running cycling grand tours races started prologue concluded june individual time trial total riders teams entered stage race won bernard claire team second places taken italian american respectively led race days winning opening prologue lost lead team won stage team time trial conclusion event fourth stage won sufficient time race leader english pink jersey held jersey total days racing race traversed losing stage time trial successfully defended lead alps way race finish classifications race awarded van der won points classification won mountains classification completed best neo professional general classification finishing tenth overall finishing winners team classification ranking teams race lowest cumulative time teams total teams invited participate based outside italy team sent squad riders meant race started presentation teams team roster manager introduced media local dignitaries took place arena riders began edition finish teams entering race pre race favorites starting include winner spanish rider decided race favor racing believed form going race challenge overall victory author bill believed going race world potent racing machine ride order repeat champion sportswriter believed clear favorite race mario named contenders overall crown prominent french rider participate race route stages route edition revealed public head organizer february covering total included time trials individual teams stages categorized climbs awarded mountains classification points stages summit finishes stage stage stage organizers chose include rest days compared previous year race race longer contained time trials rest days addition race contained stages set half stages writer believed route designed benefit italian participants individual time trials team time trial flat stages primarily flat writer believed route mountainous italian win race citing route favored likes thought overall course mountains summit finishes added mystery win race overview event began prologue city brief time trial leg won finished seven seconds faster second placed rider following day mass start stage race culminated bunch sprint won second stage team time trial stretched del won leg rider earned advantage race lead don race leader english pink jersey stage saw expand lead winning leg rest leading group fourth stage took race featuring summit finish spanish rider attacked bernard able mark group stayed finish took stage victory took race lead finished minutes italian favorite finished minutes route went mountains fifth stage large amounts rain truce stage saw attacks man formed kilometers riders stayed stage win originally won non linear sprint line interfered riders relegated second place original second place finisher promoted declared winner day racing ended bunch sprint won frank crash kilometers finish saw general classification contenders lose seconds seventh stage saw man survive finish ahead minutes orlando won day twelfth stage race individual time trial won stage seconds time gains race lead minute fourteen seconds thirteenth stage saw win second stage race virtue sprint finish italian franco won mountainous fourteenth leg event attacking descent climb day following day racing began man forming rider caught kilometers remaining kilometers left man attack group formed ron survived caught lone remaining rider went win stage crossed line seconds stage victory american history sixteenth stage saw day racing end field sprint won race leader team claire allowed minute advantage race seventeenth stage general classification contenders teams stepped help chase attack group reached finish line minutes faster swiss rider daniel won stage ahead won second stage event eighteenth stage resulted bunch sprint following day race route altered night removed kilometers climb great bernard pass contained climb pass stage saw large group riders cross finish line head taking second stage victory event race leader losing significant time stage individual time trial abandoned race nineteenth stage stage brief featured seventeen kilometer ascent finish leg claire drove hard pace stage fractured process american andrew attacked nineteen kilometers won stage minute second place finisher penultimate stage race culminated field sprint won final stage race individual time trial stretched able win stage seven seconds race leader overcome meant won riders achieved multiple stage victories stages prologue stages stages stages stages stages stage wins achieved competing squads won multiple stages del collected total wins team time trial stage stage amassed total stage wins stage secured stage wins obtained stage victories collected stage successes recorded stage wins stage stage claire won single stage stage second stage stage fourth stage classification leadership different worn leader general classification calculated adding stage finish times rider allowing time bonuses finishers mass start stages wore pink jersey classification important race winner considered winner points classification awarded purple jersey leader given points finishing stage additional points won intermediate green jersey awarded mountains classification leader ranking points won reaching summit climb ahead climb ranked second category points available higher category climbs race highest point elevation awarded points category climbs pass rider cross pass rider white jersey worn leader young rider classification ranking decided way general classification considering neo professional years professional racing jersey awarded classification teams stage finish times best team added leading team lowest total time rows following table correspond awarded stage run final standings general classification


louis joseph baron dutch pronunciation born june better known belgian professional road track bicycle born belgium grew saint parents ran grocery store played sports found true passion cycling got bicycle age competed race victory came october winning eighty races amateur turned professional april signed solo major victory came milan san year later switching season moved won grand tour victories record stands today times completed grand tour double final double coincided winning men road race road world championships rider accomplish cycling triple crown broke hour record october extending record meters acquired nickname teammate told daughter let win daughter referred achieved victories eighteen year career riders won monuments cycling milan san tour flanders paris fellow roger van won tour france major day race win paris tours best performance sixth successful road track large stage races day races widely thought greatest successful rider history cycling caught separate incidents career retirement sport remained active cycling world began bicycle chain cycles professional teams 1980s 1990s coached belgian national cycling team years stopping played large role getting tour organized start owns tour tour early life amateur career louis joseph born belgium june born family september family moved brussels belgium order grocery store lease gave birth twins boy girl child playing outside competitive child played sports including basketball boxing football table tennis played lawn tennis local junior team claimed knew wanted age memory crash bike age began riding bike age ride school day beginning age imitate cycling idol stan friends rode summer bought racing license competed official race month turned sixteen coming sixth place rode races winning october winter following victory trained local won second victory march race competed races calendar year devoted time cycling grades school began decline winning belgian amateur road race title declined offer school exams postponed dropped school finished season victories selected men road race summer olympics finished twelfth position later season won amateur road race road world championships france remained amateur april finished amateur career eighty wins credit professional career solo professional season turned professional april signed van belgian team solo won race beating august finished second belgian national championships qualified men road race road world championships manager cycling team approached event offered month join team following season chose sign minor contract invalid finishing road race 29th position returned belgium discussed plans season manager jean van van helped sent french based month elected leave solo way treated teammates particular van van teammates mocked habits eating called names addition later stated time van team taught solo won races nearly races entered monument victory march entered major stage race professional rider paris nice took race lead single stage losing eventually coming fourth overall milan san participation cycling monuments event calendar succeeded staying main field race entered final climb attacked climb reduced field group included advised manager hold finish line late possible riders reached line beat sprint following weeks raced tour flanders paris important classics crashed tire road world championships finished twelfth road race suffering closing kilometers finished season total wins including stage race win tour second straight milan san world champion opened campaign stage victories tour followed successes entering paris nice won second stage took race lead stages later teammate tom simpson attacked riders climb nearly minutes ahead remained group attacked days later climb stage able establish firm advantage orders manager wait chasing simpson won stage simpson secured overall victory march started milan san seen favorite win race attacked leaving slowed pace joined riders won man sprint finish victory came missed early break caught attacked win race started grand tour won twelfth fourteenth stages route finishing ninth general classification signed september years worth belgian chose switch order complete control team racing addition pay expenses came racing wheels tires day started men road race road world championships netherlands course consisted laps circuit attacked lap joined riders group reached finish line able sprint jan place rider win world road race amateur professional titles winning race earned right wear rainbow jersey world champion grand tour victory victory new team came stage win tour paris nice forced quit race knee injury sustained event failed win consecutive milan san missed tour flanders following weekend victory came paris van race plagued poor weather competing riders behest team raced instead tour france won race second stage attacked kilometer twelfth stage marred rainy weather featured climbs stage finish time reached penultimate climb man group race minute advantage attacked able sizable distance group left stopped change wheel order slow orders team manager got bike caught leading rode past finish won stage took race lead went win race points classification mountains classification took race lead race time trial stage won event finished season wins races entered victory paris injury opened season victories paris nice overall stages races march earned major victory calendar win tour flanders rainy day featured strong winds attacked gains able establish followed riders wind shifted close seventy kilometers left increased pace rode solo victory seventeen days tour flanders saw win times won milan san descending high speeds saw victory mid april attacked seventy kilometers remaining pouring rain began stating wished ride aggressively year order save energy tour france won race stages held race lead going sixteenth day racing start stage race director television camera writers entered hotel room informed failed control disqualified race addition suspended month june cycling governing body overturned month long suspension cleared benefit doubt starting tour spent large time resting training racing times won race sixth stage attacking leg final major climb competitors able follow initially seventeenth stage riding head race general classification contenders col shifted large gear attacked went cross summit second advantage despite orders wait chasing riders increased efforts rode col col increasing gap minutes close kilometers began suffer rode rest stage severe pain end stage told journalists hope consider worthy winner finished race stage victories credit general points mountains combination classifications award aggressive rider major race day race paris seconds going second day