Voeckler, l'ascension.

Thomas Voeckler leading with nearly two minutes of the favorites at the end of the second week, it must be seen to be believed. Yet the current situation does not depend on luck. Attempt to explain the principal applicant and his manager, Jean-René Bernaudeau.
Of course, without the falling together of Alexandre Vinokourov and Jurgen Van den Broeck on the road to Saint-Flour, Thomas Voeckler would probably never wore the yellow jersey on the Tour 2011. Of course, the Alsatian took advantage of the circumstances of the race. But his lead has barely melted on top at the entrance to the last week, despite the Pyrenees. The situation is unexpected but is not completely random. Proof. 

UN leadership ASSUME:

The formation of Jean-René Bernaudeau welded around a leader, this is new. Previous editions, the manager was Vendée stage wins with a team of adventurers around Fédrigo and Voeckler. The departure of the latter to FDJ has clearly based the ambitions ofEuropcar on the shoulders of Ti-Blanc and the whole team is dedicated to him. Early stage in Britain, Voeckler could count on Yohann Gene to protect the front of the peloton, he who, in recent years, was easily winning the last places in the package. Without the Alsatian, the Team Europcar never emerged. His teammates know it and show him their gratitude by sacrificing their personal ambitions to defend the yellow jersey. Anthony Charteau was peas, Pierre Rolland the white jersey, the other a stage victory. Not anymore.

. The opinion of Thomas Voeckler "It is possible that the departure of Pierrick act on my results but it is unconscious because I've never welcomed his departure. Maybe he left something released. In any case, it is clear that I feel the team that rallied around me. And most importantly, I feel that my teammates are happy to defend the jersey." 

HE WORKED THE HIGH MOUNTAIN:

Thomas Voeckler able to follow the best in the mountains, it did not happen overnight. The Alsatian has expanded its range in recent years to not simply be a great fighter-puncher. Thus he participated in three of the last four Tours of Italy, the race for the most demanding tracks. Voeckler has even finished 20th in the Giro 2010. A true sign. In 2011, it sets Michele Scarponi, dolphin Contador on the last Giro stage in Madonna di Campiglio in the Tour of Trentino. XXL On the course at the Dauphiné, he took 10th place despite the climb to La Toussuire, in Collet d'Allevard or Gets. A few weeks before the Tour, he already familiar terms the best.
. The opinion of Thomas Voeckler "There is no magic formula. I made very demanding races for 4 years. I swallowed a bunch of passes. Inevitably, little by little, I gained confidence. There is a big part of the mind. Before, when I began to have sore legs, I got up and I ended up with the gruppetto. Now I know I can follow. There is a new data on this Tour. When I look at the pictures and I compare them to those of 2010, I notice that I am very well in body. I have less muscle than last year in the legs and I have not lost weight. It's great for the mountain." 

THE SHAPE OF HIS LIFE:

Since the beginning of the year, only Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) And Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma Lotto) won more races than Thomas Voeckler. With eight successful this season, the Alsatian achieves its best year since it is professional. Two wins Paris-Nice, the Four Days of Dunkirk, a stage of the Tour of Trentino: Voeckler is a cannibal. For three years, his career follows an upward curve. And it must register its current success on the Tour in the heart of a steady progression that saw him win two years in his first two victories of a great Tour (2009 and 2010), a UCI (GP Quebec) or the championship of France.
. The opinion of Jean-René Bernaudeau "Cycling is a sport of maturity. Previously, Thomas was a maverick because what interests him is the winner. Today it is in the same situation as in 2004 but with much more maturity."

ROLLAND Pierre L'incubation:

The great hope of French cycling has done to its reputation in the Pyrenees. When leaving only the top names, Pierre Rolland was there, a faithful lieutenant of Thomas Voeckler. In Luz Ardiden to bring its leading wheels in the Plateau de Beille to set the pace and try to bring order among the big guys. This season, the Orleans has clearly turned a corner: "I was in the second group during my first two Tours. I was behind the big and the camera was on the first group. This year, I rebuilt with a new coach. " And Voeckler is the only, except the Schleck brothers, to be able to rely on a teammate in the final kilometers off category mountain passes.
. The opinion of Jean-René Bernaudeau "Psychologically, the presence of Pierre is a very foolish to Thomas. When one looks back and sees a teammate, you feel strong. In the head, is very important for Thomas. Pierre returned to the level it is a fantastic asset in defense of the yellow jersey."