he had won in 2007. Alejandro Valverde
finished second, but his results during 2010 were expunged as part of the terms of his suspension for involvement in the 2006 Operación Puerto doping case
,
, 8 km (5 mi), individual time trial
(ITT)
The course for the prologue time trial was a relatively simple 8 km (5 mi) out-and-back ride through Montfort-l'Amaury
. It was almost entirely flat, with one small categorized climb, to award the first polka dot jersey, coming after 1.5 km (0.93205910497471 mi). The course was not very technical, as it contained just two sharp turns.
Lars Boom
and Peter Sagan
, both former cyclo-cross specialists, posted strong times early in the day, with Boom 10 seconds the better of the two. Expecting to be beaten, Boom watched overall contenders like Levi Leipheimer
, Alberto Contador
, and defending champion Luis León Sánchez
all fall short, giving the young Dutchman the win. Boom later said his cyclo-cross experience helped him, as the course covered several different types of terrain. The win gave Boom all four jerseys on the first podium – in his stead, Jens Voigt
wore the green points jersey, Sagan the white youth classification jersey, and Alejandro Valverde
the polka dot jersey for the mountains classification lead.
Prologue results and General Classification after the Prologue
to Contres
, 201.5 km (125.2 mi)
The first road race stage was a perfectly flat ride from Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines
to Contres
, heading due south.
What had the makings of a straightforward day of racing changed drastically in the final 3 km (1.9 mi), as strong crosswinds blasted the peloton. Many riders crashed, including Heinrich Haussler
, Levi Leipheimer
and Alberto Contador
, with Contador's crash serious enough to leave him wondering if he could continue the race.
The principal breakaway of the day involved Philippe Gilbert
and Tom Veelers
. They broke away 5 km (3.1 mi) into the stage. Euskaltel-Euskadi had tried to place a rider in this breakaway attempt, but their team leader Samuel Sánchez
had, incidentally, crashed moments earlier, meaning the squad had to rally around him. Gilbert and Veelers stood little chance of staying away for the stage win on such a flat course, and were caught 50 km (31.1 mi) from the finish line. After other ultimately inconsequential breakaway attempts that occurred after the catch, most of the peloton was together at the 3 km (1.9 mi) mark, when the strong winds started to blow. The winds, combined with a timely attack, made it so 15 riders gained 17 seconds on the rest of the field. Race leader Lars Boom
was in this breakaway, as were overall contenders Luis León Sánchez
and Alejandro Valverde
. Contador and Leipheimer both missed the selection because of their crashes. Team Sky's Greg Henderson
was easily the strongest sprinter in the selective final break, and took the stage win. Boom retained all four jerseys on the stage 1 podium, with Kreuziger assuming the white jersey in his stead and Voigt and Valverde continuing to wear the green and polka dot jerseys.
Stage 1 Result
General Classification after Stage 1
, 203.5 km (126.4 mi)
Stage 2 was mostly flat, but it included three third-category climbs, including the Côte de Maison Neuve at the 156 km (96.9 mi) mark, which had an average gradient of over 6%.
Another early breakaway took place on this stage, with the Dutch teams Vacansoleil and Skil-Shimano trying to prove their combativeness to the ASO to potentially get wildcard entries to the upcoming Tour de France
. Vacansoleil's Jens Mouris
and Skil-Shimano's Koen de Kort
were joined by Liquigas-Doimo rider Mauro Finetto
and Saur-Sojasun's Laurent Mangel
. Their escape, which took form just 4 km (2.5 mi) into the stage. Their maximum advantage on the Caisse d'Epargned-led peloton was 4'15", and they were easily caught with 11 km (6.8 mi) left to race. Mangel was first over the first two climbs on the day, and took over possession of the polka dot jersey from race leader Lars Boom
after the stage. Several teams tried to set up the sprint finish, but in the chaos a crash took place 500 m (1,640.4 ft) from the line, thinning the possibilities for stage winner (though all who crashed were awarded the same time as the stage winner). Peter Sagan
was in first position on the road in sight of the finish line, but he was overhauled by Bbox Bouygues Telecom rider William Bonnet
, giving that team its first win of the season on European soil. Boom retained the race leadership and the white jersey for the youth classification, and Kreuziger again wore the white jersey in his place. Luis León Sánchez
, third on the stage, took ownership of the green jersey for the points classification.
Stage 2 Result
General Classification after Stage 2
to Aurillac
, 155 km (96.3 mi)
This course, as originally designed, was undulating, with six categorized climbs. The first half contained three third-category climbs, all with gradients lesser than 6%. The second half of the course contained three second-category climbs, with the Côte de Sexcles at 300 m (984.3 ft) in ascent and 6.4% grade and the shorter but steeper Côte de la Martinie just before the finish. A quick 3 km (1.9 mi) stretch of descending followed the Côte de la Martinie before the finish line.
Due to snow in and around Saint-Junien
, the start of the third stage was moved by 53 km (32.9 mi), to Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche
. Therefore, the first two categorized climbs (category 3) were left out of the stage.
Three riders broke away 33 km (20.5 mi) into the stage. Once again, a rider was among them, on this day Yann Huguet
. Jurgen Roelandts
and Nikolas Maes
joined him, and they built a seven-minute advantage by the 67 km (41.6 mi) mark. The gap slowly fell from that point, and after Huguet and Roelandts dropped Maes they were caught with 6 km (3.7 mi) left. Six riders counter attacked on the way up the Côte de la Martinie, with Nicolas Roche and Peter Sagan
instigating the move. reacted quickly, with André Greipel
pacing Tony Martin
into the break. They were also joined by Jens Voigt
, Joaquim Rodríguez
, and Alberto Contador
. Contador pulled the group through the 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) to go mark before pulling up and finishing 2 seconds back of stage winner Sagan. Voigt assumed the overall race leadership. Sagan took both the green and white jerseys on the podium after the stage; his teammate Roman Kreuziger
wore the white jersey in the next stage.
Stage 3 Result
General Classification after Stage 3
to Mende
, 208 km (129.2 mi)
Stage 4 had many time gaps, as it included two difficult climbs in the final 7 km (4.3 mi). The second-category Côte de Chabrits, at 6.8% grade, crested at that point. Following a quick descent, the final 3 km (1.9 mi) of the stage were spent on the first-category Côte de la Croix Neuve climb in Mende, with a steady 10.7% grade.
