Thor Hushovd tightened his grip on the Tour de France points competition after winning the first of two intermediate sprints yesterday to gain extra points in the fight for the green jersey.
Hushovd, a two-time winner of the green jersey, took the lead in this year’s competition when he battled to a superb win over the cobbles during third stage.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSFnbpJsvKM[/youtube]
With the climbers attacking on Col de Madeleine yesterday, Cervélo’s Thor Hushovd worked into a group of riders to finish safely within the time limit in 159th place.
“It was another hard stage. It was very hot again. I was able to take the points in the first intermediate sprint,” Hushovd said. “I am looking forward to some easier stages after the Alps. The mountain stages are very hard. Maybe there will be a sprint before the Pyrénées, so I hope to be there.”
A tasteful green machine for points leader Hushovd
Pre-Race: July 14 – Stage 10: Chambéry-Gap 179 km
July 14th is France’s National Day so look for a French rider to go for the win. The undulating stage features three rated climbs as it pushes south along the foothills of the Alps and ends after a fast descent into Gap. The first ascent of the day, the steep Côte de Laffrey that leaves Vizille after 77km, will see some attacks. Then the Col du Noyer, a Cat.2, 7.4km ascent of 5.3%, that has the same tricky descent where Joseba Beloki crashed in 2003.
2 Comments
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