Cycling Safari

Stage 15: Gap to L’Alpe d’Huez, 187 km / 116 mi

- by Cathy Mehl

It was the day after the Rest Day and with three tough climbs on course it was hard to predict what fireworks we would see on the Alpine slopes. Sometimes the body doesn’t perform as expected coming back from a day off, and the 156 riders that started Stage 15 knew it would require a massive effort from their fitness to get them to the finish line.

A few early attacks went away but didn’t stick before a large group of twenty-five finally escaped and quickly got a gap. From this selection Garzelli jumped away and lead the entire first climb on the HC Col d’Izoard, cresting at almost six minutes over the peloton.

The second climb saw De La Fuente gaining more mountaintop points for the polka dot jersey as the break still stayed away. Rain came down on the descending group as they headed up the valley toward L’Alpe d’Huez, meanwhile the peloton remained dry four minutes behind. Alpine showers come and go quickly in the Alps, and the riders had to be careful while taking the high speed downhill on the slippery roads.

The breakaway group continued to drive hard, maintaining their gap of four minutes and realizing they would hit the bottom of the Alpe as favorites over the peloton containing all the heavy hitters. Cunego launched an early attack but Schleck was able to respond and the two quickly moved ahead and gained an advantage. The original break behind them began to splinter apart as the GC contenders further behind organized themselves and got moving up the climb.

An acceleration by team Phonak got rid of support riders and Landis, Evans, Kloden and Menchov rode together off the front of the peloton. Menchov had trouble holding the wheels and Landis went again at 9 km to go to shake off Evans as well. Kloden still looked strong and Landis followed his wheel as the two steadily gained time on Cunego and Schleck (with remnants of the breakaway being picked up along the way).

At the front, Schleck and Cunego were joined by a non-working Mazzoleni, who eventually dropped back to support Kloden. Merckx was also picked up on the run in and Landis had some relief as his teammate paced him and supplied him with fresh water. This group continued to pick up stragglers from the day’s original break as they raced for the line.

Going under the 2 km banner, Schleck gave it full gas and rode away from Cunego, riding in solo as the first Luxembourger to ever win on L’Alpe d’Huez. Coming in eleven seconds behind was Cunego, with Floyd and group arriving over one minute later. As Oscar Pereiro tried to hold on to the yellow jersey, the clock ticked on and it was lost by ten seconds, putting Landis back in the Maillot Jaune.

History has 18 of 24 winners in Paris wearing the jersey after the stage on L’Alpe d’Huez. Will statistics hold true for Landis? Can he hang on for two more Alpine stages? Tomorrow’s stage has five big climbs, including the highest point in this year’s Tour. Rest and recovery today will play a huge part in Stage 16 on Wednesday.

* Tom Boonen (Quick-Step) abandoned today, evidently having breathing problems.