attacked kilometers finish slopes rode solo catch leading rider dropped kilometer remaining won stage gained time race leader win race september participated round event cement rider paced contest winning intermediate sprint round chose slow pace race despite wanting stay fear accident wanted pass provide crowd duo increased pace began pass contestant passed riders position leading lost control crashed wall chose avoid going leader came collided pedal caught riders landed head track died fractured skull transported hospital remained unconscious minutes operating room sustained concussion trapped nerves displaced cuts remained hospital week returning belgium spent weeks bed beginning race october later stated crash constantly adjust seat races help ease pain stopped racing october tour double entered campaign nursing case mild knee major victory came paris nice won general classification stages april won followed tour belgium snowy stage followed day victory final time trial secure title paris paris battling cold race began heavy rain attacked thirty kilometers finish went win minutes seconds largest margin victory history race weekend attempted race teammate joseph unable pace leading riders leaving victory scandal previous year unwilling returning race entry race contingent controls sent lab rome tested tested finish like year started race won second leg days later showed signs weakness knee dropped twice mountains day attacked final climb city win stage lead won stage individual time trial minutes second place finisher expanding lead significantly didn win stage managed expand lead little race conclusion beginning tour won men road race belgian national road race championships won tour opening prologue race race leader yellow jersey losing lead following second stage won sixth stage forming van regained lead expanding lead stage individual time trial won race true mountain stage stage expanded lead minutes general classification won stages contested days including summit finish finishing given oxygen won stages individual time trials won tour minutes finished tour stage victories won mountains combination classifications stage wins previous record stage wins single tour france accomplish feat winning tour calendar year consecutive tour second world championship folded end season causing teammates italian team major victory came secured attacking riding solo rain win race final stage followed consecutive paris nice victory race led start finish milan san worked teammates seven man set final attack attack succeeded won fourth edition race days later won winning tour belgium headed major spring classics tour flanders rivals worked prevent winning week later suffered flat tires paris held cold rain conditions attacking ninety kilometers finish caught leaders road passed rode solo kilometers caught rode finish won man sprint instead racing elected enter shorter stages races france grand prix won tour france began team time trial team won giving lead day racing split parts lost lead stage regained stage time bonus earned winning intermediate sprint second stage major break major race contenders including formed kilometers group finished minutes ahead came roger sprint win day week racing held lead minute main contenders eighth stage saw mountain finish dome bernard attacked lower slopes unable counter went wound gaining seconds descent col race ninth leg tire prompting attack group finished minute half ahead giving lead following day lost minutes poor showing stomach pains start eleventh stage teammates couple formed group finished minutes led team winning ensuing time trial took seconds race entered stage plagued heavy thunderstorms severely handicapped vision descent col crashed left bend trailing crashed bend collided fell descent took race lead forced retire race injuries crash declined wear yellow jersey following day respect won stages general points combination classifications race finished paris seven weeks following tour entered men road race road world championships held switzerland route day hilly consisted circuits managed man race reached laps attacking second stage reached finish managed win race bike lengths earned second rainbow jersey closed calendar victory victory meant won cycling monuments winning attacked descent pass season displaced tended doctor breaking hour record alongside tour double non participation track racing winter entered campaign poorer form previous years paris nice broke crash occurred midst bunch sprint advice physician started day barely able ride saddle leading attack times stage race fifth leg away meters win day lost race lead final stage finished second place overall days removed paris nice victorious fifth time milan san managed establish gap descent paris crashed injury sustained paris nice won making solo kilometers finish days later man leading group race neared conclusion won sprint finish despite shifting wrong gear forcing ride larger gear anticipated rider win weekend despite monetary offer race organizers participate chose lost minutes half minutes spanish fourth stage contained summit finish seventh stage attacked climb day cracked near climb allowing catch pass gained minutes new race leader expanded lead minutes stage time trials winning managed climbed fourteenth stage teammate francisco attacked leaving eventually stage final climb proceeded attack went win stage seven seconds lost minutes stomach trouble seventeenth leg finished atop went win stage route victory entered tour france july battle expected took opening prologue expanded advantage general classification contenders minutes going led seconds general classification favorites riding race hit col seventh leg climb allowing riders attack chased group crashed wall descent went lose minutes criticized attacking flat responded year thing race alps won following stage regaining lead lost fourth leg major mountain stages merely followed wheel won stages crossing finish line paris race winner completing second tour double process initially planning attempt break hour record august decided attempt october taking day hiatus racing heal prepare attempt took place october mexico_city mexico outdoor track mexico chosen higher altitude led air resistance arrived mexico 21st prepare attempt days lost rain attempt started local time saw finish kilometers seconds faster record pace started fast began fade attempt wore eventually able recover managed post distance breaking world record finishing carried quoted saying pain significant double illness prevented taking milan san start calendar span nineteen days won classics including paris decided race instead racing tour france won opening prologue early lead despite best efforts won total stages way title addition general classification won race points classification combination classifications days conclusion lined start won opening man time trial roger day leg primary competitor lost significant time second stage won eighth stage featured summit finish despite attacking times ascent tried attacking race race able time gains race penultimate stage won race leading start finish feat previously rider win calendar year road world championships held barcelona spain contested circuit road race attacked kilometers left marked attacked final lap riders came sprint came following road race won paris brussels grand prix des nations won legs positive disqualified closed season victories credit completion cycling triple crown season saw fail win spring classic time career suffering illnesses early months pneumonia forced quit racing month forced enter poor form lost time early race managed race mountainous stage gained time race time trial attacked kilometers days later stage plagued weather lost minutes race leader twentieth stage summit finish attacked climb unable match managed finish stage lead shrink seconds held lead race conclusion winning fifth days following victory started tour won race prologue rode rest race took final leg individual time trial seal overall victory finishing race removed june days following surgery scheduled begin tour france wound slightly open began grand tour race tour won race prologue giving race leader english yellow jersey lost day teammate joseph won seventh stage race regained lead attacking closing kilometers holding chasing minutes main rival dropping col day slopes rode limit losses suffering attacks general classification riders including managed expand lead stage victories including attacked kilometers flat stage held reach finish minute half chasing group finished tour stage wins fifth tour france victory record going men road race road world championships anchored squad included van route featured laps circuit contained climbs attacked seven kilometers catching leading rode finish won sprint line establishing second gap winning road race rider win triple crown cycling consists winning tour france men road race world championships calendar year world title rider world champion times van second place tour victories milan san gold race opened season good form winning week lost super helped victory years past times broken leg days following week participated tour flanders launched attacked eighty kilometers able match acceleration dropped race reached kilometers remaining allowing tour flanders victory paris suffered flat tire eighty kilometers left leading group chasing kilometers managed catch riders group rode finish won day won fifth attacking times closing portions race attitude racing changed riders expected chase attacks angered notably tour riding race leader attack occurred refused chase break lost fourteen minutes contracted cold later racing spring campaign caused poor form forcing participate rode par won race tour won race finished second placed second tour france prologue following morning split stage saw time attacking van day second leg managed gain time won stage individual time trial gaining time won time trial race eleventh stage sent team set pace early stage reaching final climb day team set pace day day final climb matched acceleration launched attack follow saw lose minutes stage switched decided mark rest race attack dome climbing dome van attacked followed pace kept riders meters remaining prepared sprint line punched spectator crossed line thirty seconds proceeded catching breath punch left large rest day found liver prescribed blood stage following rest day featured climbs felt pain climb area punch teammate attacked times climb col des countered speeding away descent start climb teammates set pace distanced competitors start final climb began final climb cracked caught passed kilometers left van passed finished fifth minute seconds following day caught leading wanted push ahead riders chose participate pace making leading sit caught lost minutes attacked col crashed leg breaking managed gain time finish paris finished second place time lost tour starts record seventh milan san opened season record seventh victory milan san followed victory week suffered crash final stage spectator bag caught injuring elbow injury plagued performance spring classic season entered failed win stage time career finished race eighth overall battling saddle race following conclusion announced team tour france took men road race road world championships finished fifth position ended season october racing august failed win super prestige international competition riders awarded points certain professional races time months season spent majority time lying ended sponsorship end season new sponsor team new manager got season victories grand prix tour agreed ride light spring season order save chance sixth tour victory took stage paris nice withdraw race final stage spring classics win races best finish sixth place tour raced tour winning stage admitted poor form anxiety previous injuries going tour france managed hold second place overall weeks race entered alps began lose time lost thirteen minutes stage stage saint attacked managed gain time sixth overall finished tour position time following tour raced races span days coming thirty road world championships men road race earned final victory road september race late december chose end sponsorship favor building french centered squad january department store announced sponsor owner met football game plan season race tour france ride smaller races appearances raced total races calendar victory track