Wild card rivals and were again active in the breakaways, placing Marco Marcato
and Albert Timmer, respectively, in the day's principal break alongside Jérôme Pineau
, Jean-Marc Marino
, Julien Loubet
, Amaël Moinard
, and Mikel Nieve
. Their advantage on the peloton hovered between three and four minutes for most of the stage, until took to pacing the main field to start to bring them back. The catch occurred 9 km (5.6 mi) from the finish line.
After other riders tried their luck and were brought back, Alberto Contador
put in an attack that no one could answer, netting him the stage win. The field finished scattered behind him, and when overnight race leader Jens Voigt
finished 44 seconds back, Contador also became the new race leader.
Stage 4 Result
General Classification after Stage 4
to Aix-en-Provence
, 153.5 km (95.4 mi)
The fifth stage was again undulating. There were four categorized climbs on course, with the last occurring 30 km (18.6 mi) from the finish line, and an uncategorized "wall" just before the stage ended.
In heavy contrast to the previous days of racing, stage five began with sunshine and warm temperatures. Sylvain Chavanel
instigated the day's first breakaway, but drilled the peloton at 45 km/h (28 mph) in the stage's second hour, meaning Chavanel's group was not away for very long. At around 50 km (31.1 mi) to go, Carlos Barredo
, Volodymir Gustov
, Sylvain Calzati
, and Rein Taaramäe
tried their luck. This group's maximum advantage was 1' 20", meaning Taaramäe was briefly race leader on the road, as he started the stage 1' 06" down to Alberto Contador
. Taaramäe took maximum mountains points on the last two climbs, protecting teammate Amaël Moinard
's newly-taken lead in the mountains classification. With 25 km (15.5 mi) remaining, after the catch occurred, set a blistering pace at the front of the main field, trying to set up Nicolas Roche for a sprint win. The pace fractured the peloton, with Levi Leipheimer
and Thomas Voeckler
notables among a large group that lost 2' 36" at the finish line.
With 3 km (1.9 mi) left to go, Peter Sagan
put in an "audacious" attack that won the young Slovak his second stage in three days. Top general classification contenders like Alejandro Valverde
and Contador finished together 2 seconds behind Sagan, as they were unable to overtake Sagan on the road. Contador referred to the day as "a terrible stage," as no team seemed able to take control of the chaotic day of racing.
Stage 5 Result
General Classification after Stage 5
to Tourrettes-sur-Loup
, 220 km (136.7 mi)
Stage six was the queen stage, with eight categorized climbs on the road. The last was the first-category Col de Vence, which had a 6.6% grade, steady for the 9.7 km (6 mi) the climb took. A steep descent and a small raise to the finish line followed.
Some big-name riders made the escape on this stage. A group of 23 formed early on, including Levi Leipheimer
, Damiano Cunego
, and Sylvain Chavanel
. Mountains classification leader Amaël Moinard
was also in the break, and took top points on five of the stage's climbs to give himself an unassailable lead in those standings. When the advantage of this group reached two minutes, the overall race lead of Alberto Contador
was threatened by Chavanel. However, Contador's team got help in pacing the main field from two teams who missed the break, namely and . On the ascent of the Col de Vence, the only riders remaining from the break were Xavier Tondó
, Alexandr Kolobnev
, Cyril Gautier
, Chavanel, and Cunego. Various attacks and splits out of the peloton eventually absorbed all but Tondó, who soloed to the finish line with a 5 second advantage over the main field, led home by Alejandro Valverde
. Only time bonuses won by Valverde and Peter Sagan
caused the overall standings to change.
Stage 6 Result
General Classification after Stage 6
, 119 km (73.9 mi)
The final stage was short, but it was far from ceremonial, containing three first-category climbs. It started and ended, after a loop, in Nice. The Col de la Porte was probably the most difficult climb in the race, reaching 1068 m (3,503.9 ft) in elevation on a 7.2% grade. After that peak, the riders descended almost to sea level again before scaling La Turbie, which was less steep but a longer climb. The Col d'Eze was the final climb of the Race to the Sun, after which the peloton descended all the way to sea level before finishing the race.
The peloton stayed together through the first hour of this stage. When Peter Sagan
won the first intermediate sprint, at the 18.5 km (11.5 mi) mark, he secured his victory in the points classification over Jens Voigt
and Alejandro Valverde
. On the ascent of the Col de la Porte, Thomas Voeckler
and mountains classification leader Amaël Moinard
slipped away and built up a two-minute gap. The chase began in earnest early on such a short stage, but because of the mountainous parcours the two still had a lead of 30 seconds on the descent of the Col d'Eze. Moinard took 28 of 30 possible mountains classification points on the day despite already having an unassailable lead in the classification. In defense of his yellow jersey, Alberto Contador
went on the attack to try to reel in Moinard and Voeckler on the ascent of the Col d'Eze, taking with him Luis León Sánchez
, Valvede, Rein Taaramäe
, and Joaquim Rodríguez
. Rodríguez was the aggressor from this group on the climb, gapping them for a time, though he was unable to bridge to the leaders. Samuel Sánchez
and Tiago Machado
bridged from the peloton to the Contador group, and Machado and Valverde also gapped them, putting in a clear threat to Contador. Contador himself was forced to tap out a pace that brought them back.
While Moinard and Voeckler were in view of the Contador group in the final kilometer, they were able to stay away to the finish line. Voeckler thought the group was closer to them than they actually were, and started his sprint for the finish line very early. Moinard easily held his wheel until the final few meters, and came around him for the victory. Valverde claimed bonus seconds for third on the stage, but it was not enough to force Contador from the top step of the final podium.
Stage 7 Result
Final General Classification
are subject to removal, and so ranking is subject to revision.
are subject to removal, and so ranking is subject to revision.
Nice
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
and consisted of a prologue time-trial and seven stages. Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
of Spain won the race, regaining the title he had won in 2007. Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is a Spanish road racing cyclist currently under suspension. He last rode for UCI ProTour team . Valverde's biggest wins have been the 2009 Vuelta a España, the Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2006, 2008 and 2006 UCI ProTour series championship...
finished second, but his results during 2010 were expunged as part of the terms of his suspension for involvement in the 2006 Operación Puerto doping case
Operación Puerto doping case
Operación Puerto is the code name of a Spanish Police operation against the doping network of Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, started in May 2006, which resulted in a scandal that involved several of the world most famous cyclists at the time.Media attention has focused on the small number of...
,
Teams competing
22 teams were invited to the 2010 Paris–Nice, including 16 of the 18 ProTour teams, and both teams that had lost that status at the end of the preceding season. The teams were:Prologue
7 March 2010 - Montfort-l'AmauryMontfort-l'Amaury
Montfort-l'Amaury is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France. It is located in the south-western suburbs of Paris N of Rambouillet....
