Haussler's Attacking Victory

The Progress Report
The profile of the 13th stage provides a reminder that we have reached another phase of the Tour de France. The 200km journey from Vittel to Colmar featured five categorized climbs, two of which were over 1,000m in altitude. Points for the polka-dot jersey were awarded at the cat-3 cote de Xertigny (46km), the cat-2 col de la Schlucht (105km), the cat-1 col du Platzerwasel (138.5km), the cat 3 col du Bannstein (165.5km) and col du Firstplan (179.5km). The intermediate sprints were in Xertigny (43.5km), Gerardmer (88.5km) and Luttenbach (124km). The official start was at 12.27pm and there were 164 riders at the sign-on: Leipheimer (AST) had to forfeit his fourth place overall, he did not start the stage because he fractured a scaphoid bone. The other non-starter was Wrolich (MRM).

Seven Form Escape Early
At the third kilometer, Moreau (AGR) attacked the peloton. He was joined in the lead by Haussler (CTT) and they were able to put some distance into the peloton. A counter-attacking group of five: Voigt (SAX), Garate (RAB), Perez Moreno (EUS), Uran (GCE) and Chavanel (QST). At 18km, they reached a gain of 50”; this was the maximum before the peloton – led by Liquigas, Lampre and Cofidis – got to within 15” at the first climb (46km). The average speed of the first hour was 47.5km/h.
At 57km, Haussler, Perez Moreno and Chavanel accelerated ahead of their escape companions who were caught by the peloton at 62km when the leading trio’s advantage was 1’00”. Riders in the bunch eased off the pace at 67km and by 68km, the three leaders were 2’50” ahead. This grew rapidly: 5’00” at 71km; 6’30” at 75km; 8’10” at 85km… the average speed for the second hour was 43.7km/h. At the feedzone, the peloton was 9’10” behind. This was the maximum gain of the escape.

Col de la Schlucht
AG2R led the peloton to the foot of the col de la Schlucht. Kern (COF) attacked and prompted a reaction from Pellizotti (LIQ), Barredo (QST) and eventually Martinez (EUS). They were joined by 11 others – including Feillu, Cancellara, Txurruka, Millar and van den Broeck – but they were caught by an Astana-led peloton 2km from the summit. Martinez outsprinted Pellizotti for fourth place at the top, 6’10” behind the three escapees. (The leaders did the climb in 21’52”; the peloton in 18’51”.)
Gerdemann (MRM) attacked the peloton on the descent. At 116km, the trio led Gerdemann by 4’30” and the peloton by 5’05”.

Col du Platzerwasel
At the start of the fourth climb, Gerdemann was 5’40” behind Haussler’s trio and the peloton was at 7’20”. Moreno dropped out of the lead group with 4.5km to climb. At the top the Spaniard was 2’40” behind Chavanel and Haussler. The peloton was 3’10” behind at the top and, as expected Pellizotti (LIQ) surged ahead to claim fourth-place points. Martinez (EUS) was dropped just before the top and earned no climbing points. Feillu (AGR) and Txurruka (EUS) attacked after the summit. With 50km to go they were 2’50” behind and the peloton (which included the polka-dot jersey) was at 3’25”.

Haussler Goes Solo To Victory
On the descent of the Platzwasel, Haussler attacked Chavanel. He arrived at the top of the col du Bannstein with a lead of 45” on the Frenchman and 4’00” on the counter-attack from Feillu and Txurruka. The peloton was at 6’40” at the top of the fourth ascent. Feillu was dropped by Txurruka with 25km to go; Chavanel was caught by Txurruka with 22km to go. With 15km to go, Haussler led Txurruka by 3’40”; Chavanel by 4’10”; Feillu by 4’55” and the peloton by 6’50”.
Feillu did make a bid to make up some time in the general classification but finished just 30” ahead of the peloton that was led home 6’43” behind Haussler.
Pellizotti earned 27 points in the climbing classification, which is enough to put him in the polka-dot jersey for stage 14. Hushovd finished sixth in the stage and regained the lead in the points classification. Nocentini finished 26th in the stage and will wear the yellow jersey in stage 14.