event february patrick road race came grand prix february came race large effort swinging race best finish came tour managed fifth dropped completed final race march following race went vacation skiing returned travel train point team sponsor knew going quit announced retirement sport stated doctors advised racing retirement following exit racing opened cycles march brussels belgium initial workers hired factory trained notable bike maker starting company went bankrupt point caught tax controversy spend time giving input models produced despite financial problems brand highly regarded successful level cycling teams 1980s 1990s stepped ceo sold shares tests created input cycling journalist sam believed fact cycles maintained presence elite bicycle adoption new methods time january business based belgium countries managed belgian national team world championships years acted race director tour flanders brief period time temporarily sponsored youth developmental team bank team featured son helped organize grand prix started invitation individual time trial event later man time trial event event folded riders lack interest played pivotal role getting tour started reached told interest starting bicycle race country contacted union president checked roads following successful inspection contacted sport organisation working planning race agreed officially owns race helps organize race addition helped secure right host road world championships designing race route road race owns helps organize tour said later wasn racing knew involved sport bike builder factory ambassador personal life officially began dating april year old teacher daughter trainer national amateur team asked father permission marry track races december married years courtship handle press husband shy person nature gave birth child february team training camp birth later gave birth son professional brought speaking flemish taught french school albert belgium king gave title baron italy given title named french president paris ambassador society foundation named catholic priest battles diseases developing countries blessed pope john paul brussels 1990s art lover stated favorite artist favorites starting stage found heart condition found non disease killed young athletes given help correct heart rhythm issue surgery performed march procedure stated heart issues racing despite fact males family died young heart related problems operation cure stomach suffered young august reported lost nearly procedure legacy regarded greatest successful time rode grand tours day classics good time addition showed great ability race track known racing style consisted attacking constantly came known course attacking best form defence spend day significant attack following day despite constant attacking occasionally ride defensive mindset particularly racing facing entered races career won total dominance sport cycling historians refer period raced era professional career won races entered years raced races season raced times won events races won season admits best generation insists practical compare generations riders win monuments cycling milan san tour flanders paris van roger finished career nineteen victories monuments rider rider second won classic races paris tours race win closest came victory race sixth race lesser belgian rider van won paris tours said won classic won won paris tours won rest racing rider win grand tours career feat accomplished riders holds record grand tour victories record stage wins grand tours completed tour doubles history rider win cycling triple crown accomplished time stephen rider win major classifications general points mountains classifications grand tour tour france twice tony shares record victories tour france wins races holds records days spent race leader jersey respectively career successes rider inducted race hall_of_fame inducted given modern day trophy winners engraved year won race tour holds record stage wins history thirty given nickname daughter christian teammate commented allowing win daughter referred liked nickname mentioned press italy known english monster dutch cycling great said classification began cycling journalist commentator wrote started race riders acknowledged likely competing second place wrote undoubtedly number time sports debates actually greatest time told ride racing cape order faster riders retirement subsequent stars feel overshadowed fame race results befriended began racing italian team criticized opposing riders relentless pursuit victory prevented lesser known riders collecting victories told won stated day start race intending win won able look mirror leading conclusion sixteenth stage stage traveled mobile lab traveled race conducted drug tests test came positive second test conducted came positive word spread positive test asleep positive test meant suspended month race director delayed start seventeenth stage attempt persuade president italian cycling federation allow begin stage president office forced start stage process succeeding days union removed suspension place start claimed innocence saying clean rider need win maintains samples incident conspiracy theories emerged including tested positive wasn italian better chance victory given water bottle november announced tested positive winning month earlier learning test positive later october counter analysis performed turned positive drug present medicine doctor prescribed disqualified race victory awarded second place finisher addition given month suspension fined admitted fault taking medicine said bottle riders tested positive group riders charged belgian cycling federation riders given fine month suspension initially announced intention appeal penalty saying took substances banned list eighth place finish race years later admitted banned substance citing wrong trusted doctor positive tests career asked event organizers stay away road world championships germany organizers stated role models wrote claiming crazy riders asked distance event


75th edition cycling grand tours started genoa individual time trial race concluded milan individual time trial june teams entered race won team second respectively italians franco victory step completing tour double winning tour france calendar year sixth rider accomplish feat marie won events opening leg rider wear race leader english pink jersey edition held race lead stage lost eventual winner conclusion stage held rest race duration built advantage fourth second stages individual time trials protected lead responding attacks rivals mountainous stages spanish rider win won secondary classification race classifications rider russia finished best rider aged general classification finishing seventh place overall mario team winner points classification finishing winners team classification ranking teams race lowest cumulative time teams teams invited race organizers participate edition team sent squad riders meant race started riders began race finish milan teams took race pre race favorites starting include previous year winner franco according author bill came race aims riding preparation tour france july came race contender finishing podium previous season tour france spanish newspaper believed favorite heading day racing newspaper state chances lower teammate jean bernard participating race injury writer writer believed favorites win overall crown spanish newspaper named main contenders win race route stages route unveiled race director november contained time trial events individual stages containing high mountains summit finishes stage stage stage stage organizers chose include rest days compared previous year race race longer lacked opening time trial prologue addition race contained half stages felt route best suited round stating final individual time trial decisive determining winner race writer believed course toughest years stating experts found race route balanced time spent mountains distance allocated time trials race nineteenth stage began ended named queen stage difficult mountains contained stage race overview began short individual time trial streets genoa won marie margin seconds day racing culminated bunch sprint won club leading man kilometers finish controlled pace making stage general classification contender attacked attacked near end stage caught rivals edged stage win race lead shifted marie increased advantage rest competing riders winning stage individual time trial thirty seconds race sixth stage stage containing climbs great difficulty stage progressed general classification contenders formed group road attacked times attempts marked riders contenders crossed finish line seconds stage winner franco lose time following day formed group survived stage conclusion taking stage victory stages came field won mario respectively event tenth stage featured summit finish general classification contenders group reached final climb day group attack joined shortly led chase group contained andrew general classification dropped pace group caught slowed attacked win stage day route formed group gained advantage half minutes main field led team group remained took stage victory finished minutes later kilometers remaining twelfth stage accident saw continued sprint finish won race entered thirteenth stage attacked times final climb day able counter attack group main competitors finished stage winner day mountainous race according writer contained twice climbed second end stage launched solo attack won stage general classification contenders attacked marked rivals ditch effort allowed finish seconds ahead rest general classification leg race saw man group form stage started group caught reached finish line simon won sprint line won sixteenth stage participating lasted eighteenth stage featured summit finish del rival riders attacked group general classification riders leading road going final climb day climb wore group attacked false flat remaining stage win day caught nineteenth stage leading rider road attacked kilometers left day rode solo stage victory race leader countered attacks rivals maintained advantage event twentieth stage saw attack times won stage categorized climbs stage finished time penultimate stage resulted field sprint won fourth victory edition final stage race individual time trial race leader won stage minutes seconds second place finisher stage sealing overall victory riders achieved multiple stage victories stages stages stages stages stages stage wins achieved competing squads won multiple stages collected total seven stage wins riders stage jeans amassed total stage victories club achieved feat earned stage wins marie stage simon stage gained stage victories stage stage collected stage success lotus team won single stage stage second stage stage fourth stage fifth stage classification leadership different worn leader general classification calculated adding stage finish times rider allowing time bonuses finishers mass start stages wore pink jersey classification important race winner considered winner points classification awarded purple jersey leader given points finishing stage additional points won intermediate green jersey awarded mountains classification leader ranking points won reaching summit climb ahead climb ranked second category points available higher category climbs race highest point elevation awarded points category climbs rider cross pass italian white jersey worn leader young rider classification ranking decided way general classification riders born january eligible classification marked blue jersey calculation similar general classification stage midway point riders pass point time stopped race goes times compiled person lowest time leader classification wears blue jersey jersey awarded classification teams stage finish times best team added leading team lowest total time rows following table correspond awarded stage run final standings general classification team classification aftermath entered tour france july favorite win race win race taking lead finish thirteenth stage winning tour sixth rider complete tour double history repeat feat following calendar year