, 8 km (5 mi), individual time trial
Individual time trial
An individual time trial is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock . There are also track-based time trials where riders compete in velodromes, and team time trials...
(ITT)
The course for the prologue time trial was a relatively simple 8 km (5 mi) out-and-back ride through Montfort-l'Amaury
Montfort-l'Amaury
Montfort-l'Amaury is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France. It is located in the south-western suburbs of Paris N of Rambouillet....
. It was almost entirely flat, with one small categorized climb, to award the first polka dot jersey, coming after 1.5 km (0.93205910497471 mi). The course was not very technical, as it contained just two sharp turns.
Lars Boom
Lars Boom
Lars Anthonius Johannes Boom is a professional cyclo-cross and road racing cyclist who was born in Vlijmen in the Netherlands. Boom rides for UCI ProTeam Rabobank cycling team, having previous ridden for the junior and continental teams. Boom won the cyclo-cross world championships in 2008...
and Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing....
, both former cyclo-cross specialists, posted strong times early in the day, with Boom 10 seconds the better of the two. Expecting to be beaten, Boom watched overall contenders like Levi Leipheimer
Levi Leipheimer
Levi Leipheimer is an American professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . His major results are winning the 2007–2009 editions of the Tour of California, the 2006 Dauphiné Libéré and the 2005 Deutschland Tour, coming in second in the 2008 Vuelta a España, third in the 2001 Vuelta a...
, Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
, and defending champion Luis León Sánchez
Luis León Sánchez
Luis León Sánchez Gil is a Spanish road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He is also known as Lulu Sanchez. He rode for team Liberty Seguros-Würth from 2004 until 2006, when he moved to the Caisse d'Epargne team following the collapse of the Liberty Seguros-Würth team in the wake of the Operación...
all fall short, giving the young Dutchman the win. Boom later said his cyclo-cross experience helped him, as the course covered several different types of terrain. The win gave Boom all four jerseys on the first podium – in his stead, Jens Voigt
Jens Voigt
Jens Voigt is a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . Voigt is known for his propensity to attack, and for his positive racing attitude. He is capable of repeated attacking, holding a high tempo, and breaking away from the peloton...
wore the green points jersey, Sagan the white youth classification jersey, and Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is a Spanish road racing cyclist currently under suspension. He last rode for UCI ProTour team . Valverde's biggest wins have been the 2009 Vuelta a España, the Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2006, 2008 and 2006 UCI ProTour series championship...
the polka dot jersey for the mountains classification lead.
Prologue results and General Classification after the Prologue
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |     |
10'56" | |
| 2 | + 3" | ||
| 3 |  |
+ 6" | |
| 4 | + 6" | ||
| 5 | + 10" | ||
| 6 | + 10" | ||
| 7 | + 11" | ||
| 8 | + 12" | ||
| 9 | + 13" | ||
| 10 | + 15" |
Stage 1
8 March 2010 - Saint-Arnoult-en-YvelinesSaint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines
Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France.-References:*...
to Contres
Contres
Contres may refer to the following places in France:*Contres, Cher, a commune in the department of Cher*Contres, Loir-et-Cher, a commune in the department of Loir-et-Cher...
, 201.5 km (125.2 mi)
The first road race stage was a perfectly flat ride from Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines
Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines
Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France.-References:*...
to Contres
Contres
Contres may refer to the following places in France:*Contres, Cher, a commune in the department of Cher*Contres, Loir-et-Cher, a commune in the department of Loir-et-Cher...
, heading due south.
What had the makings of a straightforward day of racing changed drastically in the final 3 km (1.9 mi), as strong crosswinds blasted the peloton. Many riders crashed, including Heinrich Haussler
Heinrich Haussler
Heinrich Haussler is an Australian road racing cyclist with German heritage. Haussler races for UCI ProTeam .-Early life:...
, Levi Leipheimer
Levi Leipheimer
Levi Leipheimer is an American professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . His major results are winning the 2007–2009 editions of the Tour of California, the 2006 Dauphiné Libéré and the 2005 Deutschland Tour, coming in second in the 2008 Vuelta a España, third in the 2001 Vuelta a...
and Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
, with Contador's crash serious enough to leave him wondering if he could continue the race.
The principal breakaway of the day involved Philippe Gilbert
Philippe Gilbert
Philippe Gilbert is a Belgian professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Gilbert is a classics specialist...
and Tom Veelers
Tom Veelers
Tom Veelers is a Dutch professional road bicycle racer for UCI Professional Continental team Skil-Shimano. He won the 2006 edition of U23 Paris–Roubaix.- Palmarès :20042006...
. They broke away 5 km (3.1 mi) into the stage. Euskaltel-Euskadi had tried to place a rider in this breakaway attempt, but their team leader Samuel Sánchez
Samuel Sánchez
Samuel Sánchez González is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer. He was the gold medal winner in the 2008 Beijing Olympics Men's Road Race. In recent years Sánchez has proven himself in hilly classics and stage races as one of the most important riders in the peloton...
had, incidentally, crashed moments earlier, meaning the squad had to rally around him. Gilbert and Veelers stood little chance of staying away for the stage win on such a flat course, and were caught 50 km (31.1 mi) from the finish line. After other ultimately inconsequential breakaway attempts that occurred after the catch, most of the peloton was together at the 3 km (1.9 mi) mark, when the strong winds started to blow. The winds, combined with a timely attack, made it so 15 riders gained 17 seconds on the rest of the field. Race leader Lars Boom
Lars Boom
Lars Anthonius Johannes Boom is a professional cyclo-cross and road racing cyclist who was born in Vlijmen in the Netherlands. Boom rides for UCI ProTeam Rabobank cycling team, having previous ridden for the junior and continental teams. Boom won the cyclo-cross world championships in 2008...
was in this breakaway, as were overall contenders Luis León Sánchez
Luis León Sánchez
Luis León Sánchez Gil is a Spanish road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He is also known as Lulu Sanchez. He rode for team Liberty Seguros-Würth from 2004 until 2006, when he moved to the Caisse d'Epargne team following the collapse of the Liberty Seguros-Würth team in the wake of the Operación...
and Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is a Spanish road racing cyclist currently under suspension. He last rode for UCI ProTour team . Valverde's biggest wins have been the 2009 Vuelta a España, the Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2006, 2008 and 2006 UCI ProTour series championship...
