Wiggins: in charge at Chartres
The dominant team of the 2012 Tour de France finished the second long time trial with three men in the top five. Any doubts about the ability of Bradley Wiggins were put to rest today when he dominated the 53km time trial from Bonneval to Chartres to win his second stage of the Tour de France and increase his lead in the general classification. He got to throw a victory salute, punching the air with his right hand as he crossed the line to beat the rider in second place overall, Chris Froome, by 1'16
Read more Key momentsThe stage in videos
Summary of the race
Interview - Stage Winner
Image of the day
Landscape of the day
Analysis of the stage
The day's route
Magazine
Jean-François Pescheux's analysis of the...
The towns 2012 : visit Chartres
The towns 2012 : visit Bonneval
Through the geologist eyes
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Tourist attractions
Bonneval
Referred to as the Little Venice of Beauce for its green environment and surrounding ditches, Bonneval is a perfect town for resting your body and mind. On one of the Saint-
Jacques de Compostela routes, this pretty green resort has many vestiges of the Middle Ages: a former Benedictine abbey founded in 857, fortifications from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the gate from the fifteenth century. Main town in the Canton and seat of the Community of Bonnevalais Communes, Bonneval is located one hour from Paris. Close to the A10 and A11, it is served by the RN 10 and the SNCF line Paris-Tours. Bonneval has many schools (from nursery to college), shops and businesses, a children's centre, squares, new housing and a rich network of associations. Soon, a new swimming pool will complete the lineup of facilities necessary for the lifestyle and comfort of its residents while preserving the calm and tranquility to the delight of tourists who enjoy the unique charms of a ride on an electric boat on the Loir river. What could be better than silently sailing down a river and taking in the unspoiled flora and fauna ...
Population: 4,650
Eure-et-Loir department (28)Economy : tourism, metallurgy, transport, food industry, parachemicals.
Specialties : rata beauceron (stew), see Chartres.
Nickname : the small Venice of the Beauce.
Sport : Godillose (running road race), canoeing.
Celebrities : Henri Ey (psychiatrist), Laurent Bezauly (cyclist), Romain et Brice Feillu (cyclist), Thierry Bouhraoua (seven a side rugby), Joel Normand (former Elysée cook)
Festivals : La Godillose
Chartres
Built on the site of an ancient Gallic city, Chartres owes the origin of its name to the Carnutes who occupied the region at the time. Later, during the Middle Ages it underwent major economic activity which developed especially on the banks of the Eure River, which crosses the city. Today, Chartres owes its international fame to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art, nicknamed the Acropolis of France by Auguste Rodin. Given UNESCO World Heritage status it is famous for its stained glass windows and their unique blue colour, the "Chartres blue". But, throughout the medieval streets of the old town, you can also discover other architectural treasures that are lit up every evening during the summer. Tied to its history but resolutely looking towards the future, Chartres, thanks to its proximity to the capital, is home to a quality cosmetics industry with perfumers Guerlain and Paco Rabanne. It also welcomed the 21st century by acquiring ultramodern sports and culture facilities.
Population: 3,200
Prefecture of Eure-et-Loir (28)Economy : agriculture, mechanical industry, electronics, cosmetics.
Specialties : mentchikoff (sweet), Chartres pate, sable de Beauce (biscuit), Chartres honey.
Motto : He who saves a citizen is handed an oak crown.
Sport : FC Chartres (football), AB Chartres (women’s basketball), UB Chartres Metropole (men’s basketball), Chartres ASTT (table tennis).
Celebrities : Jacques Pierre Brissot (French revolutionary), Geo Lefevre, Jean Moulin, Jacqueline de Romilly (French academician), Mireille Dumas (television journalist), Nicolas and Julien Escude (tennis and football).
Jersey wearers after the stage 20
- yellow jerseyWIGGINS B.SKY
- polka-dot jerseyVOECKLER T.EUC
- white jerseyVAN GARDEREN T.BMC
- the day's winnerCAVENDISH M.SKY
- teamRADIOSHACK-.RNT
- super-combativeSORENSEN C.STB
Key moments
- 23:00Summary of the race
- 17:39Great Brit: Wiggins creates history
- 16:00Interview - Stage Winner
- 19:02Sagan: «I want to finish this season...
- 18:56Froome: «I couldn't be happier»
- 18:49Van Garderen: «It's been a huge three...
- 18:43Cavendish: «You've seen my sprint is...
- 18:31Wiggins: «It's very surreal»
- 11:45Analysis of the stage
- 10:30The day's route
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