2014: Talansky like a phoenix from the ashes

The moment of glory for Cannondale, formerly Garmin-Slipstream then Garmin-Cervelo, harks back to the 2011 edition during which its riders won on the team time-trial at Les Essarts, putting Thor Hushovd, the world champion at the time, in the Yellow Jersey. Stage victories picked up thanks to remarkable shows of strength by David Millar in 2012, Dan Martin in 2013 and Ramunas Navardauskas in 2014, also spiced up the team’s slightly too tranquil history. However, the biggest impact on the world’s viewers reached its peak on the stage between Besancon and Oyonnax on Le Tour 2014, with the live broadcast of the ordeal that Andrew Talansky went through. Proclaimed as a pretender for victory following his success on the Critérium du Dauphiné several weeks earlier, the American was suffering from acute lower back pain following a crash on the finish of the stage in Nancy. Dropped by the pack, he virtually resigned himself to exiting the race, climbed off his bike and slumped by the side of the road. His sporting director Charly Wegelius gave him a pep talk whose content is unknown but which must have been inspiring, for the defeated rider transformed into the “Pitbull”. Talansky bravely climbed back onto his bike and finished the stage alone, in front of the broom truck. He did not take starter’s orders the next day, but he left the race with his honour intact.

Cannondale-Drapac riders to watch out for on Le Tour 2017: Andrew Talansky (USA), Pierre Rolland (Fra)