Tony Martin speeds to victory in the 11th stage time trial with Yellow Jersey holder, Froome, hot on his pedals
Race leader, Chris Froome, puts in one of his best time trial performances to finish second behind time trial world champion and stage 11 winner, Tony Martin.
After a controversial day on the bike yesterday, Mark Cavendish planned on going easy on the bike in today's 33km run from Avranches to Mont Saint-Michel, in order to save his legs for tomorrow's sprint. The Olympic Gold Medallist's 'easy ride' was soon disrupted after urine was thrown at the cyclist as he made his way through the race. Fellow countryman and runner up in today's 11th stage, Chris Froome, voiced his disappointment at the actions of some of the 'supporters' - "It's disappointing that one individual should ruin it for Mark. He's one of the great personalities of the sport – some people love him, some hate him – but to do something disrespectful like that is sad. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth."
This unsportsmanlike behaviour by a member of the crowd has cast a negative cloud over a day that saw Froome extend his lead over his nearest opponent, Alejandro Valverde, by two minutes. As the Team Sky rider stated after finishing the TT, he needs all the time cushion he can get going in to the next two weeks of racing.
Another possible threat to Froome is Spaniard Alberto Contador but the Saxobank-Tinkoff rider finished in 38 minutes and 41 seconds, losing over two minutes on Froome.
Froome managed a time of 36 minutes and 41 seconds which was 12 seconds slower than the finishing time of winner, Tonny Martin. Despite coming second, Froome led the leader board for the majority of the 33km only slowing down on the last 11km. The Sky rider was understandably pleased after finishing the time trial having just performed one of his most successful TT's of his life - "I'm really happy with the result and having extended my advantage on my GC rivals. The objective today was to try and take the maximum time possible from them. It gives me a good buffer going into the next few days but I think I am going to need every second I can get, with the way these guys are riding."
Froome is currently on track to retain the leader's yellow jersey for the foreseeable future. However, having been isolated on numerous occasions during the last few stages of the race, will his team have the legs to lead him and propel the 2012 Tour runner up to the finish line in Paris whilst still wearing the yellow jersey. We will have to wait. One thing is for sure, Froome has showed his immense physical and mental strength over the last couple of stages by not panicking when he had no fellow team Sky riders by his side to help him through some tough stages of the race and to push himself to new heights in today's time trial. The British Olympian looks in exceptional form.
After a controversial day on the bike yesterday, Mark Cavendish planned on going easy on the bike in today's 33km run from Avranches to Mont Saint-Michel, in order to save his legs for tomorrow's sprint. The Olympic Gold Medallist's 'easy ride' was soon disrupted after urine was thrown at the cyclist as he made his way through the race. Fellow countryman and runner up in today's 11th stage, Chris Froome, voiced his disappointment at the actions of some of the 'supporters' - "It's disappointing that one individual should ruin it for Mark. He's one of the great personalities of the sport – some people love him, some hate him – but to do something disrespectful like that is sad. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth."
This unsportsmanlike behaviour by a member of the crowd has cast a negative cloud over a day that saw Froome extend his lead over his nearest opponent, Alejandro Valverde, by two minutes. As the Team Sky rider stated after finishing the TT, he needs all the time cushion he can get going in to the next two weeks of racing.
Another possible threat to Froome is Spaniard Alberto Contador but the Saxobank-Tinkoff rider finished in 38 minutes and 41 seconds, losing over two minutes on Froome.
Froome managed a time of 36 minutes and 41 seconds which was 12 seconds slower than the finishing time of winner, Tonny Martin. Despite coming second, Froome led the leader board for the majority of the 33km only slowing down on the last 11km. The Sky rider was understandably pleased after finishing the time trial having just performed one of his most successful TT's of his life - "I'm really happy with the result and having extended my advantage on my GC rivals. The objective today was to try and take the maximum time possible from them. It gives me a good buffer going into the next few days but I think I am going to need every second I can get, with the way these guys are riding."
Froome is currently on track to retain the leader's yellow jersey for the foreseeable future. However, having been isolated on numerous occasions during the last few stages of the race, will his team have the legs to lead him and propel the 2012 Tour runner up to the finish line in Paris whilst still wearing the yellow jersey. We will have to wait. One thing is for sure, Froome has showed his immense physical and mental strength over the last couple of stages by not panicking when he had no fellow team Sky riders by his side to help him through some tough stages of the race and to push himself to new heights in today's time trial. The British Olympian looks in exceptional form.
Stage 11 result
1. Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick-Step) 36min 29sec
2. Chris Froome (Team Sky) +12sec
3. Thomas De Gendt (Vacansoleil) +1min 01sec
4. Richie Porte (Team Sky) +1min 21sec
5. Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick-Step) +1min 31sec
6. Svein Tuft (Orica) +1min 35sec
7. Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick-Step) +1min 37sec
8. Jeremy Roy (FDJ) +1min 43sec
9. Tom Dumoulin (Argos) +1min 45sec
10. Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar) +1min 52sec
General Classification after Stage 11
1. Chris Froome (Sky) 42hr 29min 24sec
2. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) +3min 25sec
3. Bauke Mollema (Belkin) +3min 37sec
4. Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) +3min 54sec
5. Roman Kreuziger (Saxo-Tinkoff) +3min 57sec
6. Laurens ten Dam (Belkin) +4min 10sec
7. Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick-Step) +4min 44sec
8. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) +5min 18sec
9. Rui Costa (Movistar) +5min 37sec
10. Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) +5min 39sec
Comments
Post a Comment