Tour de France – Stage 20

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Germany’s World Champion tester Tony Martin dominates the Time Trial whilst Jean-Christophe Péraud takes 2nd on GC from Pinot

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Tour de France – Stage 20

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While Vincenzo Nibali’s first victory in the Tour de France was already certain, France claimed back some of its past glory by placing two men on the race podium for the first time in 30 years after Saturday’s final time trial in Perigueux, won by Tony Martin.

260714-OPQS-TDF-Stage-20---Martin-Action-_Tim-De-Waele

Photo – OPQS-Tim De Waele

The German’s success was as predictable as Nibali’s GC triumph yet the minor placings on the podium in Paris were up for grabs and Jean-Christophe Peraud used his experience and rouleur skills to clinch a runner-up spot while Thibaut Pinot emerged as the rising star of the sport by salvaging a third place overall, at 24.

He was not born the last time two local riders had been in the top three in 1984 when Laurent Fignon beat Bernard Hinault to claim his second Tour de France.

Danny Pate sets the tone
Lying some six hours behind Nibali overall after 18 stages, Ji Cheng was the first in action. But the first Chinese rider to take part in the Tour de France did not have the chance to set a reference time as he was overtaken 13 km from the line by Italy’s Davide Cimolai, who started two minutes behind him.

The Italian was in turn erased from the tables by French champion Arnaud Demare, then by Adrien Petit, who in turn left his temporary top spot to Vladimir Isaychev. The first real pace setter was Danny Pate, who completed the course at an average speed of 46.7 kph.

Barta a gear higher
Czech Jan Barta (Netapp-Endura), elected the most aggressive rider on stage 3 in London, took over by becoming the first rider under 1:09 with a time of 1:08.08. It was again a very temporary lead as Tony Martin was soon in action and improved the Czech’s mark at each intermediate timing to be faster on the line by 1:47.

The German’s average speed of 48.8 kph was below that of the over 50 kph reached by Miguel Indurain on the same course in 1994. Along the way, the Omega Pharma Quick Step TT machine, already winner of a remarkable stage in Mulhouse, overtook three riders, Molard, Oss and Purito Rodriguez.

Valverde falters
All the later starters did not have many illusions of stage winning but some fared pretty well like Dutch champion Tom Dumoulin, who set the second fastest time on 1:08.1, 1:39 slower than the German time trial supremo. But the battle for GC honours was lit up the stage when the top five riders started in turn.

While Tejay Van Garderen gradually took the upper hand over Romain Bardet, the first real upset was the disappointing performance of Alejandro Valverde, who was only 41st after 19 kilometres. Bauke Mollema was also struggling, losing his spot as the top Dutchman in the GC to team-mate Laurens Ten Dam.

Besides Tony Martin, the strong man on the day was Jean-Christophe Peraud, who despite a puncture,rode a solid time trial to finish 7th and overtake Thibaut Pinot for second place in the GC before the final stage to the Champs-Elysees.

Pinot, not known as a specialist before this stage, proved he has made considerable progress in the effort against the watch to finish 12th and salvage a place on the podium.

While Valverde retained his 4th place, American Tejay Van Garderen beat Frenchman Romain Bardet for the top 5 by just two seconds. The frustration must be all the more bitter for Bardet as he, like Peraud, suffered a flat tyre in the final kilometres of his ride.

Czech Loepold Koenig, an unheralded 7th overall and veteran Spaniard Haimar Zubeldia, who made it in the top 10 of the Tour for the fifth time, are the other leading riders in this finishing Tour.

REACTIONS

Tony Martin – “The team really did a great job for me in this time trial,” Martin said. “They paid attention to all the details. I had a clear idea of the parcours in advance. Then I went this morning to see the roads and I was really happy. It wasn’t really flat, but also not super hilly”.

“There were always parts with two or three percent gradients, with uphills and downhills. You could go with a big gear, such as my 58-tooth chainring. It was just perfect for me. We discussed with Specialized before what wheels and tyres we would ride, we found the right setup, and I had a good feeling the whole race on my Shiv”.

“We used the Turbo tires that are super smooth on the road. The whole time I was motivated. To have this kind of a perfect race at the Tour de France time trial, and get my second stage win, it’s really unbelievable for me and I’m very proud.”

