Tour de France 2011 Stage 14
By Ben, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Google+: Ben Bexpert
“Surprise, surprise” would have been the theme at Stage 13 of Tour de France 2011, Thor Hushovd who was not considered to be a threat on the second day of the Pyrenees mountain passes had the leg to win the stage. Hushovd beat the two Frenchmen, Jeremy Roy and David Moncoutie on his way down to the finishing line in Lourdes.
Stage 13 Recap
Considered not to be a major threat at the classic Aubisque mountain pass with a stiff climb of up to 1709 metre on Friday, Thor Hushovd had surprised everyone as he might be a big and powerful rider, but he is not considered to be a climber, hence, in his own admission this stage of the Tour does not suit him. Yet, the Norwegian made his mark in the stage 13 of Tour de France. It was an exciting race between the Garmin-Cervelo rider, Jeremy Roy and David Moncoutie who were leading the race most of the day. The three battled out after ascending from Col d’Aubisque to the finishing line in Lourdes. However, the World Champion Hushovd surged ahead less than 3 kilometres from the finishing line, passing the two Frenchmen to snatch victory at pilgrimage city of Lourdes and denying another French victory stage in this year’s Tour. Hushovd finished the152.5 km long race from Pau to Lourdes in 3 hours 47 minutes 36 seconds. On the other hand, David Moncoutie trailed 10 secs behind the stage 13 winner while finishing in third place, Jeremy Roy followed after 26 secs.
Tour de France Stage 14
Stage 14 of the Tour will be the last of the big climb for the peloton. The final day of the three day trek across the Pyrenees, will be a 168.5 km long from Saint-Gaudens to Plateau de Beille. Although it will not be the same notorious level of climbing like Aubisque and Tourmalet in stage 12 and 13 that the riders had in the last two days, this stage is considered the toughest of them all. It consists a number of steep climbs right from the start and once again, like stage 12, it will be a summit finish for the cyclists. It will require endurance, stamina and powerful legs. The mountain climbers will be expected to do well here with the likes of Alberto Contador, the Schleck brothers, Ivan Basso and Cadel Evans.
We will see frenzy attack from the two brothers this Saturday, Andy Schleck is on odds 4/1 while Frank Schleck is 6/1 to win. On the other hand, Ivan Basso is at 10/1 and Cadel Evans 14/1. Nonetheless, considered by most to be the greatest climber, Contador has been hampered by crashes since the start of the race in which he has picked up a knee injury. Despite this, the defending champion Alberto Contador is the odds favourite to win stage 14 of 2011 Tour de France with 2/1 odds.
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