. Contador and Leipheimer both missed the selection because of their crashes. Team Sky's Greg Henderson
Greg Henderson
Gregory Henderson is a professional track and road racing cyclist who rides for , but who will ride for Lotto in 2012. His career includes winning the 15 km scratch race at the 2004 world championships and, in road cycling, winning the points competition at the 2005 Tour de Georgia. He...
was easily the strongest sprinter in the selective final break, and took the stage win. Boom retained all four jerseys on the stage 1 podium, with Kreuziger assuming the white jersey in his stead and Voigt and Valverde continuing to wear the green and polka dot jerseys.
Stage 1 Result
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4h 22'17" | ||
| 2 | s.t. | ||
| 3 | s.t. | ||
| 4 | s.t. | ||
| 5 | |
s.t. | |
| 6 | s.t. | ||
| 7 | s.t. | ||
| 8 | s.t. | ||
| 9 | s.t. | ||
| 10 | s.t. |
General Classification after Stage 1
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
4h 33' 11" | |
| 2 | + 5" | ||
| 3 | + 13" | ||
| 4 | + 14" | ||
| 5 | + 15" | ||
| 6 | + 20" | ||
| 7 | + 25" | ||
| 8 | + 25" | ||
| 9 | + 29" | ||
| 10 | + 29" |
Stage 2
9 March 2010 - Contres to LimogesLimoges
Limoges |Limousin]] dialect of Occitan) is a city and commune, the capital of the Haute-Vienne department and the administrative capital of the Limousin région in west-central France....
, 203.5 km (126.4 mi)
Stage 2 was mostly flat, but it included three third-category climbs, including the Côte de Maison Neuve at the 156 km (96.9 mi) mark, which had an average gradient of over 6%.
Another early breakaway took place on this stage, with the Dutch teams Vacansoleil and Skil-Shimano trying to prove their combativeness to the ASO to potentially get wildcard entries to the upcoming Tour de France
2010 Tour de France
The 2010 Tour de France was the 97th edition of the Tour de France cycle race, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started on with an 8.9 km prologue time trial in Rotterdam, the first start in the Netherlands since 1996...
. Vacansoleil's Jens Mouris
Jens Mouris
Jens Mouris is a Dutch racing cyclist.Mouris represented the Netherlands at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney where he took part in the 4 km team pursuit together with John den Braber, Robert Slippens and Wilco Zuijderwijk. They ended up in seventh position after being lapped by the Ukraine...
and Skil-Shimano's Koen de Kort
Koen de Kort
Koen de Kort is a Dutch professional cyclist. He grew up in Liempde in Noord Brabant. From 2002 to 2004, he was in the development team of the Rabobank cycling team. De Kort had a promising amateur career with wins in the Under 23 version of Paris–Roubaix...
were joined by Liquigas-Doimo rider Mauro Finetto
Mauro Finetto
Mauro Finetto , is a professional cyclist from Italy. He rides for UCI ProTour team .-Palmarès:20072008...
and Saur-Sojasun's Laurent Mangel
Laurent Mangel
Laurent Mangel is a French racing cyclist who rides for Saur-Sojasun. From 2005-2008 he was with UCI ProTour team .- Palmarès :* Tour de Langkawi - 1 stage * Boucles de la Mayenne - 1 stage...
. Their escape, which took form just 4 km (2.5 mi) into the stage. Their maximum advantage on the Caisse d'Epargned-led peloton was 4'15", and they were easily caught with 11 km (6.8 mi) left to race. Mangel was first over the first two climbs on the day, and took over possession of the polka dot jersey from race leader Lars Boom
Lars Boom
Lars Anthonius Johannes Boom is a professional cyclo-cross and road racing cyclist who was born in Vlijmen in the Netherlands. Boom rides for UCI ProTeam Rabobank cycling team, having previous ridden for the junior and continental teams. Boom won the cyclo-cross world championships in 2008...
after the stage. Several teams tried to set up the sprint finish, but in the chaos a crash took place 500 m (1,640.4 ft) from the line, thinning the possibilities for stage winner (though all who crashed were awarded the same time as the stage winner). Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing....
was in first position on the road in sight of the finish line, but he was overhauled by Bbox Bouygues Telecom rider William Bonnet
William Bonnet
William Bonnet is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI Professional Continental team .- Palmares :200020052006...
, giving that team its first win of the season on European soil. Boom retained the race leadership and the white jersey for the youth classification, and Kreuziger again wore the white jersey in his place. Luis León Sánchez
Luis León Sánchez
Luis León Sánchez Gil is a Spanish road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He is also known as Lulu Sanchez. He rode for team Liberty Seguros-Würth from 2004 until 2006, when he moved to the Caisse d'Epargne team following the collapse of the Liberty Seguros-Würth team in the wake of the Operación...
, third on the stage, took ownership of the green jersey for the points classification.
Stage 2 Result
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4h 22'40" | ||
| 2 | s.t. | ||
| 3 | |
s.t. | |
| 4 | s.t. | ||
| 5 | s.t. | ||
| 6 | s.t. | ||
| 7 | s.t. | ||
| 8 | s.t. | ||
| 9 | s.t. | ||
| 10 | s.t. |
General Classification after Stage 2
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
8h 55' 51" | |
| 2 | + 5" | ||
| 3 | |
+ 10" | |
| 4 | + 13" | ||
| 5 | + 15" | ||
| 6 | + 20" | ||
| 7 | + 23" | ||
| 8 | + 25" | ||
| 9 | + 25" | ||
| 10 | + 29" |
Stage 3
10 March 2010 - Saint-JunienSaint-Junien
Saint-Junien, , is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Limousin region in west-central France. Its sister city is Charleroi, Belgium.-History:...
to Aurillac
Aurillac
Aurillac is a commune in the Auvergne region in south-central France, capital of the Cantal department.Aurillac's inhabitants are called Aurillacois, and are also Cantaliens or Cantalous in Occitan....
, 155 km (96.3 mi)
This course, as originally designed, was undulating, with six categorized climbs. The first half contained three third-category climbs, all with gradients lesser than 6%. The second half of the course contained three second-category climbs, with the Côte de Sexcles at 300 m (984.3 ft) in ascent and 6.4% grade and the shorter but steeper Côte de la Martinie just before the finish. A quick 3 km (1.9 mi) stretch of descending followed the Côte de la Martinie before the finish line.
Due to snow in and around Saint-Junien
Saint-Junien
Saint-Junien, , is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Limousin region in west-central France. Its sister city is Charleroi, Belgium.-History:...
