Cycling: What an incredible performance by Simon Geschke (Giant-Alpecin)! The Berliner won the first real Alpine stage of the 2015 Tour de France. With more than 20 km to go, he attacked from the breakaway group, pulled away on the Col d'Allos, flew down the descent and took the day's victory in Pra Loup. It is the fifth German day win this year.
What a great stage from Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup! After yesterday's rest day, today's stage offered everything a cycling heart desires. With an incredible happy ending for Simon Geschke and Giant-Alpecin. Tejay van Garderen (BMC) has to give up the race, Contador loses a lot of time after a fall. But first things first.
As is so often the case on this year's tour, the unrest and nervousness in the field was palpable shortly after the start. There were countless attacks, many battles for positions and the field quickly broke up into many smaller and larger groups. It took more than 50km today until a group of almost 30 riders had found itself at the front. Once again Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) was in the breakaway group, but John Degenkolb and Simon Geschke (both Giant-Alpecin) and Rigoberto Uran (Etixx-QuickStep) also made the jump.
A human drama was playing out at the far end of the field. Tejay van Garderen (BMC), who is third in the overall standings and who has done particularly well in the mountains, caught a cold on the rest day yesterday and clearly had difficulties keeping up with the pace today. The American fought and fought, again and again he and his helpers managed to catch up with the group around Chris Froome, but on the ascent of the Col de la Colle-Saint-Michel (2nd category) he climbed completely exhausted and close to despair BMC professional off the bike and into the team vehicle. The tour, which has been so good so far, ends for him on this bitter note. Get well soon!
The first attack in the maillot-jaune group took place on that climb. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) tried his luck, Valverde (Movistar) gave chase and also quickly caught up with his compatriot. After a few kilometers, the attack for the two Spaniards was over when they were caught by Froome's helpers. The leading group of 28 riders held a fairly consistent lead of just over two minutes over the five pursuers and four minutes over the peloton. Shortly before the ascent to the Col d'Allos, Simon Geschke plucked up courage and attacked from the leading group.
Geschke's former companions let him go, after all it was still more than 20km to the finish and the Col d'Allos, including its difficult descent and the final climb to Pra Loup, were still waiting. Geschke quickly had a lead of over a minute – Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) gave chase up to the Col d'Allos and reduced the German's lead with every turn of the crank. At the summit it had melted down to just under a minute - then came the spectacular and demanding descent. Pinot lost his grip on the rear wheel in one of the first corners and fell slightly. But this small fall was enough to demoralize the French so much that Geschke was able to pull away again. Andrew Talansky (Cannondale-Garmin) passed Pinot and tried to close the gap to Geschke.
Summary:Tour de France Stage 17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut3c7YKW_6c
Another prominent victim of the fast descent was Alberto Contador, who fell quite badly and was able to continue, but had to let Froome, Nibali and Quintana go and lost more than two minutes. Simon Geschke actually saved his lead to the finish - he fought his way up to the finish line in Pra Loup meter by meter and celebrated the biggest win of his career. Talansky passed the line 30 seconds after him, followed by Rigoberto Uran. In the interview after crossing the finish line, Geschke was overwhelmed and on the verge of tears: "I think it will take me a few years to really realize what I've done today. I didn't feel that great at the start today, the heat has really caused me problems in the last few days. I knew I needed a gap before the final climb, so I attacked early and it worked. I definitely drove above my limit today.”
Interview: Simon Geschke "I'm not supposed to do anything here..." 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHs4MFTon5g
Final result stage 17 Tour de France 2015
[easy table th=“0″]1., Simon Geschke, Giant Alpecin, 04:12:17
2.,Andre Talansky,Cannondale-Garmin,00:00:32
3., Rigoberto Uran, Etixx QuickStep, 00:01:01
4., Thibaut Pinot, FDJ, 00:01:36
5.,Mathias Frank,IAM,00:01:40
6th,Steven Kruijswijk,LottoNL-Jumbo,00:02:27
7.,Nicholas Roche,Sky,00:03:02
8.,Jonathan Castroviejo,Movistar,00:03:04
9.,Serge Pauwels,MTN-Qhubeka,00:03:05
10.,Adam Yates,Orica-GreenEdge,00:03:21
[/easy table]
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