“My bike that I used today, with a new graphic, is super fast,” Martin said. “Specialized wanted to make a nice special graphic of the Shiv for this stage. We have worked together with Specialized for a long time on finding a time trial bike that could show my power and suit my skills. This Shiv is the product of a lot of collaboration, but they also added a special flare with the graphic today”.

“The victory today was another great Tour de France time trial victory added to my palmares,” Martin said. “I already won two time trials, so I am proud to now have a third win. But, I have to say, to win a road race and knowing 5 kilometers before the finish you would already win, it’s an unbelievable feeling”.

“We were all really sad when we learned Mark Cavendish couldn’t continue the Tour de France after the first stage,” Martin said. “In the beginning we were really down, but already on the second stage we continued fighting. We always showed we’re a strong team. We wanted to fight for Cav and win stages. We were able to win three stages with a great team spirit”.

“I’m really proud of how we stayed together and kept fighting. Now we all can be really happy and can enjoy one or two glasses of champagne tonight. We will celebrate and then look to Paris tomorrow with big motivation.”

 

Thibaut Pinot: “I’m very happy with my time trial. I knew I could do it. I’ve done decent time trials all year and I was feeling great those past few days so I wasn’t worried. I was under pressure but it was a positive pressure. The crowd was great. I was in a fight against Valverde”.

“I’m only 24 year old, he’s older than me. After three weeks of hard racing, it might be an advantage to be young. As for Jean-Christophe Péraud, I knew he was a serious opponent. I can be satisfied because I’m not that far down on him.”

“I’m happy that we’re two Frenchmen on the podium. To say the truth, I find it hard to realize that I’m on the final podium of the Tour de France. Winning the Tour de France will be another story. Nibali is eight minutes ahead of me, it’s enormous! It’s still a long way to go…”
Vincenzo Nibali: “I’m very happy. I’ve felt a bit of tension today but it’s normal I guess. I wanted to do well in this time trial. It wasn’t an easy course. It was a perfect one for specialists like Tony Martin. I was looking forward to reach the finish. It required a big effort to ride the course. I’m pleased to have set the fourth best time.”

“I haven’t realized yet how big it is to win the Tour de France. I’ll keep that for tomorrow. It’s difficult to ride the Tour but the beauty of it is to cycle on the Champs-Elysées. That’s the biggest memory I’ve kept from my first participation: the lap of honour, the enormous number of people, Paris’ monuments… I’ll try to savour my victory as much as I can. Every moment will count.”

“As for my future, I don’t think I’ll ride the Vuelta this year. I might give a go to the world championship but I’m not sure if the circuit in Ponferrada suits me really. I’ve already given a big try last year in Florence… After winning the Vuelta, the Giro and the Tour, I’ll keep focusing on Grand Tours but I’d also like to crown it all with a rainbow jersey one year.”

 

Alejandro Valverde: “More or less, I knew what was going on. I was informed of the gaps to my rivals. I was aware all the way long that I was losing the podium. I’ve tried to do well but my body responded ‘no’. During the last week, I’ve suffered the difficult weather conditions we’ve endured”.

“The rain and cold have taken me down. When you give it all, you can’t have regrets. I feel sorry for my fans that I’m not on the final podium. I also would have liked to be there. But I’m happy. Fourth in the Tour de France, it’s a good result. The Tour de France is important but it’s not the only race. I’ll go to the Vuelta with ambitions too.”
Jean-Christophe Peraud: “It’s an enormous satisfaction. The withdrawals of Froome and Contador opened a range of possibilities and I started dreaming about this second place. I’m happy to have achieved that goal. I have a feeling of mission accomplished and a lot of joy today.”

Tejay Van Garderen: powered to a time of 1:08:29 in the 54-kilometer race against the clock that helped him jump over Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) in the standings by two seconds. “I could not have gone any harder” he says. “I gave it everything. That’s for sure. It definitely feels good to move up one place. I saw that he (Bardet) had a mechanical out there, so that would have cost him a bit”.