tour france prologue stage tour france began june stage occurred july edition began prologue short individual time trial stage member starting riders competed clock belgium stages held country moving france race resumed start stage half race visited switzerland finish eighth stage contested individual time trial stage having returned france following day held lead race opening belgian leg having won race commencing prologue defended following stages race returned france maintained overall lead rest race week eventually losing time true mountain stage race stage seven dropped closing climb des result bradley assumed british rider wear jersey maintained lead following stages including victory tour ninth stage individual time trial held lead minutes overall standings mountainous second half tour race riders won multiple stages half race peter tour france won stages held lead points classification took stage victories fourth fifth stages world champion mark achieved stage victory french riders thomas took victories race marked large crashes notably sixth stage majority field crashed remaining total riders abandon race injuries suffered crash race rest day held ninth stage individual time trial team hotel squad searched french police team riders tour arrested relation ongoing anti case immediately suspended french team case open member team classification standings prologue june belgium prologue short fairly flat circuit expected stage times minutes start ramp located avenue riders headed north boulevard boulevard followed roosevelt midway point returned opposite turning right place saint des princes riders rejoined original route opposite boulevard finish line located boulevard opposite start tight corners prologue expected favour riders good bike handling skills rider leave start house tom general classification contenders going end starting order rain scheduled disrupt race set time course near identical prologue held city won rider immediately beaten rider simon went seconds quicker course lead long ukrainian national champion mark seconds time ultimately good tenth place stage results held lead hour rider seconds time point teammate lancaster prologue winner time beaten lancaster recorded time seconds quicker crossing line team sky rider marginally lancaster time assume lead time french champion quick step set mark course time held final riders course bradley team sky trailed seconds intermediate time check coming halfway test paced second half better deficit beat time half second pre stage favourite recorded fastest time intermediate point extended eventual stage winning margin seven seconds finish process won fifth tour prologue stage record overall contenders defending champion evans racing team sharp rider winner placing inside riders teammate peter world time trial champion tony martin quick step tipped favourites win stage encountered difficulties course respective runs lost time degree bends clip martin set similar time teammate intermediate time check suffered ultimately finished seconds time stage july belgium belgium tour remained belgium day racing stage rolling countryside category climbs route race finished municipality outside finish long fairly steep drag rising average expected suit race racing team rider gilbert won similar finish opening stage tour des riders team rider anthony bank bank rider michael advanced clear main field early running stage managed extend advantage maximum minutes quarter way stage point scored point mountains classification having led respectively overall leader paced teammates help gap leaders minutes proceeded win remaining climbs day race dot jersey danish rider held lead classification scored major points stage intermediate sprint point took honours ahead main field matthew teammates mark team sky seventh place joined gilbert racing team squad order reduce lead advantage cut minute break eventually caught inside remaining field remained halfway climb attacked peter hold pace team sky later duo left riders fight stage win reduced chasing attacked came outside fourteenth victory ahead maintained overall lead gilbert led home fourth year old youngest rider win tour stage lance armstrong stage july belgium belgium race remained belgium day flat course heading west fourth category climb stage expected ultimately result sprint finish riders french pairing anthony team rider michael bank bank wearing dot jersey mountains classification leader following stage went clear start stage making early field trio managed extend advantage main field minutes later took duties order reduce gap leaders held time scored point crossing summit later lead reduced half minutes took points offer intermediate sprint point taking maximum points team second successive day trio elected contest sprint main field matthew won sprint contest fourth place ahead rider mark mark team sky previous day stage winner peter remaining stage attacked fellow companions going allowed fall confines main field managed gain advantage minute brought main field inside final stage quick step held falling field suffering stomach problems instead focus left lead man tom field remained sprint finish led moved order riders team rider slid launched sprint wheel left got better half wheel 21st tour stage victory moving tie sixth place time tour stage wins list completed stage taking points classification lead green jersey sixth place maintained seven second overall lead teammate bradley stage july sur following day opening belgium tour moved france starting fifth stage team time trial race abandoned progress industrial action heading west sur climbs closing long shorter including final long climb finish average gradient like stage course favoured fast paced start stage short attacks closed immediately rider allowed initiated representing team bank bank rider michael continuing run road stages far team breaking free quickly gaining lead minutes lead eventually reached maximum half minutes presence respective classification leaders overall peter points scored major points intermediate sprint point team sky rider mark won bunch sprint sixth place despite boxed kenny van riders later exchanging words extended mountains lead crossing climbs ahead rivals large crashes took number riders riders suffered abandon route team sky team dropped companions managed hold cracked held climb caught quick step attacked point seconds field caught finish racing team led field comfortably took sprint line holding lead free wheel closing metres performing running man salute akin tom character film second time difference field led home team sky peter quick step announced organisers riders delayed crash closing metres given time stage july half stage followed coast normandy english channel intermediate sprint point turning inland finish fourth category climbs wind coast expected influence race tight turns bridge potentially lead outs ahead expected sprint finish rider formed early kilometres stage riders representing french licensed professional continental teams home riders david anthony joined japan representing team set gaining advantage half minutes main field day ultimately share climbs scoring points mountains classification best trio took maximum points customary bunch sprint minor points taken team sky mark launching sprint rear wheel matthew mark edged points leader peter sixth place points light rain shower hit race remaining crash day bank bank teammate delayed later rejoin main field lead gap continued race wore eventually leaving companions riders looked join leading trio riders eventually brought ahead finish inside final crash took number riders including lead man sharp duo robert hunter tyler final sprint sprint trains henderson set tempo lead achieved stage victory tour second consecutive year occurrence german rider beat tom line second despite delayed late stage crash rounding stage july saint flat day racing heading north easterly direction rated climbs wide straight finish park result stage expected favour immediately rolled start rider break confines main field allowed clear resistance joined riders kilometres simon rider jan provided assistance soon quartet held advantage stage point main abandoned race ongoing leaders held advantage minutes approached intermediate sprint point coming took maximum points offer leaders rolled line competition previous day mark team sky led main field line ahead matthew rider mark gap remained minute mark gradually brought lead quartet held lead seconds big crash occurred hitting points leader peter sharp tyler suffering fourth crash race fell clash rider tom stage angered tried board team bus voice feelings escorted away sharp staff including general manager attacked remaining gaining space companions faded finishing passed ultimately passed launched sprint teammate samuel wheel second stage running took victory ahead bank bank juan maintained yellow jersey earning 27th career set record rider won tour surpassing france stage july flat stage race entered mountains fourth category climb intermediate sprint point coming saint race finished near centre bunch sprint expected rider allowed instigated early kilometres david sharp rider later bolstered team rider bank bank joined racing later established maximum lead half minutes early stage stage minor crash involving winner previous stages overall contenders robert team suffered shoulder crash riders later rejoin main field contest intermediate sprint points led line matthew took available points main field fifth ahead team sky mark points leader peter crossed summit claim point offer mountains classification minor crash involved teammate crashes reduction pace delayed able rejoin main field day stage remaining larger crash delayed majority field according crash caused teammate adjusting jersey fell ditch causing riders stack riders delayed crash team entire sharp team exception delayed able avoid crash picked process riders abandoned race route injuries suffered sharp tom racing separated shoulder suffered trauma shoulder hip arm sent hospital joined damaged shoulder elbow tried ride eventually abandon later diagnosed kidney broken ribs bruised lungs completing stage team broken rib lung team loss muscle mass broken ribs lung withdraw crash race split distinct groups held minute lead reduced riders delayed groups minutes nearly riders able chaos took pace making hopes getting stage victory held second lead took final catch holding remaining set sprint going nearly boxed suffered snapped chain round soon passed faded closing stages picked stage victory début tour fifteenth rider team sky sharp delayed moved overall teammate maintained overall lead stage july des race entered high mountains time finish ski resort des category climbs final climb long averaged places climbs reaching closing stages following crash previous day riders abandoned race prior stage winner sharp hip leg joined teammate robert hunter ankle radius team knee fractured initial nineteen riders went clear eventually reduced seven riders representing seven different teams time race reached mark eventually established lead nearly minutes way stage intermediate sprint point reduced minute team took points line peter extended points lead beat matthew main field sprint eighth place bank bank chris crossed category climbs ahead started reducing advantage passing kilometre launched attack lead group remained minute team sky holding station setting tempo protecting bradley danger van den team rider robert encountered difficulties point lose minute end day michael leaders caught remaining team sky continued break apart time leaders reached riders remained teammate chris racing team evans rider closing kilometre evans hit final corner looked strongest climb eventually went past accelerating away second time gap rivals losing minutes day surrendered yellow jersey fifth british rider wear jersey david assumed dot jersey thanks stage victory took white jersey evans teammate van stage july switzerland race entered switzerland going mountains total seven rated climbs including category col summit average gradient climb finish riders immediate gap achieved closed team ahead day climb attacked lead group point offer mountains classification joined riders descent group held gap seconds mark roy attacked soon caught passed road samuel abandon race crashing teammate team suffered fractured left hand roy joined rider day fourth climb rider chase group formed duo quick step kevin left group soon joined leaders left attacking held lead chase group penultimate climb eventually group reduced french pairing tony roy teammate youngest rider tour lost ground final climb soon chasing climb ultimately caught