Riders with strong climbing skills favoured to win Tour de France 2010
Ever since riders on gearless bikes struggled in the Pyrenees in 1910, high-mountain stages have been crucial in determining the outcome of any Tour de France. At stake for today’s climbers is not only the general classification title, which cannot be won without a strong climbing performance, but also the polka dot “King of the Mountains” jersey.
Most agree that riders with strong climbing skills have been favoured in this year’s Tour de France. The route chosen wholly excludes team time trials and includes no less than 6 high mountain climbing stages.
The 2010 Tour hits the French and Swiss Alps at Stage 8, which finishes in Morzine-Alvoriaz, France, at an altitude of 1800 metres. Following one day of rest, the Tour proceeds into Stage 9 on July 13, a 204km ride to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne that includes a 1500m descent over 19km for downhill riders to pounce on.
Riders will have to wait another five days for the next high-mountain stage. On July 18, Stage 14 contains two climbs, 7.8 and 15.5km long with inclines of 8.2 and 7.9% respectively, followed by another mountain-stage, number 15, the next day. On July 20, the riders enter the col du Tourmalet, facing four climbs between 11 and 29.2km in length and from 4.2 to 7.4% in incline. The subsequent rest day will have been well-earned.
Then it is the main event. Stage 16 includes an intimidating climb up the notoriously steep Mont Ventoux for 18.6km at an incline of 7.6% - a challenge that will make or break any rider trying to pose a serious challenge for the overall title. These six stages, neatly packed together by the organizers, will hold the key to winning the polka dot jersey. French rider Richard Virenque won it a record 7 times between 1994 and 2004 before being surrounded by doping allegations.
Virenque's successor as undisputed climbing champion is yet to appear, and there are a number of contenders up for the title in this year's race. While overall favourites, such as Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck or Lance Armstrong are all proficient climbing cyclists, there are some whose focus is set solely on becoming the “King of the Mountains.”
German rider Linus Gerdemann of Team Columbia will relish the challenge presented by the inclusion of so many climbing stages. "Everyone will be exhausted by then and there will be major time differences. I have never ridden the Ventoux but it is supposed to be a very special climb,” Gerdemann, who won the Tour in 2007, told Radsport-news.
In May, the green climber’s jersey of the Giro d’Italia was awarded to Australian Matthew Lloyd and another surprise performance from him may be enough to clinch the same title in this year’s Tour. With only one previous climber’s jersey won in 2006’s Herald Sun Tour of Australia, Lloyd will be a climber to keep your eyes on.
French climber David Moncoutié nearly quit the sport after suffering successive injuries during his 2006 and 2007 seasons, but has performed well on mountain inclines since. Moncoutié won the 2008 and 2009 green climber’s jersey in Vuelta a España, one of the three Grand Tours of cycling. Rather than looking for breakaway opportunities and stage wins in last year’s Tour, Moncoutié was set on being the best climber. Having then lost out to Italy’s Franco Pellizotti, the Frenchman will be eager to win the jersey this year.
Pellizotti, however, will not be defending his title in 2010. Having been accused of doping based on results found in his electronic blood passport, the Liquigas-Doimo rider was banned from participating in this year’s Giro and will likely be unable to defend his climbing title in this year’s Tour de France.
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