Schleck and Voeckler, the giants.

Andy Schleck sign a beautiful stage win in the Galibier.

 

The price of a fantastic solo raid, Andy Schleck sign a beautiful stage win in the top of the Galibier, at the 18th step. Again heroic Thomas Voeckler retained the yellow jersey for 15 seconds!

 

Two large for the giant. We waited it for so long. The Tour de France took us very high on Thursday on the slopes of the Izoard and Galibier, where began the great history of the giant of the Alps a hundred years ago. The show was so poor until then that the fear of a centenary had ruined his way. Fortunately, Andy Schleck was there to liven the day. The Luxembourg has written a page of legend between Pinerolo and Serre-Chevalier by embarking on a solo run of winning 60 km. It had to be done. But up there, near the snow, there was an indomitable Gaul. Heroic, Thomas Voeckler still in yellow to three days in Paris. Better, he now leads a list of potential winners reduced to four names after a watershed.

The plume of Andy Schleck:

Because he did not want to use the Pyrenees, Andy Schleck found himself in the position to risk losing everything to win everything. What we did not know is that he would actually try the jackpot. The plan was gallows in the morning. Send two scouts (Posthuma, Monfort) in the break. Then erode the pack in Agnel and Izoard. Finally, the usual large ropes. The novelty of the attack was Andy Schleck, mid-rise of the Izoard, without looking back and worrying about where her brother. At that time, there were 60 km to cover, the end of the Izoard, a valley with a headwind and the Galibier. Almost a suicidal operation. Reason also why no one has flinched in the group of favorites. Andy Schleck, he, for once forgot his calculations grocer, engaging in a bravura with an uncertain outcome. That was the beauty of the gesture. When the clock shows four minutes apart in the first slopes of the Galibier, through the sacrifice of Maxime Monfort, we realized that it was seriously behind.

Voeckler the Musketeer:
Alberto Contador was the first to sound the revolt. But the Spaniard did not have the legs of his ambitions Thursday. The Pistolero has even lost the Tour de France. When stopped 2 km from the summit, Contador took a terrible explosion (+3'49' '). It is only seventh overall (at 4'44''). So Cadel Evans, who has endorsed its responsibilities. In a strong position before the stage, the Australian was well aware that the situation was about to escape him. From a distance, the former mountain biker has delivered a mano-a-mano with Andy Schleck, little concern to hang on his wheel the other leaders (F. Schleck second, fourth Basso, Cunego seventh, sixth Rolland), including Thomas Voeckler (5e). Imperial, the yellow jersey was still there among the best, so much so that wondered if he could not even do more. His grin at the finish showed no. After exercise (5 to 2'21''), he's finally back to Jersey 15 seconds . The company keeps Cadel Evans and Andy Schleck, who consoles himself with a stage victory meritorious to take power even if it's Frank who finished second in the stage. The Australian also retrograde in fourth place overall at 1'12''Thomas Voeckler. Andy points to 15'', 1'08''to Frank. The winner of the Tour de France is among those four. Thomas Voeckler is one of them, not Alberto Contador. The dream is taking shape. But beware, there is still the Galibier and the Alpe d'Huez to swallow tomorrow, before the time of Grenoble.

Rank 18th stage:
1. A. Schleck (Lux Leopard-Trek) 6h07'56''
2. F. Schleck (Lux Leopard-Trek) at 2'07''
3. Evans (Aus, BMC) at 2'15''
4. Basso (Ita, Liquigas) at 2'18''
5. Voeckler (Fra, Europcar) at 2'21''

Classement général:
1. Voeckler (Fra, Europcar) 79h34'06''
2. A. Schleck (Lux Leopard-Trek) à 15''
3. F. Schleck (Lux Leopard-Trek) à 1'08''
4. Evans (Aus, BMC) à 1'12''
5. Cunego (Ita, Lampre) à 3'46''