Deutschland, Stage Four, Unexpectedly Exciting

By Ashton | Permalink |

1 comment | August 13th, 2007 | Trackback

From the standard early attack by Volksbank and one other rider who stayed out front until the final climb to the three rider sprint at the end, this stage provided more fireworks than could have been expected before it started.

Please forgive me if the detailed reports contradict some of what I post here. I did not see all the race and have not been able to verify names or times independently, but I will do my best.

Jens Voigt (CSC) and most of his team started the day about 27″ ahead of the nearest contender, due to their successful TTT. Two riders took off to collect all the early sprint points and to earn coveted air time for their sponsors. One rider was from Volksbank. I am not sure who the other was.

CSC apparently lost two riders to stomach flu before the day began. Fabian Cancellera and Andy Schleck (this writer’s favorite to win the GC) apparently did not start. That probably is the reason CSC abandoned pace setting duties fairly early in the stage and was not really able to protect GC Leader Jens Voigt late in the race.

As the Pelaton began the final ascent of the day, two Gerlosteiner riders launched an attack. The Pelaton’s initial reaction looked like it would pull back the attack group, but about 6 or 8 riders, including Levin Leipheimer, Pablo Garcia (Caisse D’Espargne),Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner), and Damiano Cunego (Lampre) eventually pulled away.

Levi and a Rabobank rider were left behind before summit. Along the way Levi eventually fell about 20″ behind the leaders with the Pelaton and Voigt 25″ behind them.

Voigt undertook to set the Pelaton’s tempo on the ascent. No one wanted to help him. Voigt also stayed at the front of the Pelaton on the flat surface leading to the finish until they took Levi back in.

The descent was very fast and technical. Uran from Unibet suffered one of the worst crashes I’ve seen in a long time. He missed a curve and flew about 20 feet in the air colliding into a small rock face and sliding several feet into a mountain creek. I honestly hope he did not suffer a concussion or any brain damage. He obviously broke a collarbone or arm or both.

Levi and the Rabobank rider were caught by the Pelaton, so he and Voigt slid near the back of the big group.

I think Garcia was the leader who attacked first. He got a good lead on the other two riders and looked like he would win the stage. He was passed in the final 25 meters by Rebellin, who was passed by Cunego right at the line. The Pelaton came in about 5 seconds behind.

Voigt stays in the Yellow Jersey, but will he have enough left in him for tomorrow’s monster climb? Leipheimer looked fresh, but he was passed in the GC by teammate Hincapie who is in third place. Sørensen is second in the GC.

I could not catch the other Jerseys but it looked like Zabel might have fallen one point behind in the sprinters jersey.

I will try to update and correct this report as the official results are reported.