“So I feel bad for him there. But I feel I worked hard for this fifth place. I definitely showed that I deserved to be up there in a top position,” van Garderen said. “I learned never to give up. I really had to fight through a lot. I’m really proud of my guys and what I did. It shows you can take you lumps and get back up and fight to the end.”
Stage 20
1 Martin Tony Omega Pharma-Quick Step 01h 06′ 21”
2 Dumoulin Tom Team Giant-Shimano + 01′ 39”
3 Barta Jan Team Netapp-Endura + 01′ 47”
4 Nibali Vincenzo Astana Pro Team + 01′ 58”
5 Konig Leopold Team Netapp-Endura + 02′ 02”
6 Van Garderen Tejay Bmc Racing Team + 02′ 08”
7 Péraud Jean-Christophe Ag2r La Mondiale + 02′ 27”
8 Chavanel Sylvain Iam Cycling + 02′ 36”
9 Irizar Arranburu Markel Trek Factory Racing + 02′ 39”
10 Oss Daniel Bmc Racing Team + 02′ 58”
11 Pate Danny Team Sky + 03′ 01”
12 Pinot Thibaut Fdj.Fr + 03′ 12”
13 Elmiger Martin Iam Cycling + 03′ 12”
14 Bodnar Maciej Cannondale + 03′ 13”
15 Tuft Svein Orica Greenedge + 03′ 23”
16 Velits Peter Bmc Racing Team + 03′ 24”
17 Oliveira Nelson Lampre – Merida + 03′ 30”
18 Kangert Tanel Astana Pro Team + 03′ 35”
19 Durbridge Luke Orica Greenedge + 03′ 38”
20 Westra Lieuwe Astana Pro Team + 03′ 44”
21 Zubeldia Agirre Haimar Trek Factory Racing + 03′ 45”
22 Izaguirre Insausti Jon Movistar Team + 04′ 00”
23 Grivko Andriy Astana Pro Team + 04′ 05”
24 Smukulis Gatis Team Katusha + 04′ 06”
25 Visconti Giovanni Movistar Team + 04′ 15”
26 Bardet Romain Ag2r La Mondiale + 04′ 17”
27 Pimenta Costa Mendes José Team Netapp-Endura + 04′ 23”
28 Valverde Belmonte Alejandro Movistar Team + 04′ 28”
29 Roy Jérémy Fdj.Fr + 04′ 30”
30 Herrada Lopez Jesus Movistar Team + 04′ 31”
31 Taaramäe Rein Cofidis, Solutions Credits + 04′ 41”
32 Erviti Ollo Imanol Movistar Team + 04′ 44”
33 Gruzdev Dmitriy Astana Pro Team + 04′ 56”
34 Thomas Geraint Team Sky + 05′ 01”
35 Vachon Florian Bretagne – Seche Environnement + 05′ 06”
36 Van Summeren Johan Garmin – Sharp + 05′ 11”
37 Ladagnous Matthieu Fdj.Fr + 05′ 13”
38 Isaichev Vladimir Team Katusha + 05′ 13”
39 Delaplace Anthony Bretagne – Seche Environnement + 05′ 16”
40 Intxausti Benat Movistar Team + 05′ 16”
41 King Benjamin Garmin – Sharp + 05′ 18”
42 Huzarski Bartosz Team Netapp-Endura + 05′ 19”
43 Petit Adrien Cofidis, Solutions Credits + 05′ 25”
44 Gallopin Tony Lotto-Belisol + 05′ 31”
45 Lemoine Cyril Cofidis, Solutions Credits + 05′ 34”
46 Kruijswijk Steven Belkin Pro Cycling + 05′ 43”
47 Voss Paul Team Netapp-Endura + 05′ 47”
48 Serpa José Lampre – Merida + 05′ 48”
49 Machado Tiago Team Netapp-Endura + 05′ 50”
50 Paulinho Sergio Miguel Moreira Tinkoff-Saxo + 05′ 59”
51 Quemeneur Perrig Team Europcar + 05′ 59”
52 Van Den Broeck Jurgen Lotto-Belisol + 06′ 01”
53 Kwiatkowski Michal Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 06′ 02”
54 Riblon Christophe Ag2r La Mondiale + 06′ 02”
55 Ten Dam Laurens Belkin Pro Cycling + 06′ 03”
56 Keukeleire Jens Orica Greenedge + 06′ 08”
57 Schillinger Andreas Team Netapp-Endura + 06′ 09”
58 Majka Rafal Tinkoff-Saxo + 06′ 10”
59 Mate Mardones Luis Angel Cofidis, Solutions Credits + 06′ 10”
60 Pineau Jérôme Iam Cycling + 06′ 11”
61 Albasini Michael Orica Greenedge + 06′ 14”
62 Trofimov Yury Team Katusha + 06′ 18”
63 Gerard Arnaud Bretagne – Seche Environnement + 06′ 18”
64 Van Avermaet Greg Bmc Racing Team + 06′ 21”
65 Schleck Frank Trek Factory Racing + 06′ 22”
66 Bak Lars Lotto-Belisol + 06′ 22”
67 Wyss Marcel Iam Cycling + 06′ 29”
68 Sagan Peter Cannondale + 06′ 31”
69 Coquard Bryan Team Europcar + 06′ 33”
70 Scarponi Michele Astana Pro Team + 06′ 37”
71 Delage Mickaël Fdj.Fr + 06′ 39”
72 Porte Richie Team Sky + 06′ 41”
73 Demare Arnaud Fdj.Fr + 06′ 44”
74 Edet Nicolas Cofidis, Solutions Credits + 06′ 52”
75 Bakelants Jan Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 07′ 03”
76 Trentin Matteo Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 07′ 04”
77 Nieve Iturralde Mikel Team Sky + 07′ 04”
78 Rogers Michael Tinkoff-Saxo + 07′ 05”
