Sunday, July 19, 2009
Stage 15: Pontarlier to Verbier
I'm happy to say that our brave Lanterne Rouge Kenny Robert Van Hummel (Dutch rider for Skil-Shimano) finished today's Tour de France stage solo - 12 minutes behind the nearest rider, with a 39 minute gap in aggregate time to the next rider in the overall standings. It took him about two hours of solo riding to get there through some nasty crowds today, so it's quite a tough effort on his part to finish the day! Bravo!
Another notable ride was Slovenian Simon Spilak, riding for Lampre, who figured prominently in a breakaway and led the stage for a while, and in so doing earned the Combativity Award. Just two days ago he finished last at 45:45, 22 min after the nearest rider. However, he was held up so much by crowds in the road that the judges allowed him to remain in the race. He's done a great job paying back their faith in him!
Two more riders out today: Tom Boonen of Quick Step (no great surprise there - departed at 79th place in the green jersey competition. More about Boonen's recent personal issues here.), and Vladimir Efimkin (Ag2R), leaving from 16th place overall, but apparently suffering after a crash.
I'll bet many are very happy to see the rest day arrive. 162 riders remain in the 2009 Tour, representing 10.0% attrition after two weeks.
Another notable ride was Slovenian Simon Spilak, riding for Lampre, who figured prominently in a breakaway and led the stage for a while, and in so doing earned the Combativity Award. Just two days ago he finished last at 45:45, 22 min after the nearest rider. However, he was held up so much by crowds in the road that the judges allowed him to remain in the race. He's done a great job paying back their faith in him!
Two more riders out today: Tom Boonen of Quick Step (no great surprise there - departed at 79th place in the green jersey competition. More about Boonen's recent personal issues here.), and Vladimir Efimkin (Ag2R), leaving from 16th place overall, but apparently suffering after a crash.
I'll bet many are very happy to see the rest day arrive. 162 riders remain in the 2009 Tour, representing 10.0% attrition after two weeks.
Labels: Boonen, Efimkin, Spilak, Van Hummel
