Stage 12 Recap, 13 Preview

Stage 12 featured rolling hills as the last transitional stage across France before the riders hit the alps tomorrow. Despite 3 early "climbs" the peloton did not easily let a break get away setting a blistering pace of 48kph over the hills, actually causing a few riders to be dropped out the back of the peloton, forcing them the to abandon the tour. But finally after several failed attempts, a seven rider group was able to form a successful attack. The riders worked together to form a 6 and a half minute lead over the peloton, who knowing that none of the those in the break would be GC threats (closest was already 10 minutes back), seemed content to cruise in after the fast early pace, not taking up any serious chase and conserving energy for the climbs tomorrow. By now certain the breakaway was safe two riders, Nicki Sorensen of Saxo and Agritubel's Sylvain Calzati, attacked 20k out from the finish, but only formed  a little over 10 seconds of a gap on the chasing 5. They held this lead for near 10k but seemed doomed to be caught by the chase pack, who was reorganized and motivated by Liquigas's Franco Pellizzoti. Pellizzoti, who after coming in 2nd on the break in stage 9, desperately wanted another chance at a stage victory. With the two man break seemingly falling apart Nicki Sorenson showed he still had legs yet, attacking hard with just 5k to go and flying away from Calazati as if he was standing still. Calazati was quickly swept up by the chasers but Sorensen's acceleration proved too strong and the Dane didnt look back from there. He crossed the line an astounding 37 seconds ahead of his chasers. Great stage victory for Sorensen, who will act as a domestique for the Schleck brothers the rest of the tour. The peloton rolled in 6 minutes later, with Cav' flexing his muscles once more to pick up the 16 points that come with an 8th place finish, with Hushovd in throw to steal minimal points in 9th. GC stayed the same again, but Cadel Evans and Levi Liephiemer experienced a scare by both being part of a crash coming into the finish, luckily neither suffered serious injury and both received the same time as the peloton with the crash occurring in the last 3k. Also there was a correction on the times awarded on stage 10, as there was ruled no gap in the peloton so riders further back were not set back 15 seconds, this thankfully returns levi and Wiggans to their original GC positions of 4th and 5th respectively.

Hats off to Sorensen, and Cav for providing some transitional entertainment these last three days, but enough with the side shows, tomorrow the real face-off for the Maillot Jaune begins. Unfortunately tomorrow will be a mere taste test, as the route will return to the flats on Saturday before kicking up into the high mountains for the 3 following stages. Just to lay out the what's to come in the rest of the tour: light mountains tomorrow, sprinters stage Saturday, Big climbs as we hit the alps in stages 15-17, but they are split up with  the second rest day coming Monday, then stage 18 is the crucial final time trial, followed by a transitional stage 19 which will lead the riders to the ultimate test of manhood that is stage 20, Mt. Ventoux, a week from saturday. And finally the tour will conclude with the ceremonial parade and sprint down the Champs Elysees in Paris. Looking at tomorrow there are 5 categorized climbs, with a gauntlet of 2-1-3-2 coming in the last half. This will allow for some serious attacks on the cat 1, or at least some stringing out, and give GC hopefuls who get away the opportunity to stay away with the up and down run into the finish. Look for Cadel Evans to be on the attack tomorrow once again. Other riders behind, such as the Schlecks, Sastre and the the Slipstreams boys Wiggans and VDV may be looking to make up time as well, but expect them to pick there spots very carefully in the remaining week and a half. I look for Astana to be on the defensive until the high mountains of the Alps, but if contador is feeling good you never know for sure.