summit climb stick climb crossing summit second advantage group overall contenders reduced setting tempo teammate van den minute half support team manager maintained advantage minute final swept small chasing group van den evans racing team looked clear closing stages brought second margin victory ahead evans rest group took dot jersey chris team sky teammate bradley maintained overall lead following day individual time trial stage july arc lengthy individual time trial stages fairly flat rolling hills early kilometres entered valley river expected main contenders general classification emerge stage customary time trial stages riders set reverse order ranked general classification end previous stage place trailed overall leader bradley team sky hour minutes thirty seconds rider set stage ultimately recorded time course thirteenth rider complete course rider recorded time minutes quicker completed course time time held hour teammate assumed spot despite seconds second intermediate time point completed final portion course seconds quicker recorded time quick step tony martin world champion rider assume spot setting time underneath minutes set time despite riding fractured bone left wrist suffering flat tyre opening stage improved quickest time set fastest time intermediate time points stage having passed rider started minutes road established time course beating martin time time threatened racing team rider van went beneath time intermediate time checks faded end fell seconds outside target ultimately riders beat time riding team sky chris improved van times splits maintained pace end setting time half second inside minutes beating time seconds went quicker time finished seconds teammate time winning tour stage substantial time major general classification rivals margin day ranged evans racing team finished sixth stage rider 28th lost white jersey leader young rider classification van stage july sur rest day tour remained mountains day route followed stage including tour passage climb col grand long climb reaching altitude average gradient sections excess tour passed col finish race descended gradual finish sur small attacks occurred early kilometres stage allowed riders establish advantage main field eventually amounted riders including rider highest placed rider group minutes race leader bradley team sky riders points classification peter matthew bank bank michael took maximum points climb day focus intermediate sprint point launched sprint beaten line reducing lead standings points group split apart col grand team thomas rider quick step remained crossed summit climb taking points offer climb crossed half minutes later took maximum points col result took dot jersey mountains classification lead rider dropped aid teammate attacked descent col grand riders stay ahead team sky led minute lead quartet join remaining looked clear closing stages kept hand career tour stage victory seconds ahead seven ahead remained wheel closest rival evans racing team maintain lead general classification alps

2012 Tour de France, Prologue to Stage 10


tour flanders tour flanders dutch van edition tour flanders day cycling race took place april eighth race world tour race classics second cycling monuments calendar champion able defend title breaking crash race initially dominated group seven riders favourites chasing group started attack climb finish eventually alexander broke free contested victory man sprint won norwegian win race van finished route route edition race slightly adjusted edition climbs added route kilometres length kilometres longer previous year featured small climbs race started belgian city kilometres neutral zone racing began riders passed outskirts route kilometres route south city passing route entirely flat route turned east region known flemish final kept edition toughest race starting steep climbs set prove decisive remaining finally climbs needed tackled route took laps circuit included ridden times second climb day featured twice teams tour flanders world tour event invited automatically obliged send squad professional continental teams received pre race favourites field race marked absence defending champion trek factory racing winner tom quick step ruled crashes earlier season riders named potential favourites victory thomas team sky came race victory place finish days absence trek factory racing squad led winner considered best chances quick step squad featured considered contenders team led alexander proven good form winning earlier week declared work race possible contenders included milan san winner john giant peter form called question prior race addition commentators named van racing team boom cycling high number possible contenders barry ryan declared race wide open nightmare predict race report race started small delay caused farmers strike racing got way riders broke free pack trek factory racing matthew team briefly group dropping bonus sprint won body weight local beer able bridge gap leaders creating group seven racing leaders seven minutes clear gap started come riders reached climbs attacks main group area featuring avail section neutral car supplier tried overtake leading group hit fell retire broken later required surgery lead group riders led main field minutes team sky leading chase rider bradley recovered earlier crash incident involving car occurred little later crashed team car turn brought rider forcing abandon tenth climb able break free group second ascent unsuccessfully attacked main field reached climb attacked increase tempo caused bradley riders lose contact thomas trek factory racing led chase bring reached attack climb leading maximum half minute climb finish favourites came play van following crossing soon followed larger group final lap course attacked rider strong group joined van nelson caught soon followed attack created thirty second lead held finish counter attack van peter late contribute pace making kilometre trying use win sprint proved unsuccessful took second monuments victory career line norwegian win race post race delighted win saying happy win good feeling family today big dream big goal season managed run finish line commented end came didn want work understand end beat thomas disappointed performance race lacked legs weekend referring victory magazine cycling weekly commented race criticising route tactical citing lack attacks teams reluctance send riders break reporter stephen criticised attacking finish writing believe hope winning man sprint quickest finishers world results


tony tony known born august australian track won tandem event summer olympics melbourne little formal training took sport age friends liked sport shot prominence years sport winning time trial mile event junior australian championships resulted approached team early promptly won tandem event national championships earn national selection pair eliminated losing races given soviet_union pair hospitalised crash forced withdraw unbeaten progressed unlikely olympic gold retired play australian rules football basing decision friends interests brief comeback professional sporadic success retired early years born victoria grew father member royal australian navy later bank manager father died young left mother nurse raise sisters brothers unlike siblings interested sport young age particularly took liking boxing won school boxing championship christian brothers college teenage years fought bouts youth club influenced friends took cycling age earned money selling flowers delivering newspapers bought semi racing bike later given proper racing bike trainer began amateur cycling club banked cycling track trained rose prominence winning metres time trial victorian championships second year competition won mile title time trial australian junior championships added silver medal sprint teamed start months start melbourne olympics older selected pure speed exhibited past year contrasting pair short man stood unusually tall final test run pair formally committed racing pair simply tandem track sat seat sat rear seat pair went win tandem event australian championships going melbourne olympics included regarded realistic medal chances mentor champion billy convinced potential progress international level training schedule consisted individual training times week days week coordinated tandem training olympic year main tactical responsibility look outside impending attacks patrolled inside devised signal system head bump hip verbal shout opposition olympics nations entered tandem competition round drawn germany south_africa fielded silver pairing tom ray robinson summer olympics australians early led ringing bell start lap overhauled line faded final straight given chance round later day australians lead quarters distance overhauled opponent final metres defeated photo finish normally meant australians eliminated final soviet_union germans resulted resulting heavy pile teams finished race soviets hospitalised cycling officials decided bruised germans forced compete sequel previous qualify allowed united_states australians australians seized good fortune set fastest time date seconds having beaten twice leading australians sat sweeping past germans americans final lap australia drawn south_africa quarter final defeated easily heats time fastest team competition final progress final faced italy appeared control start final lap moved alongside australians half laps australians surprised start final lap italians came pull level start straight australians held pulled away win length half italians lodged protest interference dismissed australians finished time later claimed convinced performance win gold medal final took place day racing australians came conclusion wheels tyres heavy sought buy better cycling equipment defeated germans germans agreed saying win gold medal australia pitted reasons australia return form return role assisted national championships assigned coach olympics regarded marketing style attempted psychological boost equipped new machines employed tactical trick devised australian staff noticed final burst certain point finish final australian team manager bill young stood said point australian led came point pulled upwards pre blocked expected attack australians cut opposition attack pairs hip contact helped attack australia went win gold medal returning home town thousands come welcome given civic reception later years following year unexpectedly left sport dismay cycling community believed continue success switched playing australian rules football friends felt fitting friends important saying funny lot brilliance hard work preferred mates year away bike returned cycling turned professional year left europe ron murray professional racing circuit trip unsuccessful group track ordering italy equipment arrived competed belgium copenhagen borrowed displayed ability defeating italian champion outing winning race tasmania retired cycling career worked apprentice shoe cutter retirement continued line work spending entire working career shoe industry designing marketing women fashion shoes brand cadets married children


