Tour de France Preview - Stage 13, July 17th

 Photo credit © Sirotti

Well I thought a breakaway would form, but what a powerful breakaway it was including, Ryder Hesjedal, Garmin – Transitions, down 5:42 on GC, Alexandre Vinokourov, Astana, at 06:31, Andréas Kloden, Team RadioShack, at 09:05. It is clear that Vino wants to prove something to someone at this years Tour, it's also clear that Contador will not be invited to Thanksgiving at Vino's house. Banging on his bars as he crossed the line was an outward sign that Vinokourov was frustrated that el Pistolero chased him down on the steep climb named after Tour great Laurent Jalabert. Andy Schleck didn't panic and only lost about 10 seconds to the head scratching move by Contador. Joaquin Rodriguez (Team Katusha) won the stage, and maybe Contador sent a minor shot across the bow of Schleck in advance of the Pyrenees. Ryder Hesjedal proved once again he is an exciting, gutsy rider, a great ride today. Team Radioshack was also a big winner today as they moved ahead of Caisse d'Espargne in the team classification.

Saturday's Stage 13 finish in Revel might bring back bad memories for Lance, where in '95 he finished second to Sergei Uchakov in a two-up sprint. Tomorrow's hilly stage will be another shot for a breakaway to get a chance for a victory, as the peloton is tired and it is forecast to be very hot once again.