Caisse d’Epargne’s Rigoberto Uran tried to play Alberto Contador, making a gutsy break right before the final climb jumped to 23% that ended up crushing him (much to my sincere sadness).
Stage winner Igor Antón’s (Euskaltel-Euskadi) move wasn’t so dramatic, but his pacing was immaculate, taking him to the limits of his reserves, leaving him fearful that Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) would run him down over the closing meters.
Philippe Gilbert of OmegaPharma-Lotto and the oddly pronounced name didn’t have the legs to take the stage, but managed to stay in the Red (leader’s) Jersey.
Saxo Bank’s Frank Schleck and Rabobank’s Denis Menchov didn’t get aggressive, which isn’t really a surpise so early in the three week event. But it still makes me wonder how tough and serious Frank is and, at least in me wee brain, confirms that Menchov is only gonna play for the win if it damned near falls into his lap.
Schleck and Menchov are still riding well enough to remain in 8th at 50″ back and 14th at 1’11” back.
Some fantastically gutsy riding already and we haven’t even closed out week 1.
Bikezilla 