Stage 14: Sunday, July 18 – Revel to Ax-3-Domaines (184.5km)

A hard first day in the Pyrenees in prospect, with hot, sunny weather adding to the ‘fun’.

An early nine-man break peeled off the front, but fractured on the climb up the 2,001m Port de Paliheres. First over was Christophe Riblon (AG2R), followed by the strong Tour rookie Rafael Valls Ferri (Footon-Servetto).

King of the Mountains leader Anthony Charteau (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) came over 6th, to further increase his lead in that competition. The elite main field were 3 minutes behind, with Daniel Navarro (Astana) again thrashing himself in service of his team leader Alberto Contador. Despite an odd incident where he dropped back to his team car for food, rather than sending a team-mate back, yellow jersey Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) looked comfortable in the elite group.

The beautiful – and break-neck – descent to Ax-les-Thermes allowed some main-field stragglers to rejoin the elite group. At the foot of the final climb to Ax-3-Domaines, the group were 2′47 back from Riblon, with mountain specialist and 2008 Tour winner and mountain specialist Carlos Sastre (Cervelo) in the middle. Astana threw in more furious pace-making to break the pack, Navarro and Alexander Vinokourov notching up the tempo.

A decisive moment 4.5km from home – classic attack from Contador, matched instantly by Schlek, and within seconds by Denis Menchov (Rabobank) , Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel). This burst of speed overhauled the returning Carlos Sastre, who was just able to hang on to the group.

An amazing last 3km started with Contador and Schleck practically track-standing, and allowing themselves to fall back through the lead group. Clearly more concerned with sizing each other up and watching each other’s moves, they allowed other GC contenders Samuel Sanchez and Denis Menchov to ride away off the front.

Up ahead, a delighted but exhausted Christophe Riblon took the stage win. First of the elite group over were Menchov and Sanhez, locked together 54 seconds back. A further 14 seconds back came the group of Schleck, Rodriguez, Robert Gesink (Rabobank), Contador, and Jurgen van den Broek (Omega Pharma-Lotto).

The order of the overall standing stays the same, but Sanchez and Menchov gain 14 seconds on the first and second-placed riders. Schleck leads Contador by 31 seconds, followed by Sanchez (2′31), and Menchov (2′44). Jurgen ven den Broeck remains in 5h place, 3′31 back.

A psychological battle today between Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador, but also a major gamble. Schleck may take confidence from the fact that he matched every one of Contador’s attacks, but the Luxembourgeois is a mediocre time-triallist, and needs to build significantly on his 31 second lead over Contador prior to the final time trial at Bordeaux next Saturday. In last year’s equivalent (and shorter) time-trial at Annecy, Schleck conceded a full 1′45 to the Spaniard. Worse still, in allowing Samuel Sanchez and – in particular – Denis Menchov to close up the gap, Schleck risks his 2nd place being put in jeopardy. Menchov is a very good time-triallist, having won time-trial stages in the Vuelta a Espana before. The GC therefore remains close and dicey.

Leader board after this stage:

Overall GC
Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)

Points
Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre)

King of the Mountains
Anthony Charteau (Bbox Bouygues Telecom)

Young Rider
Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)

Tomorrow’s stage is the 187km from Pamiers to Bagneres-de-Luchon. The route will take in the Col de Portet d’Aspet, going past Fabio Casartelli’s memorial, before the day’s main event, the hors categorie climb up the 1,755m Port de Bales. Thereafter, a furious 20km descent into Bagneres-de-Luchon. Probably not the decisive day for the Tour, but the Port de Bales may spring a surprise if any of the main contenders are having an off-day.

A fascinating last week of the Tour is in prospect.