What's the point?

The 13th stage of the Tour, which saw the Norwegian Thor Hushovd break the dreams of the French Jeremy Roy in Lourdes, did not speak to my favorites, address. The fault perhaps to a path which proposed a pass-out category is located too far from the finish.

WHAT REMAINS : The emotion caused by the performance and number, almost perfect, Jérémy Roy. Taken not far from the finish, the Tourangeau went near the dream. Yes, Roy deserved victory at Lourdes. Yes, he did not miss much. No, and unfortunately for him, there was no miracle in the city of Bernadette Soubirous, when it was believed that Thor Hushovd get up to 7km to go. Escaped for the fifth time since the start of the race to Passage du GoisThe French gave it, after a stage, who had seen 200km front. For two weeks, the young man is not sparing efforts. At one point, it is paid. On Friday, Roy has not gone far from an achievement. He just missed a little energy in the final to give France a first stage victory in this 2011 edition. Simply. He admitted to being "knocked out standing up," but rest assured: there is nothing to regret. Really.

What we liked : At the same time, what was "hated" the calm, ruthless power and science of race Thor Hushovd. All these ingredients carefully distilled in the descent to Lourdes Jérémy Roy deprived of a glorious day, the day after July 14. What is the world champion Norway in the last 45 km is a model of its kind, a lesson in tactics. A great moment of cycling, without exaggeration, that allows the hero of the day to become the first champion to win a Tour stage since Oscar Freire (2002). During the last 30 editions, they are also only two to have achieved such a feat. After the summit, Hushovd took all the risks, has launched headlong into the descent back to Moncoutié then Roy. Many would have finished ... freewheel, seeing the gap that separated them from the lead man at that time. Not him. It is difficult to know the character. Even the strong headwind was not due to the Viking. Instead, it was his best friend. You think I'm ecstatic with Hushovd? You're not wrong, but I accept it completely.

THAT was a disappointment: The profile of the step that squandered an ascent of the legendary Tour de France. I have a question to the organizers of the Tour: what is to place the Aubisque as far from the finish? To me, nothing at all. The question was surely asked them last year when we had set the agenda of the 16th stage (won by Pierrick Fédrigo) between Bagneres de Luchon and Pau, Tourmalet then Aubisque (Already!), Respectively located 130 and 60 km from the finish. See a bunch of 80 elements at the top of this difficulty has something shocking. What's the point? As to a flat stage. Here at least we will be safe from the start, the favorites in the final victory will not show anything. It not rewrite history or the course of this Grande Boucle 2011, but imagine an arrival just after the descent. This short stage, known as high mountain, had just 20 km too.

NOW WHAT? Place the final piece of the triptych Pyrenees. The 14th stage will link to the Saint-Gaudens Plateau de Beille of 168.5 km. There will be six challenges to the program. No more fun. This Friday nightAlberto Contador has promised to attack if his legs allow him to do so. The Spaniard has also helped put pressure on the Schleck brothers arguing that they had lost a day (Friday) to take her time. We already saliva. For two days Thomas Voeckler knows him stay. If Favorites are not waiting for the last three kilometers (!) To address, the French are unlikely to maintain its Yellow Jersey. It's time for the big fight. Finally? Unless ...