Bagnéres de Luchon, 22nd of July – 2014
Tinkoff-Saxo’s Michael Rogers took part in the crucial breakaway during today’s 237.5 kilometer long 16th stage of this year’s Tour de France counting no less than five categorized climbs counting Col de Portet d’Aspet where Fabio Casartelli so sadly crashed on the descent and died from head injuries in the 1995 version of the Tour. From the top of final climb, the HC category Port de Balés there were 20 kilometers of fast descending straight down to the finish line in Bagnéres de Luchon where the Tinkoff-Saxo Aussie soloed his way to stage glory.
In the breakaway, Rogers was joined by 20 riders including Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Belisol), Vasil Kiryienka (Sky), Michael Kwiatkowski (Omega-Pharma Quick Step), Michael Albasini (Orica GreenEdge) and Tom Slagter (AG2R). In the main bunch, Astana were in control of the pacesetting but it was at an early point obvious that the stage winner was sitting in the break.
The front group stayed together until the final slope where group started to dissolve in the zone of hurt and 6 kilometers from the top of climb, Rogers shook the tree causing more riders to fall off. Then Voeckler of Kiryienka upped the pace in the break but Cyril Gautier (Europcar) created a promising gap to Rogers, Voeckler and Jose Serpa (Lampre) and Rogers closed the gap without panicking and parked Gautier on the mountainside. Leaving Rogers, Serpa and Voeckler in the new front trio.
In the group of favorites, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) was surrounded by Movistar riders and isolated as Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) jumped out of the saddle and up the road but both Nibali and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) were able to respond to the first move. However, Valverde was dropped as Pinot went again but rejoined the group on the descent.
On the descent, Gautier and Kyrienka bridged the gap to the front trio. On the lower slopes of the descent, Michael Rogers launched a fierce attack and soloed towards the finish line just like he did in the Giro d’Italia earlier this year and conquered stage glory.
After crossing the finish line, Michael Rogers was all smiles:
“I had the feeling that my stage truly began at the foot of the final climb and at the top, we were only three guys left in the group. On the descent, Europcar’s Gautier bridged the gap and rejoined Voeckler but I just rode as fast as I possibly could on the lower slopes, created the gap and kept the pace up to the finish line. No one was going to beat me today. Of course, I’m immensely happy and it’s a good feeling to have a Tour de France stage win on my resume“, said Rogers.
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) leads the race overall.