, the start of the third stage was moved by 53 km (32.9 mi), to Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche
Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche
Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Limousin region in west-central France.Its name refers to Saint Yrieix .Inhabitants are known as Arédiens.-References:*...
. Therefore, the first two categorized climbs (category 3) were left out of the stage.
Three riders broke away 33 km (20.5 mi) into the stage. Once again, a rider was among them, on this day Yann Huguet
Yann Huguet
Yann Huguet is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI Professional Continental team .- Palmares :20052006- External links :*...
. Jurgen Roelandts
Jurgen Roelandts
Jürgen Roelandts is a Belgian road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam team .-Palmares:20012002Jürgen Roelandts is a Belgian road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam team .-Palmares:2001...
and Nikolas Maes
Nikolas Maes
Nikolas Maes is a Belgian professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team .He got the first professional win of his career on the third stage of the Vuelta a Burgos around the province's capital city on August 7, 2009....
joined him, and they built a seven-minute advantage by the 67 km (41.6 mi) mark. The gap slowly fell from that point, and after Huguet and Roelandts dropped Maes they were caught with 6 km (3.7 mi) left. Six riders counter attacked on the way up the Côte de la Martinie, with Nicolas Roche and Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing....
instigating the move. reacted quickly, with André Greipel
Andre Greipel
André Greipel is a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .He currently lives in Hürth, close to Cologne in Germany...
pacing Tony Martin
Tony Martin (cyclist)
Tony Martin is a German professional road bicycle racer riding for the UCI ProTeam . Martin is known as a time trial specialist: in 2011, he won a time trial stage in the Tour de France and in the Vuelta a España, and became world champion...
into the break. They were also joined by Jens Voigt
Jens Voigt
Jens Voigt is a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . Voigt is known for his propensity to attack, and for his positive racing attitude. He is capable of repeated attacking, holding a high tempo, and breaking away from the peloton...
, Joaquim Rodríguez
Joaquim Rodríguez
Joaquim Rodríguez Oliver is a Spanish professional road racing cyclist. He has been competing since 2001, and currently rides for the UCI ProTour team .- Palmarès :2001...
, and Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
. Contador pulled the group through the 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) to go mark before pulling up and finishing 2 seconds back of stage winner Sagan. Voigt assumed the overall race leadership. Sagan took both the green and white jerseys on the podium after the stage; his teammate Roman Kreuziger
Roman Kreuziger
Roman Kreuziger is a Czech professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Kreuziger is an all-rounder, with climbing and time trial abilities, becoming a contender for the General Classification of stage races...
wore the white jersey in the next stage.
Stage 3 Result
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
3h 44'28" | |
| 2 | s.t. | ||
| 3 | s.t. | ||
| 4 | + 2" | ||
| 5 | + 2" | ||
| 6 | + 2" | ||
| 7 | + 6" | ||
| 8 | + 6" | ||
| 9 | + 6" | ||
| 10 | + 6" |
General Classification after Stage 3
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
12h 40' 26" | |
| 2 | |
+ 6" | |
| 3 | + 9" | ||
| 4 | + 12" | ||
| 5 | |
+ 14" | |
| 6 | + 20" | ||
| 7 | + 20" | ||
| 8 | + 24" | ||
| 9 | + 28" | ||
| 10 | + 28" |
Stage 4
11 March 2010 - MaursMaurs
Maurs is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France.-Population:...
to Mende
Mende, Lozère
Mende is a commune of France in the Lozère department of which it is the capital.It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mende.-Sights:* Mende Cathedral -External links:* * ,...
, 208 km (129.2 mi)
Stage 4 had many time gaps, as it included two difficult climbs in the final 7 km (4.3 mi). The second-category Côte de Chabrits, at 6.8% grade, crested at that point. Following a quick descent, the final 3 km (1.9 mi) of the stage were spent on the first-category Côte de la Croix Neuve climb in Mende, with a steady 10.7% grade.
Wild card rivals and were again active in the breakaways, placing Marco Marcato
Marco Marcato
Marco Marcato is an Italian racing cyclist currently riding for .- Palmares :200520062007...
and Albert Timmer, respectively, in the day's principal break alongside Jérôme Pineau
Jérôme Pineau
Jérôme Pineau is a French professional road bicycle racer. In 2009, he rides on the UCI ProTour for .- Major achievements :20022003-External links:*...
, Jean-Marc Marino
Jean-Marc Marino
Jean-Marc Marino is a French professional road bicycle racer who rides for Saur-Sojasun.- External links :*...
, Julien Loubet
Julien Loubet
Julien Loubet is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team .- Palmares :* Classique des Alpes U19 U23 Road Race Champion * 1st, stage 2, La Tropicale Amissa Bongo- External links :*...
, Amaël Moinard
Amaël Moinard
Amaël Moinard is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .- Palmares :2006...
, and Mikel Nieve
Mikel Nieve
Mikel Nieve Iturralde is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team Euskaltel-Euskadi. Nieve won the sixteenth stage of the 2010 Vuelta a España, and the fifteenth stage of the 2011 Giro d'Italia, with a 50 km solo, the queen stage of that years edition, which Alberto...
. Their advantage on the peloton hovered between three and four minutes for most of the stage, until took to pacing the main field to start to bring them back. The catch occurred 9 km (5.6 mi) from the finish line.
After other riders tried their luck and were brought back, Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
put in an attack that no one could answer, netting him the stage win. The field finished scattered behind him, and when overnight race leader Jens Voigt
Jens Voigt
Jens Voigt is a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . Voigt is known for his propensity to attack, and for his positive racing attitude. He is capable of repeated attacking, holding a high tempo, and breaking away from the peloton...
finished 44 seconds back, Contador also became the new race leader.
Stage 4 Result
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4h 26' 47" | ||
| 2 | |
|
+ 10" |
| 3 | + 10" | ||
| 4 | + 18" | ||
| 5 | + 20" | ||
| 6 | + 21" | ||
| 7 | + 21" | ||
| 8 | + 29" | ||
| 9 | + 29" | ||
| 10 | + 31" |
General Classification after Stage 4
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
17h 07' 23" | |
| 2 | + 24" | ||
| 3 | |
+ 25" | |
| 4 | + 28" | ||
| 5 | + 29" | ||
| 6 | + 34" | ||
| 7 | + 36" | ||
| 8 | |
+ 54" | |
| 9 | + 1' 03" | ||
| 10 | + 1' 06" |
Stage 5
12 March 2010 - Pernes-les-FontainesPernes-les-Fontaines
Pernes-les-Fontaines is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...
to Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence
Aix , or Aix-en-Provence to distinguish it from other cities built over hot springs, is a city-commune in southern France, some north of Marseille. It is in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the département of Bouches-du-Rhône, of which it is a subprefecture. The population of Aix is...