79 Dempster Zakkari Team Netapp-Endura + 07′ 10”
80 Boom Lars Belkin Pro Cycling + 07′ 11”
81 De Kort Koen Team Giant-Shimano + 07′ 12”
82 Roelandts Jurgen Lotto-Belisol + 07′ 14”
83 Horner Christopher Lampre – Merida + 07′ 16”
84 Marcato Marco Cannondale + 07′ 18”
85 Gastauer Ben Ag2r La Mondiale + 07′ 18”
86 Feillu Brice Bretagne – Seche Environnement + 07′ 21”
87 Kristoff Alexander Team Katusha + 07′ 23”
88 Pichot Alexandre Team Europcar + 07′ 23”
89 Kluge Roger Iam Cycling + 07′ 26”
90 Rolland Pierre Team Europcar + 07′ 26”
91 Schär Michael Bmc Racing Team + 07′ 27”
92 Degenkolb John Team Giant-Shimano + 07′ 28”
93 Golas Michal Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 07′ 29”
94 Reza Kévin Team Europcar + 07′ 30”
95 Bonnet William Fdj.Fr + 07′ 32”
96 Sieberg Marcel Lotto-Belisol + 07′ 33”
97 Roche Nicolas Tinkoff-Saxo + 07′ 34”
98 Hansen Adam Lotto-Belisol + 07′ 36”
99 Jeannesson Arnold Fdj.Fr + 07′ 36”
100 Molard Rudy Cofidis, Solutions Credits + 07′ 37”
101 Jarrier Benoit Bretagne – Seche Environnement + 07′ 40”
102 Timmer Albert Team Giant-Shimano + 07′ 41”
103 Stetina Peter Bmc Racing Team + 07′ 42”
104 Montaguti Matteo Ag2r La Mondiale + 07′ 43”
105 Moinard Amaël Bmc Racing Team + 07′ 45”
106 Gadret John Movistar Team + 07′ 47”
107 Bennati Daniele Tinkoff-Saxo + 07′ 48”
108 Plaza Molina Ruben Movistar Team + 07′ 50”
109 Arashiro Yukiya Team Europcar + 07′ 54”
110 Meier Christian Orica Greenedge + 07′ 56”
111 Bauer Jack Garmin – Sharp + 07′ 57”
112 Reichenbach Sébastien Iam Cycling + 07′ 59”
113 Eisel Bernhard Team Sky + 08′ 05”
114 Durasek Kristijan Lampre – Merida + 08′ 06”
115 Tosatto Matteo Tinkoff-Saxo + 08′ 10”
116 Koren Kristijan Cannondale + 08′ 14”
117 Guillou Florian Bretagne – Seche Environnement + 08′ 18”
118 Slagter Tom Jelte Garmin – Sharp + 08′ 20”
119 Tankink Bram Belkin Pro Cycling + 08′ 28”
120 Gautier Cyril Team Europcar + 08′ 34”
121 Veelers Tom Team Giant-Shimano + 08′ 41”
122 Minard Sébastien Ag2r La Mondiale + 08′ 41”
123 Navardauskas Ramunas Garmin – Sharp + 08′ 42”
124 Gene Yohann Team Europcar + 08′ 51”
125 Fuglsang Jakob Astana Pro Team + 08′ 53”
126 Simon Julien Cofidis, Solutions Credits + 08′ 55”
127 Petacchi Alessandro Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 08′ 55”
128 Morkov Michael Tinkoff-Saxo + 08′ 55”
129 Cimolai Davide Lampre – Merida + 08′ 56”
130 Greipel André Lotto-Belisol + 08′ 59”
131 Terpstra Niki Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 09′ 05”
132 Kiryienka Vasili Team Sky + 09′ 13”
133 Iglinskiy Maxim Astana Pro Team + 09′ 14”
134 Vanmarcke Sep Belkin Pro Cycling + 09′ 14”
135 Pineau Cedric Fdj.Fr + 09′ 15”
136 Clarke Simon Orica Greenedge + 09′ 16”
137 Bideau Jean-Marc Bretagne – Seche Environnement + 09′ 18”
138 Curvers Roy Team Giant-Shimano + 09′ 19”
139 Langeveld Sebastian Garmin – Sharp + 09′ 21”
140 Mollema Bauke Belkin Pro Cycling + 09′ 26”
141 Fonseca Armindo Bretagne – Seche Environnement + 09′ 28”
142 De Marchi Alessandro Cannondale + 09′ 30”
143 Rodriguez Joaquim Team Katusha + 09′ 31”
144 Voigt Jens Trek Factory Racing + 09′ 32”
145 Kittel Marcel Team Giant-Shimano + 09′ 33”
146 Sabatini Fabio Cannondale + 09′ 33”
147 Busche Matthew Trek Factory Racing + 09′ 41”
148 Marino Jean Marc Cannondale + 09′ 43”
149 Rast Gregory Trek Factory Racing + 09′ 50”
150 Renshaw Mark Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 09′ 50”
151 Leezer Thomas Belkin Pro Cycling + 09′ 53”
152 Lopez Garcia David Team Sky + 09′ 53”
153 Viviani Elia Cannondale + 09′ 56”
154 Wynants Maarten Belkin Pro Cycling + 09′ 56”
155 Kadri Blel Ag2r La Mondiale + 10′ 15”
156 Feillu Romain Bretagne – Seche Environnement + 10′ 33”
157 Dumoulin Samuel Ag2r La Mondiale + 10′ 36”
158 Voeckler Thomas Team Europcar + 10′ 48”
159 Burghardt Marcus Bmc Racing Team + 11′ 00”
160 Vanotti Alessandro Astana Pro Team + 11′ 40”
161 Howes Alex Garmin – Sharp + 11′ 43”
162 Ji Cheng Team Giant-Shimano + 12′ 11”
163 Cherel Mikael Ag2r La Mondiale + 12′ 19”
164 Paolini Luca Team Katusha + 12′ 28”

