STAGE
20 ITT RACE REPORT:
54k from Bergerac
to Perigueux; Rolling.
Weather: Sunny, mid
80sf.
The race against
the clock shuffled the standings today on stage 20 of the Tour De France. The
riders attacked a 54km individual time trial in one of the tightest podium
races in recent years. Only utter disaster would have unhinged Vincenzo Nibali
from his overall lead, but the rest of the podium would be decided on
Saturday's race of truth.
Five-time Vuelta A
España podium finisher (and 2009 Vuelta winner) Alejandro Valverde has been
looking for a Tour De France podium finish, and today's ITT may be one of his
last chances to accomplish that feat. With recent Giro d'Italia winner Nairo
Quintana looking like the near-future of Movistar's Grand Tour GC hopes,
Valverde, at 34, is running out of time.
 |
| Stage 20 ITT Profile |
Two Frenchman came
into the stage vying with Valverde for podium positions. Veteran
Jean-Christophe Peraud of AG2R, and young climbing star Thibaut Pinot of FDJ.
Last year JC Peraud started the stage-17 time trial with a broken collarbone, and
then crashed out on the course, falling on the same right shoulder. Today he had his chance for redemption.
Pinot showed this year that he conquered some demons and was ready to prove his
right to stand with the best...