, 153.5 km (95.4 mi)
The fifth stage was again undulating. There were four categorized climbs on course, with the last occurring 30 km (18.6 mi) from the finish line, and an uncategorized "wall" just before the stage ended.
In heavy contrast to the previous days of racing, stage five began with sunshine and warm temperatures. Sylvain Chavanel
Sylvain Chavanel
Sylvain Chavanel Albira is a French professional road bicycle racer. His brother Sébastien Chavanel is also a cyclist.Chavanel started his professional career in 2000 with Jean-René Bernaudeau's team Bonjour, which became Brioches La Boulangère in 2003...
instigated the day's first breakaway, but drilled the peloton at 45 km/h (28 mph) in the stage's second hour, meaning Chavanel's group was not away for very long. At around 50 km (31.1 mi) to go, Carlos Barredo
Carlos Barredo
Carlos Barredo Llamazales is a Spanish road racing cyclist with UCI ProTeam . He was issued a suspension for the first two months of the 2011 season in response to a fight with Rui Costa after a 2010 Tour de France stage, with Barredo claiming that Costa had ridden dangerously in the final stages...
, Volodymir Gustov
Volodymir Gustov
Volodymir Gustov is a Ukrainian professional road bicycle racer, currently riding for UCI ProTeam . He began his career in 2000 with Italian team Fassa Bortolo.Before the 2002 Tour de Romandie, Gustov was tested with a hematocrit level above fifty percent...
, Sylvain Calzati
Sylvain Calzati
Sylvain Calzati is a French road bicycle racer for UCI Professional Continental team Bretagne-Schuller. He turned professional during the year 2003 with Team Barloworld. His biggest success is winning the 8th Stage in the 2006 Tour de France. He also won the Tour de l'Avenir in 2004. He currently...
, and Rein Taaramäe
Rein Taaramäe
Rein Taaramäe is an Estonian road bicycle racer for UCI Professional Continental cycling team .-Career:Taaramäe turned professional in 2008 for after riding for the team as a stagiaire in late 2007 and winning a stage at the Circuit des Ardennes early in the season. In 2008 he won two stages of...
tried their luck. This group's maximum advantage was 1' 20", meaning Taaramäe was briefly race leader on the road, as he started the stage 1' 06" down to Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
. Taaramäe took maximum mountains points on the last two climbs, protecting teammate Amaël Moinard
Amaël Moinard
Amaël Moinard is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .- Palmares :2006...
's newly-taken lead in the mountains classification. With 25 km (15.5 mi) remaining, after the catch occurred, set a blistering pace at the front of the main field, trying to set up Nicolas Roche for a sprint win. The pace fractured the peloton, with Levi Leipheimer
Levi Leipheimer
Levi Leipheimer is an American professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . His major results are winning the 2007–2009 editions of the Tour of California, the 2006 Dauphiné Libéré and the 2005 Deutschland Tour, coming in second in the 2008 Vuelta a España, third in the 2001 Vuelta a...
and Thomas Voeckler
Thomas Voeckler
Thomas Voeckler is a French professional road racing cyclist who rides for the cycling team.- Biography :Voeckler has been a professional cyclist since 2001. He rides for , formerly known as Bbox Bouygues Telecom, Bouygues Télécom, Brioches la Boulangère, and Bonjour...
notables among a large group that lost 2' 36" at the finish line.
With 3 km (1.9 mi) left to go, Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing....
put in an "audacious" attack that won the young Slovak his second stage in three days. Top general classification contenders like Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is a Spanish road racing cyclist currently under suspension. He last rode for UCI ProTour team . Valverde's biggest wins have been the 2009 Vuelta a España, the Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2006, 2008 and 2006 UCI ProTour series championship...
and Contador finished together 2 seconds behind Sagan, as they were unable to overtake Sagan on the road. Contador referred to the day as "a terrible stage," as no team seemed able to take control of the chaotic day of racing.
Stage 5 Result
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
3h 34' 15" | |
| 2 | + 2" | ||
| 3 | |
|
+ 2" |
| 4 | + 2" | ||
| 5 | + 2" | ||
| 6 | + 2" | ||
| 7 | + 2" | ||
| 8 | + 2" | ||
| 9 | + 2" | ||
| 10 | |
+ 2" |
General Classification after Stage 5
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
20h 41' 40" | |
| 2 | + 20" | ||
| 3 | |
+ 25" | |
| 4 | + 26" | ||
| 5 | + 29" | ||
| 6 | + 34" | ||
| 7 | + 36" | ||
| 8 | |
+ 42" | |
| 9 | + 1' 02" | ||
| 10 | + 1' 06" |
Stage 6
13 March 2010 - PeynierPeynier
Peynier is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
to Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.This is an artisan's village situated near Grasse. It features medieval and romanesque buildings.-Population:-External links:*...
, 220 km (136.7 mi)
Stage six was the queen stage, with eight categorized climbs on the road. The last was the first-category Col de Vence, which had a 6.6% grade, steady for the 9.7 km (6 mi) the climb took. A steep descent and a small raise to the finish line followed.
Some big-name riders made the escape on this stage. A group of 23 formed early on, including Levi Leipheimer
Levi Leipheimer
Levi Leipheimer is an American professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . His major results are winning the 2007–2009 editions of the Tour of California, the 2006 Dauphiné Libéré and the 2005 Deutschland Tour, coming in second in the 2008 Vuelta a España, third in the 2001 Vuelta a...
, Damiano Cunego
Damiano Cunego
Damiano Cunego is an Italian professional road racing cyclist who rides for the Italian UCI ProTeam . His biggest wins are the 2004 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Amstel Gold Race, and the Giro di Lombardia in 2004, 2007, 2008. He finished second in the UCI Road World Championships in 2008 and in the...
, and Sylvain Chavanel
Sylvain Chavanel
Sylvain Chavanel Albira is a French professional road bicycle racer. His brother Sébastien Chavanel is also a cyclist.Chavanel started his professional career in 2000 with Jean-René Bernaudeau's team Bonjour, which became Brioches La Boulangère in 2003...