officially record bank day cycling classic took place friday march edition second day race world tour classics race started finished covering distance kilometres principal difficulty race came climbs hills flemish mainly came second half race principal favourites victory peter trek race won team sky formed kilometres finish despite hard work quick step team came finish comfortably won sprint took second place teammate won group sprint place seconds route starts finishes city west flanders principal difficulty race comes climbs appear kilometre route climbs appear tour flanders including changes route previous years shorter distance fewer climbs cycling weekly suggested race slightly easier previous editions route left southeast crossing river proceeding outskirts climb kilometres flat section road roads turned east route passed north east east far kilometres completed roads turned west flemish second climb day came kilometres riders continued half way point race climb seven climbs following kilometres point kilometres classified climbs remaining climb came kilometres later immediately followed climb day metres road average gradient sections followed kilometres partially kilometre climb penultimate climb day kilometres finish point route crossed returned north west final climb came kilometres remaining race flat final kilometres final loop finish line participating teams teams selected start race automatically invited race organisers gave seven professional continental teams included belgian teams french teams vital concept direct italian team southeast dutch team german team team permitted enter riders team dimension data entered seven riders racing team van withdrew illness riders started race pre race favourites champion team sky thomas present defend title riding instead peter won race start trek won race occasions past tom quick step held record victories riding race final time having announced season professional strong form victories time trial stage reigning world champion performing strongly victories far demonstrated strong form shown strong form came race strong team teammates included possible winners race despite thomas absence sky brought strong team luke world champion possible included alexander team dimension data boom van favourites ruled race illness race summary kilometres racing man formed riders involved giant tony direct van cycling jay dimension data extended lead minutes kilometres completed advantage reduced minutes efforts quick step reduced minutes time riders reached kilometres remaining trek effort bringing lead group led right rider group broke away climb joined boom daniel quick step riders climb rear failed took minute team bring replacement bike putting long way favourites shortly caught chasing group combined group caught group contained create man lead group soon suffered fell group group led teammates minutes time race reached gap half minute climb attacked chasing group wheel man group broke away leaders subsequent eventually reached group hill attacked kilometres extended lead seconds extended seconds reached seconds final stretch quick step riders forced work chasing group riders group collaborate long effort took effort chasing group gap began reduce gap fell seconds kilometre remaining leading pair caught going surprised opening sprint metres remaining unable respond took race victory seconds chasing group finished seconds beating sprint place results post race analysis reactions victory joining team sky beginning said race main target classics remainder classics season reason succeed pointed glad escaped worked arrived finish similar situation winner said thought surprised waiting sprint acknowledged knew experience year difficult race pressure world champion rainbow jersey revealed told radio ride hard stay away chasing group power left final race majority work said happy race said disappointed result pride way performed coming mechanical failure long pursuit help teammates different groups barely able follow riders group world tour standings season long world tour competition moved thanks points won race moved seventh points leader poland moved nations rankings sky remained teams rankings


edition cycling grand tours started amsterdam stayed netherlands stages leaving country route included climbs plan del ending individual time trial principal favorites overall success included team evans racing team weeks racing claimed second title winning david teammate rounded podium australian riders won lesser jersey awards evans taking points classification matthew lloyd winner mountains classification team bank best young rider road race stages netherlands marred repeated crashes led unexpected big time gaps transfer italy overall standings turbulent week different riders holding race leader pink jersey 11th stage greatly shaped overall standings riders including gained minutes remainder field took pink jersey stage days later took jersey kept days eventually lost difficult mountain stages close success fairly widespread teams came away stage win classification win stint pink jersey teams teams race announced march sixteen teams guaranteed place race virtue september agreement organizers season grand tours guaranteed place members time agreement group des declined participate race instead focusing tour france new teams joined team sky participated race team wish participate planned send best riders partially concurrent tour california seven professional continental teams september agreement members time joined teams round teams list team entered squad riders giving event rider outset race teams non invitation dutch teams like forthcoming tour france began netherlands dutch professional continental teams ridden grand tours season teams tried prove hopes securing grand tour invites trying especially openings tour partly financed dutch tax money team manager called political help invites team dutch team tour consequently teams selection teams disappointment non invitation led communications president pat result reforms teams selected grand tours pre race favorites described wide open terms best chance win notable riders including past champions enter champion originally finished second suspended national federation february incident champion better focus tour france previous season indicating defend championship champion announced ride instead focusing tour france order complete career sweep grand tours lance armstrong leaders squad announced october ride partially concurrent tour california instead team selected days race began announced riders suspicion virtue irregular values biological franco set leaders team described pre race favorite team firmly stood case expressed anger unveiled findings close start pulled squad replaced planning ride tour california squad leader overall favorite intended participate race stating october certainty start missing world champion indication advance racing team line invite race later suspended team result internal investigation meaning miss later cleared wrongdoing pre race analyses identified evans major favorites win overall classification evans consensus pick ridden come away finishing won difficult mountain stages race final week noted rider gets stronger race goes making climbing intensive week possibly sit favor evans finished grand tour podium past seasons including recent week event entered race reigning world cycling champion successful season date win podium finish raced season prior riders named contenders included bradley winners alexander christian david race director named evans favorites included possible mark stage winners past editions absent race took start amsterdam included tyler won grand tour stages figured favorites flat stages tour france points classification winner intended debut race pulled shortly race started included teammate brown henderson route stages stages divided following classifications race organizers sport time trials individual team seven flat stages mixed stages mountain stages race began netherlands ninth time history race began outside italy start belgium short individual time trial flat stages held starting race away italy meant early rest day coming days day race necessary transfer italy stage entering italy team time trial fifth consecutive year discipline featured stage visited raced partly roads yearly italian semi classic course honored italian cycling legends passing road race stages italy stages ended climbs coming race week stage long climb gaining vertical elevation average gradient percent difficult climbs mountains region alps length shorter climbs race vertical gain time percent maximum gradient difficult stage individual time trial went plan course identical stage gained featured section percent final kilometer road race stages especially climbing intensive including del rising average gradient percent known climbed middle driving race highest point stage featured considered queen stage climbs race included del santa climb race del climbs featured difficult route noted appeal types riders time race seven flat stages figured end mass hilly mixed stages inviting riders announce ride commented route harder demand strong champion concurred route favored noting distance spent time great errors climbing specialists allow rider better suited time champion race overview began amsterdam individual time trial favorites stage included british riders team sky captain bradley transitions david riders considered favorite won stage securing pink jersey major surprise stage grand tour rookie racing team coming second seconds winning time seventh seconds set stage turbulent opening road race stages netherlands featured crashes courses road stages netherlands noted lot street furniture combined riders nerves day week grand tour north_sea mass start stages tyler christian henderson fell point netherlands crashes took riders difficult track exactly effected crashing consequently falling away leading group road meant different things different riders like crashing meant unlikely able contest finishes stage wins overall contenders like lost time general classification second year row suffered broken result crash consequently abandoning race despite crashing stage got able win stage depleted field sprint state roads netherlands sheer quantity crashes took place incurred criticism questions included grand tour evans alexander took pink jersey netherlands held prior transfer italy riders teams seconds meaning pink jersey remained transfer stage italy team time trial race member squad races clock team time taken fifth rider cross finish line winning squad time gap team sufficiently large fourth race leader stages stability race leadership comfortably retained stages featured taking day honors finished stage major incorporating stretches gravel roads near finish day stage run happened heavy rainfall making course muddy dangerous like happened netherlands great riders crashed stage chief lost minutes crashed seeing alexander evans broke free leading group evans won stage riders cross finish line covered mud took race leadership mountain stage flat stages followed overall standings change retained jersey stage provided major changes overall standings riders formed day escape group quickly took minutes advantage team bank holding white jersey best young rider sixth overall best placed man group multiple support riders set group away main field containing favorites pulled little time nearly minutes stage winner finish day result massively overall classification rider stage remained afterward took pink jersey entered contenders fallen overall standings stage moved kept pink jersey days conceding david fellow member stage climb leaders day stage race overall favorites began overall classification previous race leaders evans assumed 8th 10th standings great changes overall classification stage way climb won stage greatly reduced deficit held pink jersey stage evans finished placed moved fell contention time losing minutes climb evans turned best ride pre race favorites plan time trial closing deficit moving past overall stage riders left robert finished stage major changes overall standings riders faced climbing intensive final road stages team rode hard tempo stage del eventually group crossed minutes ahead nearly time virtual race leader noted far better took aggressive lines coming caught evans john leading trio group seconds start stage concluding climb took time climb went finished minutes ahead giving pink jersey days left race elected try aggressively descend large climbs course final road race stage settling second place riding riders day changes time gaps riders remained previous day won stage individual time trial closed provided small changes overall 15th place stage easily champion rounded podium australian riders won lesser jersey awards evans won points classification represented red jersey return original colour scheme minor classifications reflected colours italian flag evans victory came way finishes including stage win course race classification tightly contested race different riders held jersey changed hands times matthew lloyd won green jersey mountains classification taking maximum mountains points stage winning stage morning later mountain stages points climbs consolidate lead won white jersey best young rider holding stages success widespread teams race sharp contrast rider win multiple stages year race took sprint finishes stages team sky racing team won stage quick step stage wins depleted sprint finish stage netherlands stages later led winning finish line team bank chris won stage morning time trial specialist won final race clock team columbia won multiple sprint stages man matthew