Jens Voigt Solidifies Deutschland Lead

By Ashton | Permalink |

No Comments | August 14th, 2007 | Trackback

After expending a tremendous amount of energy setting tempo at the front of the Pelaton yesterday, CSC’s Jens Voigt almost won today’s stage five at the top of the highest mountain climb in this year’s Pro Tour.

A group of about 15 riders hit the toes of today’s HC climb up the 2,671m Rettenbachferner chasing Vladimir Efimkin (Casse D’Epargne) and Alan Perez Lezaun (Euskaltel-Euskadi). Efimkin dropped Perez as the slower grades kicked in and the Pelaton caught Efimkin a few kilometers later while Lampre and Discovery were setting tempo at the front.

The lead group included Voigt, Sorensen, Cunego, Leipheimer, Lopez-Garcia, Sanchez, Bertagnolli, and Gesink. Cunego attacked with less than 5 K to go and Levi upped the pace a bit, splitting the pack. Sorensen was dropped and eventual winner Lopez Garcia (Caisse D’Epargne) attacked creating a measurable gap. Leipheimer (Discovery Channel) fell off the back at that point, never to recover.

Voigt was the only rider who could match pace with Lopez Garcia up the last torturous 1.5 K of the mountain. Cunego fell off he back at that point. Voigt tried to catch him but Lopez Garcia found a burst that stretched his lead so he could cross the line about 10 or 12 seconds ahead of Jens. Robert Gesink of Rabobank finished third.

Levi came in 5th over all about 50 to 60 seconds behind Voigt. It looks like Levi will be about 1′20″ or 1′30″ behind Jens. Cunego is about two minutes back. Voigt should be able to defend his Deutschland crown!

Gesink took he Young Riders Jersey today. The Sprinters Jersey remains unchanged from yesterday. I did not see who won the KOM Jersey.

This was a fabulous stage up above the treeline toward the glacier. Lopez-Garcia and Voigt rode their hearts out. If you get the chance you at least should watch a hi lites video. Thank God Uran did not ride off the side of the mountain today. If he had, he probably still would be falling.