Fedrigo Defies Death – 97th Tour de France, Stage 16
On undoubtedly the hardest climbing stage of the 97th Tour de France, which featured the infamous "Circle of Death" in the Col de Peyresourde, Col d'Aspin, Col du Tourmalet and Col d'Aubisque, the finale came down to a bunch sprint among nine gamely but tired breakaway companions.
Frenchman Pierrick Fedrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) proved to be the fastest at day's end, but sentiments were certainly with the former 7-time Tour champion, Lance Armstrong (Team RadioShack), who looked to push the sun back up into the sky just one more time in his illustrious cycling career.
The winning selection, which included Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux), Ruben Plaza Molina and Christophe Moreau (Caisse d'Epargne), Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Farnese Vini), Christopher Horner and Armstrong (Team Radioshack), Quick Step teammates, Carlos Barredo Llamazales and Jurgen Van De Walle, and Fedrigo formed shortly before the ascent of the Tourmalet, although Armstrong, Horner and Barredo were among the the day's initial escapees at the 5km mark.
After the group cleared the final climb of the day, the Col d'Aubisque, Barredo attempted to go solo. Ultimately 44km proved too great a distance as the Quick Step rider was caught within the final 5km and did not contest the sprint finish. The move; however, forced Team RadioShack and Caisse d'Epargne to expend more energy than they had hoped for in the chase.
Inside the flamme rouge, Armstrong was one of the first to take out the sprint. But after seeing Fedrigo fly by and finding his own tank empty, a disappointed Armstrong sat up to take in the finale of what would most likely be his final attempt at Tour glory.
Fedrigo would pip countryman Casar and Spaniard Molina at the line to win the epic and claim his third Tour de France victory of his career.
Stage 16 Results
1. Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
2. Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux
3. Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
General Classification After Stage 16
1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:08
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:02:00
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:02:13
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:03:39
6. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:05:01
7. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:05:25
8. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:05:45
9. Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana - 0:07:12
10. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:07:51
Jersey Leaders After Stage 16
maillot jaune - Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
maillot vert - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
maillot à pois rouges - Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
Next: Rest Day #2; Thrusday - Stage 17 -Pau to Col du Tourmalet (174km)
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