Schleck powers to Galibier glory

Andy Schleck's sensational breakaway could be vital in Paris

Three days to go, Two days of real racing left in the 2011 Tour De France. After Norwegian Thor Hushovd’s breakaway win on stage 16, compatriot Edvald Boassen Hagen,( runner up to Hushovd) took a fantastic breakaway win on his own on stage 17. Down arguably the most dangerous descent finish the Tour has seen for some time, Boassen Hagen gave himself, and Team Sky their second ever stage win, and announced himself finally as the next big Scandinavian star.

Perhaps more dramatic was the sight of Yellow Jersey, Thomas Voeckler bunny hopping into a car park as he overcooked one of the tighter corners. Spectacular it was, possibly terminal in his bid to stand on the podium on Sunday, as it cost him over a minute of his lead over his chief rivals.

The weather has often played a part in Tour stages, but it seems the riders got lucky on stage 17’s tricky descent, and again on stage 18, where a two day ‘weather window’ allowed a thaw of the snow and ice that covered the mountain top finish in the Col de Galibier. The crowds that were ready for the freezing weather were treated to beautiful sunshine and a scorching hot display by Andy Schleck.

Back to Wednesday’s racing, after a poor descent on stage 17, the Schleck brothers and big favourite Cadel Evans, looked like conceding time to rivals Alberto Contador and Samuel Sanchez. The two Spaniards, who despite some daredevil downhill riding, found that all bar Yellow Jersey holder Voeckler, had caught them up at the final corner. This was arguably the final hurrah for 2011 of both riders as the events of Thursdays stage was to prove.

Stage 18 was possibly the most brutal, on paper, of this years Tour so far. Three massive climbs as well as the Galibier to finish off. Andy Schleck, who had not looked himself in several previous stages, versus the ever improving Contador who would again seem to be the man to watch for. Schleck however had other ideas. He decided that today would be his day and attacked with over 60km to go. The other favourites could not go with him, and what surmounted to perhaps the biggest gamble of his professional career unfolded. All or nothing for Schleck it seemed as the big guns pushed themselves to the ragged edge on the final climb, led by Cadel Evans who helped bring down the time gap which reached over four minutes at one stage to a more manageable two minutes.

The heroic effort of Voeckler to keep the leaders jersey for tenth day, to match his incredible run in 2004 even as Andy Schleck took the stage, was nothing short of remarkable. Each day he announces he cannot win, but each day we are one day closer to the first French win since Bernard Hinault in 1985.

In the rarefied air of the Alps, even three time previous winner Contador cracked, and now, barring a sensational display on the final mountain stage and the time trial, his defence is all but over. The break by Schleck, reminiscent of the great Eddie Merckx, may well have not been enough to have given him the Tour glory, (as he is less than a minute ahead of Cadel Evans who possesses a better time trial), but surely now he has the confidence to go one better than last years runners up spot with a big display on the final summit finish on Friday. French hero Voeckler, with a 15 second overall lead will not give it up easily.

Picturesque scene as the Peloton chase through an Alpine pass

 The White Jersey, (best young rider), of Sky’s Rigoberto Uran, who had sat 10^th going into this stage, had a tumble on the final descent, costing him valuable time. He too cracked on the final climb, and despite a valiant attempt by his team mates, Rein Taaramae of Confidis  now holds that Jersey.

With big points on offer for the ‘HC’ category climbs, the King of the Mountains Jelle Vanendert, hung on until 4km when he fell back, finishing with Contador, but not before Sanchez had given up the chase and surely with it,his chance of a podium finish. Vanendert still holds the Polka Dot Jersey, two points from Sanchez, and four from Schleck with one days riding left in this mini competition.

Whilst the Green Jersey of Mark Cavendish failed to get in under the elimination time, The fact that he came home in a group of 88 riders proved to be his saving grace. Cavendish was allowed to continue but not before a 20 point penalty was imposed. The biggest threat to Cavendish’s Green Jersey now appears to be the imposing, torturous Alpe-D’Huez, not the other sprinters, (although Jose Joaquin Rojas is now only 15 points behind). Should he make it under the time and without further penalty, surely it will be a formality to defend his lead on Sundays final stage, such is the form of him and his HTC Highroad team.