. Mountains classification leader Amaël Moinard
Amaël Moinard
Amaël Moinard is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .- Palmares :2006...
was also in the break, and took top points on five of the stage's climbs to give himself an unassailable lead in those standings. When the advantage of this group reached two minutes, the overall race lead of Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
was threatened by Chavanel. However, Contador's team got help in pacing the main field from two teams who missed the break, namely and . On the ascent of the Col de Vence, the only riders remaining from the break were Xavier Tondó
Xavier Tondó
Xavier Tondo Volpini was a Spanish professional road racing cyclist who specialized in mountain stages of bicycle races- Death :...
, Alexandr Kolobnev
Alexandr Kolobnev
Alexandr Viktorovich Kolobnev is a Russian professional road bicycle racer on the UCI ProTour with , currently suspended after his A sample revealed doping products.-Career:...
, Cyril Gautier
Cyril Gautier
Cyril Gautier is a French road bicycle racer for UCI Professional Continental team .-Palmares:2008-External links:* *...
, Chavanel, and Cunego. Various attacks and splits out of the peloton eventually absorbed all but Tondó, who soloed to the finish line with a 5 second advantage over the main field, led home by Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is a Spanish road racing cyclist currently under suspension. He last rode for UCI ProTour team . Valverde's biggest wins have been the 2009 Vuelta a España, the Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2006, 2008 and 2006 UCI ProTour series championship...
. Only time bonuses won by Valverde and Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing....
caused the overall standings to change.
Stage 6 Result
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5h 01' 39" | ||
| 2 | |
|
+ 5" |
| 3 | |
+ 5" | |
| 4 | + 5" | ||
| 5 | + 5" | ||
| 6 | + 5" | ||
| 7 | + 5" | ||
| 8 | + 5" | ||
| 9 | + 5" | ||
| 10 | + 5" |
General Classification after Stage 6
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
25h 43' 24" | |
| 2 | + 14" | ||
| 3 | |
+ 25" | |
| 4 | + 26" | ||
| 5 | + 29" | ||
| 6 | + 34" | ||
| 7 | + 36" | ||
| 8 | |
+ 38" | |
| 9 | + 1' 02" | ||
| 10 | + 1' 06" |
Stage 7
14 March 2010 - NiceNice
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
, 119 km (73.9 mi)
The final stage was short, but it was far from ceremonial, containing three first-category climbs. It started and ended, after a loop, in Nice. The Col de la Porte was probably the most difficult climb in the race, reaching 1068 m (3,503.9 ft) in elevation on a 7.2% grade. After that peak, the riders descended almost to sea level again before scaling La Turbie, which was less steep but a longer climb. The Col d'Eze was the final climb of the Race to the Sun, after which the peloton descended all the way to sea level before finishing the race.
The peloton stayed together through the first hour of this stage. When Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan
Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing....
won the first intermediate sprint, at the 18.5 km (11.5 mi) mark, he secured his victory in the points classification over Jens Voigt
Jens Voigt
Jens Voigt is a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . Voigt is known for his propensity to attack, and for his positive racing attitude. He is capable of repeated attacking, holding a high tempo, and breaking away from the peloton...
and Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is a Spanish road racing cyclist currently under suspension. He last rode for UCI ProTour team . Valverde's biggest wins have been the 2009 Vuelta a España, the Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2006, 2008 and 2006 UCI ProTour series championship...
. On the ascent of the Col de la Porte, Thomas Voeckler
Thomas Voeckler
Thomas Voeckler is a French professional road racing cyclist who rides for the cycling team.- Biography :Voeckler has been a professional cyclist since 2001. He rides for , formerly known as Bbox Bouygues Telecom, Bouygues Télécom, Brioches la Boulangère, and Bonjour...
and mountains classification leader Amaël Moinard
Amaël Moinard
Amaël Moinard is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .- Palmares :2006...
slipped away and built up a two-minute gap. The chase began in earnest early on such a short stage, but because of the mountainous parcours the two still had a lead of 30 seconds on the descent of the Col d'Eze. Moinard took 28 of 30 possible mountains classification points on the day despite already having an unassailable lead in the classification. In defense of his yellow jersey, Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
went on the attack to try to reel in Moinard and Voeckler on the ascent of the Col d'Eze, taking with him Luis León Sánchez
Luis León Sánchez
Luis León Sánchez Gil is a Spanish road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He is also known as Lulu Sanchez. He rode for team Liberty Seguros-Würth from 2004 until 2006, when he moved to the Caisse d'Epargne team following the collapse of the Liberty Seguros-Würth team in the wake of the Operación...
, Valvede, Rein Taaramäe
Rein Taaramäe
Rein Taaramäe is an Estonian road bicycle racer for UCI Professional Continental cycling team .-Career:Taaramäe turned professional in 2008 for after riding for the team as a stagiaire in late 2007 and winning a stage at the Circuit des Ardennes early in the season. In 2008 he won two stages of...
, and Joaquim Rodríguez
Joaquim Rodríguez
Joaquim Rodríguez Oliver is a Spanish professional road racing cyclist. He has been competing since 2001, and currently rides for the UCI ProTour team .- Palmarès :2001...
. Rodríguez was the aggressor from this group on the climb, gapping them for a time, though he was unable to bridge to the leaders. Samuel Sánchez
Samuel Sánchez
Samuel Sánchez González is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer. He was the gold medal winner in the 2008 Beijing Olympics Men's Road Race. In recent years Sánchez has proven himself in hilly classics and stage races as one of the most important riders in the peloton...
and Tiago Machado
Tiago Machado
Tiago Machado is a Portuguese professional cyclist. He rides for the UCI ProTour team .-Notable Results:2008...
bridged from the peloton to the Contador group, and Machado and Valverde also gapped them, putting in a clear threat to Contador. Contador himself was forced to tap out a pace that brought them back.
While Moinard and Voeckler were in view of the Contador group in the final kilometer, they were able to stay away to the finish line. Voeckler thought the group was closer to them than they actually were, and started his sprint for the finish line very early. Moinard easily held his wheel until the final few meters, and came around him for the victory. Valverde claimed bonus seconds for third on the stage, but it was not enough to force Contador from the top step of the final podium.