ace missed opportunity later took win team took stage wins won man sprint late stage italian stage winners days racing stage win row overall italian riders stage winners won stage team time trial theirs squad stage wins won teams classifications time based fast team points based super team win stages pink jersey tom win classification meant come away handed team came away riders paul wearing mountains jersey point classification leadership different awarded general classification calculated adding finishing times stage allowing time bonuses finishers mass start stages leader received pink jersey classification considered important winner considered winner additionally points classification awarded red jersey points classification got points finishing stage unlike better known points classification tour france type stage effect points offer stage points available scale win earned points second place earned points fourth fifth sixth point fewer place single point 15th addition points won intermediate mountains classification leadership marked green jersey mountains classifications points won reaching climb climb categorized second category points available higher categorized climbs race highest point elevation awarded points category climbs fourth jersey represented young rider classification marked white jersey decided way general classification riders born january eligible classifications teams fast team classification times best team stage added leading team team lowest total time super team team points classification placed riders stage earning points place second place single point 20th team fair play classification rewarded teams best avoided penalty points minor technical rows following table correspond awarded stage run final standings minor classifications known classifications leaders receive special jersey awarded awards based points earned weeks tour mass start stage intermediate sprint gave bonus seconds general classification points regular points classification points classification award known previous years expo classification won tom team awards included classification compilation points gained position crossing intermediate mountain passes stage finishes mountains classification winner matthew lloyd won award classification based finishing order points awarded finishers stage won like closely associated points classification evans additionally rewarded riders took head field rider escape fewer riders getting point kilometre group stayed clear quick step competition teams given penalty points minor technical successful avoiding penalties won fair play classification world rankings points events season contributed points world ranking points awarded finishers overall finishers stage


fifth running cycling stage race race organised sport organisation rated world tour event calendar highest classification event race consisted stages beginning june start race switzerland concluding june sixteenth race world tour season viewed great preparation july tour france number contenders general classification tour participated featured mountainous stages individual time trial similar length tour race won great_britain chris team sky successive year squad won race bradley victories took overall lead race winning fifth stage maintained advantage end race win fourth stage race season ultimately won general classification seconds runner team mate mountainous stages route podium completed daniel team finished seconds minutes seconds race classifications sharp dennis winner white jersey young rider classification highest placed rider born later finishing eighth place overall despite winning stages race quick step won green jersey winner points classification gained intermediate stage finishes red white jersey king mountains classification went rider thomas teams classification comfortably won team sky second year row minutes clear best team teams world tour event invited automatically send squad originally eighteen invited race squads given places team originally invited race later regained status appeal court arbitration sport race organisers announced inclusion bringing total number teams competing tested positive seventh stage positive test second rider squad space year steve tested positive competition test september team member pour union second positive test meant according union regulations stop racing days team voluntarily withdrew avoiding financial penalty incurred team failing compete world tour event regulations result reduced following teams rider starting previous winner race winner race led team schedule route race announced april stages stage june switzerland switzerland despite starting finishing village occasion race started switzerland history opening stage franco swiss border department previous year race finished slight descent start race climb commenced racing category climb long steady descent category climb col featured ending stage test average return loop passing intermediate sprint climbed time second category climb category climb kilometre finish especially closing kilometres expected dropped resulting select group riders finish day initiated day opening climb initial team rider david later joined rider thomas jean quartet built maximum lead road minutes tony martin quick step set pursuit leaders able reach lead group point attacked col managed break away seconds dropped earlier climb climb remained clear closing stages eventually came line biggest win career win world tour level minutes claimed race lead general points mountains classifications remaining members caught allowed martin team mate second ahead pro cycling tom best placed young rider stage june flat stage race organisers second half set test remain way finish day climbs came portion route second category col coming remaining stage col day climb average gradient second category communal prior descent fast gradual rise finish separate riders attempted solo early stage point group able separate second day running rider thomas main aim taking mountains classification lead away overall leader david team joining group initially rider fourth rider able bridge group quarters group minutes opening stage unwilling group distance road gap peaked minutes halfway team maintained pace pulling group led leaders climbs quartet held lead minute foot attacked companions pulled advantage minute brought led quick step resistance lasted final climb col sped team mate attacked climb remaining clear finish stage led chase led field final kilometre navigating bend metres left strongest sprint took win ahead quick step finished second second day running finished maintain race lead stage june stage race split distinctive sections portion stage start town predominantly flat race headed feeding zone route moved day climbs col des long rolling climb steady descent intermediate sprint point coming finish route descended little col des category climb average gradient summit climb came finish finish technical tight left hand turns final kilometre riders broke clear main field immediately race rolled joined sharp rider jacob juan quartet pulled clear maximum advantage seven minutes early stage steadily brought team mates race leader david team quick step team aided chase minute leaders intermediate sprint member group caught commenced col des solo attacks pulled quick step set final sprint lead team mate thomas finished strongest stage win win career ahead michael stage june les des individual time trial race individual time trial extensive length held loop les ain department stage entirely flat stage finished des largest parks europe race organisers expected quickest times course minutes general classification leaders regarded time trial test individual time trial similar length held july tour france customary time trial stages set reverse order ranked general classification end previous stage larry racing team place starters trailing overall leader david thirty minutes fourteen seconds rider set stage recorded time course stay immediately beaten mitchell started minutes riders started stage minute intervals nearly caught end having passed team mate course rider alexander rider record fastest time setting jack rider break expected fastest time recording minute time sharp rider went went seconds quicker team assume spot short time czech national champion jan team mate completed course minute quicker time team mate recorded time minutes falling couple seconds shy time half minute clear best time point set time beaten riders eventual stage winning time recorded world champion tony martin riding quick step team martin comfortably quickest intermediate time checks route crossed line minute clear recorded time martin winning time allowed claim sixth individual time trial victory sharp rider dennis recorded second fastest time course new leader seconds team sky chris best general classification contenders team sky riders lost minutes course stage june sur fifth stage mountain stage summit finish ski resort outside les opening loop start town sur climbs day route climb averaged ascent race progressed des period terrain short sharp fourth category col route climbing descent saint headed intermediate sprint point fourth category final climb ascent averaged somewhat bends finish provided attacking rider perfect kick finish attack laden opening stage allowed riders formed racing mountains classification leader thomas group maintain lead standings best placed general classification rider group trailed overnight leader dennis sharp half minutes lead gap went minutes point stage half leaders approached final climb day tim daniel set pace foot climb attacked leopard matthew able bridge dropping team sky leading main group pace numerous riders team attempted chase brought remaining losing time previous day time trial attacked group chased team sky chris able catch closing stages kicking stage victory race leader yellow blue jersey dennis dropped final stage dennis ultimately fell general classification team mate able ahead seconds maintained lead young rider classification stage june sixth stage relatively short long near flat opening included day intermediate sprint race moved hills climbs period quartet fourth category averaging category col narrow climb averaging descent riders climbed second category col des averaging short sharp climb col des finished climbing day points classification leader extended lead intermediate sprint quick step stage took hour form road rider built advantage minutes team took station rider clear rider question thomas managed catch original passed road later joined seven riders ascending col best placed rider rider trailed overnight leader general classification chris team sky despite squad kept gap check difference going minutes racing team helped chase leaders managed gap time race reached point lead group team attacked pairing kevin follow eventually rejoining tim thomas losing contact later dropped allowed slight chase allowing leaders increase gap minute minute half gap remained minute race entered enabled battle honours half hearted moves rider launch sizable ultimately won stage ahead team sky won bunch sprint seconds later team mate kept race lead stage june queen stage penultimate stage steadily rose start town day climbs test climb seen dress rehearsal tour france held july average climb featuring twice race eighteenth stage short descent second climb second category col averaged climbing immediate long descent followed category col averaged duration riders enjoyed respite climbs hour passing intermediate sprint corps final portion saw riders climb col portions descent kick finish group riders seventeen teams formed day minutes clear time reached foot climb gap rose minutes summit climb led thomas allowed kevin virtual leader general classification began splinter col advantage main field continued rise minutes led climb ahead mountains classification leader thomas quick step rider moved clear ahead col managed pull minute half clear rest foot climb dropped climb time lead group moved minute catching eventually left cover stage team sky prominent leading group setting pace high reduce group dozen riders rider samuel attacked near climb rider riders worked managed build gap seconds prior final climb remaining clear finish end win year win later dedicated team mate died training accident september finished team sky having aided team mate overall