"Of all my victories, I think it's the best one. The Tour is the Tour, it's special. The Tour de France is the biggest show. It's the biggest race on earth." Stage winner Stephen Cummings
The biggest show can lead to the biggest stuff-ups. Yesterday I reflected on what it takes to keep the Tour fed and watered. I beg yesterday's finish goings on were not high on the things to consider list of the organisers:
BAGNERES-DE-BIGORRE, France (CT) – Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) was left bloodied and bruised on today’s stage 7 of the Tour de France when the flamme rouge — the one-kilometre-to-go gantry — fell onto the roadway.
The inflatable structure fell after the first five riders on the road had passed underneath: soon-to-be stage winner Steve Cummings (Dimension Data), Daryl Impey (Orica-BikeExchange), Dani Navarro (Cofidis), Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), and race leader Greg Van Avermaet (BMC). All five riders had been part of an earlier breakaway.
Yates was riding on his own ahead of the peloton when he reached the flamme rouge, having attacked on the Col d’Aspin with 7km to go in the stage.
“At the top of the climb I followed Dan Martin who attacked and then I took a bit of a risk on the descent to try and get a gap, to try and get the white jersey,” Yates said after the stage. “Coming into 1km to go I had maybe five or so seconds.”
The gantry then fell directly in front of the 23-year-old Briton.
Apparently a spectator's belt got caught on the cable supplying the air pump causing it to disconnect.
It's great to see the white jersey contenders fighting it out so early, when the real yellow wannabes are biding their time. It's obvious that Alaphilippe wanted to keep the jersey, he had his own crack earlier on, but Yate's gap from the top of the climb 7km was both adventurous and skilful. He deserved to have his time gap at the 1km banner reinstated. An embarrassing admission on the part of the tour organisers but respectful nevertheless.
It does mean that Simmsy has ended his run with Alaphilippe and Richo gets it with Yate's. I'm keen to see where this comp goes.
7 Prizes for Stage 7 Rider Owner
Winner of Stage $12.00 104 Steve Cummings (GBr) Clarkey
Yellow Jersey $7.50 98 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) Hanns
Green Jersey $7.50 101 Mark Cavendish (GBr) TQ
Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 163 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Jonty
White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo
Most Combative Rider $3.00 22 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Jimmy
Lanterne Rouge $2.50 146 Michael Mørkøv (Den) Pinkers
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