Stage 7 Result
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
2h 52' 09" | |
| 2 | s.t. | ||
| 3 | |
|
+ 3" |
| 4 | |
+ 3" | |
| 5 | + 3" | ||
| 6 | + 3" | ||
| 7 | + 3" | ||
| 8 | + 3" | ||
| 9 | + 3" | ||
| 10 | |
+ 3" |
Final General Classification
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
28h 35' 35" | |
| 2 | + 11" | ||
| 3 | + 25" | ||
| 4 | |
+ 26" | |
| 5 | + 30" | ||
| 6 | + 35" | ||
| 7 | + 37" | ||
| 8 | + 1' 07" | ||
| 9 | + 1' 16" | ||
| 10 | + 1' 17" |
Classification leadership progress
| Stage | Winner | General Classification |
Points Classification |
Mountains Classification |
Young Rider Classification |
Team Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | Lars Boom Lars Boom Lars Anthonius Johannes Boom is a professional cyclo-cross and road racing cyclist who was born in Vlijmen in the Netherlands. Boom rides for UCI ProTeam Rabobank cycling team, having previous ridden for the junior and continental teams. Boom won the cyclo-cross world championships in 2008... |
Lars Boom Lars Boom Lars Anthonius Johannes Boom is a professional cyclo-cross and road racing cyclist who was born in Vlijmen in the Netherlands. Boom rides for UCI ProTeam Rabobank cycling team, having previous ridden for the junior and continental teams. Boom won the cyclo-cross world championships in 2008... |
Lars Boom Lars Boom Lars Anthonius Johannes Boom is a professional cyclo-cross and road racing cyclist who was born in Vlijmen in the Netherlands. Boom rides for UCI ProTeam Rabobank cycling team, having previous ridden for the junior and continental teams. Boom won the cyclo-cross world championships in 2008... |
Lars Boom Lars Boom Lars Anthonius Johannes Boom is a professional cyclo-cross and road racing cyclist who was born in Vlijmen in the Netherlands. Boom rides for UCI ProTeam Rabobank cycling team, having previous ridden for the junior and continental teams. Boom won the cyclo-cross world championships in 2008... |
Lars Boom Lars Boom Lars Anthonius Johannes Boom is a professional cyclo-cross and road racing cyclist who was born in Vlijmen in the Netherlands. Boom rides for UCI ProTeam Rabobank cycling team, having previous ridden for the junior and continental teams. Boom won the cyclo-cross world championships in 2008... |
|
| 1 | Greg Henderson Greg Henderson Gregory Henderson is a professional track and road racing cyclist who rides for , but who will ride for Lotto in 2012. His career includes winning the 15 km scratch race at the 2004 world championships and, in road cycling, winning the points competition at the 2005 Tour de Georgia. He... |
|||||
| 2 | William Bonnet William Bonnet William Bonnet is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI Professional Continental team .- Palmares :200020052006... |
Luis León Sánchez Luis León Sánchez Luis León Sánchez Gil is a Spanish road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He is also known as Lulu Sanchez. He rode for team Liberty Seguros-Würth from 2004 until 2006, when he moved to the Caisse d'Epargne team following the collapse of the Liberty Seguros-Würth team in the wake of the Operación... |
Laurent Mangel Laurent Mangel Laurent Mangel is a French racing cyclist who rides for Saur-Sojasun. From 2005-2008 he was with UCI ProTour team .- Palmarès :* Tour de Langkawi - 1 stage * Boucles de la Mayenne - 1 stage... |
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| 3 | Peter Sagan Peter Sagan Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing.... |
Jens Voigt Jens Voigt Jens Voigt is a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . Voigt is known for his propensity to attack, and for his positive racing attitude. He is capable of repeated attacking, holding a high tempo, and breaking away from the peloton... |
Peter Sagan Peter Sagan Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing.... |
Peter Sagan Peter Sagan Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing.... |
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| 4 | Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro... |
Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro... |
Roman Kreuziger Roman Kreuziger Roman Kreuziger is a Czech professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Kreuziger is an all-rounder, with climbing and time trial abilities, becoming a contender for the General Classification of stage races... |
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| 5 | Peter Sagan Peter Sagan Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing.... |
Amaël Moinard Amaël Moinard Amaël Moinard is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .- Palmares :2006... |
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| 6 | Xavier Tondó Xavier Tondó Xavier Tondo Volpini was a Spanish professional road racing cyclist who specialized in mountain stages of bicycle races- Death :... |
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| 7 | Amaël Moinard Amaël Moinard Amaël Moinard is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .- Palmares :2006... |
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| Final | Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro... |
Peter Sagan Peter Sagan Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing.... |
Amaël Moinard Amaël Moinard Amaël Moinard is a French professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .- Palmares :2006... |
Roman Kreuziger Roman Kreuziger Roman Kreuziger is a Czech professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . Kreuziger is an all-rounder, with climbing and time trial abilities, becoming a contender for the General Classification of stage races... |
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Final General Classification
All riders from second place downward promoted by one position due to the retroactive suspension of Alejandro ValverdeAlejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is a Spanish road racing cyclist currently under suspension. He last rode for UCI ProTour team . Valverde's biggest wins have been the 2009 Vuelta a España, the Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2006, 2008 and 2006 UCI ProTour series championship...
| Cyclist | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
28h 35' 35" | |
| 2 | + 25" | ||
| 3 | |
+ 26" | |
| 4 | + 30" | ||
| 5 | + 35" | ||
| 6 | + 37" | ||
| 7 | + 1' 07" | ||
| 8 | + 1' 16" | ||
| 9 | + 1' 17" | ||
| 10 | |
+ 1' 23" |
Points Classification
Points earned by Alejandro ValverdeAlejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is a Spanish road racing cyclist currently under suspension. He last rode for UCI ProTour team . Valverde's biggest wins have been the 2009 Vuelta a España, the Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2006, 2008 and 2006 UCI ProTour series championship...
are subject to removal, and so ranking is subject to revision.
| Cyclist | Team | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
112 | |
| 2 | |
||
| 3 | 104 | ||
| 4 | |
89 | |
| 5 | 82 | ||
| 6 | 80 | ||
| 7 | |
78 | |
| 8 | 60 | ||
| 9 | 58 | ||
| 10 | 52 |
Mountains Classification
Points earned by Alejandro ValverdeAlejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is a Spanish road racing cyclist currently under suspension. He last rode for UCI ProTour team . Valverde's biggest wins have been the 2009 Vuelta a España, the Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2006, 2008 and 2006 UCI ProTour series championship...
are subject to removal, and so ranking is subject to revision.
| Cyclist | Team | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
75 | |
| 2 | 29 | ||
| 3 | |
24 | |
| 4 | |
||
| 5 | 17 | ||
| 6 | 16 | ||
| 7 | 13 | ||
| 8 | 12 | ||
| 9 | Saur-Sojasun | 11 | |
| 10 | 11 |