Rodriguez Conquers On The ‘Wall' In Mende

The Progress Report
The 12th stage of the 2010 Tour de France, from Bourg-de-Péage to Mende, started at 12.05pm with 177 riders at the sign on. Samuel Dumoulin (COF) was the non-starter. The 210.5km race included two intermediate sprints – in Mariac at 74.5km and Langogne 158.5km – and five climbs. The points for the polka-dot jersey were awarded at Saint-Barthelemy-le-Plain (cat-3 at 31km), col des Nonieres (cat-3 at 59km), Suc de Montivernoux (cat-2 at 96km), La Mouline (cat-3 at 133km) and the final test up the Croix Neuve – or ‘Montée Laurent Jalabert’ as it’s also known – two kilometers from the finish. The last climb carried double points.

A Few Escapes and A Crash
The peloton remained together until midway up the 10.5km long first ascent. It was here that the bunch split and Armstrong and Kloden (RSH) were caught in the second peloton that soon rejoined the first but not until Hejedal (GRM), Fedrigo (BTL) and Costa (GCE) had escaped. At 31km, this trio led by 22”, meanwhile, just before the top of the first climb, Pineau (QST) and Thomas (SKY) were caught up in a crash. They remounted and rejoined the peloton. Hesjedal waited for the peloton and was caught at 37km. RadioShack led the peloton’s pursuit of the other two who were reeled in at 39km. Cunego (LAM), Chavanel (QST) and Vaugrenard (FDJ) escaped next but they reached a maximum gain of 25” behind being caught at 50km. The average speed for the opening hour was 49.3km/h.

18 Riders Gain An Advantage…
On the second climb 18 riders worked up a lead of 22” by the top (59km) and they were able to breakaway from the peloton. The riders involved were: Vinokourov (AST), Kloden (RSH), Hesjedal (GRM), Casar (FDJ), Hushovd (CTT), Aerts (OLO), Sivtsov (THR), Santambrogio (BMC), Barredo (QST), Charteau (BTL), Kiryienka and Perget (GCE), Kern, Moinard and Pauriol (COF), Verdugo (EUS), Bole (LAM) and Valls Ferri (FOT). Hesjedal was the best of these on GC, starting the day in 12th place, 5’42” behind Schleck, while ‘Vino’ was 14th overall at 6’31” after 11 stages.
Hushovd was beaten to the line at the intermediate sprint by Bole but the Norwegian put himself on equal points with Petacchi in the green jersey competition with the four points he earned. The average speed for the second hour was 38.2km/h.
The Saxo Bank team led the peloton until after the fourth climb (when the deficit was 2’30”) and the Lampre team sent a rider to help the Danish squad with the pace setting.

Lead Group Splits
After Hushovd won the second intermediate sprint, Kloden went on the attack and prompted Kiryienka, Hesjedal and Vinokourov to follow. Hushovd and Kern waited for the peloton. With 40km to go, the four led 14 by 40” and the peloton by 2’50”. The maximum gain was 3’35” at the 169km mark but Liquigas, Cervelo and Saxo Bank all worked together at the front of the bunch and limited its losses…
Farrar (GRM) quit the Tour with 25km to go.

Rodriguez Beats Contador To Win His First Tour Stage
The 12 chasers were caught by the peloton in Mende (6km from the finish). Gadret was the first to attack the peloton, while up ahead Vinokourov surged ahead of his escape companions and led by 15” with 3km to go. At that moment, Rodriguez (KAT) attacked the yellow jersey’s peloton and only Contador could respond. This pair caught Vinokourov with 2km to go. Schleck didn’t panic, rather paced himself to the top of the climb, 15” behind. He sped to the finish in a group of five riders and crossed the line just 10 seconds after Rodriguez celebrated his first stage win in the Tour de France. The Katusha team earned it’s second stage win in two years by cunning riding from former Spanish champion. Rodriguez followed Contador once at the top of the climb and then darted into the lead with 150m to go and held off the defending Tour champion who is now closer to the yellow jersey that will be worn by Andy Schleck in stage 13.