The climb to the Planche des Belles Filles, tough but of just 5,8 km, was enough for the three most popular riders on the eve to win the Tour to the first three places in the general classification: the new yellow jersey is Bradley Wiggins, second at 10" is Cadel Evans, third at 16" Vincenzo Nibali, the leading man of the Italian expedition to France, today very good at holding up first the train imposed by the Sky men and then not letting himself be detached by the two rivals in the last terrible 400 meters, a former ski slope with a 20% slope, paved especially for the Tour amid lively protests by environmentalists. However, it was not one of these three big names who won the stage at the top of the Vosges, but Christopher Froome, a Kenyan naturalized Englishman, companion of Wiggins, an exceptional lieutenant given the pace dictated uphill and the further shot on the wall final with which he detached Evans and his captain, second and third in the order at 2” and Nibali, fourth at 7”. Behind the four protagonists of the ascent to the Planche des Belles Filles there are many beaten, some with the honors of arms such as Pierre Roland, Denis Menchov, Janez Brajkovic (their delay between 40 and 50 seconds), some amid general disappointment such as the Spaniards Alejandro Valverde and Samuel Sanchez, slipped on the way up in total anonymity, and also our Michele Scarponi and Ivan Basso who confirmed the limits already denounced in the last Giro d'Italia. As for Fabian Cancellara, he defended himself with strength and courage, but over certain slopes the Swiss champion just can't help but suffer. He finished twentieth, ahead and behind climbers like Scarponi, with a gap of 1'52” from Froome. Goodbye yellow jersey even if on Monday in the Besançon time trial Cancellara has every chance to get more satisfaction from this Tour that has already given him so much.
A great protagonist of this early Tour, Peter Sagan also let himself pass by on the first ups and downs of the day and there was no trace of him after the sprint for a flying finish line that earned him more points for his green jersey. He reached the top 120th over 12 minutes from Froome. It is said that he has too massive muscles to shine even uphill. But at the age of 22 he has already done wonders. If Wiggins only realized he could win the Tour at the age of 32, you can bet now that Sagan will take much less time.
It was the stage dominated by the strength of one team above all: the Sky up to two kilometers from the finish had four riders in the lead of the race. A perfect direction with Mark Cavendish, the world champion hoarding bottles at the service of Wiggins and his companions, in a stage that was not for sprinters. Wiggins was never alone. Froome was so spectacular that one wonders how this globetrotting cyclist, born in 1985, who joined Sky in 2009, already second in the 2011 Vuelta, can resist always being a follower.
A change of tunic not only for the yellow one, but also for the white one which rewards the best classified rider among the young riders: Tejay Van Garderen, the American holder of the Bmc until yesterday, did less well than expected, who at a certain point on the climb he gave in suddenly. He is succeeded by the Estonian Rein Taaramae, fourth in the standings 31 seconds behind Wiggins after his splendid fifth place in today's ascent just 19” behind Froome.
Always enigmatic, but with a negative outlook to use the language of the rating agencies, Frank Schleck: already delayed yesterday by the tumble in the middle of the group, the Luxembourger lost another abundant minute today. Perhaps Stephen Roche, famous for the Giro-Tour-World Championship hat-trick in 1987, is right in France these days to follow the good performances of his son Nicolas, when he says that Frank Schleck goes haywire if there is no brother Andy. Aching from his wounds and bruises, Robert Gesink did what he could but with a delay now close to 7 minutes from Wiggins the Dutchman, one of the favorites on the eve of Bernard Hinault, now appears out of the game. Blame bad luck and falls. Yesterday's had heavy effects on the caravan. It also forced the withdrawal of Ryder Hesjedal, winner of the Giro, who arrived at the Tour for the first time with the role of captain of Garmin. Too many wounds and the Canadian didn't take off. "Is sad. But I'll get ready for the Olympics,” he said goodbye to the Tour. Tyler Farrar and Van Summeren, battered and plastered, stoically completed the stage, but it hurt to see them trudge. Thomas Vockler, out of the standings by fury of carambola, blames above all the earphones through which the team manager would put pressure on the riders. The fact remains that we have to go back to 1998, to the Tour won by Pantani, to find as many withdrawals as this year, 17, in the first week of the race. Confirming that in the plains the Grande Boucle cannot be won, but it can be lost.
