World champion Thor Hushovd joined the breakaway on the mountainous Stage 13 of the Tour de France and engineered himself to a stage victory in Lourdes on Friday.
A victory by a sprinter on this 156km (97-mile) mountainous stage was probably not anticipated by many observers, especially as the route included the “above category” ascent of the Col d'Aubisque.
Meanwhile, France's Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) retained the yellow jersey for another stage, finishing at the front of the peloton ….
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/15/another-tour-de-france-surprise-sprinter-wins-mountain-stage-13/
The Col d'Aubisque is the big challenge for Stage 13 of the Tour de France today, but it probably won't prove decisive since it's nearly 30 miles from the finish.
There are three climbs over the 156km (97-mile) route between Pau and Lourdes — a Category 3 and 4 summit and the “above category” Col d'Aubisque.
There is no mountain top finish, like Thursday. That final climb catapulted …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/15/day-2-in-the-pyrenees-for-stage-13-3d-tour-of-col-daubisque/
Presented by the Tour de France.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/15/stage-13-profile/
Seven kidnapped Estonians on a bicycle tour gone seriously wrong are free after French diplomats negotiated their release in Lebanon.
The men, in their 30s and 40s, were kidnapped at gunpoint after crossing over the border from Syria on their bicycle tour on March 23.
The May 20 video at left is one of two posted on YouTube.com.
The seven arrived at the French embassy in Beirut on Thursday. There was no immediate word whether a ransom was paid or other conditions of their release.
The French volunteered to help in the case …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/14/kidnapped-bicycle-travelers-released-to-french-authorities/
A series of attacks and counter-attacks behind the winning ride of Spain's Sammy Sanchez, left, changed the complexion of the Tour de France as it entered the Pyrenees on Thursday.
We may finally have caught a glimpse of the leading cyclists in the race after the mountain-top finish on Stage 12, a 211km (130-mile) bike race from Cugnaux to Luz-Ardiden that went over the Tourmalet for the 76th time in Tour de France history.
Meanwhile, France's Thomas Voeckler showed us he has the heart to hold onto the yellow jersey on Bastille Day. He put in a similar performance the last time he held the yellow in 2004 ….
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/14/tour-favorites-reshuffled-in-first-mountain-stage-but-frenchman-retains-yellow/
Sammy Sanchez for Eukaltel Euskadi wins Stage 12 at Tour de France.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/14/sammy-sanchez/
Some would say that the Tour de France doesn't start until the peloton hits the mountains.
Well, that would be today, Stage 12, when the 177 remaining cyclists enter the Pyrenees.
They'll be greeted by one Category 1 and two above-category ascents, one a mountain-top finish on the 211km (130-mile) route from Cugnaux to Luz-Ardiden: La Hourquette d’Ancizan — Category 1; Col du Tourmalet — hors catégorie; and Luz-Ardiden — hors catégorie. ….
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/14/first-tour-de-france-mountain-stage-steeped-in-history-streetview-of-final-climb/
Tour de France profile
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/14/stage-12-2011-tour-de-france/
Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel went at it again in the final sprint in Stage 11 of the Tour de France on Wednesday, but this time Cavendish's lead-out companions were with him to clear the way to victory.
The “Manx Missile's” 18th career stage win at the Tour de France (his third this year) followed a narrow defeat in Stage 10 at the hands of former teammate and rival Greipel (Omega Pharma).
After the race, Cavendish said he had “redeemed” himself.
Meanwhile, France's Thomas Voeckler …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/13/former-teammates-now-rivals-face-off-in-sprint-sequel/
Mark Cavendish met his match on Tuesday when he was overtaken by former teammate Andre Greipel by less than a wheel length at the end of Stage 10 of the Tour de France.
The sprint followed a lumpy 99-mile stage from Aurillac to Carmaux that saw the sprinters struggle to stay with the peloton as Phillippe Gilbert set a torrid pace in the closing kilometers.
France's Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) survived easily in the yellow jersey …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/12/former-teammate-settles-score-at-tour-de-france/
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