leader chris stage june final stage medium mountain stage length having rolled start town headed rolling terrain descent set climbs averaging length having passed feed zone road steadily rose foot second climb category col climb irregular gradient averaged climbing albeit short downhill section middle summit route descended ultimately start final climb steady climb averaging duration climb previously featured edition race victory second day running large group formed primary break day total riders including members race teams group largest group included mountains classification leader thomas set securing advantage standings led allowed advantage half minutes points classification leader quick step group took maximum points intermediate sprint extend advantage secure jersey col rider tim attacked later joined travis able distance companions period racing team rider team able rejoin held advantage approaching minutes headed final climb conditions prominent stage attacked foot climb managed acquire gap seconds halfway quickly fatigue allowed rejoin ultimately pass road team sky leading protection overall leader chris setting fast pace group pace forced michael rogers distanced putting place overall threat team mate soon gained ground securing duo finish overall standings set chase ultimately prevailed professional victory finishing seconds clear nearest rider finished second ahead sharp andrew caught passed closing metres secured overall lead missed points title points rogers faded sixth overall handed daniel team final place podium classification leadership different awarded general classification calculated adding finishing times stage leader received yellow jersey blue bar classification considered important winner classification considered winner race additionally points classification awarded green jersey points classification got points finishing stage stages win earned points second place earned points fourth fifth point fewer place single point 10th points classification achieved intermediate points given riders line points second point mountains classification leadership marked red white dot jersey mountains classification points won reaching climb climb second fourth category points available higher climbs climbs awarded points points offer rider summit riders able points mountains classification compared category passes riders second category climbs fewer points offer smaller hills marked category fourth category fourth jersey represented young rider classification marked white jersey decided way general classification riders born january eligible ranked classification classification teams times best team stage added leading team end race team lowest total time


stage stage stage took place race concluded stage second half began long challenging individual time trial time trial took overall lead race followed flat stage withdrew race figure contention hilly mountainous stages follow sixteenth stage considered queen stages difficult stages contained high mountain climbs difficult summit stage finish second rest day came unusual stage short terms sheer distance par previous mountain stages terms difficulty stages won franco respectively fought step podium previous race leader went win stage mount finished overall concluded individual time trial time city rome despite dramatic crash stage final kilometer preserved overall lead stage conclusion winning career grand tour stage individual time trial individual time trial difficult long lot climbing categorized climbs course quick intense descent flat stretches lance armstrong rode time described wicked hard reigning olympic time trial champion called crazy laughed asked contender victory fact rider race point attempt time trial instead abandoning riders normal road race stage course highly time trial roads flat straight riders altered road race aerodynamic time trial bike including race leader climbs stage increased overall chances strong relatively weak time rider set early time beat time different riders succession posted cases marginally better times best time come david bradley briefly stage leader crossed finish line particular stage leader minutes started barely beat time second riders leave best rides day seconds minute better intermediate time checks seconds better line stage win ride propelled pink jersey narrowly missed taking time past general classification finished sixth stage surprising rider lose considerable time time world time trial champion michael rogers minutes winning time slipped sixth general classification reigning tour france champion took advantage rogers bigger fifth overall stage florence riders got respite short flat stage short hills stage small categorized climb kilometer mark course sprint finish result riders broke free maximum advantage trouble catching absorbed left race fought caught despite seven riders deep bunch mark able successful mark pick stage win fast riders time stage winner including general classification seconds actually missed start stage stuck race village habit lining start race minute avoid press picked team car running late brought field went win stage stage hilly stage categorized climbs course finish short categorized climb pre race analysis stage expected relentless attacks beginning climb day fourteen riders representing teams broke away stayed clear group climbs course started splinter team drove day finish figured favor race leader man team pulling proved match man working time reached descent fourth climb summit finish clear caught strong began climb day attack stage win caught summit wound finishing pink jersey group minute stage winner decisive attack came simon match giving rider stage win dropped pink jersey group summit climb end stage losing potentially valuable seconds highly placed riders michael rogers seconds causing drop sixth seventh stage faced categorized climbs stage considered difficult truly selective profile hills simply steep flat section end stage finish likely day began riders teams breaking away attained maximum advantage minutes race leader team content let real threat posed best placed man break minutes stage progress way conclusion ahead chasing hard things changed team came forward climb day set faster pace attacked came free holding wheel caught members morning group eventually caught launched attack fourth climb day time clear contenders caught seven unchanged stage man leading group began left unclear reasons sat abandoned attempt final kilometers stage left stage win joined chasing riders pink jersey group overall threats allowed attack way finish pink jersey group finished stage winner riders minutes majority field minutes cohesive group close thirds stage stage stage extremely climbing intensive categorized high mountains including finish difficult gradient smaller climb way stage short hills following alterations stage called queen stage large early began stage day row numbered category climb riders dropped pace teams race leader contenders called sporting directors stay team leaders left eventually shed remaining mates time appeared stage win pink jersey group absorbed member morning time began climb previously stated day attack general classification dropped despite efforts lance armstrong pace pink jersey group wound finishing nearly minutes stage winner falling sixth general classification effectively eliminating designs pink jersey armstrong near leaders climb dropped help later armstrong saved minutes minutes finish tried attack pink jersey group times foot climb answered time attacked let fixed solely attack proved crucial fresh having climbing seven hours staying clear pink jersey blowing past claim stage win time gained road bonus seconds line moved overall classification finish line gaining second road bonus seconds slightly pad lead thomas white jersey best young rider dropped early stage finished minutes stage winner wound dropping way fifth youth classification quick step rider kevin 15th overall assuming white jersey weather major factor day temperature topping caused riders race lose contact groups stage second rest day faced shortest stage originally scheduled include highest point route changed published maps snow mountain pass climbing replaced equivalent addition flat section beginning stage course perfectly flat followed slight increase gradient followed exceptionally steep final thomas started day riders followed maximum advantage minutes chase beginning earnest early stage short length riders break unable maintain pace set foot long left climb began subsequent attacks pink jersey group absorbed attacked pink jersey group climb began franco followed able clear paced sizable gap pink jersey group hitting wall lance armstrong tried follow reach decided wait armstrong chose race climb like time trial strong steady climb good stage win armstrong finished stage group road team setting pace climb fell philip spun road ditch bike damaged sustained numerous visible managed continue finish stage form rest day virtue stage win minute gap reigning tour france champion fell fifth overall classification moving quartet riders climb second position road race leader rode high attempt separate unable sprint finish line virtue time bonuses gained place gap road closed deficit seconds stage field faced climb stage following long technical descent course gently categorized climbs absence climbs stage expected favor remaining wound contested stage began largest successful riders representing teams teams missed break team race leader worked cohesive unit stage gaining maximum minute advantage seven broke free left race contested final sprint stage win rider try win quickly overtaken turn passed experienced rider timed sprint right stage win high placed riders general classification finished stage winner change overall stage eve mount stage gave second positive test continuous stage mount stage saw rough hills including elevation final saw steep climb famous mount stage comprised riders representing teams stage victory year quick step maximum advantage seven minutes pink jersey group overall contenders teammates trouble catching little town mount climb tried tactic employed franco took stage win attack clear pink jersey group joined soon team leaders rider overall contenders respond wound absorbed subsequent attack drew took lead pink jersey group attacked solo pink jersey group quickly passed riders road stayed claim second stage win previous stages race leader man second place stayed right climb tried repeatedly shed attacks unable holding wheels took opportunity taking energy come clear position road road sat waited better placed teammate paced small gap cracking ensure second stage overall classification managed line claim bonus seconds narrow deficit seconds flat stage individual time trial remaining superior time advantage stage naples stage flat climb short elevation near end preview predicted sprint finish late attack decided stage clear aiming time bonuses available stage finish line intermediate sprint team worked bring morning end stage mountains race leader stayed right contested intermediate sprint team trying successful able come beat line teammate accomplished managed beat sprint limit losses got time bonuses got second sprint lead overall classification pace intermediate sprint riders came clear form caught lap finishing circuit riders tried break away stage win caught second final lap silence rider gilbert attacked got gap staying away stage win thomas tried follow reach gilbert finishing seconds finished seconds stage rome individual time trial ended previous year individual time trial course flat road twist places winning time set early stage rider reigning lithuanian national time trial champion man leave riders course started rain bradley started ride long best time second intermediate time checks slowed rain encountered course stopped team car attending crashed rainfall soon began riders general classification faced course difficult rain rode positions intact aim stage win attacked course riding high outset best time intermediate time check lost energy faded away course went finishing seconds slower stage winner champion man course rain started ones course pace win stage dramatically crashed final kilometer bike wet support staff team car gave quick bike change moments finishing seconds stage preserve overall victory

2009 Giro d'Italia, Stage 12 to Stage 21