Favourites were thrust out of their comfort zones and out of the protection of their teams, Cadel Evans, Frank and Andy Schleck, Ivan Basso, Samuel Sanchez, Damiano Cunego and Alberto Contador all ended up doing neck and neck on the final 10km of the 13.1km to Luz Ardiden.
Sanchez got off to an impressive start getting into a break building up around 2 minutes on the chasing favourites. They were all stalking each other (Sanchez no immediate threat to the GC today) with the Schleck's lining up to start toying with the field.
First Andy went, swiftly covered by Cadel and Basso - Contador slightly on the backfoot. But then Contador rose to the front and the Schleck's began discussions. Then it was Franks turn, surging from the front, the move covered again by the 3 time Tour winner and Australian former World Champion. Once again Andy surged, this time less convincingly and up the outside Frank was fired toward the top of the mountain, unchallenged.
First Andy went, swiftly covered by Cadel and Basso - Contador slightly on the backfoot. But then Contador rose to the front and the Schleck's began discussions. Then it was Franks turn, surging from the front, the move covered again by the 3 time Tour winner and Australian former World Champion. Once again Andy surged, this time less convincingly and up the outside Frank was fired toward the top of the mountain, unchallenged.
Frank Schleck rode to the top without strain or upset from the riders behind, swiftly closing in on the 2 riders still up the road - Sanchez and Vanendert.
The chasing GC pack of Basso, Evans, Schleck, Cunego and Contador were following but not without Basso, Evans and Schleck putting some time into Contador. The Spaniard dropped 13 seconds on the closing slopes of Luz Ardiden to the elite front group, something no one has seen from the usually unshakable Contador in recent years.
Fantasy League:
Unfortunately for fantasy league players no one had selected Samuel Sanchez for their team, so the 123 points he earned today goes unclaimed. Though this has been a common theme throughout the league with Rui Costa taking an unclaimed 204 points on stage 8 and Jeremy Roy so far racking up well over 300 points unclaimed in this years fantasy league.
The highest scoring fantasy league rider was Geraint Thomas picking up 93 points and Frank Schleck the second highest scoring picked rider at 55 points.
Tomorrow the riders travel from Pau South to Lourdes cresting the HC category climb of the Col de l'Aubiqsue 110km into the stage. No uphill finish however I wouldn't count on a sprint finish. Undoubtedly there will be pushes on the descent and riders trying to get to the finish in a break from the climb - look for Thomas Voeckler doing his utmost to stay in yellow and guys like Sandy Casar, Anthony Charteau and Jerome Pineau doing their best to get a stage win the day after Bastille day.
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