Overall
1 Nibali Vincenzo Astana Pro Team 86h 37′ 52”
2 Péraud Jean-Christophe Ag2r La Mondiale + 07′ 52”
3 Pinot Thibaut Fdj.Fr + 08′ 24”
4 Valverde Belmonte Alejandro Movistar Team + 09′ 55”
5 Van Garderen Tejay Bmc Racing Team + 11′ 44”
6 Bardet Romain Ag2r La Mondiale + 11′ 46”
7 Konig Leopold Team Netapp-Endura + 14′ 41”
8 Zubeldia Agirre Haimar Trek Factory Racing + 18′ 12”
9 Ten Dam Laurens Belkin Pro Cycling + 18′ 20”
10 Mollema Bauke Belkin Pro Cycling + 21′ 24”
11 Rolland Pierre Team Europcar + 23′ 16”
12 Schleck Frank Trek Factory Racing + 25′ 57”
13 Van Den Broeck Jurgen Lotto-Belisol + 34′ 01”
14 Trofimov Yury Team Katusha + 36′ 50”
15 Kruijswijk Steven Belkin Pro Cycling + 38′ 15”
16 Feillu Brice Bretagne – Seche Environnement + 43′ 59”
17 Horner Christopher Lampre – Merida + 44′ 46”
18 Nieve Iturralde Mikel Team Sky + 46′ 40”
19 Gadret John Movistar Team + 47′ 30”
20 Kangert Tanel Astana Pro Team + 52′ 11”

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